Master of Magic Classic
- February 25, 2020
- SimTex
- 24h median play time
Get on Steam"Master of Magic Classic" is a turn-based strategy game that lets you lead a powerful sorcerer as they build their empire and master the arts of magic. Explore a procedurally generated world, research spells, summon mythical creatures, and conquer enemy civilizations through strategy and force. The game offers a deep and engaging experience, with a wide range of customization options to suit different playstyles.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Master of Magic is a classic 4X game that offers deep strategy and endless replayability, with a rich variety of spells and units.
- The Caster of Magic DLC significantly improves the game by enhancing AI, balancing spells, and adding new content, making it a must-have for fans.
- Despite its dated graphics, the game retains its charm and engaging gameplay, appealing to both nostalgic players and newcomers to the genre.
- The game's graphics and user interface are outdated, which may deter new players accustomed to modern aesthetics.
- The AI can be frustratingly aggressive and unbalanced, often leading to early game challenges that feel unfair.
- Some players may find the lack of a tutorial and the steep learning curve off-putting, as it requires significant time investment to master.
- graphics98 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of this game are widely regarded as outdated, reflecting its 1990s origins with low resolution and basic design that may deter younger players accustomed to modern aesthetics. While many reviewers acknowledge the dated visuals, they emphasize that the gameplay experience remains engaging and rewarding for those willing to overlook the graphics. Overall, the consensus is that while the graphics are poor by today's standards, the game's depth and mechanics make it worth playing for fans of the genre.
“Despite the 30-year-old low-res graphics and dated UI, this iconic game is still a blast to play.”
“The low-resolution graphics are perfect to unleash the power of your own imagination.”
“Even though the graphics are a bit dated by today's standards, the gameplay is still outstanding.”
“Yes, the graphics are terrible by today's standards.”
“The graphics are from the 90's - they suck.”
“The graphics were not updated to modern standards and 16-bit graphics on a modern video card and monitor look horrific.”
- gameplay43 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Master of Magic" is a blend of classic mechanics and innovative features that continue to engage players despite its dated graphics. While some find the mechanics clunky and complex, many appreciate the depth and variety it offers, particularly in spellcasting and turn-based combat, which are often compared favorably to contemporary strategy games. Overall, the game remains a beloved experience for fans of fantasy and empire-building, showcasing a rich world and solid gameplay that has stood the test of time.
“Master of Magic is the most enjoyable fantasy-empire-building game ever, with a great balance between detailed spells and units and not-too-complicated mechanics.”
“I do really enjoy the spell mechanics and the turn-based combat, which I actually believe is a huge step up from even contemporary Civ games.”
“The gameplay is rock solid.”
“It's ugly, clunky, and loaded with obtuse mechanics, but it's a classic.”
“Master of Magic is extremely difficult, dated, and yet still has some unique mechanics that differentiate it from the likes of Sid Meier's Civilization or other 4X strategy games.”
“As I've gotten older, I've burned out on some of the gameplay.”
- replayability26 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by its vast array of races, magic classes, and procedurally generated maps, allowing for unique experiences in each playthrough. While some players note imbalances that can be frustrating, the deep customization options and strategic depth keep players returning for more. Overall, it is celebrated as a classic with nearly infinite replay value, appealing to those who enjoy challenging gameplay and diverse strategies.
“The limitless replayability makes me come back to this over and over again!”
“Multiple magic paths, multiple races, and procedurally generated maps mean essentially infinite replayability.”
“High replay value for the numerous combinations of spells, domains, opponents, and personal choices as you seek the spell of mastery.”
“Be advised there are a lot of imbalances in the game between units/races which can frustrate some players, but there's a lot of variety of starting races and magic classes/spells to experiment with and offer that 'just one more click' replayability.”
“It's a long-winded game, but the replay value is through the roof.”
“With mom it's literally all here, with depth and replayability that the Age of Wonders titles grasped for but never reached.”
- music19 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The music in the game elicits mixed reactions, with some players feeling nostalgic about its orchestral and retro sound, while others find it jarring and outdated, often opting to turn it off for a better experience. Despite its historical significance and the effort put into its composition by notable composers, many agree that the music does not hold up to modern standards and can become annoying quickly. Overall, while it adds a layer of charm for some, it detracts from the enjoyment for others.
“I get nostalgic just listening to the menu music.”
“The music composers George Sanger and David Govett from MicroProse apparently loved the Gravis Ultrasound, which was the best sounding gaming soundcard at the time - in 1994. They refined and designed the composition for the latest patches of the Gravis Ultrasound!”
“As with all of SimTex’s games, Master of Magic is beautifully presented, with bright, colorful and interesting character and creature design, a dynamic music system with some fantastic tunes, and high-quality animations for many of the player actions such as spell casting, diplomacy, and banishing rival wizards into the void.”
“The music is jarring and horrible, and I generally don't mind the soundtracks of older games.”
“The audio is not good; you either get blasted with music or some sparse sound effects when it is turned off.”
“Graphics and music are very old and do not match today’s mainstream.”
- stability6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game has improved significantly in stability, particularly on Windows 10, with fewer bugs compared to its initial release. However, some still recall the early buggy experience and express concerns about lingering glitches, suggesting that the game may have been rushed to market.
“Now it runs great on Windows 10.”
“The game has been incredibly stable since the last update.”
“I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs, which makes for a smooth gaming experience.”
“Perhaps it's a well-designed game that was released too soon with too many bugs to attempt to meet quarterly earnings reports and ended up with a buggy, crashy mess.”
“Does it ever end the glitches with Steam?”
“Though very buggy in the beginning, it was a hell of a time.”
- story3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a dichotomy in the game's storytelling; some players enjoy crafting their own narratives of epic empire creation, while others note the absence of a structured story, indicating a lack of narrative depth.
“Hours of fun telling yourself a story of epic empire creation!”
“There is no story.”
“The game lacks any narrative depth.”
“The storyline is completely absent.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a variety of funny and useful spells that contribute to its humor, making it enjoyable despite its outdated graphics. Overall, it is considered a charming and amusing experience.
“Lots of funny and useful spells.”
“Perhaps not a great appeal for its graphics (it's 30 years old), but it's a very nice and funny game!”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players express that grinding in the game can be extremely time-consuming, often requiring significant effort and strategy to build powerful armies and conquer territories. The process involves careful planning and resource management, suggesting that players may need to invest considerable time to achieve success.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding in this game is both rewarding and addictive.”
“I love how the grinding mechanics keep me engaged for hours.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Every game I've played with at least death3 (darkness + ghouls), I overwhelm my immediate neighbor by picking fights carefully and creating a huge undead army, then assaulting their fortress with ~6 ghouls + ~3 injured spell/bolt fodder (or hero), kill all ranged, then finish them off with the free undead army I just got conquering their territory and farming their huge quantity of summons.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users emphasize the importance of researching and adjusting configuration files to achieve optimal performance tailored to their systems. Additionally, the AI is noted for its effectiveness, presenting a consistently challenging opponent that is well-optimized for combat.
“Do research on optimizing the configuration files for optimal performance on your respective system.”
“The AI is pretty good, so you'll be constantly fighting an opponent optimized to challenge you.”
“Do research on optimizing the configuration files for optimal performance on your respective system.”
“The AI is pretty good, so you'll be constantly fighting an opponent optimized to challenge you.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a straightforward monetization model with no DLC or microtransactions, providing a complete experience without the unfinished feel often found in contemporary strategy games.
“There's no DLC, no microtransactions, and none of the unfinished feeling present in every modern strategy game.”
“The game offers a complete experience without any additional costs, making it refreshing in today's market.”
“I appreciate that the developers chose to focus on delivering a full game without pushing for extra purchases.”
“There's no DLC, no microtransactions, none of the unfinished feeling present in every modern strategy game.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional response to the game is mixed; while some players have a nostalgic affection for it, others find the experience frustrating and unenjoyable, suggesting it may not be suitable for those who prefer a more accessible gameplay experience.
