Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013

 PC
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 104 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 104
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 104
  3. Negative: 24 out of 104

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  1. Argusdubbs
    Oct 2, 2012
    8
    2013 is a definite improvement over the 2012 version. The decks seem more themed and certainly the synergy between the cards within each deck is greatly improved which I believe makes them more enjoyable to play. The added card options (40 unlockables this year compared to 20 in 2012) really gives you a chance to build your deck a couple different ways. Finally, the balance between decks2013 is a definite improvement over the 2012 version. The decks seem more themed and certainly the synergy between the cards within each deck is greatly improved which I believe makes them more enjoyable to play. The added card options (40 unlockables this year compared to 20 in 2012) really gives you a chance to build your deck a couple different ways. Finally, the balance between decks is much better as well. In 2012 there were certain decks that were very difficult to win with consistently but in 2013 the margin between decks has been narrowed.

    There are still some drawbacks- land distributions is still not manually adjustable which can be frustrating when you have so many other ways to fine tune your decks. Additionally the 'card shuffling' is a bit sub-par, leading many times to either not having enough land or having too much in any given hand; however these are not game breaking defects. Finally, the multiplayer connectivity, while improved from 2012, is still lacking in that there are many times when you find yourself unable to connect to your opponents. However, the mid-game crashes that plagued 2012 seem to have been cleaned up and I have only encountered one or two game crashes in over 250 online matches. Finally, I wish to note that many people mark this game down for not allowing full deck building options and I don't think that is fair. This game does not advertise that feature nor would it make sense for it to do so. Magic the Gathering: Online provides that service and charges large sums of money in return. On the other hand, for the $9.99 charge that this game incurs you get 10 decks each in excess of 100 cards, the price to replicate on Magic Online or with physical magic cards would be well over $1000. The game does well what it sets out to do - provide gateway into the world of Magic the Gathering, allowing the player to experience a number of different deck types, colors and themes without the prohibitive cost that acquiring those cards in Magic Online or paper magic would entail. Finally it gives what many magic players really need - an active online community to go head to head against.    … Expand
  2. ShivanDarkeyes
    Jun 25, 2012
    9
    MtG- Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 has several improved features from previous years while retaining the charm and elegance of the core product. Duels is an excellent game to introduce new players to the world of Magic the Gathering. It slowly, but enjoyably teaches players the core concepts of the game. Learning Magic can be a daunting experience because of the depth and breadth ofMtG- Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 has several improved features from previous years while retaining the charm and elegance of the core product. Duels is an excellent game to introduce new players to the world of Magic the Gathering. It slowly, but enjoyably teaches players the core concepts of the game. Learning Magic can be a daunting experience because of the depth and breadth of the rules but Duels 2013 makes the process simple by introducing concepts one at a time. Duels 2013 also does an excellent job of showing different strategies players can use when building decks. Every player should be able to find a deck that suits his or her individual play style. There are controlling decks and aggressive decks. There are mill-based decks and burn based decks. Creatures decks and removal decks. One problem with the game is that it lacks full customization options for its decks. Players can substitute a few cards, but experienced Magic players that want a digital version of the game will want more options than what Duels 2013 will provide. Especially after the Campaign mode is completed the game could have more repeatability if players could have more options for constructing decks of their own for multiplayer.

    The puzzles are much more difficult than last year but still easy enough to finish without using spoilers. The multiplayer section of the game offers the brand new "Planechase" that mirrors the non-digital release of the product and offers a high variance, but very fun alternative to two-headed giant and free-for-all play. Ultimately, just the campaign mode will give hours of fun for the low price of $10.

    The biggest problem with the game is the instability of the multiplayer games. They are difficult to get started and have a lot of connection problems causing players to drop frequently. Ultimately, even with these flaws this is an easy buy. The game should provide significant value to new and old magic players and is a steal at $10.    … Expand
  3. vandana
    Jul 15, 2012
    10
    There is only one MTG game better than DotP 2012 and it's called DotP 2013 :) More manual options, new inetersting decks. A must have for anyone who loves MTG and plays it only casually. If you want to see what MTG is all about this is also the place to start. For £7 it's a steal. The only thing I would add at this point is ability to lower lands number to 20, but that is a minorThere is only one MTG game better than DotP 2012 and it's called DotP 2013 :) More manual options, new inetersting decks. A must have for anyone who loves MTG and plays it only casually. If you want to see what MTG is all about this is also the place to start. For £7 it's a steal. The only thing I would add at this point is ability to lower lands number to 20, but that is a minor flaw. Love the equal chances the game gives to all casual fans.… Expand
  4. deltraeus
    Jul 2, 2012
    9
    As compared to the two previous versions, Duels 2013 stands above the others. The additions of both the end step and manual mana tapping (albeit through a clunky procedure) are great features and bring the game ever closer to traditional paper Magic. While there may not be true deck customization, there are certainly plenty of options available. From an unlockable pool of 30 cards (withAs compared to the two previous versions, Duels 2013 stands above the others. The additions of both the end step and manual mana tapping (albeit through a clunky procedure) are great features and bring the game ever closer to traditional paper Magic. While there may not be true deck customization, there are certainly plenty of options available. From an unlockable pool of 30 cards (with more to come, surely) one can create a good variety of different strategies all with one central idea for each of the 10 initial decks (once again, more will definitely be added). The campaign actually feels as though it has a purpose and the Planechase campaign is very fun (albeit quite excruciating in certain circumstances). The challenges are definitely difficult in some places and make you think differently than you would expect.

    The only real downside I've seen is that the initial decks don't feel as ingenious and creative as those from Duels 2012. However, even if you have the first two iterations of the Duels franchise, 2013 is a must and at $10, how can you go wrong?

    Also you get a free 6 card booster in the real world, if that helps at all.    … Expand
  5. Siberman44
    Jan 28, 2013
    10
    One of the best tcgs games out there! It is hard and its is difficult to make the right decisions on how you will play your cards and that is the fun about it. Sadly the credits go the real tcg game and not the pc game because it lacks in special effects and has a short campaign it also doesn't let you to customize your deck as you wish and it pretty much limits you on how you play.One of the best tcgs games out there! It is hard and its is difficult to make the right decisions on how you will play your cards and that is the fun about it. Sadly the credits go the real tcg game and not the pc game because it lacks in special effects and has a short campaign it also doesn't let you to customize your deck as you wish and it pretty much limits you on how you play. Finally it s price is only 9 E ,cheaper than buying real cards , and it s a great way to spend some time.… Expand
  6. ludd_gang
    Jun 21, 2012
    10
    So happy to have an end step and pick which lands I tap. This is a great intro to the game or way for vets to get a quick MTG fix. IMO it's a lot of fun for the price.
  7. Nile3
    Jul 2, 2012
    8
    Fun game, looks like the other yearly magic but with some improvement. I'd like for the single player game to last longer, otherwise everything has been polished: the graphics, the combat, the abilities, the gameplay. I recommend it.
  8. Mudget
    Feb 4, 2013
    9
    I think they've finally perfected a PC layout for Magic: The Gathering. Ideally, I'd love to see Magic: The Gathering Online switched to this clean format, but for now, the single-player campaign and multiplayer (using only pre-built decks) is a good start. It goes without saying that this incarnation is superior to its 2012 predecessor, but what's more exciting is looking ahead toI think they've finally perfected a PC layout for Magic: The Gathering. Ideally, I'd love to see Magic: The Gathering Online switched to this clean format, but for now, the single-player campaign and multiplayer (using only pre-built decks) is a good start. It goes without saying that this incarnation is superior to its 2012 predecessor, but what's more exciting is looking ahead to future incarnations. These are fun decks, but the desire to build one's own deck is something that should be addressed first and foremost in future editions. The vast amount of number-crunching this program does is staggering, and at times it can miss (computer opponent AI occasionally does goofy things no live player ever would). But bottom-line is that there are a lot of moving parts here and Wizards of the Coast has created one of the most faithful computer representations of the card game. If you are a fan of MTG at all, this should be in your collection.… Expand
  9. orctown-troll
    Jun 18, 2014
    9
    A lot of the people who play 'real' Magic with cards were disappointed with this game. Fair enough. The game lacks several key dimensions of the card game, especially building your own decks. Others complain about the DLC. Also fair. It is far easier to pay to win than actually grind the card unlocks. So yes, the DLC is bad. However this is still a good magic game, and it is an excellentA lot of the people who play 'real' Magic with cards were disappointed with this game. Fair enough. The game lacks several key dimensions of the card game, especially building your own decks. Others complain about the DLC. Also fair. It is far easier to pay to win than actually grind the card unlocks. So yes, the DLC is bad. However this is still a good magic game, and it is an excellent product as an introduction to the game for beginners or the curious. If you are a veteran magic player you may wish to avoid it. But if you are an outsider who wants to see how this famous game functions this is a good place to start. And of course the way around the high price of DLC is PATIENCE. Wait for the inevitable Steam sale.

    9/10 as a great demo for magic.

    Orctowngrot.    … Expand
  10. EUPOLEMOS
    Dec 17, 2014
    10
    I really enjoyed magic 2013.I find it even better than magic 2014 because it moves faster and more smoothly and it has more interesting decks.Anyway it is certainly a very good game with the right difficulty level.

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Best PC Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. PC Master (Greece)
    Aug 31, 2012
    75
    Definitely superior to its predecessors. The, admittedly few, improvements are more than welcome, as is the case with the new Planechase mode ('Archenemy' will be missed, however). [August 2012]
  2. Eurogamer Italy
    Aug 12, 2012
    70
    New year, same problems. Without deck customization, Magic: Duels of Planeswalker 2013 couldn't be a masterpiece, just a good game.
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  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Aug 10, 2012
    80
    Extremely catchy strategy based on the classic trading card game Magic the Gathering. Nothing more nothing less. [Issue#220]
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