Magic: The Gathering Arena

 PC
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Kotaku
    Sep 27, 2019
    It’s impossible to predict what Magic Arena will mean for the paper card game’s future. That said, it’s easy to look around and see hype for the game snowballing alongside Arena’s release and the launch of Magic’s new esports league. For my part, Magic Arena’s pitch has finally gotten me hooked on a game I’ve been playing on and off for seven years. Its ease of play makes the average Magic game more of a ballet than a stop-and-start football match. As most of its clunkier aspects game melt away, the heart of a card game that has nearly three decades’ worth of staying power shines through.
  2. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Oct 1, 2019
    The important questions are whether it replicates the fun of the tabletop game – at least for the rank and file of casual players like me – and whether it’s a good PC game. The answer to both is a resounding yes.

Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Best PC Game of 2018
27
#27 Most Discussed PC Game of 2018

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
2.9

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 209 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 209
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 209
  3. Negative: 147 out of 209
  1. Mercestes
    Apr 13, 2019
    0
    Let me preface this by saying, I can't rank this game low enough.

    A wise woman once said, "this one does not bring joy" and that pretty    Let me preface this by saying, I can't rank this game low enough.

    A wise woman once said, "this one does not bring joy" and that pretty much sums up the MtG Arena experience. If in turn 1 you see a forest and a Llanowar Elf in turn 1, you're pretty much guaranteed to see a Gigantosaurus by turn 5. Every deck has an answer to Carnage Tyrant, or you lose. If you spend any coins whatsoever on any of the constructed drafts, you're guaranteed to see a Teferi deny deck. Eventually you just start seeing the same half-dozen decks or so and the turn by turn plays get pretty predictable. Always the same over-powered cards in the same turn order over and over again.

    Meanwhile over here I can't get a dual-mana deck to line up to save my life.

    The entire culture of MtG Arena is toxic. If you deck starts to win, expect to suffer troll-stalling forever. Want to know exactly what MTG Arena is about, just search for "mtg admin bans arena player"

    If you can perform any action whatsoever (valid or not) you have to click "next' non-stop through each and every phase, except in the very few instances it makes since to actually do something, then the game doesn't pause and just skips right on by you.

    I log in and do my weekly quests for cards because I clearly have no will power and I make poor life choices. Don't make the same mistakes I did.

    "But there is no hacking in MTG Arena!!!" That may or may not be true, but the statistical probability of decks in excess of 200 cards always managing to drop a land every turn *AND* curve out their creature drops every time I come against one when I have to concede out of a quarter of my matches because I can't get more than 2 manas out of 3 mulligans (and I run 20 lands + 8 mana searches) is *pretty* bad. Just sayin'.

    If you ever doubt there is hacking in MTG: Arena, just pay gold to play a game.    … Full Review »
  2. JotnarGiant
    Feb 24, 2019
    0
    This is pay-to-win garbage that gets really boring really fast. The interface is way too clunky, and sometimes you literally have to spend 10This is pay-to-win garbage that gets really boring really fast. The interface is way too clunky, and sometimes you literally have to spend 10 minutes clicking 'accept' on every little thing your opponent does. Although this game is 'free' to play, I wouldn't bother wasting your time, and definitely would never pay a dime for it.… Full Review »
  3. Misanthropist73
    Mar 19, 2019
    0
    The game uses a Fixed-Number-Generator. Meaning if you make a powerful deck, you'll only see other powerful decks, which defeats the wholeThe game uses a Fixed-Number-Generator. Meaning if you make a powerful deck, you'll only see other powerful decks, which defeats the whole purpose of competing. The Wizards of the Coast run this game like Sociopaths.… Full Review »
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