Magic: The Gathering Arena

 PC
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

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  1. superpyro296
    Nov 6, 2019
    6
    I think the game is well done overall but I see a serious problem that discourages me to continue play on a regular basis. In fact, almost everyone play with the same decks archetypes. So, if you want to have a chance to win, you need to play with a "net-deck" too. I would like a format where you can play with the preconstructed decks and be able to try more cards. So, I mean the problemI think the game is well done overall but I see a serious problem that discourages me to continue play on a regular basis. In fact, almost everyone play with the same decks archetypes. So, if you want to have a chance to win, you need to play with a "net-deck" too. I would like a format where you can play with the preconstructed decks and be able to try more cards. So, I mean the problem is in the matching process. Also, you will see that if you're in a winning position during a match, a significant amount of players will concede really early, which makes the wins less enjoyable. I think the early concessions should be punished and they should create a format for more janky decks or even preconstructed decks.… Expand
  2. AJCk19
    Jun 30, 2023
    7
    tldr; low rating comes from people who don't play paper magic, the game has PLENTY of room for improvement, wizards can sometimes be evil, however the overall experience is still enjoyable as the digital brother of paper magic.

    For once, I consider the Critic Review's rating more accurate, if not only a tad bit high. The user review rating is so low, because most of the gaming crowd,    tldr; low rating comes from people who don't play paper magic, the game has PLENTY of room for improvement, wizards can sometimes be evil, however the overall experience is still enjoyable as the digital brother of paper magic.

    For once, I consider the Critic Review's rating more accurate, if not only a tad bit high. The user review rating is so low, because most of the gaming crowd, haven't step foot in the "arena" with paper magic. Which is a expensive card game of the big 3 TCGs. Not only that, it is the #1 most expensive card game. To make things worse, it is the 1st modern tcg, with all other tcg copying it.

    If anything, magic is not even a teen game because I mostly just see older adults, some young adults, and the rare child or girlfriend, because the older adults brought them along. This is a game where the people have disposable income, and they have been playing since they were a older teen or younger adult.

    With all that being said, you think the digital version of magic was going to be cheap? I think this is the worst criticism of the game, because its' game theory is completely separate from a VIDEO GAME. I wouldn't even call it free to play or fee to pay. Because paper magic is consider a investment, and premium in the collector's market.

    Now onto the actual negatives of the games (which are plenty, but it is still enjoyable as a digital brother of the paper game). 1) is no way to trade your cards with other players or sale on the market for currency (which big mmos already do this, don't see why we can't do that here). 2) needing to fix some game balance issue's with stall decks (Hearthstone Control Warrior is worse). 3) extremely long game timers. 4) no auto deck builder like duels had. 5) organization and search engine needs more options, especially easy of life click options. 6) Not enough sets and formats have been added. 7) Top magic arena players need more representation in the pro scene. 8) needs more cross promotion with the physical card game, like physical packs should include one free scanner for a digital pack.

    9) The biggest one, not enough guarantees they are going to pull the plug on us, like they did Duels. However if they do, I'm going to do more than just complain on Steam. Keep in mind everyone, this is Magic we are talking about, so be warned, this is a expensive game, and it is not a free to play. I wouldn't even call it a fee to pay, because paper magic is not cheap compared to other TCGs. So when you just pull/vanquish someone collection like that, or end support, it isn't cool. Especially with no way to transfer it out or compensation.

    10) Shuffle algorithm is bad, but it is as bad as most digital TCGs, it can never compare to a physical TCGs shuffling.

    11) Report system and tech support, is almost non-existent. Like most of the gaming industry.    … Expand
  3. kodaK
    Dec 8, 2019
    7
    It´s a good game in general. It´s not the best card game on pc, but stills pretty solid. I understand why some people don't like this game, the mechanics are not easy. But if you learn how to play it, you can have some fun.
  4. Grismar
    Nov 17, 2020
    6
    I'm a fan of the CCG and this digital version plays fairly well. But there's far too much wrong with the game to rate it anything over a 6, no matter how much you like Magic the Gathering. Installation and network problems, stalling techniques of trolling players, strategies that cause endless animations, really poor social interfaces, it goes on. WotC's support seems powerless, resignedI'm a fan of the CCG and this digital version plays fairly well. But there's far too much wrong with the game to rate it anything over a 6, no matter how much you like Magic the Gathering. Installation and network problems, stalling techniques of trolling players, strategies that cause endless animations, really poor social interfaces, it goes on. WotC's support seems powerless, resigned to giving users advice to hack the registry to get stuff to work and promising developers are looking at even the most basic complaints about aspects of the game that promote unsportsman-like behaviour, but not moving on them at all for years. The store works perfectly though, it'll never fail to take your money. I'm not saying this game should be 100% free - just pointing out that it's fairly clear what part of this game is important to its owners.… Expand
  5. Pietriej
    Jun 6, 2022
    6
    A really nice MTG experience you can enjoy on your smartphone, but with a bad monetization system.

    + A way to enjoy MTG from home with a much better interface than MTG Online. + Easy to find opponents. + A meaningful progression system - you can actually get booster packs and build decks by playing the game. - Limited number of formats. You can't enjoy fan favorite Commander on    A really nice MTG experience you can enjoy on your smartphone, but with a bad monetization system.

    + A way to enjoy MTG from home with a much better interface than MTG Online.
    + Easy to find opponents.
    + A meaningful progression system - you can actually get booster packs and build decks by playing the game.
    - Limited number of formats. You can't enjoy fan favorite Commander on Arena, and you don't have access to commander cards. Instead, there is Brawl that feels like a crippled version of Commander/EDH.
    - Monetization is bad. Like... REALLY BAD. You can enjoy the game for free or spending very little on it (e.g. welcome pack), but your deckbuilding options will be very limited. Then, if you would like to honor the creators and actually spend some cash your options are really bad - you can spend as much as you would for a triple A game and you won't be able to make a single deck out of it. I'm at a point where I'm missing some critical cards for what I'd like to make, and am willing to spend some cash, but the options I see in shop are outrageous.    … Expand
  6. MechaManekiNeko
    Aug 28, 2020
    6
    The gameplay itself can be a little slow, especially if your playing against someone who's not familiar with magic. Other than that the game is fun to play if you enjoy MTG. It needs to be said though, that the game is highly monetized (at fairly high prices too). You will need to invest cash if you want to make a deck with cards of your choosing that can compete in ranked matches (if yourThe gameplay itself can be a little slow, especially if your playing against someone who's not familiar with magic. Other than that the game is fun to play if you enjoy MTG. It needs to be said though, that the game is highly monetized (at fairly high prices too). You will need to invest cash if you want to make a deck with cards of your choosing that can compete in ranked matches (if your new to the game). They also have a draft mode which can be fun but boasts around a 10 dollar entry fee. Basically this game is the reason I wont ever spend money on WotC products again.… Expand
  7. davey16
    Nov 15, 2021
    5
    I love the idea. Ive loved MTG for a long time but, the economy on it is horrible. Its no surprise that a game in this era of any kind is doing all its can to focus on profits. I get it. I dont have to like it, though. You can still make money and do things right for the customer but, they all chose not to these days. This is no different. MTG is a great game. This is a great idea. GreedI love the idea. Ive loved MTG for a long time but, the economy on it is horrible. Its no surprise that a game in this era of any kind is doing all its can to focus on profits. I get it. I dont have to like it, though. You can still make money and do things right for the customer but, they all chose not to these days. This is no different. MTG is a great game. This is a great idea. Greed keeps people out even more than the complexity of the game.… Expand
  8. UrbanEelf
    Apr 20, 2022
    7
    decent game decent game decent game decent game decent game decent game decent game
  9. netbattler15
    Mar 6, 2023
    6
    Magic the Gathering is the best card game ever created. I have played the game competitively for more than 10 years. Arena is essentially designed for me. I am not reviewing the current state of MTG formats as they exist outside (and inside) of Arena. Due to letting me play MTG, I start Arena at a 5.

    Arena launched as a barebones implementation of the game. You could play magic,    Magic the Gathering is the best card game ever created. I have played the game competitively for more than 10 years. Arena is essentially designed for me. I am not reviewing the current state of MTG formats as they exist outside (and inside) of Arena. Due to letting me play MTG, I start Arena at a 5.

    Arena launched as a barebones implementation of the game. You could play magic, sure, but not much more than that. Animations are a bit lackluster, match making can be slow at times, I've recently had some visual bugs.

    The economy is greedy. I have to spend about $100 quarterly to mostly (not entirely) keep up with the metagame, and that gives me no ability to sell out when I no longer have use for my cards.

    The feature roll out has been slow and drip fed. Features users have asked for for literal years get deprioritized behind new digital only formats that are incredibly unpopular (and require additional cards at additional cost).

    I can't give this game a 0 or a 1. Magic itself is too good for that. But I will give it a 6. It's worth it to play magic if you can't play in paper, but paper will always be better.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Feb 28, 2020
    100
    An excellent and faithful conversion of the iconic card game into a very welcoming computer free-to-play form. This is a hit. [Issue#300]
  2. Vandal
    Dec 18, 2019
    90
    This is the definitive Magic experience on PC. It’s free-to-play, but it’s incredibly well balanced and lets us enjoy it without hassle. If you enjoy card-based games, give it a try.
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  3. GameSpace
    Dec 6, 2019
    80
    Magic: The Gathering Arena is an excellent entry point into the twenty-six-year-old franchise for new players and lovable for veteran players as well. While it’s generally a very fun experience, it’s not without technical issues.
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