Because this game has been getting a lot of hate, I thought I would weigh in with a different view. I have actually had a lot of fun with it, though of course it has some problems. By way of background, I was first introduced to Magic in the original Duels game in 2009 and have played each version since then, and also have been playing with the real cards since M11 as well (Scars ofBecause this game has been getting a lot of hate, I thought I would weigh in with a different view. I have actually had a lot of fun with it, though of course it has some problems. By way of background, I was first introduced to Magic in the original Duels game in 2009 and have played each version since then, and also have been playing with the real cards since M11 as well (Scars of Mirrordon, Innistrad, Ravnica, and Theros blocks). But with the duels series (unlike with the real cards) I rarely play multiplayer on-line -- I just enjoy going against the ai, and I have not been playing much of the two-headed giant, so that is less of a factor for me.
I purchased the ipad version (which came out a week early), played through it for a week starting with the blue-black Dimir deck (a lot!) and then purchased and played the xbox 360 version when it came out the next week (using a different starter deck, the red-white boros deck). I actually found the campaign fun to play through multiple times, including the challenge of going against different ai decks, but that is the sort of play I have always enjoyed, so that is just me. And I found it clever the way it allows the player to visit five different planes, including a healthy sample of cards and mechanics for each of those planes. I have also enjoyed unlocking packs of decks from each plane (which can all be done for free but some people consider it to involve too much grinding) to use the cards to build my own decks.
I agree that the starting dimir deck is very weak and boring until you unlock enough cards to improve it. Boros worked a bit better.
It is difficult to compare this version to the prior versions as it is somewhat apples and oranges. I do miss having the pre-made decks ready made to both play against and to adapt for use as my own, but I also enjoy coming up with my own decks. Unfortunately, you simply cannot make comparable decks from the cardpool as was available in prior years' decks -- the decks you can make this year are quite a bit weaker. But I think the game should be evaluated based upon its own merits rather than comparing it to what other versions had (e.g. two headed giant). On its own terms, it is a fun and engaging way to play a limited version of Magic.
I think the criticisms as to the pay-to-play have some merit but are a bit overstated. I did buy all the premium cards on the ipad version, just because they are fun. But, for the xbox version, I am challenging myself by making most of my decks without using any premium cards. You can still make strong decks that way -- the premium card pool (which is basically one-sixth of all available cards) just allows for a bit greater flexibility. I do plan to give multiplayer on the xbox a try to see how my decks do against other players.
I enjoy the new interface and I like the unique black-and-white graphics (which matches the visual theme of the M15 packs). But I also agree there is some clunkiness there, and I particularly agree that the mana-tapping is a huge step backwards (it often defaults to bad choices, forcing you to heavily micro-manage how the mana taps and penalizing you if you are not paying attention, particularly with multi-color decks). With respect to changing your decks after each game, it is a bit clunky, but there is actually a shortcut you can use to change your decks from whatever screen you are on (by clicking on your icon in the bottom left corner and then clicking the deck icon) but it is not explained very well so you have to figure it out for yourself.
Notwithstanding those problems, I still have had a lot of fun playing this game over the last two weeks, which is why I feel compelled to give it an 8 (I probably would actually rate it 7.5 if that were an option).… Expand
Magic: Duels of the Planeswalkers 2015Your Score0 out of 10User Score
