Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers

 Xbox 360
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 27
  3. Negative: 1 out of 27
  1. Gamer Limit
    73
    Even if you've never played the card game before, then this is your best bet at an introduction. If your a prior enthusiast; you will love this game.
  2. Cheat Code Central
    72
    Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers may not revolutionize computerized card-based games, but is does one simple thing right, it allows for new and old fans to meet on equal ground.
  3. X-ONE Magazine UK
    70
    It's cheaper than an actual Starter pack. [Issue#49, p.103]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. GameSpot
    70
    If you're already a Magic expert, this is an acceptable way to get in a few games online with friends, though you'll likely find the inability to create your own deck to be a pretty major drawback. If you're a Magic neophyte, you'll get more out of this experience.
  6. GameSpy
    70
    Duels of the Planeswalkers sacrifices that customizability in order to present a friendlier, easier brand of Magic to Xbox Live Arcade. Without deckbuilding, and with such a limited card pool, this is ultimately going to be a novelty for any serious Magic player.
  7. Meristation
    70
    The popular card game Magic: The Gathering arrives on Xbox360 via Xbox Live Arcade. Good tutorial options for beginners and all the essence of the card game for pros, but with poor environment graphics and effects.
  8. WonderwallWeb
    70
    Magic is a decent game and at times is also quite addictive. Any fans of the cad game will enjoy playing this.
  9. MS Xbox World
    70
    Duels of the Planeswalkers will keep you busy for a very long time.
  10. Eurogamer Spain
    70
    This is not a game for hardcore Magic fans, as those will find frustrating the inability to create a customised deck. But it's a great game for novice players and those interested in having a fun multiplayer game.
  11. 3DJuegos
    70
    Duels of the Planeswalkers is a decent game that will keep you busy for a very long time.
  12. GamesRadar+
    70
    Matches are often intense affairs tempered by just the right mixture of strategy and luck.

Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2009
64
#64 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 46 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 46
  3. Negative: 7 out of 46
  1. arbie
    Aug 26, 2009
    5
    Middling to poor. I played the demo and decided it was worth my NEARLY 15 DOLLARS (after conversion rates and local gouging in Japan) toMiddling to poor. I played the demo and decided it was worth my NEARLY 15 DOLLARS (after conversion rates and local gouging in Japan) to download the software knowing its limitations and ignoring the harsher reviews on Metacritic, which means I have myself to blame. I do want to enjoy it, and will probably continue fiddling with it from time to time. I was let down by the game AI -- it's not true AI as most have noted because you're going up against nonvariable conditions where "players" are instructed to do X when possible, or Y when stuck, which makes it about the same as online chess against a computer, which means the insult is when you realize there are only two real computer opponents: those who play expert and come at you with a pre-programmed strategy, or those who leave you be when you leave YOURSELF wide open to attack. Without being able to properly build your own deck you do struggle to beat the opponents at higher levels, but the gameplay is predicable and the computers don't mix and match their own decks at any point, making replay pointless. Playing casually or hardcore against another human is pointless as being in the same room with another Magic player, you're both going to own cards already -- and if you're looking for online Magic buddies, you'll have known about (and been paying for) the PC service for ages. The XBLA Magic "game" is targeting cash-heavy suckers, essentially, since the Venn diagram for Xbox gold membership gamers and Magic card players only overlap in the area of disposable income. But I'm making unfair claims about people now -- I obviously bought the damned game, I have an Xbox, I play Magic casually, I ignored the Metacritic reviews past the second scroll, and I feel burned. The game does offer a nice change of pace from most of my Arcade collection. Ah well. BUYER BEWARE!… Full Review »
  2. DavidD.
    Jul 31, 2009
    10
    Absolutely Love it!! I don't know how this game can be any better. I was never a die hard but I did play a little bit here and there. Absolutely Love it!! I don't know how this game can be any better. I was never a die hard but I did play a little bit here and there. The things I didn't like about the actual card game was all the cards that you had to handle. And of course I had no one to play against because all the people were so freaking nerdy with their broken decks!! In this, anyone has a chance to win because you can't have every and any card you want. Everyone is on the same footing almost. You unlock cards as you go through the single player. And of course the online game is great because you can always find someone to play against.… Full Review »
  3. Z9000
    Jul 23, 2009
    4
    What a monstrously bad attempt at sloughing off what equates to an extended demo of Magic The Gathering and then charging people for it! What a monstrously bad attempt at sloughing off what equates to an extended demo of Magic The Gathering and then charging people for it! Designers had a horrible understanding of how to build decks and proper number of cards in type, and required tools. Too bad, you are stuck playing them as there is no true deck builder. You can't even remove stock cards to put any "unlocked" cards in. Instead you can only add to the poorly designed decks and dilute their effectiveness. This whole mess seems consistent with what appears to be Microsoft's new focus, being an ad based service. If you want a real MTG game, go dig up the Microprose release from the 90's, it's still king.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »