Magic: The Gathering - Battlegrounds

 Xbox
  • Publisher: Atari
  • Release Date: Nov 18, 2003
  • Also On: PC
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 25
  3. Negative: 3 out of 25
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. XboxAddict
    100
    I find it hard to believe that any Magic The Gathering fan won't like this game. I've caught myself playing the game hours on end.
  2. GamePro
    90
    There is likely no other game with this combination of strategy, competition, planning, and fast-paced action out there.
  3. Gamezilla!
    85
    Although it's far from cutting edge graphically, it puts together a balanced gameplay that fans of the card game should enjoy.
  5. GameSpy
    85
    I love Battlegrounds for the same reason I love arcade-style sports games; it exploits the aspects of its source material that make for great design, and throws the rest out.
  6. Next Level Gaming
    85
    There is so much game packed in here because of what it's based on that you could literally get lost inside of it. But I hope you get the gist of how the game is played. It's totally a thinking person's game.
  7. Official Xbox Magazine
    83
    Deep, wonderfully balanced Magic battle system. [Dec 2003, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. TeamXbox
    82
    Using both real-time action and strategy elements, developer Secret Level has pulled off a wildly challenging, but addictive game.
  9. Game Chronicles
    82
    Sure, it may be a dumbed down version of the card game, but by focusing on action and strategy the game becomes much more accessible to casual gamers and those who aren't already hardcore fans of the card game.
  10. GMR Magazine
    80
    What could've been crap on a DVD turns out to be a game that's easy to pick up and damn fun to play.
  11. Yahoo!
    80
    The graphics and sound are as solid as the strategy. They didn't quite match the card game's distinctive art style, but most avid players will be able to identify each creature at a glance.
  12. IGN
    79
    A nice change of pace for hardcore gamers because it combines elements from fighters and RTS games but I'm not sure if your average gaming schmo will be able to get into it.
  13. Armchair Empire
    79
    The single-player game basically involves a series of duels and the A.I. can get a bit predictable.
  14. Worth Playing
    75
    The mediocre graphics bring the quality of the game down somewhat, and, while the need for frantic strategies will probably keep you playing, the lack of any sort of selection of different game modes may reduce Battlegrounds to being a rental, at best.
  15. Computer Games Magazine
    75
    While it can become predictable at times, the game does have Xbox Live support, which adds to its shelf life. [Apr 2004, p.8]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

84
#84 Best Xbox Game of 2003
91
#91 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2003
23
#23 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2003

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. Engee
    Dec 11, 2003
    5
    Half you guys are full of it. some of you haven't even played the full game and you're raving about this! and Magic P - if youHalf you guys are full of it. some of you haven't even played the full game and you're raving about this! and Magic P - if you played for 36 hours in a weekend, it means you slept 6 hours a day and played all day apart from that. In other words, You're Full of Crap. In regards to the game - 14 spells per colour seems pretty few to me. I wonder how good online extensions would be? and how much they'd cost....(!)… Full Review »
  2. Substryk
    Nov 29, 2003
    9
    Awesome! The creaters have managed to capture the card game and translate it to a competitive action packed arcade game for the masses. Excellent.
  3. Russ
    Nov 25, 2003
    10
    The demo is great. The full version must be even better!
See all user reviews »