MTG: Duels of the PlanesWalkers - PC Review - Gamecenter

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MTG: Duels of the PlanesWalkers

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Unfortunately, there is one type of cheating that I have found to be common on Gathering.net, and it's really starting to annoy me. Called dumping, it's common in other MTG: Duels of the PlanesWalkers Internet multiplayer contests, too. If you know you're going to lose, you can simply disconnect from the game; and this bites, because the dump doesn't affect the rankings. Of course, the dumper could have been genuinely disconnected, but it sure seems to happen right when the outcome is obvious (I've been dumped seven times already, which is nearly as many times I've been dumped by girls). To make things more fair, I'd like to see the computer AI fill in for disconnected players. Not ideal, but I'd rather err on the side of maintaining the contest. MicroProse could also fix the disconnect rating that appears when you look at a player's information, or add a multiplayer save-game option. Until then, just spread the word when you catch people doing this, and mark people you can trust as friends.
So Here's the Skinny
If you're not a fan of Magic: The Gathering the card game, you probably won't like Magic: The Gathering for the PC either...unless money was the issue. Players can be much more successful at this version of the game than standard MTG for the same amount of cash. For fans of MTG, DOTP is a MUST. (Caution: MUST is capitalized for emphasis. No acronymization should be attempted.) For those who have never played, be warned that the game has a high learning curve, and an even higher addiction level. DOTP is an elegant and faithful translation of a staggeringly complex game. The result is nearly perfect, and MicroProse deserves serious credit for pulling it off. I only hope that someday I will be able to stop playing long enough to review another game.
Tips
-Once in a duel, use F6 to chat, not the T key as the manual states. You might also need to click on the ManaLink jewel once before F6 will work.
-Get Spells of the Ancients. It's worth the price just for the duel lands (i.e., Tundra, Bayou, etc).
-Always try to play someone ranked higher than you. That way the spoils are higher if you win, and the damage is less if you lose.
If you like this type of game, you might like Chron X.

Hugh Falk currently owns a TRS-80, TI 99/4A, Apple IIc, Vic-20, C-64, SX-64, Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, two networked PCs, and several old game systems. His goal is to someday load them all into a balloon and use the heat they generate to circle the globe. Agree or disagree with the review? Let us know.

Facts

MTG: Duels of the PlanesWalkers
MicroProse, 800/683-5847
Price: $40.00
486/100, 16MB RAM, SVGA, 4X CD-ROM drive, Windows 95; Windows 95-compatible sound card

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MTG: Duels of the PlanesWalkers

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