Magic: The Gathering - PC Review - Gamecenter

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Magic: The Gathering

continued
perky components
MTG's other three components are just as solid as the main campaign game. The duel is a separate program that isolates the combat portion of Shandalar and lets you battle against your choice of computer opponents with their predefined decks. The deck builder, for true MTG card players, is probably the most compelling part of the game. Here you can build your own deck from a database of over 300 cards and try them against the computer. You can even save your decks and give them to your friends (too bad you can't play against them...). Although MTG does not come with every card, you can bet there will be add-on packs. MTG is famous for having more boosters than Chuck E. Cheese, and I'm sure MicroProse won't tamper with a successful formula.
The final program in the package is a multimedia tutorial that explains some basic rules and strategy. It seems a bit superfluous because MTG comes with typically excellent MicroProse documentation (experienced MTG players only need to read about 25 of the 200-plus page manual). Still, the tutorial is a wonderful bonus for beginners, more proof that MicroProse cares about making intelligent games that are attainable and successful.
magically delicious
This incarnation of Magic: The Gathering is a must buy for any fan of the card game. There is no other title that can act as tutor, librarian, and practice partner all in one. Those who have never played the card version of MTG will face a considerable learning curve and might not understand what the fuss is all about without the human element, yet the dueling elements alone are addictively entertaining.
Regardless of your experience, MTG for the PC offers variety and replayability, but without networking it doesn't quite achieve "crack" status. In fact, it is only a tool for administering the card-based drug--a crack pipe if you will.
One final note: I do not support the sale, distribution, or use of crack. I only refer to it for its inherent literary value.
tips
-Mana cards (lands, moxes, and so on) are your most important cards--don't let anybody tell you otherwise. There is nothing worse than playing a game without enough mana (unless you have built a deck to take advantage of that). Most people suggest reserving 30 to 35 percent of your deck for mana. I personally recommend 40 to 45 percent mana. Use the Stats button in the card collection screen to check the percentage.
-I suggest keeping four Mishra's Factories in your hand. This is a land card that can be tapped for mana or turned into a 2/2 creature. An added bonus is that on lower levels the computer doesn't consider it a creature when in land form and will attack you as if you had no creatures. Simply save these cards, turn your factory into a 2/2 Assembly Worker, block, and do some serious damage.
-Since characters start with only 10 life points instead of the traditional 20, many "slow" deck strategies don't work as effectively. Doing damage quickly is important in all MTG games, but in the PC version it is especially important because a few quick hits, even from relatively weak creatures, will win the game. In Shandalar, stay away from defensive decks or decks with expensive creatures. The game will likely be over before you can ever use them.
Download the demo now.

Hugh Falk started writing for Gamecenter in March of 1996. Since that time, Internet usage has grown over 340,000 percent. Although most people believe these facts are merely coincidental, they have gathered little supporting data.

Facts

Magic: The Gathering
MicroProse, 800/683-5847
Price: $50.00
486/100, 16MB RAM, 90MB disk space, SVGA, 4X CD-ROM drive, Windows 95; Windows 95-compatible sound card

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