Magic: the Gathering for XBLA = bad

[mysticD]

mibuokami said:

mysticD said:

twesterm said:

johnathonmerritt said:

axumblade said:
yeah.....I don't trust video game versions of Magic the Gathering...x.o

I thought the online PC card game was good. It wasn't anything fancy, but it worked well. I just didn't like the idea on having to spend so much money on digial cards.

Yeah, if they had that interface and controls just converted to XBL that would be good.

I would even be happy with the bad decks and very limited selection in the game as long as I could customize them.

Here's a good read from the designer of the game and reasons why they went this route with Duel of the Planewalkers for XBLA

http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/feature/43c

Oh and you could interupt action, let said you assign blocker. Before damage is dealt there is an optiion "A" pop up and at this point you can used card ability.  For example if you have those little Pyro guy, you can assign him to block before the damage is dealth you can tap him using "A" button to use his card ability to ping someone for 1 damage.

Some of the process have been streamline for simplicity sake.  Again, not to beat a dead horse but if you want a full functioning, deck building, sanction legal Magic, there is already one available (and have been available for quite sometimes).

This game is for people who just want to pitch two decks together for fun.  I bought several pre-made Magic decks (and they cost a lot more than the $10.00 asking price of XBLA version) and used them as is because it's balance and anyone of my family and friends can just pick up and play.  I pick up couple boosters here and there to beef up the deck (since those starter are usually only 40 cards) but they deck remain balance.  No tournament style shut down (read boring to play) in casucal non compettive setting).  Why would any of your friends want to come over to play with you when you have the uber decks that beat them down every round.

Sorry for the long rant on this but it's really annoying to see people dismiss this game without seeing why and who it is for.  This is the same as people dismissing those Wii party games as lame, but you know what, when you are getting together with friends and family they are more fun to play because the game offer easy to learn and easy to pick up and play for everyone. 

 

 

That's not Magic though, if they're using the name of the franchise and building a simulation of what the real life card game does, then I expect them to at least give me some of the most BASIC functionality that any Magic player demands and expects.

What's the point of dumbing it down to such a severe degree? That's just using a franchise's name to garner more sale and deceiving the fans that bought the game thinking they're actually buying Magic the Gathering.

Make your own game and call it Magik for Beginners or something and sell that, don't make a game called Magic the Gathering that actually simulate the card game then throw away everything that makes Magic unique.

And as for local multiplayer, how the hell do you play a game of magic with only 1 screen? does this mean the opponent can see my card whenever its my turn? Urrgh!

Seriously, for all I know this could a very fun casual game but I repeat: This is not Magic! From Twestern's description, not even Portal Edition is this dumbed down!

So yes, I'll dismiss this game despite the developer's justification of a casual leaning expirience, because in his effort to make the game more noob friendly he essentially destroyed what made Magic unique. He might as well create his own generic fantasy setting card game rather than decieve real player who are actually interested in Magic into purchasing this farce.

 

edit: I don't have this game, I am basing my criticism on the feature twestern has highlighted as missing in his comment and which I view as completely unacceptable in any Magic game that tries to simulate the real card game expirience.

 

That is what they did, so I am not sure what is your argument.  The game is XBL ARCADE Magic Duel of the Planewalkers. It's not Magic TGC the digital game.  It's never set out to be that game.  It's $10.00 , it's what it is.  So by your argument, Nintendo should never call any of their Mario spin off game Mario because it's not Super Mario Brothers? 

They used Magic name, because at its core it still is Magic card game, it's follow similar rule sets , used the same card pull.

I still fail to see why any of you would dismiss this game out of hand because this is not Magic On-line.  It never was reveal to be as such, or I never have seen they imply that this would be Magic On-line for Xbox 360.

To me, this is the best way to go and not turn the game into hardcore Magic.  Do you really want to spend all your Microsoft Space bucks on virtual card just to be competitvie?  How about hacking and cheating ?  If they want to create the real Magic experience as you want then they would have to create a server side storage so there would not be save game tampering (you know it will happen in any competitive type of game). 

Again, I think you guys clamoring for decks buildings, virtual cards buying etc are missing the point.