Magic: The Gathering (1997)
Genres:Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical, Card & Board Game
Themes:Fantasy
Game modes:Single player
Story:Magic: The Gathering is a computer game published by MicroProse in April 1997 based on the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering.
The game takes place in the plane of Shandalar, where the player must travel the land and fight random enemies to gain cards, and defeat five wizards representing the five colors. The player must prevent one color from gaining too much power, and defeat the planeswalker Arzakon, who has a deck of all five colors. Adventure game and role-playing game elements are present, including inventory, gold, towns, dungeons, random battles, and character progression in the form of new abilities and a higher life point total. An oversized version of Aswan Jaguar was included in the game box.Show more
Vote to bring this game to GOG and help preserve it.4 762
Easily the best rendition of a collectible card game brought to PC, the player was free to build decks from Magic's library (even updated through 2 expansions) with cards earned through gameplay. The player then implements those decks against the game's opponents in an effort to protect the game world from the NPC card players. If the NPCs win, they permanently impact the map, eventually making victory impossible for the player, forcing you to start the game anew. Other games have tried to recreate CCG adaptations or even similar campaign sandboxes, and always pale in comparison to Shandalar, this game's campaign mode. Don't trust my words? Take a look at this game's wikipedia page and scroll down to "Reception." It's a faithful, innovative, and revolutionary adaptation for an entirely new genre of gaming for its time. It's a crime this game isn't already in GOG's forever library and maintained for future generations.
This games was, and still is, the best card collection game, with map exploration, progression. I realy have the words to descrive the moments playing this game. Back then this was also a great way to test decks before building them to play with your friends. Nowdays you have a brand new MTG game, with better graphics and cards, but, nowere near the experience of the campaing of this game.
Those of us that got into M:TG after 1995 never got to experience the sensation of getting a Black Lotus in a pack. This game is the next closest thing. Defeating a dungeon which had a Lotus or Mox or Time Walk almost felt like opening a pack.
The rogue like mechanics surrounding Shandalar are incredible.
I would love to see semi-official support for the fan-made expansion packs that have been implemented as well…
I voted for this almost 10 years ago. Now I'm voting for it again. This is one of the best DOS games ever made and I would love to see it preserved on GOG. I liked the ability to build your own deck with any card from 4th edition, and IMO 4th and 5th were the best editions of Magic.
Used to play this game a lot, it was...iconic. Very low requirements, low size, excellent quality. A few updates might allow for later sets to played as well, along w/ specialized formats. Would love to see LAN support (that we can hook into other programs to have true multiplayer) to allow for tournies, along with Commander and the like.
Honestly, if people want to play Magic, this is my go-to suggestion. It stands with the Pokémon Gameboy TCG as the best card game simulator ever released. All you need for a great TCG sim is a robust single player, yet it's so rare to find.
Anyway, best era of Magic, great gimmick decks to fight, and a final boss that really challenges your ability to play optimally, just an overall great package.
This game was such a big part of my childhood. I remember getting into Magic the Gathering card game but not having anyone to play with. My parents got me this and I played it so much. I spent so much time creating new deck. The rendition of this game since have just been about the card game aspect. This was one of the first RPG like games that I played where could walk around the open world and my battles would have impact on my deck and world. I was a little too young to fully appreciate the game and have wanted so much to come back as an adult to try it again. Unfortunately because it was written for Win97 is has been really hard playing it since.
It's been a struggle to get this game running on modern systems. I played it so much when I was a kid and was foundational to but love of MTG entirely. The game's possibilities are endless with the procedural overworld and random encounters, it feels like and RPG with cards. I would love to see it preserved.
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