Magic: The Gathering Battlegrounds (Xbox, 2003)

Magic The Gathering: Battlegrounds;Xbox

List Price: $49.99

Take part in fantastical battles based in the world of Magic The Gathering. Magic The Gathering -- Battlegrounds brings the Magic world to life as a real-time fighting/strategy game. Combatants take control of powerful duelists in epic one-on-one battles, using strength and sorcery to survive. With single-player quests and intense multiplayer action via the Internet, experience the world of Magic like never before.

Features:

Command more than 70 different spells from five spell books for near-limitless fighting combinations
Choose from nine battling wizards and 16 epic arenas all based on Magic: The Gathering universe
Go on comprehensive single-player quests that allow duelists to acquire spells and artifacts
Battle friends and enemies online with Internet play
Download online content for new spells, wizards and assorted extras that are updated regularly

When I first heard they were making a magic game for Xbox, i thought wow, this is going to be fantastic. When I finally saved up my change and purchased this game, I was somewhat happy. I was somewhat annoyed by the lack of units you can use (in this game, you control units that are basically like the cards.) However, with only a handful of total spells,creatures,and enchantments, i was fairly upset. However, don't fret, for this game is still very good. For example, the format of the game is very well done in my opinion. While the single player is only decent, I found most of the levels to be very easy (while one or two are difficult.) The fun really gets going when Xbox live is on. Although a major complaint of mine is the lack of people playing this game on live, a session against someone is awesome. Xbox live is used very well to play the battles, with the option of playing multiple battles (a red/green *weenie* attack is very sucessful on live.) However, be warned. If you start to lag, the game can get to be difficult. Also, most people that do play on live are very, very good (my first match was against someone in the top 100)

However, if you do enjoy Magic a lot, or if you want to see what it runs like, I would recommend this game. Although the company could've done more to the game, It still is a solid performer.

I decided to buy this game because I can't let go of the regular XBox yet. I was always behind in the times when it came to video games and I probably don't see myself getting a Wii or 360 for myself until another couple of years pass. So until then I decided to get a bunch of old XBox games.

The Magic: The Gathering game was one that I had a few years ago but I returned it to the video game store due to its constant freezing. I used to play the Magic card game during high school and wondered how different it would be to play it on a video game console. Plus it's a little bit cheaper this time around.

Well it's much different, as the game really comes alive and it's not really turn-based. Of course there aren't as many spells as the card game itself but there is still a wide array of possibilities for decks. You have to be fast and strategic in order to get thru the game's quest mode, and it helps you along the way of how to play the game.

Apparently, you could play online against other people on XBox live, but I doubt anyone is still on the regular XBox servers. I will be going to XBox live just to download more spells to use. But believe me, this is the only game of its kind. If you are into collecting unique games, or if you are a fan of Magic: The Gathering, then I would very much recommend this game. If you are looking for a card game that's more turn-based than dynamic, then I would probably recommend one of the Yu-Gi-Oh! games or the Marvel Trading Card Game for the PSP.

When I was quite young I always wanted to see a real-time adaptation of a game of Magic, and when this came out years back I jumped on the chance to play it. I lost it since then and recently bought a used copy on Ebay, the only place I could find it on the internet.
This game delivers with finesse: a worthy title even years down the line, and truly a genre in and of itself.

I am an avid Magic the Gathering player, and I thought that a video game based on the worlds best card game could be fun. Boy was I wrong. It's basically mortal combat with creature spells, no story whatsoever - just a completely awful idea - I don't imagine that there is anyone with even HALF a brain that enjoys this game. You have been warned.