Magic: the Gathering PC --- OLLLLDDDD
Back in the day, there was a PC game called Magic: The Gathering, based on the CCG. It was released by Microprose that was eventually bought out by Infrograms, and then Infrograms was bought out by Atari games. The game was released in 1997. It is a little piece of PC arcana that was popular, then fizzled out.
I used to own this game, and since I have a love of old school Magic cards, I loved it. Especially when I was extremely crazed with Magic and no one would play me anymore or try to take down my mad skillz, LOL. Anyway, I ahd a pirated copy, and sometime after I moved from that house, I lost the game. Well, actually, I had to return it, and was never able to find it to buy. As my magic obsession waned and eventually disappeared, it didn't become a big deal.
The three games that were realeased were magic: The Gathering, MtG: Dual of the Planeswalker, and Spells of the Ancients. The first was ok, I am actually playing the demo version I found on the net, which lets you dual with a opponent and let you pick from five generic single color deck. For instance, the back bone of the Black deck is to swampwalk.
The full version allows you to play online (with a patch) and wander a huge continent playing other 'planeswalkers' for cards. IT is a excellent way to capture the nostolgia of Magic and see some cool old stuff. You can then sell off cards and make as many custom decks as you want. The DotP expansion (which can be played without the original game) brings in cards from Unlimited to 4th, Legends, and Antiquities. The Spells of the Ancients gives you access to the Arabian Nights expansion, still my favorite.
I had to travel to ebay and bid hard on these PC games, since they are no longer in print. I searched high and low for them to no advail.
In the other corner, the updated Magic: The Gathering game, Magic: Online, is out and has been for a couple of years. I downloaded the free trial and looked around. The interface is much nicer compared to the older one, but slow and currently up to date. You can play from only a few expansions. Usually, the current block, which is the Fifth Dawn Block. The really bad part about it is that you have to buy cards from Wizards of the Coast. That is right, you pay the same amout of money you would to buy a pack in real life, and get virtual cards. They can't be redeemed, and you can only trade with other people in the game.
This is balanced out by the fact that there are hundreds of people to play with at any one time. The lack of a visual opponent takes a bit to get used to, and the starter deck that they offer couldn't kick the crap out of a fly. So, you have to struggle, or join a league. But that doesn't matter if you are a magic nut. The leagues you can join vary, but usually it's $40 US a month for unlimited play. So, if you have a long weekend set aside for some online magic, more power to you.
I, personally, am not going this path because I like to have a card in my hand. It took me forever to get over my dislike for chess online because you can't see the opponent. Reading someone can make or break a game. Same applies for Magic. Those two, and the fact that I could pop down to the comic book store and play doesn't get me all that interested.
So, I will stick to old school. I wish that someone had thought to maybe continue the old Microprose games, and not in the PC/PS2/XBOX Battle mage game. I tried it out, and just didn't like it.
So, if you are a fan of Magic, and you find these three games, or even one, give it a try. At least you'll have hours of nostolgia and fun.