Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012

GameGavel.com (A) (100%)

Duels of the Plainswalkers 2012 is better than the first, but that isn’t because the game itself is any different. Stainless Games did a wonderful job of improving what needed it and leaving the meat and potato’s untouched. The end result is, you get a better rendered and smarter game. They threw in a few new modes, like Archenemy mode. This is a team battle with special rule cards that have different effects when revealed. It’s pretty straight-forward. Old faves like Two-Headed Giant, which is a two-on-two match and the four way free for all are still around for the old timers like me. If you’re looking for a simple, low cost version of Magic, I cannot recommend MTG: Duels of the Plainswalkers 2012 more highly. It has starter decks to learn with, a great AI to cut your teeth on, and a simple interface that makes the rounds and various point scores very simple to keep track of. Grab a copy on Steam, Ps3, or X-box Live Arcade today and follow in Urza’s illustrious footsteps.

Game Shark (A-) (91%)

Overall, Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 is a relatively by-the-numbers enhancement of the previous game. Normally these sorts of increments would be frustrating, but considering the tremendous value the game presents to causal Magic fans it’s easy to overlook another purchase when compared to the alternative. For the cost of a few booster packs, Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 provides a balanced, enjoyable experience that Magic fans of all levels can enjoy – at least until next year.

GamePro (US) ( ) (90%)

Without a doubt, Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 faces a number of a major challenges right from the start in making a game that can 1) draw in new players unfamiliar with the series, 2) recapture old Magic the Gathering card players that have drifted from the game, and 3) satisfy the lofty expectations of its hardcore fan base. At the same time, Wizards is trying to bridge the gap between the card game and the video game communities. Impressively, they have done a good job with most of these goals by implementing solid tutorials, lots of decks to battle, and a good set of new puzzles.

IGN (8.5 out of 10) (85%)

Planeswalkers 2012 strikes a big chord with my inner Magic nerd. If you're thirsting for another major round of card-battling wizardry, then the extra cards, fresh play options, and new presentation make it worth diving into this remix. The gameplay is as tight as ever, though when it comes to deck-building and card selection, there's still a lot of room for the series to grow before it reaches the same level of meticulous depth found in the tabletop game it's based on. Regardless, this edition shows vast improvement.

Gamer Limit (8.5 out of 10) (85%)

Priced at $9.99, I have a hard time not recommending this game to everyone. It’s a great way to introduce new gamers to the world of Magic the Gathering while also providing enough of a challenge and new game modes to keep the old veterans entertained.

Absolute Games (AG.ru) (80 out of 100) (80%)

Исполнять заветное желание они, увы, не спешат. Duels of the Planeswalkers позарез нужен полноценный «сингл» в духе Puzzle Quest, PSP-сериала Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force или, дабы не ходить далеко за примерами, майкропрозовской тезки DotP. Обидно читать колоритные биографии героев на загрузочных экранах и осознавать, что жалкий абзац текста да красочные иллюстрации — единственные ниточки, связывающие игру с десятками измерений Magic: The Gathering. Впрочем, если вам нет дела до древних пророчеств и тысячелетних войн, смело начинайте партию. А уж эпические дуэли волшебников, призывающих чудищ и выкрикивающих проклятия, нарисует воображение.

Meristation (8 out of 10) (80%)

Todo el que tuviera el Duels of the Planeswalkers original está obligado a abonar otros 10 euros (u 800 Puntos Microsoft) para obtener esta revisión, que, eso sí, añade muchísimo contenido, modos, extras y cartas. Sus modos online, un mejorado aunque no perfecto editor de barajas y la estupenda rapidez y comodidad que presenta en pleno gameplay lo convierten en el título ideal para conocer la nueva edición, echarse unas partidas rápidas o aprender de forma muy participativa y veloz cómo se juega a este icono de las cartas que no desciende su número de seguidores pese a las casi dos décadas que lleva en funciuonamiento desde que el matemático Richard Garfield lo diseñó para entretenimiento de sus hijos. Justo lo que este perfeccionado juego de estrategia necesitaba en su traspaso a la pantalla.

Joystiq ( ) (80%)

For those who tore through the last game and are hungry for more, the inclusion of Archenemy, an online Two-Headed Giant mode and some new cards to play with are features worth the price of admission. However, if you're only interested in the odd game of Magic here and there, the first game will suit your needs just fine. It boils down from what you want from Wizards' timeless TCG franchise: With all of its expansion packs, the first game has greater card variety; but if you're looking for some innovative changes to the classic gameplay formula, Planeswalkers 2012 deserves your attention.

Game Informer Magazine (8 out of 10) (80%)

Archenemy mode flopping on its face and a few minor balance issues aren't enough to keep me from appreciating Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012. This is a fantastic way to play Magic without eating your entire bank account in the process. Lapsed players like me will have a grand time messing around with some of the newer cards and mechanics, particularly in online play against other humans. If there were more decks and cards, and/or an online league structure to compete in, this could have been a true gem. As it is, it's fun as a solid, but limited, digital adaptation of one of the definitive tabletop games of our generation.

Eurogamer.de (8 out of 10) (80%)

Wie sieht es nun als Spiel für Neueinsteiger aus? Tja, ein paar Kompromisse und niederschmetternde Austragungen müsst ihr leider über euch ergehen lassen. Zwar vermittelt euch das Tutorial einen guten Überblick und die optionale Hilfefunktion erklärt alle Kartentypen, doch leider schlägt die KI selbst auf „Leicht" sehr hart zurück. Da es immer vom Glück abhängig ist, welche Karten ihr zieht, und da ihr zu Beginn kein Deck verändern könnt, plätten euch die ersten Feinde mehrmals, ohne dass man wirklich eine Chance hat. Beißt man sich allerdings durch diese Anfangsphase, steht dem weiteren Erfolg nichts im Wege.

Multiplayer.it (8 out of 10) (80%)

Se avete letto tutta la nostra recensione vi è chiaro che Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalker 2012 è un gioco che si trova nel mezzo, dedicato sia agli appassionati che ai neofiti, non per questo deludente ma anzi capace di ricreare perfettamente lo spirito del gioco di carte senza esserne un vero e proprio clone. Le mancanze che abbiamo sottolineato lo rendono certamente non perfetto ma è anche evidente lo sforzo fatto per migliorare il titolo precedente. I mazzi sono solo in parte personalizzabili ma è altrettanto vero che sono molto più profondi da gestire. Dategli una chance, non ve ne pentirete.

G4 TV: X-Play (4 out of 5) (80%)

Despite the grousing, Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers is extremely fun. Fans of Magic will easily take to the turn-based gameplay and probably start playing online immediately, while newcomers will appreciate the How To Play tutorials as well as the tips that can be turned off throughout each match). The other bonus (or danger) with Duels 2012 is that I’ve had two people watch me play this that then wanted to get into the paper card game, so we started having real-life matches. Which then included trips to the store so they could start building their own decks. What can I say? It’s a gateway drug to Nerdtown. Awesome, fun, exciting Nerdtown.

Worth Playing (8 out of 10) (80%)

Overall, Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 is a definite improvement over Duels of the Planeswalkers from 2009. I'm excited to see what DLC is lined up for this release, as I'm already hooked. The improvements to the UI are great, the loading is essentially fixed from the previous release, and the campaign structure has been tweaked just enough to make it more entertaining than the original. Combine that with more deck flexibility, and you've got a great digital version of the popular game at your fingertips. It's not a replacement for the real thing, but it's a recommendation for casual MTG fans or those who haven't touched a Magic card in years. The only danger is getting re-hooked to the game, but thankfully, I don't have any local card shops in my area. This satiates my need for a fun CCG experience, and I think it'll do the trick for a lot of fans as well.

TheSixthAxis (8 out of 10) (80%)

Though by no means perfect, Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 is the best way to experience Magic: The Gathering without actual playing physically. After almost two decades of circulation the core mechanics of Richard Garfield’s masterpiece are as strong and refreshing as ever.

Eurogamer.it (8 out of 10) (80%)

Complessivamente Magic: Duels of the Planewalkers 2012 riserva diverse sorprese e saprà attirare la curiosità di chi vuole comprendere la magia di un gioco che ha saputo resistere al passare del tempo rinnovandosi continuamente, pur mantenendo intatte le proprie caratteristiche distintive. Magic risulta quindi un gioco decisamente interessante, le cui uniche pecche vanno a posizionarsi in una struttura eccessivamente chiusa e per una trama inesistente, dolorosa ferita se collegata al mitico capostipite.

Spazio Games (7.8 out of 10) (78%)

Magic: The Gathering – Duels Of The Planeswalkers 2012 è un titolo che riesce nel suo obbiettivo: permette ai novizi di avvicinarsi al mondo delle carte collezionabili, ma non perde per strada gli utenti più esperti, che possono trovare interessanti soprattutto le varie modalità online e la possibilità di studiare per bene le carte della nuova espansione. Certo, il fatto che non sia presente l'immenso numero di carte della versione cartacea esclude la possibilità di farne un surrogato in tutto e per tutto, ma valutando negativamente questo aspetto si perderebbe di vista l'intento di favorire lo scambio tra forme d'intrattenimento, magari portando i neofiti dal videogioco alle carte vere e proprie. Se già il precedente capitolo si era fatto notare dai giocatori dunque, non possiamo che promuovere il secondo alla luce delle migliorie apportate.

Cheat Code Central (3.8 out of 5) (76%)

Magic 2012 is a great downloadable game, and is certainly worth your $10, no matter whether you are a Magic fan or just a fan of strategic games. There is plenty of content to unlock, the single-player mode features plenty of depth, and the online modes give the game unlimited replayability. And in case that wasn't enough for you, Wizards of the Coast has announced that there is planned DLC for the game, which will give you even more excuses to jump back into the game when it releases later this year.

NZGamer (7.5 out of 10) (75%)

Magic: The Gathering is a great game and Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 does a great job of bringing that experience into the virtual space – even if it's in a somewhat simplified form. If you ever had any interest in the series, I'd recommend you pick this up (or at least try the demo). However, if you played the first game and still enjoy that, there isn’t too much of a reason, in 2011, for you to upgrade to the 2012 version; the difference between the last game and this one is just too small for it to qualify as a proper sequel. Yes, there are some new cards, and the artistic presentation has improved; but at the end of the day, you are still playing a virtual - and slightly simpler - version of Magic: The Gathering - very little has changed.

A.V. Club, The (B) (75%)

Players of the original Duels Of The Planeswalkers, a late-’90s Magic expansion pack, may be disappointed with its modern namesake. There’s no world map, no deck customization, and only the most cursory single-player campaign. The occasionally clunky interface and release history of this incarnation suggests that it was built for consoles and deliberately simplified. Still, the core mechanics of Magic: The Gathering are still here, refined and polished for over a decade, so Duels 2012 is still a good game. The narrow range of options actually strengthens the game in some respects, as each deck has its own specific play style and strengths, and they all seem balanced…

GameSpot (7 out of 10) (70%)

As it stands, Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 provides a way to enjoy a simple game of Magic: the Gathering. Its limited customization options, serious control issues, and lack of extra flair keep it from being as interesting an experience as it could be, but you can still have a good time by getting a bunch of online or offline buddies together for games. And at $10, it's certainly more affordable than going to your local card shop and buying cases of cards.

PAL Gaming Network (PALGN) (7 out of 10) (70%)

Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 remains a solid game by its own merits. As frustrating as the issues we've mentioned are, they are best described as rough corners on a solid design than fundamental design issues that break the whole experience. Standing on its own two feet, Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 is a well rounded adaptation of the popular card game, with enough content and value for money to appease both new and old Magic: The Gathering players, bound to keep addicts hooked as they chew through the three campaigns, battle friends online, and strive to be greatest Planeswalker on the leaderboards.

Eurogamer.se (7 out of 10) (70%)

I min mening är Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 den mest tillgängliga versionen av Magic: the Gathering. Erfarna Magic-spelare kommer känna sig begränsade av att de färdigbyggda lekarna är så pass låsta, men jag har ändå haft roligt när jag spelat. Spelets huvudsakliga brister ligger i enspelarlägena, men det är ändå väldigt prisvärt.

PCActu (7 out of 10) (70%)

Sans révolutionner les bases mises en place par son aîné, ce Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 se pose comme une magnifique adaptation du jeu de carte Magic. Proposant de meilleures options pour personnaliser ses paquets, le titre parvient à gagner encore un peu de terrain auprès des fans de la première heure désireux de retrouver les sensations des parties sur table. On regrette toutefois le peu de risques pris par les développeurs qui se sont contentés du strict minimum, renouvelant les cartes et ajoutant le mode Archenemy - véritablement classe, en revanche ! On espère que l'éventuel prochain épisode tentera de voir un peu plus loin encore, pour notre plus grand plaisir.

Splitkick (7 out of 10) (70%)

Retailing for just $9.99; Magic The Gathering: Duels Of The Planeswalkers 2012 is a solid title by Stainless Steel games and easily the best starting point for anyone interested in getting into and learning the nuances of the Magic The Gathering trading card game thanks to this iteration’s included in-depth tutorial and glossary. More competitive players of the trading card game will have significantly decreased mileage due to the many more options available in Wizards of the Coast’s physical trading card game system as well as their Magic The Gathering: Online game offering.

Vandal Online (7 out of 10) (70%)

Resumiendo, Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalker 2012 es el mejor juego que existe de Magic en cuestión de tutoriales e interfaz, suponiendo la oportunidad perfecta para que cualquiera pueda adentrarse en este famoso juego de cartas y pueda aprender a jugar, a un precio más que económico que no llega ni a los 10 euros. Sin embargo, para los expertos en la materia que pretendan competir a alto nivel, el juego probablemente no pase más allá de ser una mera curiosidad, debido a su escaso contenido y a las limitaciones de su editor de mazos.

Gamekult (7 out of 10) (70%)

Si elle commet toujours quelque erreurs, l'I.A. reste compétente et semble plus que jamais avoir toujours la bonne carte au bon moment. Le jeu reste évidemment taillé pour le multi, où l'on pourra s'adonner aux joies du mode Archenemy ou du Troll à deux têtes, désormais jouable en ligne. De bonnes nouvelles pour un jeu toujours aussi prenant qui a fait de gros efforts, même si la politique de fond (futurs decks en DLC, argent pour débloquer immédiatement toutes les cartes) est toujours aussi détestable.

Jeuxvideo.com (12 out of 20) (60%)

Souffrant pratiquement des mêmes limitations que l'édition précédente, Duels of the Planeswalkers fera une nouvelle fois grincer les dents de nombreux fans de Magic. On ne peut pas construire son deck, l'interface est pénible et la difficulté est mal dosée. C'est dommage car les modes de jeu étaient intéressants et le multijoueur online fonctionne bien.

Gameblog.fr ( ) (60%)

Vous l'aurez compris, si vous êtes un joueur de Magic, Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012, et ses futurs DLC de cartes qu'on ne manquera pas de nous agiter sous le nez, risque de vous agacer sur de nombreux points. En revanche, pour ceux qui n'ont jamais joué à Magic, c'est une entrée en matière pas trop chère, et qui permet de maîtriser les règles et certaines cartes typiques de manière accessible et fun. Quoiqu'il manque sans doute un tutorial un peu plus fouillé pour ses aspects les plus compliqués comme les priorités entre sacrifices de cartes, résolution des sorts "Instant" et ce genre de choses. Mais rien d'insurmontable. Enfin, pour les anciens joueurs de Magic comme moi, qui ne sont pas aussi attachés que je le suis aux possibilités très faciles à implémenter et qu'on nous refuse une fois encore, DotP 2012 reste une alternative très valable au véritable jeu, chronophage et cher, tout en proposant grâce au jeu en ligne, d'affronter des tonnes de mages de part le monde.

Mana Pool (5.4 out of 10) (54%)

Is Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 value for money? Yes. Is it worthwhile? No. It’s polished, smooth, very playable and will afford hours of gameplay. Most of those hours won’t be much fun, they’ll be frustrating and repetitive to the point of fury. But they will be hours. If you like Magic, you’ll like owning this, it captures the card experience very well. I just don’t think it’s as enjoyable as it should be. Perhaps the fact that having vented all this spleen I’m probably about to go and play it again makes me a wretched addict and hypocrite. But the clever thing about that is that look over there!

gamrReview (4 out of 10) (40%)

Judging this game is hard. It does what it sets out to do and I want to judge it by its own merits rather than judging it by the game it's based on. Yeah, it doesn't do everything perfectly, but it's actually pretty good considering, and I can see why choices such as not allowing the player to assign damage/choose their own mana expenditure would be made; it does streamline the game. The A.I. is pretty intelligent and the game ultimately works. Still, as much as I want to judge it by its own merits, I just can't. I had a miserable time playing this game because I kept thinking about all the awful points I made. For a beginner looking to learn how to play Magic, this game is great. It's not perfect, it doesn't allow for the intricacies you'll need to understand to play at tournament level, but it'll let you learn the basic rules fast, so I can recommend it for that at least. But unless you're a massive addict to MTG and can't get by without a daily fix I can't recommend this game.

Rock, Paper, Shotgun N/A

It's an advert. That's all. This game is an elaborate promotional tool for a fantastic game. It teaches you the mechanics, shows you how deep it all is, seduces you with gorgeous art and then steps away. It says “Come on, let's play!” and then steps away. “Want a card?” That's what it says. And it doesn't mean a virtual card. It means a cardboard card. “Want a card?” That's all. And when you play this game, you probably will.