Magic: Legends

Magic: Legends is a MMORPG set in a fantasy universe known from the popular card game Magic: The Gathering, which has been developed for many years by Wizards of the Coast. The game offers a dynamic combat system and works in a free-to-play model. It is the responsibility of experienced developers from Cryptic Studios, known for Neverwinter, City of Heroes and Champions Online. The publisher is Perfect World Entertainment.

Plot

The action of Magic: Legends takes place before the War of the Spark - a war in which the elderly dragon Nicol Bolas tried to take control of the universe, while Gatewatch tried to stop him. It is worth noting that the events presented in Cryptic Studio's game are canonical - they are part of the official story of MT:G. The game also features characters known from the card game - Squee, Danitha Capashen, Lyra Dawnbringer or Josu Vess, among others.

Mechanics

Magic: Legends is a classic MMORPG, in which the game world is observed from isometric perspective. The player takes on the role of a Planeswalker and starts the game by creating a character. WE can choose from five classes with different specializations (the list includes, among others, a Geomancer - an Earth Mage, and Mind Mage - a sorcerer specializing in the magic of the mind); we can also determine the appearance of our character.

Each hero has three active skills, a basic attack, a unique power (a characteristic, exceptionally powerful capability) and utility power (these are skills that are not necessarily related to combat - they may be related to movement). We also have two buffs and a passive special ability. All in all, it resembles the system used in Neverwinter, although there is a difference - some of the abilities depend on the class and some on the deck we have (we expand it during the game). It consists of twelve cards, but only four can be active at given time (the choice is random).

Spells can belong to one of three groups: creature (summoning creatures to help us in battle, which plays an important role in Magic: The Gathering - in Legends, the number and strength of summoned creatures are limited by a special pool of points), sorcery (instantaneous or short duration effects) and enchantment (abilities that cause long-term effects). We use magic at the cost of mana, which we get by drawing cards for the deck. The energy regenerates with time and is divided into different colors, required by specific spells.

The actual gameplay, as in any MMO, is to explore the world, fight monsters and perform tasks (bigger and smaller - e.g. quests, which mainly serve to improve the character's equipment). It is worth mentioning that we visit numerous places known from the Magic: The Gathering - among others, to island of Shiv, the swampy Caliogo Morass or the proud country of Benalia. Interestingly, the levels are partly random - if we're doing really well, the AI algorithms can add a special enemy somewhere. As the game progresses, we also strengthen the characters' abilities - both by building decks and leveling up.

Game modes

We can only play Magic: Legends with others. The mainstay of the game here is the online multiplayer mode and although a large part of the content can be completed solo, the fun definitely spreads its wings when we find some companions. There are also a lot of things in the game that are only available for player parties.

Technical aspects

Magic: Legends features interesting three-dimensional visuals. At first glance, the graphics resemble, for example Diablo III, as we see very distinct colors, slightly exaggerated character designs (resembling Magic: The Gathering canon) and a lot of spectacular lighting effects.

Last updated on 12 February 2021