When the game begins you'll find that the developer has kept intact the MTG skill level question from the previous Planeswalkers games. You'll have to choose which of the three available options best describes your knowledge of the Magic the Gathering card game. These options range from "Knowing nothing at all" to "Being an advanced player". Whatever option you choose to go with (it is best to be honest) you will be given a chance to take the game's tutorial course. This time around the tutorial is honestly worlds better than it has been in the previous versions of the Planeswalker saga. The announcer which explains everything in an easy to understand manner has a pleasant voice, and well spoken knowledge about the basics, and more advanced techniques of the game. His guidance serves as a good refresher course, or a beginner's guide for those of you who are interested in actually honing your skills with the MTG TCG (Trading Card Game). If I do have one complaint about the tutorial though it would be that the inability to skip card play images unnecessarily prolongs the overall length of the process.
As I mentioned earlier MTG 2014 is chock full of playable content, and extras that will have you sitting mesmerized in front of your television set for hours at a time (I'm guilty of such myself). Returning to the game are a handful of offline, and online fan favorites. You'll find that the game mode "Two-Headed Giant", "Free-For-All", "Challenges", and the core "Campaign" have all returned in a visually revamped, but highly similar way. I won't rehash the "Two-Headed Giant", or the "Free-for-All" offerings, because my past reviews cover those in great detail. I will however give you the lowdown on the "Campaign", the "Challenges", and all the other newly introduced features that have been included this time around.
The "Campaign" in MTG 2014 follows closely Chandra Nalaar, and her new found helper (You) as they try to figure out who exactly has set Chandra up. During your journey through several different Plane locales you will play against groups of four duelists which further unravel the plot behind the latest MTG story. The "Campaign", in essence is divided up by Plane locations (Innistrad, ...) that each contain three encounters, and a final duel with a relic yielding duelist/Planeswalker. The encounters are often times more like a challenge than an actual duel, and will require that you play wisely in order to outsmart your AI opponent. As such you'll find that each duelist you encounter usually has a preset deck of cards, and learning ways around their attacks/defenses may require more than just one try (In the world of MTG skill is extremely necessary, but often times you'll find that your victories lie with the luck of your draw). The final duelist of each given Plane location will reward you with a new deck should you end up victorious. After completing each set of four duelist encounters in the Campaign mode you'll be given the chance to challenge one of the former Planeswalkers (Ajani Goldmane, Jace Beleren & Liliana Vess), and unlock their decks as well. Sadly not every Planeswalker from MTG 2013 made it back on the list, but at least there are some new prospects to keep us MTG fans busy.
The "Challenges" in MTG 2014 come in two types that each require four challenge victories to master. There's the "Initial" set of challenges with a more basic set of rules, and an "Advanced" set of challenges with a more difficult set of scenarios, and rules. The "Initial Challenges" are the more basic scenarios that ease the player into the advanced techniques of the game. Often times the solutions are simple, and require the use of only a select number of certain card types in order to defeat your opponent. Others in the "Initial" set will have you playing slightly more strategically, or defensively in order to win. Each challenge whether it's the "Initial" set, or the "Advanced" set will place a preset card scenario before the gamer. Cards will be laid out on the playing field according to the current set of rules, and often times you'll be given a preselected card hand with which to perform the task/s. The challenges this time around are about as challenging as in the previous versions of the series, but also incorporate new tactics making it a learning experience even for veteran players.
Now onto the new ...
Among the revamped versions of the old modes you'll find that Wizards of the Coast, and Stainless Games have added an entirely new way to play MTG. This special mode, otherwise known as "Sealed Play" allows the player to construct an entirely new deck from a selection of random booster packs, and battle offline/online with other "Sealed Play" duelists. In a way this mode type mainly acts as a means to educate MTG players on how to properly construct a deck, and ultimately does an excellent job in the process. At the start of this mode you will be given several different booster packs from the newly released MTG 2014 TCG series. Each pack will virtually open up onscreen upon command revealing every card from the pack in the process. You can scan over your newly gained cards, zooming in for a better look if you so desire. Once all of your booster packs have been opened you will be taken to a new deck management menu in which you will construct your own deck using your newly gained assortment of cards.
The "Sealed Play" deck management menu basically allows you to construct your deck manually, or with the aid of the CPU/AI's auto-management options. Along with the usual "Add a card", and "Remove a card" capabilities you'll also find a deck grade bar that rates just how good your deck really is. You're deck will range in value from "Weak", to "Awesome" depending on how well, or how poorly you grouped your cards (Land cards included). Another unique feature added to this deck construct menu system is the ability to personalize the deck's box, and name. You can name your deck however you see fit, and even choose from a selection of persona based box images to give your deck that added appeal. When you've finished fine tuning your deck you can test it out in the actual "Sealed Play" modes that reward your victories with bonus booster packs. The game initially gives you the ability to construct up to two "Sealed Play" decks, but more slots can be purchased through the marketplace. For those of you who are wondering the new "Sealed Play" mode is available in both offline, and online modes.
Most of you who were following the progress of MTG closely this year will know of the new "Sliver" card additions. Slivers, are basically creatures with added group effects. The more Sliver creatures that you have in your deck the more collectively powerful they'll be when played together on the battlefield. It's sort of like a hive mentality. Aside of the vast array of different 1/1 (+Enhancement) you'll find that the actual sliver deck is a multi-colored one that blends lowly creatures, and powerful spells. The Sliver creatures offered in the newly unlockable deck are visually a mixture of Xenomorphs, armored creatures, and the artistic Alien depictions offered by H.R. Giger. The MTG artist who created them was obviously influenced by such artistic talents.
Going back to what I said before, this game not only offers a lot of new playable content, but also a decent amount of extras. In the vast menu system, and menu sub-systems that make up MTG 2014 you'll find some unlockable bonus content that pays tribute to the core experiences of the MTG Trading Card Game. There's a "Video Gallery" that houses the CG cutscenes which you unlock through a "Campaign" playthrough. Also included in the same sub-menu category is an "Art Gallery" that gives a bio on a select few of the Planeswalkers shown within the series. The bios themselves are extensive giving details on the Planeswalkers' physical appearances as well as magic abilities and, overall history. Accompanying each of the included bios is also a set of paintings from different MTG artists depicting each character in various poses. I found it to be a welcome addition to the game, and as much of simple add-on as players might see it as I definitely found it to be a noteworthy feature.
The "Player Status" options also return with a vengeance of sorts. Along with your usual stats, unlockable personas, and deck mastery/favorite color status you'll find that the developer has also added unlockable titles that accompany the players Gamertag. Both the personas (character pics), and the titles all require the completion of certain in-game tasks in order to obtain them. Some titles, and personas require something as simple as a specific color mastery, or something as simple as playing the game at a certain time of day. The more difficult to unlock items will require more skilled gameplay achievements, but in earning them the player can be recognized for their advanced MTG skills.
Now onto the deck/card assessment ...
As one might imagine not all the decks in the MTG 2014 library are created equal. In fact, much to my surprise I found that the deck of the main protagonist, Chandra Nalaar (which is unlocked early on in the game) was only good against certain decks (Liliana Vess's, for example). Her deck consisted of some mid, and low grade creatures (some flying) with the occasional larger one as well as some powerful player damaging spells. Like the other decks/duelists Chandra also has a "Staff of the Magus" artifact that adds some slight health regeneration benefits. I have honestly yet to unlock her full deck, so you could consider my assessment of her deck as a "First Impressions" sort of deal.
Aside from Chandra's deck I've spent quite some time with Garruck's new green deck, "Hunter's Strength" (Maybe it's not new? Sounds awfully familiar ...). While I do like the new "Hunter's Strength" deck it does not seem as powerful as his one from MTG 2013. He has a lot more mid-grade creature cards this time around with a basic value of 3/3 each (give or take a few). There are a few larger creatures, but you'll mostly find the mid-ranged ones in this deck. As far as spells (Sorceries, Enchantments & Artifacts) go Garruck does have some trump cards that can be used to make the weaker creature cards much more powerful. Hunter's Strength is best used against the less speedy spell oriented decks, or decks that have a low-mid speed rating. While you can often times gain the upper hand with your enhanced, and more powerful creatures it's still best to avoid going up against players who use decks like Liliana Vess's "Deadwalker", or Jace Beleren's "Mind Maze".
Up to this point the only other deck I've touched base with is the Jace Beleren "Mind Maze" deck. My first impressions of this particular blue deck is that it has a lot of potential. There are plenty of good spells, and even though the creatures are small/weak (mostly with flying) you'll find that by combining them with enchantments/spells you can defeat a duelist in-game with only two creatures on the playing field. Jace's deck like the other Planeswalkers I mentioned earlier on can be unlocked after each campaign (4 encounters) set is completed. Jace was not that much of a challenge to me, and neither was Ajani, but like I said playing MTG is partially about the luck of the draw.
Well, I think I'll leave it at that, and let you discover the rest of the deck offerings on your own. That is after all where most of the fun of playing the game comes in. I'd suggest spending a lot of time with each deck unlocking all of the cards through gameplay. Sure you can purchase unlock keys for quick access, but I believe that spending time gradually earning your deck will reward you with a more beneficial experience. Before I go I should also mention that this game comes with a couple of extra goodies. If you own the MTG 2013 game you will get one free deck unlock key just as you did with MTG 2013. This unlock key can be used to unlock a full deck, or to unlock the premium foil cards for a deck of your choosing. Either way I strongly suggest you holding onto that free unlock key until you have found your favorite deck. Lastly, at the start of the game you'll be gifted an online code that can be used to get you an actual MTG card from select retailers. You have to redeem the code online which will in turn give you a coupon to print that you can then take to an MTG retailer who will give you the card. I know of no MTG retailers nearby, so I'm SOL.
The verdict ...
Stainless Games, and Wizards of the Coast do not disappoint with this latest installment of the Planeswalkers series. If anything they definitely go way beyond their usual means. Everything from the graphic presentation to the actual in-game content has been greatly enhanced in a way that gives the game an entirely new feel, and look. While most of the gameplay visuals are arguably revamped versions of the old offerings certain details like the larger zoomed in cards, and improved graphics quality make the experience even more vivid than before. The menu system which now features an in-your-face image of Chandra (with flaming hair no less), and living MTG imagery comes to life in a surreal manner that is somewhat simple yet pleasing to the eyes.
New features such as the "Sealed Play" mode, and the Art/Video galleries give the game an extra boost into an entirely new, and rewarding direction. I loved the fact that the developer included a mode that is designed to help MTG players understand how to properly construct a deck from booster packs. It really completes the whole MTG experience. The fact that you can construct a completely personalized deck from said mode, and use it in-game is icing on the cake. Other things like the new tutorial mode also help to make the game a more solid experience. I for one think MTG 2014's tutorial is by far the best in the history of the video game series as well as the trading card game series. If your totally new to MTG I have no doubt that you'll fully understand the game after spending some quality time with MTG 2014. If your more of veteran player then I have no doubt you'll enjoy this new set of offerings just as much as a newcomer will, if not more. As such I have to say that this game is a "MUST BUY!!!" for any gamer out there. It is definitely deserving of the five star rating that the players of the game have given it. If you haven't got this game yet you are most definitely missing out. For 800 msp it is one heck of a deal!!!
*NOTE*: "I'm planning on doing individual deck analysis articles as I unlock every card & every deck available in the game. These deck reviews will happen over a lengthy span of time, but I hope they help you better understand the offerings of each deck. I will try to point out cards of interest, and potential with each article as well as some strategies that might be useful during your gameplay."
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