Magic on the iPad: Magic the Gathering 2013

Magic the Gathering debut on the iPad went virtually unnoticed among the Apple-community, but in vain, because "hoe"Still remains one of the most popular card games, and join it any iPad owner can now. And free... Well, almost free ...

The Magic the Gathering (MTG) players compete with each other by means of spells and summon creatures, the possibility of which are determined primarily by the color of the game deck. "Red" specializes in bypass and protection Zerg-rashah, "Green" are betting on superstrong beings, "black" well with the destruction of enemy creatures, "white" - an excellent protector, and "blue" for sure will appeal to sophisticated strategists. Many variations, even within the same color, not to mention the multi-color decks, allowing even greater variety of tactics used. I will not retell the rules, the benefit they detail outlined as the site Wizards of the Coast, and in the in-game "Tutorials". On the explanation of the subtleties of the game will take more than one day.

iPad version of MTG (by the way, there are variations for PC / PS3 / XBOX, Mac traditionally "in flight") will allow newcomers settle in the universe, and at the same time great save on the purchase of cards, good at collecting a decent deck IRL It takes much more time and money than the purchase of a "virtual" version. Options for getting cards are generally two: can be long and hard to chisel single, often fighting openly chiteryaschim AI for one single card, or spend a couple of bucks on the purchase liked the deck and immediately get an opportunity to stick their noses in multiplayer with non-zero chance of winning.

deck

Unlike cardboard-card version of the game where you can collect the deck, combining the card at least until blue in the face (or the end of the free cash), computer variation of such liberties do not allow limiting the player several sets of pre-selected decks. On the one hand, it saves on the clearly non-working combinations. On the other - significantly limits the possible strategy.

game modes

For the game is available several modes: Campaign (quite interesting), multiplayer, where we will stop a little later, and 3 custom mode "game of choice" with the AI. Among the latter - "Two-Headed Giant" (Battle of 2 × 2) "heap-low" (from 2 to 4 players, each man for himself), and in fact, Planetscape (2-4 players), which adds to the game even more unpredictable.

Multiplayer

Multiplayer - the part for which, in fact, it makes sense to spend your hard earned cents on the deck. Unfortunately, options for online play only two: Planetscape and "heap-low", and then only in Duel mode. Arrange a battle for 4 players, unfortunately, will not work. And if wanting to play Planetscape much less to be found just a few minutes for a typical game opponent, then.

Typical disease multiplayer games - rage quit is solved quite simply, on the loser succeeded by AI, "finish" is how much less interesting.

Interface and Graphics

The game looks quite nice. Well, as much as might look nice card game. Nice graphics with accompanying battle effects - in stock.

With an interface it is not so simple. On the one hand, he is very friendly and can greatly help in the choice of tactics (eg, available for playing the currently highlighted spells), on the other - sometimes it amazes incredible tupizna. This is particularly evident in the choice of the target window spells displays avatars of players (who may be the same), and not the fact that by default, the aim of destructive spells will be chosen opponent. Lose the game due to a combination of idiocy interface and own carelessness - a dubious pleasure.

free cheese

The game is easy to guess - a classic freemium. You can start playing for free, but in order to really enjoy the game, have to shell out hard-earned 99 cents a pack. And another 99 for foiling (spoiler: it will be a waste of money). And dozens of "premium". And five more bucks for a supplement. Expensive? Enough to get acquainted with prices real card deck :)