ShadowConqueror

Well obviously it can be, because I like it and I know others who enjoy it. Just because it's a simplified version of the game doesn't mean fans can't still like it.

MD:O has a ranked ladder and daily quests.

Yes, you will probably like it. Give it a try!

I didn't mean to say that people who aren't into MTG won't be into this. More that people who actively don't care or dislike it won't be into this.

But I disagree that's it's definitely not for people who are already into Magic. Sure, some people won't like some of the decisions made when making the game digital. Fine. And sure, some people won't have the patience to go through a couple tutorial missions. But I think a good portion of Magic players would be willing to live with those conceits. I did, and others obviously have as well. I think this game is quite promising, and could end up being a decent alternative to MTGO, but unfortunately some people are unable to live with those conceits, or are simply having problems with bugs. It's a shame that all those people are being turned off from a game that is genuinely enjoyable.

It's sort of a mixed bag here, but I admit to sending conflicting messages.

Here's what I think: If someone has little to no experience with card games, but is open to seeing what they have to offer, they should play this game. If someone has played and enjoyed Hearthstone's style of free-to-play card game, they should play this game. If someone likes Magic: The Gathering or card games in general, they should play this game.

If someone is a die hard Magic: The Gathering fan who cannot tolerate MD:O having limitations on certain aspects of deck building, card variety, or game types, they should not play this game (at least for the time being). If someone dislikes Magic: The Gathering specifically, they should not play this game, obviously.

When you said you couldn't care less about Magic: The Gathering, I got the impression you fell into the latter camp. If it's more that you have no opinions on it either way, then maybe try it out. It's hard to say if someone should play a game or not if they have no strong opinions on it.

I think part of the appeal for people who aren't Magic fans is the Magic brand itself. Sure, Hearthstone is a similar game in many respects, but MD:O is at its core a card game that has been around for decades, with a pool of thousands of potential cards to bring in, as well as the working knowledge of how to keep a card game alive for years to come. The Magic setting, art, and tone are all distinct and have their own appeal as well, just like their counterparts in Warcraft/Hearthstone. I can envision people being drawn to one or the other on that alone.

I just want people to play this damn game. I think it's great.

I completely agree. That was one of the minor gripes I had with the game, as noted in my review. It reminded me of Planescape: Torment's CG, which is 16 years old at this point. It's fucking bad. But, like you said, it is completely unimportant in relation to the game as a whole, and there are so few cut scenes that they're easy to avoid.

I read some reviews as well. I don't doubt that there are some bugs and crashes, but I never experienced even a single noticeable bug in the 20-odd hours I've played. Not one. It may be that they've been fixed at this point, or at least the most egregious ones.

The limited cards thing doesn't bother me all that much right now. I'm still unlocking cards I don't have and getting used to the ones that my opponents through at me. The developers do intend to release future sets in the game digitally, so that will essentially fix that problem. That being said, if they don't add new sets, this game will not be around long, as I noted in my review.

By and large, I didn't mind the preconstructed decks in story mode simply because we are playing as specific characters from the Magic universe. You play through their origin stories and your decks get more powerful with each win. The only time it bothered me was at the beginning of Chandra's origin, where your deck is extremely underpowered compared to your enemy, which while fitting for the context of the story, was rather frustrating. The RNG hasn't bothered me either except in that one specific scenario. I guess I'm just used to RN-Jesus helping out my enemy instead of me in these sorts of games.

As for the need for grinding, MD:O seems like way less of a grind to me than Hearthstone. I think it adds up to about the same number of wins to afford a pack as Hearthstone, but I've never felt like I wanted gold and wasn't able to get it within a reasonable amount of time.

So I don't know. Maybe don't write it off too soon? I think it's a great game that's been overlooked by just about everyone. There's really no reason not to try it out since it's free. But if you're not into Magic: The Gathering, you probably won't be into this.

EDIT: I should also note that I've exclusively played on PC.

@huntad: Two-Headed Giant is fantastic. I would have also liked to see some of the other modes return, like the 3 and 4 players games of the first Duels of the Planeswalkers, or maybe Archenemy or Planechase. Still a solid package, especially for free.

Yep, there's plenty of in game currency to be had. Card packs are 150 gold each, and you get 15 for defeating hard AI opponents in the one-on-one mode. Defeating players earns you even more than that. There's also a campaign, which if you complete will provide you with enough gold for ten packs. It seems very generous with its currency.

It's a shame you had a bug in the tutorial. I haven't had any bugs yet that I'm aware of.

This game is fantastic. It's a shame that it's flown so low under the radar, because I've really had a lot of fun with it. I've seen zero, ZERO buzz about this game. Sure, I get that some people don't like card games. That's fine. But with the popularity of Hearthstone (and let's not forget the Best Minigame of the Year, Gwent), I would think there are more people turned on to the genre than before.

At any rate, you should play this game if you like card games. It's free to play! And not in an insidious way! If there's anyone out there who's interested in Magic: The Gathering but is intimidated by learning its rules, this game is a great starting point.

If anyone's interested in knowing more about the game, you can read my review here. I don't think it deserves the criticism it seems to have earned from its Steam and iOS user bases.

A few that come to mind:

Being on the number 1 ranked team in the world in Gears of Wars' ranked Assassination mode.

Beating The Last of Us on Grounded and Grounded+.

Mile High Club.

Getting all achievements in Dark Souls.

Being in the first hundred people to platinum Bloodborne.

Getting all achievements in Mass Effect 1 and 2, Oblivion, and Fallout 3. Not particularly difficult, but I love those games to death.

I'm not sure if I'm sold on it yet, at least at full price, but it certainly does show some promise.

Jolly cooperation, indeed.