Info about Magic Duels:

Official game description:
MORE CARDS. MORE STRATEGY. BIGGER STORY. Collect 1,300+ earnable cards, battle in 60+ single-player campaign missions, and emerge victorious in epic online duels.  
Never played Magic: The Gathering? Learn how as you take on the role of an iconic Planeswalker. Veteran Magic player? Hone your skills and match wits with opponents online.  
NEW CARDS: 158 NEW unique cards from Magic's Amonkhet set.  
NEW STORY: A NEW story-driven Amonkhet Campaign.  
NEW ITEMS: Customize your play experience with 6 new cards sleeves and 5 new personas.  
MANY WAYS TO PLAY: Experience some of Magic's most iconic moments in Story Mode, head to Battle Mode to take on your friends, or grab a partner for a four-player Two-Headed Giant battle.  
BUILD POWERFUL DECKS: Build your deck of devastating spells from an ever-growing library of earnable cards.  
PRACTICE OFFLINE: Hone your skills and try new decks and strategies against virtually endless AI opponents in Solo Mode.  
For Magic Duels game support, please visit:  
http://magic.wizards.com/en/content/magic-duels-support

Release date: Jul 29, 2015

Categories: Collectible Card Game, Card-based Gameplay, Turn-based Combat, Single-player Story, Cooperative Multiplayer, Deckbuilding

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 90; verdict: Aggressive Pay-to-Win; summary: The game monetizes through a real-money currency (coins) that can be used to purchase booster packs containing random cards. While free players can grind for coins, the time investment is significant, leading to a pay-to-win dynamic where paying players gain card advantages. The reviews consistently label it as pay-to-win, with a clear real-money gate for faster progression.
- Steam Deck: score 85; verdict: Broken; summary: The game suffers from mandatory online connectivity, severe server instability, frequent bugs, and missing core modes. While controls and visuals are well-optimized, the technical breakdowns make it unplayable in offline scenarios and unreliable online, especially on a portable device like Steam Deck.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $0.00 - $20.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews avoid directly stating a fair price for the base game, with one reviewer explicitly refusing to comment and another noting price perception varies. The third quote discourages real-money card purchases (MTX), not base game pricing. This lack of specific feedback suggests the community has no strong consensus, implying a wide range is acceptable. Based on typical digital card game pricing (including free-to-play models), a plausible fair range is $0 to $20 with very low confidence.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 505.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: For game completion, the reviewer who finished all achievements reported 505 hours, providing a plausible typical total time. No reviewer gave a specific number of hours to finish the story/campaign; references call it quick and mention 25 duels but no duration. Session length is not directly reported; occasional references to matchmaking take up to 10 minutes or daily grind lasting ~1 hour do not represent a single session. Endgame is not quantified; players mention hundreds of hours of continued play but no separate endgame hour estimate. Therefore only game completion has a supported value.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Magic Duels delivers fun after completing the mandatory tutorial and first story mission, which unlock multiplayer modes where the game truly shines; new players learn quickly via excellent modular tutorials, but veterans may find the early game slow and the campaign tedious.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: After completing the mandatory tutorial and first story mission to unlock multiplayer modes
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Mandatory tutorial and story content before multiplayer unlocks; Tutorial is slow for Magic veterans; Campaign is short, boring, and repetitive (25 duels with basic decks); Deckbuilding restrictions (card limits per rarity); Daily coin cap limits progression; Multiplayer connectivity issues and flawed ranking system
  - Unlock drivers: Excellent modular tutorial that teaches by doing; Optional and skippable keyword-specific mini-tutorials; Free card earning through gameplay and daily quests; Two-Headed Giant (2vs2) coop mode; Achievements and deckbuilding assistance
  - Conditions: Must complete at least the basics tutorial and first story mission; For best experience, play with friends in coop mode; Patience with early progression limits (daily coin cap, deck restrictions); Familiarity with Magic rules reduces tutorial friction for veterans
- Player Archetypes:
  - Learning Newcomer (buy)
    - Motivation: Learn Magic: The Gathering in a forgiving, single-player-focused environment.
    - Playstyle: Plays story mode and tutorials, uses assisted deck construction, avoids competitive multiplayer initially.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: new player; Hearthstone refugee; learner; casual beginner
    - Reference games: Hearthstone; Magic: The Gathering (paper); MTG Arena; Duels of the Planeswalkers
  - Frustrated Competitive Veteran (no buy)
    - Motivation: Competitive deck building and fair PvP with a deep metagame.
    - Playstyle: Focuses on ranked multiplayer, optimizing decks, and climbing leaderboards; demands balance and bug fixes.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: MTG veteran; competitive player; paper magic player; former Duels fan
    - Reference games: MTG Online; MTG Arena; XMage; Paper Magic
  - Patient F2P Grinder (buy)
    - Motivation: Acquire a large collection of cards without spending real money.
    - Playstyle: Completes daily missions, grinds multiplayer for coins, carefully manages gold to buy boosters over time.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: F2P player; grinder; patient collector; economy-conscious
    - Reference games: Hearthstone (F2P); Gwent; MTG Arena (F2P)
  - Casual Solo Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoy Magic’s strategic depth through story-driven campaigns and challenging AI.
    - Playstyle: Focuses on story mode, solo battles, and two-headed giant with a friend vs AI; avoids ranked competitive play.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: solo player; campaign lover; AI enthusiast; casual MTG fan
    - Reference games: Duels of the Planeswalkers; MTG Arena (solo modes); Slay the Spire; Gwent single-player


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Comprehensive tutorials (weight 0.5): The game offers extensive tutorials for learning Magic rules, covering mechanics and lore. These are considered the best tutorials seen and are excellent for beginners, providing a clear and complete learning experience.
- Truly free-to-play model (weight 0.49): The game is free to play with no pay-to-win elements. Players can earn coin earnable boosters, there are no paywalls for campaign or story, and gold earning is fair. All cards can be obtained through playing without spending real money.
- No duplicate card system (weight 0.3): The card collection limit of 4 per card and the booster pack system ensure no duplicates beyond the play limit. This guarantees all cards are unlockable and provides a better collection experience without duplicates.
- Return of Two-Headed Giant mode (weight 0.29): The Two-Headed Giant (2vs2) co-op mode has returned and is well received. It allows cooperative play with a friend and earning coins, adding a social and strategic element to the game.
- Good progression without payment (weight 0.24): All cards can be collected without paying, and it is possible to unlock everything in about a month for free. This balances the free-to-play model well.
- Introduction of Planeswalker cards (weight 0.2): The inclusion of Planeswalker cards adds depth and variety to the game. Players can enjoy engaging stories with new storytelling methods, featuring 15 planeswalker cards as of a specific date.
- Quality soundtrack and graphics (weight 0.18): The music and soundtrack are magnificent and pleasant, and the graphics are good. These audio-visual elements contribute to a polished and immersive experience.
- Fun and engaging gameplay (weight 0.18): Players find the game very fun to play, especially with friends. It offers enjoyable story modes and lore, making it a compelling experience overall.

Common complaints:
- Frequent disconnection issues (weight 0.48): Connectivity problems are common, including frequent server drops and disconnects during gameplay. These issues hinder online play and make the experience unreliable.
- Game no longer supported (weight 0.4): The game has been abandoned, with no further updates or support. It is no longer available for purchase and has been discontinued.
- Limited card pool (weight 0.33): The card base is restricted to one set (Origins onwards), with no older sets and missing cards from expansions. This results in few competitive deck options.
- Restrictive deck building limits (weight 0.27): Players dislike the non-standard card copy limits (1 mythic, 2 rare, 3 uncommon, 4 common) in deck building, which are not present in physical Magic. This restriction is seen as unnecessary and limiting.
- Mana flood and screw issues (weight 0.26): The shuffling algorithm leads to extreme mana draws (flood or screw), even with a 50% land ratio. This RNG issue causes frequent frustrating losses and concessions.
- AI takeover after disconnect (weight 0.24): When opponents disconnect or concede, an AI takes over, which can still affect rank and gold. Players find this unfair and frustrating, as it can lead to losses caused by AI behavior.
- No chat or communication (weight 0.23): The game lacks any in-game chat or voice communication features, which reduces social interaction. Players miss the ability to communicate with opponents.
- Slow card collection progression (weight 0.21): Unlocking all cards requires excessive grinding, often taking 5 hours per day for a month or spending $60. This slow pace discourages free-to-play players.
- Unbalanced matchmaking (weight 0.15): Matchmaking pairs low-level starters against high-level players with rare cards, leading to quick losses. The system is buggy and lacks dynamic adjustment.
- Restrictive daily quests (weight 0.14): Some daily quests require using the deck builder guide or specific archetypes, preventing completion with custom decks. This limits player creativity and progress.
- No cross-platform play (weight 0.12): Cross-platform multiplayer is not supported, limiting the player base and making it harder to find matches. This is a significant drawback for a digital card game.
- Online-only with no offline mode (weight 0.09): The game requires an always-online connection and cannot be played offline. Progress is not saved when offline, which is frustrating for players with unstable internet.
- Inconvenient deck builder (weight 0.08): The deck builder lacks sort and filter options, making it difficult to manage cards. Players find the interface inconvenient for constructing decks.
- No free-for-all or normal mode (weight 0.08): There is no free-for-all or normal game mode, limiting gameplay options. Players desire more varied formats beyond the standard ranked play.

Gameplay feedback:
- Deck building with rarity restrictions (weight 0.43): Players have deck building freedom but are limited by rarity restrictions such as 1 mythic, 2 rares, and specific card counts. Smart boosters and multiple expansions add depth but impose constraints.
- Two-Headed Giant 2v2 mode (weight 0.26): Players enjoy a 2v2 Two-Headed Giant mode where they can team up with friends, strangers, or AI. This cooperative mode is a standout feature for multiplayer engagement.
- Turn-based card game with story (weight 0.22): The game is a turn-based card game featuring a story mode based on Origins, color balance, and a 7-card starting hand. It combines strategic card gameplay with narrative elements.
- Free-to-play with purchases (weight 0.22): The game is free-to-play but offers expansion purchases and in-game coin boosts. Players can earn gold to buy booster packs without spending real money, though limits exist.
- Booster pack cost and content (weight 0.21): Booster packs cost 150 gold or coins and contain 6 cards: 3 common, 2 uncommon, and at least 1 rare or mythic. This pricing and distribution system is a core part of the economy.
- PvP and AI battle modes (weight 0.2): Players can engage in PvP dueling and AI battles with three difficulty levels. The AI takeover feature adds convenience for online matches.
- Daily gold limit of 500 (weight 0.18): Players are limited to earning a maximum of 500 gold per day, with a daily cap of 400-500 coins. This restricts fast progression for free players.
- Digital Magic: The Gathering (weight 0.16): This is a digital collectible card game based on the Magic: The Gathering TCG, featuring deck building and rarity systems. It brings the physical card game experience online.
- Single-player campaign available (weight 0.15): There is a single-player campaign along with custom vs AI battles. This mode provides solo content for players who prefer not to compete online.
- Daily quests and progression (weight 0.09): Daily quests reward 20, 40, or 60 gold, supporting slow progress. The gold cap and quest system incentivize consistent play but limit rapid accumulation.

Performance notes:
- Server and connection issues (weight 0.31): Multiple reports mention severe server instability, disconnections, and lag spikes that disrupt gameplay. These issues appear widespread and persistently affect multiplayer sessions.
- Frequent crashes and freezes (weight 0.3): Many users experience random crashes to desktop, freezes during matches, and system hangs that require force-quitting the game. These problems occur repeatedly and make the game unplayable for some.
- Startup and launch errors (weight 0.18): A few users report black screens, DirectX 11 hardware requirements, sound card issues, and critical errors on startup that prevent the game from launching at all.
- Poor optimization and performance (weight 0.16): Several reviews highlight poor optimization, forcing players to use low graphics settings despite adequate hardware. The game feels sluggish and unoptimized, with long load times and broken anti-aliasing.

Recommendations:
- Good for Magic beginners (weight 0.57): Many reviewers recommend the game for new Magic: The Gathering players, especially as a free way to learn the rules and basics. It is seen as a useful tutorial for those unfamiliar with the game.
- Consider alternative games (weight 0.26): Some reviewers suggest playing other games instead, such as XMage, Hearthstone, Legends of Runeterra, or the official Magic client. They feel these alternatives offer a better experience.
- Not recommended in current state (weight 0.21): Several reviewers feel the game is not worth playing in its current state, citing bugs, server issues, and overall poor quality. They advise waiting for fixes or avoiding it altogether.
- Do not waste time (weight 0.21): A few reviewers strongly advise against playing the game, calling it a waste of time and effort. They recommend staying away entirely.
- Mixed feelings from veterans (weight 0.13): Experienced Magic players have mixed opinions: some find it a decent way to test decks or pass time, while others find the grind frustrating and the experience limited compared to physical Magic.
- Not for competitive players (weight 0.09): The game is not recommended for those seeking competitive play, due to card rotation, pay-to-win elements, or the grind required. It is seen as more suitable for learning or casual play.

Other player notes:
- Enable card trading (weight 0.06): A card trading system is suggested to allow players to exchange cards, improving collection completion and player interaction.
- Add chat functionality (weight 0.06): In-game chat is requested to facilitate communication between players during matches, fostering a more social experience.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.25): The game is plagued by pay-to-win mechanics, excessive bugs (crashes, freezes, auto-skip, pause bug), and connectivity issues that cause progress loss. Unfair advantages from exploits, a shallow meta, no ban list, and a poorly designed ranking system further compound the frustration, making many games unwinnable or unenjoyable.
- Disappointment (weight 0.15): Players are let down by the abrupt end of official support and lack of new content, despite the game's potential. Unresolved bugs, broken AI, restrictive card limits, and a grind-heavy economy ruin the experience, while the removal from storefronts and lack of promised features leave a lasting negative impression.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.1): Players appreciate the generous free-to-play model that allows earning cards without spending money, making it a great learning tool for Magic. Excellent tutorials, smooth performance on weak hardware, and the return of the Two-Headed Giant format contribute to an enjoyable and convenient digital Magic experience.
- Anger (weight 0.08): Players express deep anger at the developers for abandoning the game after taking real money, breaking promises of long-term support. Deceptive practices like continuing to sell in-game currency, exploitable bugs, and lack of customer support for lost purchases fuel this outrage.
- Annoyance (weight 0.04): Frequent annoyances stem from the AI taking over after an opponent concedes, leading to unfair losses, as well as server problems, poor deck construction UI, and rarity limits that restrict deck creativity. Daily quest reward imbalances and unavailable cards that AI uses also grate on players.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.04): Players enjoy the core Magic gameplay, deep deck building possibilities, and engaging story mode. Setting up combos and exploring the card pool is rewarding, and the smooth UI adds to a positive experience for learning and playing Magic.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the game for its real AI, motivating solo experience, varied challenges, and intuitive deck builder. Interesting mechanics and card design make it a true representation of Magic, serving as a fantastic resource for learning the game and still allowing duels with friends.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Excitement is generated by epic events like the September event, the return of Two-Headed Giant and playable Planeswalkers, and the discovery of new cards and mechanics. The game's engaging and strategic nature, along with cheap foil crafting and good tutorials, fuel this positive feeling.
- Betrayal (weight 0.02): Players feel betrayed because developers broke a promise of long-term support and continued selling coins after ending the game. This abandonment, despite claiming perpetual support, is seen as a deceptive and greedy move by Wizards of the Coast.
- Sadness (weight 0.02): Sadness arises from the game being no longer supported or purchasable, and the knowledge that all Magic games have been removed from Steam. The loss of a good game to time, with no continuation, evokes a sense of melancholy.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.02): Nostalgia is triggered by fond memories of playing with friends in the past, and the game's graphics reminiscent of older console generations. Players look back on hours of past gameplay and lore with warm feelings.
- Love (weight 0.02): Players love the game because they consider it the best free-to-play card game on Steam. This affection extends to a desire for the game to last forever, appreciating the game itself for its core qualities.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Joy is derived from the game being free and not forcing payment, combined with the deck building freedom this allows. Specific achievements, like a first draft tournament win, also bring joy.
- Resignation (weight 0.02): Players express resignation by stating they won't open the game again due to progress loss, accepting pay-to-win dynamics, and deciding to move on to other games, essentially giving up on the title.
- Hope (weight 0.02): Hope remains that future updates could realize the game's potential, especially with a unified version and regular card set expansions, despite its current abandoned status.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise comes from discovering changes after not playing for years, or from the initial thought that the game had been removed from Steam, indicating unexpected developments.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Regret stems from the game no longer being downloadable for new players, financial loss from spending real money on a now-abandoned game, and the removal from the Steam store making it inaccessible.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Gratitude is expressed for the patient guidance from experienced players, the game helping to pass time during illness, and specific thanks to the developers, Stainless Games, for creating the title.
- Outrage (weight 0.01): Outrage is fueled by the game being abandoned while still allowing people to spend money without warning, and a perception of foul business practices that drive players away.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration is given to Magic itself for being an ingenious, globally popular game designed by a mathematician. Players admire how the game becomes part of life and remains enjoyable despite technical issues, praising its brilliance and enduring success.}