Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012
Developer(s)	Stainless Games
Publisher(s)	Wizards of the Coast
Platform(s)	Xbox 360 (XBLA), PlayStation 3 (PSN), PC (Steam)
Release date(s)	June 15, 2011
Genre(s)	Collectible card game
Mode(s)	Single player, Multiplayer and up to 3 player cooperative
Rating(s)	ESRB: Teen PEGI: 7+
Media/distribution	Download (XBLA, PSN, or Steam)

Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 (referred to in shorthand as DotP 2012 or Magic 2012) is a video game based on the popular collectible card game of the same name, published by Wizards of the Coast. It was released on June 15, 2011.^[1] The game is a follow up to the highly popular Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers, which was released in 2009. An expansion for the game, called Ascend into Darkness, was released on September 14, 2011.^[2]

Gameplay

See also: General gameplay of Magic: The Gathering and Magic: The Gathering rules

The new Archenemy mode pits three players (bottom) with normal health against one player (top) with extra health and additional abilities. The Archenemy is currently in his combat phase, attacking one of his three opponents using four creatures. The targeted player is blocking two of those attacks with two of his own creatures.

The core game follows the standard rules of the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering; each player has a deck of cards consisting of lands and spells. Lands are used to generate "mana", the resource needed to cast spells. Mana comes in five colors, and cards may require colored or generic (mana of any color) to be cast. Spells come in many varieties, from sorceries and instants which have one-time effects, to summoned creatures which can attack and defend from opponents. Players alternate turns playing land cards, casting spells, and attacking opponents until all but one player's life total is reduced to 0.

There are three campaigns; an initial campaign, a challenge campaign, and a campaign featuring the new Archenemy mode. Each of the three campaigns has eleven missions. In addition, puzzles, scenarios where the player takes control of one side of a match that has already been mostly played and has to achieve victory in only one turn, make a reappearance in the sequel. Unlike in the first game, where puzzles were a standalone mode, puzzles in Duels 2012 are integrated into the campaign as unlockable side missions.^[3]

Multiplayer also makes a return to Duels 2012.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator	Score
GameRankings	74.5 [4]
Metacritic	77 [5]
Review scores
Publication	Score
Game Informer	8.0 [6]
GamePro	[3]
GameSpot	6.5 [7]
Official Xbox Magazine	8.5 [8]

The first game in the series, Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers sold over half a million units,^[9] creating high expectations for Duels 2012. Initial reception for the game was mostly positive. Game Informer praised the interface and noted that unpopular features from the 2009 game (such as the inability to remove unwanted cards from decks) have been fixed for the 2012 game, but criticized the new Archenemy mode and noted that there were some balance issues in the game.^[6] GamePro praised the art and the improved interface of the 2012 edition, but felt that the campaign was shallow.^[3]

References

1. ^ "Magic: The Gathering Duels 2012 Launches". IGN. http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/117/1176559p1.html. Retrieved 15 June 2011. 
2. ^ Hinkle, David (2011-08-17). "Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 gets 'Ascend into Darkness' expansion on Sept. 14". Joystiq. http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/duels-of-the-planeswalkers-2012-gets-ascend-into-darkness-expa/. Retrieved 2011-08-31. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} Boothe, Norris. "Review: Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/220413/review-magic-the-gathering-duels-of-the-planeswalkers-2012/. Retrieved 15 June 2011. 
4. ^ "Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012". Game Rankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/624321-/index.html. Retrieved 18 October 2011. 
5. ^ "Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/magic-the-gathering---duels-of-the-planeswalkers-2012. Retrieved 18 October 2011. 
6. ^ ^{a b} Biessener, Adam. "Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012". Game Informer. http://www.gameinformer.com/games/magic_the_gathering_-_duels_of_the_planeswalkers_2012/b/xbox360/archive/2011/06/15/an-excellent-but-limited-adaptation-of-the-tabletop-classic.aspx. Retrieved 15 June 2011. 
7. ^ Kemps, Heidi. "Magic: The Gathering 12 Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc.. http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/puzzle/magic-the-gathering-duels-of-the-planeswalkers-2012/review.html. Retrieved 18 October 2011. 
8. ^ Cocke, Taylor. "Magic: The Gathering — Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012". Official Xbox Magazine. http://www.oxmonline.com/article/reviews/xbox-live-arcade/m-r/magic-gathering-%E2%80%94-duels-planeswalkers-2012. Retrieved 16 June 2011. 
9. ^ Graft, Kris (2011-01-28). "Stainless Games' Duels Of The Planeswalkers Sells 500K On XBLA". Gamasutra. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/32687/Stainless_Games_Duels_Of_The_Planeswalkers_Sells_500K_On_XBLA.php. Retrieved 2011-01-28. 

External links

• Duels of the Planeswalkers
• Wizards of the Coast
• Stainless Games
• The official game FAQ