Magic Stones Review
17 April 2006 | By Alex Jeffreys
All in all, an excellent little game. It works exactly how it is supposed to, and does not have pretensions to anything it is not
A great little game, Magic Stones is about playing cards, gathering Monsters, Runes, Spells and Artifacts. So devilishly simple that it at first walks that line between simple and ridiculously boring, it quickly picks up pace and requires you to use your strategy muscles, as well as your monsters to do battle across all kinds of territories.
There are several modes to play in, Gather Artifacts, Challenge Druid, and Quest Mode. You're well advised to begin in the Gather Artifacts mode, because you are seriously weak and lack the sort of monster power you are going to need later on in other modes. The way the modes tie into one another is a nice touch, and a great example of weaving story and game play together.
Gather Artifacts is a great mode for the beginner, because the monsters you are fighting do not have spells, and once you kill them, they stay dead, unlike in the Challenge Druid mode, where that pesky other druid will just summon more. Probably the best advantage for the beginner is the fact that even if you only manage to kill say two out of four monsters in a particular location before being killed yourself, when you come back, there will only be two monsters left to kill. This makes leveling a learning experience, rather than a chore. Leveling helps your abilities dramatically, especially in the number of monsters you can summon at one time, and the strength of the monsters you can summon too.
You'll also gain more and more monsters, something which is very important indeed if you hope to defeat the other druids and the quests.
Even though the game keeps in simple, there are still four options for playing each monster. Normal Attack, Power Attack (which stands more chance of missing, but does more damage if it hits), Special Attack, and Defense position.
You also have monsters which must be played in the front lines, and others which have long range attacks. You must kill all front line monsters before proceeding to kill the ones behind them. Little details like this make the game that much more interesting.
Challenge Druid mode definitely challenges your playing abilities. Here you come up against much tougher monsters, and against an opponent who doesn't just sit there and die, which is a definite change from Gather Artifacts mode.
Then we come to the quests, which are definitely cool. You're still playing the same game, but now there is a greater purpose. There are currently two quests you can go on, The Bonelord and The Ice Queen. These are a little different again, with allies being assigned to you before you even begin. This means you might start the battle with a couple of soldiers before you even summon your first monster. A word to the wise, do spend some time in Gather Artifacts mode before proceeding to others. If you don't you'll just get creamed.
Graphically, this is a simple game. However, it is a simple that works, and includes detail where it is warranted. The monsters, for example, are very well done, and have a nice 3D feel to them, even though in 2D. You won't find any fancy animations here, just enough to let you know what is happening, as your, and your opponents cards slide across the screen to attack each other with red splat marks.
The music isn't half bad either, atmospheric, and not completely irritating. This is an achievement in itself. Some might even say it was hauntingly beautiful in places.
The Celtic theme has been worked to advantage, without going into so much detail that it just gets confusing. It really is a motif rather than an integral aspect to the game, could have just as easily been a pink fairies theme and worked the same. This makes absolutely no difference however, as the theme works as it should, to create atmosphere.
I especially like the fact that this game does not have to be played in full screen mode to be enjoyed, which makes it great to play whilst you should be doing other things. Think Extreme Solitaire, Solitaire X. Oh yeah baby.
All in all, an excellent little game. It works exactly how it is supposed to, and does not have pretensions to anything it is not. It is guaranteed to suck you in and make you think. It also appears to be updated relatively frequently, so is well worth the low low purchase price.
Top Game Moment:
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| Pick Your Poison | Summon with Care! |
There are several modes to play in, Gather Artifacts, Challenge Druid, and Quest Mode. You're well advised to begin in the Gather Artifacts mode, because you are seriously weak and lack the sort of monster power you are going to need later on in other modes. The way the modes tie into one another is a nice touch, and a great example of weaving story and game play together.
Gather Artifacts is a great mode for the beginner, because the monsters you are fighting do not have spells, and once you kill them, they stay dead, unlike in the Challenge Druid mode, where that pesky other druid will just summon more. Probably the best advantage for the beginner is the fact that even if you only manage to kill say two out of four monsters in a particular location before being killed yourself, when you come back, there will only be two monsters left to kill. This makes leveling a learning experience, rather than a chore. Leveling helps your abilities dramatically, especially in the number of monsters you can summon at one time, and the strength of the monsters you can summon too.
You'll also gain more and more monsters, something which is very important indeed if you hope to defeat the other druids and the quests.
Even though the game keeps in simple, there are still four options for playing each monster. Normal Attack, Power Attack (which stands more chance of missing, but does more damage if it hits), Special Attack, and Defense position.
You also have monsters which must be played in the front lines, and others which have long range attacks. You must kill all front line monsters before proceeding to kill the ones behind them. Little details like this make the game that much more interesting.
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| Prepare for the Challenge! | Beware the Tournament! |
Challenge Druid mode definitely challenges your playing abilities. Here you come up against much tougher monsters, and against an opponent who doesn't just sit there and die, which is a definite change from Gather Artifacts mode.
Then we come to the quests, which are definitely cool. You're still playing the same game, but now there is a greater purpose. There are currently two quests you can go on, The Bonelord and The Ice Queen. These are a little different again, with allies being assigned to you before you even begin. This means you might start the battle with a couple of soldiers before you even summon your first monster. A word to the wise, do spend some time in Gather Artifacts mode before proceeding to others. If you don't you'll just get creamed.
Graphically, this is a simple game. However, it is a simple that works, and includes detail where it is warranted. The monsters, for example, are very well done, and have a nice 3D feel to them, even though in 2D. You won't find any fancy animations here, just enough to let you know what is happening, as your, and your opponents cards slide across the screen to attack each other with red splat marks.
The music isn't half bad either, atmospheric, and not completely irritating. This is an achievement in itself. Some might even say it was hauntingly beautiful in places.
The Celtic theme has been worked to advantage, without going into so much detail that it just gets confusing. It really is a motif rather than an integral aspect to the game, could have just as easily been a pink fairies theme and worked the same. This makes absolutely no difference however, as the theme works as it should, to create atmosphere.
I especially like the fact that this game does not have to be played in full screen mode to be enjoyed, which makes it great to play whilst you should be doing other things. Think Extreme Solitaire, Solitaire X. Oh yeah baby.
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| This will be a test of character like no other... |
All in all, an excellent little game. It works exactly how it is supposed to, and does not have pretensions to anything it is not. It is guaranteed to suck you in and make you think. It also appears to be updated relatively frequently, so is well worth the low low purchase price.
Top Game Moment:
TOP GAME MOMENT
Slaying all the beasties and getting myself a Croc. Take that, forces of Celticy Evile!
