Okay, we've all played the card game but what comes next for all you mana hungry wizards, witches and warlocks out there? Well how about grabbing your video game controllers and firing up your consoles, because Magic: the Gathering Battlegrounds has just apparated for your Xbox - and it happens in real time.

Magic: The Gathering Battlegrounds: The Story

The story for Magic: The Gathering Battlegrounds is pretty simple: You're a duelist trying to make your way in the world and fulfill your destiny, which means you're going to have to scrap it out with just about everyone who comes across your path. You have six chapters of solo play, (it's a tutorial, but has some cool treats and tricks), an arcade mode and two player mode. You get to choose from over 70 spells over five spell books, which you're going to need for those online and offline plans for world domination.

Magic: The Gathering Battlegrounds: What Works

Battlegrounds uses the same principles as the cards (creatures, mana, life points), and it looks like you imagine the card game should. It's easy to learn and handle, you don't need previous Magic experience, and the matches are fast and furious. Plus, there's very little downtime, cuz they keep it all moving. Now trust us on this: once you've figured out how to strategize which spells with which, you'll need fresh duelists, and that means online play. That's the real mojo for this one. Online - LIVE play - against real people. Yeah - bring it!

Magic: The Gathering Battlegrounds: What Doesn't Work

Magic: The Gathering Battlegrounds is a great kick at the can, but if you aren't an online player, it'll get boring pretty fast. Sure blasting away your opponents is great fun, but once you figure out the combos you dig the most (heads up: only ten spells allowed in combat), you've pretty much mastered it.

Magic: The Gathering Battlegrounds Age Rating: Teen.

Magic: The Gathering Battlegrounds Thumbs Up:

Online play.

Strategy spell combos.

Magic: The Gathering Battlegrounds Thumbs Down:

If you're not online then SNI-ZORE.

Magic: The Gathering Battlegrounds: Final Thoughts

A great step forward for those magi out there, but if you aren't online then you might want to leave it behind.

Magic: The Gathering Battlegrounds Rating:

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