Battlegrounds is a fun and casual experience for players of the card game, but offers very little to non-magic fans.
Magic: the Gathering is a very popular Collecible Card Game (CCG) from 1993. It has 50+ expansions to the pool unique cards.
In the table-top card game, two players represent planeswalkers (wizards) each with a deck of cards containing spells. Players select their own deck contents (according to their play style) from 1000's of available cards in 5 colors (blue, black, white, red, green). Players alternate turns and draw from their decks, bringing creatures and effects into play to knock their opponent from 20 to 0 life points.
======== Magic Battlegrounds Review =======
Those without knowledge of the card game may as well steer clear of this title because the play will probably seem odd and unsatisfying. Magic players looking for an experience close to the table game, also steer clear; Battlegrounds has the same framework, but works in real-time (no timing rules).
I'm familiar with the card game and found Battlegrounds to be really fun. The quests are a good mix of action and puzzle solving and are short, so the pacing is excellent. The graphics are on the low end but they get the job done. The keyboard controls are clunky ; a "point and click" interface would have been far better.
Story mode look around 10 - 12 hours, a few quests were very difficult. The story is shallow (shown in quick cut-scenes) but factors little into the gameplay. I only played story mode, but multiplayer plays similarly against human players online.
==== Gameplay ====
In the story mode, take the role of a female planeswalker looking to rescue her mentor "Thea". There are 5 main chapters, each chapter contains many sub-quests. Each chapter ends with a boss. After that, there are some higher level boss battles to complete the story.
As quests are completed, the player gains new spells. There are around 70 in total in Battlegrounds.
Each player appears on one side of a "field" (like tennis). Stepping into an opponent's side causes damage. Mana (energy to use resources) refills slowly during the battle. Mana is used to bring in creatures and cast spells. Each player attempts to reduce their foe from 20 to 0 life points.
==== Spell book ===
Story mode, begins with 1 spell, but more are learned as quests are completed. There are multiple ways to complete a quest but usually, each quest will require players to use a few key cards in the right combination.
==== Creatures ====
Creatures can be cast onto the field. When they spawn, they head for the player, unless intercepted by an opponent's creature. Some creatures have special abilities.
==== Creature Abilities ====
Flying - Only other flyers can intercept this creature
First Strike - If this creature's attack is greater or equal to an opposing creature's defense, the opposing creature deals no damage in return.
Regenerate - when this creature respawns, it's caster drains 2 mana (if available) and the creature respawns fully healed.
Trample - When this creature faces another creature and survives, it continues towards the opponent instead of respawning.
"Reach" - This ground creature may block flyers.
"Lifelink" - When this creature deals damage, its caster gains that much life.
Haste - This creature moves faster.
Other - there are many creatures with their own unique abilities.
==== Enchantments ====
Players may only have 2 enchantments "active" at a time (unlike the card game). This can be two of the same enchantment. Some examples are "Liability": (black) when a s creature dies, it's caster loses 1 life. "Gratuitous Violence": (red) creatures deal double damage from attacks. "Pendrell Mists": (blue) opponent loses 1 mana when his/her creatures respawns.
=== Sorceries ====
These are spells that have various effects and can be played any time with the mana available. Some examples are "Wrath of God": (white) destroy all creatures. "Scorching Missle": (red) Deal 4 damage to opponent. "Giant Growth": (green) until it respawns, the closest creature of the caster gets +3 attack and +3 defense.
==== Melee Attacks ====
Planeswalkers have a melee attack which deals one damage to a creature or player. This can be effective as an emergency attack, or to finish off a pesky creature.