As the oldest and most renowned trading card game, Magic: The Gathering remains a prominent part of the gaming landscape. However, the game’s primary drawback is its reliance on gathering players in person. While online platforms like Arena or MTGO provide alternatives, the casual play experience often feels anything but relaxed. So, what are some engaging options for MTG enthusiasts seeking variety?
You’re in luck! A plethora of games exist for fans of MTG not just for casual enjoyment but also for single-player challenges, or just to explore different facets of card gameplay. Below, we’ll dive into ten noteworthy titles that can scratch that Magic itch in inventive and enjoyable ways.
10 Magic: the Gathering—Battlegrounds
Real-Time MTG
Starting with an exciting spin-off, Magic: The Gathering—Battlegrounds stands out as a real-time strategy game, diverging from the common deck-building format. Players engage in spell-casting duels as they employ familiar cards from classic MTG alongside adaptations suited for real-time gameplay. Each battle occurs in an arena where players summon creatures and cast spells, requiring quick thinking and tactical movements.
Battlegrounds incorporates classic MTG cards like Llanowar Elves while showcasing unique mechanics that differ from traditional gameplay, making it an ideal choice for those looking to inject some action into their card battles.
9 Inscryption
Put Fear On The Stack
For fans of darker thematic elements, Inscryption offers a unique blend of horror and strategy, appealing particularly to those who appreciated the Duskmourn set. Players must navigate gruesome mechanics that include sacrificing creatures to enhance their power. As the gameplay evolves, the stakes intensify, culminating in a thrilling experience steeped in eerie ambiance and narrative depth.
The unsettling visual style and psychologically charged gameplay contribute to a haunting experience, sure to engage those who relish tension and exceptional storytelling.
8 Card City Nights
A Tactical Position
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Steam Rating |
Very Positive (89%) |
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Year |
2014 |
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Platforms |
PC, Android, iPhone |
Card City Nights is a delightful indie title focusing on card placement within a tactical 9×9 grid. By connecting cards strategically, players can create combos to heal or damage opponents, encouraging thought-out moves and foresight. Evolving mechanics, such as rotating cards, keep gameplay fresh and push players to adapt their strategies.
This title, though less mainstream, offers a rewarding experience for MTG fans seeking a different flavor of card strategy, making it perfect for casual, recreational play.
7 Dicey Dungeons
Wait, A Deck Of Dice?
Dicey Dungeons innovates within the deck-building genre by replacing cards with dice mechanics. Each turn, players roll dice instead of drawing cards, utilizing the results to activate abilities. This unique approach maintains strategic depth while incorporating elements of chance.
The game’s structure ensures that while luck plays a role, players can manipulate outcomes through skillful use of abilities, making for exciting and competitive gameplay.
6 Balatro
Poker: NG+
Balatro uniquely merges traditional poker with elements of tarot and astrological themes, creating a distinctive gameplay experience. With opportunities for uncommon combinations, players must refine their strategies while adapting to the unconventional rules during runs.
Although it may diverge from traditional MTG mechanics, Balatro presents an engaging challenge, particularly for players who appreciate innovative takes on familiar games.
5 Across The Obelisk
Co-Op Card-Slinging
Across the Obelisk stands out for its cooperative multiplayer features in the deck-building realm, allowing players to control a party of characters together. With immense replayability, it offers diverse scenarios through its campaign mode and draft-like playstyle, ensuring that groups can enjoy a dynamic gaming experience.
This collaborative gameplay fosters a shared experience reminiscent of EDH games, making it perfect for card gaming enthusiasts seeking an interactive challenge.
4 Card-en-Ciel
Card-Collecting Dungeon Crawls
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OpenCritic Rating |
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Year |
2024 |
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Platforms |
PC, Switch, PS5, PS 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One |
The game Card-en-Ciel fluidly combines JRPG elements with card gameplay, creating an engaging cycle of exploration, card acquisition, and deck-building. Unlike traditional formats, it employs a tactical grid for battles, introducing innovative strategies where discarding cards becomes a pivotal part of movement.
This method enriches decision-making, ensuring that players must weigh their actions carefully, adding depth to the gameplay experience.
3 Hearthstone
MTG Minus Mana-Screw
Hearthstone offers a familiar environment for MTG fans with an intuitive card game structure. Although it lacks some interaction during opponent turns and uses a consistent mana gain mechanism, it retains compelling elements that overlap with Magic, particularly in deck-building nuances.
While Hearthstone’s free-to-play model presents challenges in resource acquisition, its competitive ladder remains robust, making it an attractive choice for seasoned players seeking new challenges.
2 Stacklands
It Takes A Village
Stacklands presents a whimsical alternative where players manage a deck that represents a village. As they gather resources, they must also ensure their villagers are fed, creating a compelling survival dynamic. Every moon cycle brings unique challenges as players strive to balance between expansion and sustenance.
Despite its cheerful appearance, Stacklands poses demanding gameplay strategies, combining resource management with card game mechanics, offering a refreshing twist on the card genre.
1 Slay The Spire
Roguelike Deckbuilding Classic
Slay the Spire invites players to ascend a tower filled with monsters while refining their decks to tackle formidable bosses. This roguelike deck-builder introduces impressive mechanics, such as shuffling the discard pile into a new deck when the current one is exhausted, fostering various strategic options.
With a focus on combos and intricate plays, it resonates well with MTG aficionados who find joy in optimizing their deck strategies. Each character offers a different flavor, allowing for diverse gaming experiences across play sessions.
For any Magic fan, whether you’re into deck manipulation or engaging stories, exploring these alternatives can provide both entertainment and fresh challenges.
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