Magic: Legends (PC) (2021)

-- Cancelled --
Overview: An action RPG set in the Magic: The Gathering multiverse. Open beta began March 2021, but development was cancelled later in the year, and servers were shut down in October 2021.
Garmita Terlan (Geomancer)

20210323: (Open Beta)
I didn't get a chance to play right when it was released to the public, but I was able to log on in the evening and put a couple of hours into it.

Setup: Keyboard and mouse. Geomancer.

Game Time: (session) 3 hours 15 minutes
20210325: (Open Beta)
Today I revisited the game and one of the first missions I approached allowed the option to increase the difficulty. The game recommends a loadout with a certain number, but I don't understand what that means. I previously thought the game was too easy so I increased the difficulty. I also toggled on "Reflect." Unfortunately, it was clear that "Reflect" was super dangerous. I started the mission over without the "Reflect" option. I died several times and oddly each time I died the monsters I was facing at the time of death generally disappeared as opposed to respawning. I decided to push my luck. Unfortunately, after dying many times, I reached the boss and after several tries, I conceded. The boss and enemies that spawned around her had too much health relative to my damage. Probably at best I took the boss (Whisper) down to 95%.
Casting Earth Spike


Gameplay Log:
Started "Rise of the Cabal" on Hard with Regional Enchantment On (Reflect) (@10 min)
Reset at 13 min. Started it on Hard with Regional Enchantment Off (@16 min)
First time reaching Whisper (@42 min)
Reset at 50 min. Tinkered with equipment and loadout.
Started "Rise of the Cabal" on Normal (@65 min)
Defeated Whisper (@78 min)
Traveled around the Benalia Overworld
Gave the character a makeover (@177 min to @190 min)
It didn't look that great on the overworld. Returned to the tailor (@191 min to @194 min);
Deck Loadout

Game Time: (session) 3 hours 15 minutes; (total) 6 hours 30 minutes
First Impressions: (Open Beta)
+ Character customization
- Too easy
+ Decent story
- Movement too slow, using utility attack as a boost in movement feels clunky and/or unsatisfying (compared to movement spells in Path of Exile)
+ "Fast travel" helped alleviate complaint about movement
~ So-so graphics; but at least it runs smoothly
~ Enemies drop health, gold, and items but there's a lack of satisfaction in the process; experience gain seems similarly lacking; furthermore, there are some initial missions where the player gains rewards but it's not even clear what those rewards mean (it's later explained that skills require spell pages to level up and those spell pages can be purchased or sold at the Consignment Broker)
A new look for Garmita Terlan

- Spawning after fast travel does not preserve map orientation (in particular, I find it convenient to keep the map oriented North)
- referring to the overworld map is so slow
+ Equipment system is somewhat interesting
- Can't zoom in; I want to see my character up close!
- Clicking doesn't always feel responsive
~ Large jump in difficulty between "Normal" and "Hard"
+ Fast travel animation is super cool (at least the one for the geomancer, not sure about the other classes)

[20210326]
20200327:
I put a couple more hours into the game. The game feels slow. That is, having spent almost eight hours on the game, I also feel like I've barely made any progress.

Game Time: (session) 1 hour 11 minutes; (total) 7 hours 41 minutes
Thoughts:
None at this time
Summary:
None at this time
Magic: Legends (PC) (2021)

Relevant Links:
Magic: Arena (Wikipedia.org)

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