Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. An addictive game that's quick to play, easy to learn, delightfully detailed, and almost infinitely replayable. [Oct 2002, p.72]
  2. Graphically I was disappointed. I was hoping for a little animation.
  3. In serious competition, it suffers from the same drawback as the real world version of the game - players with deep pockets can buy themselves more powerful decks.
  4. 79
    It won't replace the fun of facing off one-on-one with your friends, and those bluffing techniques you've perfected are all but useless, but when your friends are unavailable or you're hit with a bout of insomnia, MtGO is your best alternative.
  5. It's because of its accessible nature that Magic Online is undoubtedly the best software representation of Magic: The Gathering released thus far--quite possibly surpassing the physical card game in many respects.
  6. Its aesthetics need more polish - and it needs to offer more help for newcomers. [Sept 2002, p.64]
  7. 75
    It's fun and really true to the series. Having said that, I probably won't play it too much longer, mostly because it just whet my appetite for some face-to-face play.
  8. I'm quite impressed that they managed to make a computer version that actually follows all the arcane rules. Still, I can't see myself buying any more cards beyond the ones I already have.
  9. The brilliant game design endures, like a sweet-smelling rose atop a giant mountain of dung. [Oct 2002, p.106]
User Score

Mixed or average reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Negative: 2 out of 10
  1. SteveA.
    1
    I only gave this game a 1 as it is really the only option as far as online collectible card gaming goes. The game itself is great, everything else is atrocious. The server goes down constantly as it cannot support more than about 2500 people at a time. Release events rarely occur because lag becomes worse and worse as more users log on around release time. The user interface is at best unintuitive and in some areas downright confusing. We've been promised version 3.0 for the past two years and it has been consistently delayed. Accounts can be banned without review and without prior notice on the part of the player, and whole collections erased. Full Review »
  2. TharionW.
    9
    Near 24x7 gameplay of MtG with friends around the world. Low system requirements and no monthly fee. If you love to play magic and want an average of 1,000 players online from around the world at any one moment - well MTGO is for you. Full Review »
  3. MarkW.
    10
    It's fun....I am a small fish and I have over 14,000 cards ($2000 approximate value) with an initial investment of about $100.00. It9;s a game for very smart people and you dont have to worry about it ever being "Dumbed Down". If you are smart you won't have to buy to many cards....you will win them or trade other people out of them. Then sell them online for cash someday before you die. The tickets used as currency in the game sell for about .90 on the dollar.....small price to pay to run your own business. Full Review »