Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

“Spells of the Ancients” seamlessly expands on the core mechanics of the original Magic: The Gathering video game, treating itself as a highly polished booster pack that slots right into your existing decks. Whether you’re jumping in after finishing the base campaign or diving back in as a Duels of the Planeswalkers veteran, you’ll immediately appreciate the fresh card pool. The addition of Arabian Nights and Antiquities cards introduces new synergies, letting you experiment with artifact-heavy builds or classic enchantment combos that weren’t possible before.

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Perhaps the most welcome change is the inclusion of Tournament and Sealed Deck Construction modes. Tournament Mode feels like stepping into a live MTG event: decklists are locked in, matchups are structured, and you can feel tension mounting as you squeak out a narrow victory or learn the hard way that your mana curve was off. Sealed Deck Construction, by contrast, taps into the thrill of opening packs—literally. You get a randomized set of cards, then build on the fly, forcing you to think on your feet and improvise strategies around your limited options.

The user interface for deck building remains intuitive, with drag-and-drop card slots, real-time mana curve charts, and in-game tooltips. If you’ve played the original or Duels of the Planeswalkers, the learning curve is negligible: everything is laid out in familiar tabs and menus. For newcomers, there’s still enough guidance—pop-up hints, a basic tutorial overlay, and an FAQ section—to help you assemble a legal deck without resorting to external resources. Overall, the gameplay loop feels both fresh and faithful to what makes Magic great.

Graphics

Graphically, “Spells of the Ancients” remains true to the 2D art style of its predecessors while spotlighting the rich illustrations from the Arabian Nights and Antiquities sets. Card frames are crisp, high-resolution scans that do justice to the original printings—those swirling lamp genies, ornate desert fortresses, and gleaming early-metal constructs all pop off the screen with vibrant color and fine detail. It’s like leafing through a digital binder that’s been lovingly restored.

The battlefield tables have also received subtle refinements. Backgrounds now reflect the flavor of your chosen expansion—sunlit desert markets during Arabian Nights matches or vault-like halls filled with ancient relics in Antiquities duels. These thematic backdrops add immersion without distracting from gameplay. Animations remain minimal but effective: cards slide in with a satisfying shimmer, creatures tap with a slight recoil, and artifact tokens glow when activated.

Loading times are generally swift, and transitions between menus are smooth. Even on mid-range hardware, the experience is stutter-free. The only slight hiccup occurs when opening large sealed-deck packs, where you might notice a half-second pause before the pack animation begins, but this is a minor quibble in an otherwise polished presentation. Overall, the graphical package enhances rather than overshadows the core card experience.

Story

As an expansion pack rather than a narrative-driven campaign, “Spells of the Ancients” doesn’t overhaul the overarching plot of Magic: The Gathering. However, each new card carries flavorful tidbits that hint at lost civilizations, mythic heroes, and arcane mysteries. Arabian Nights cards reference Scheherazade’s tales and the legendary city of Ghar—sparkling glimpses at a plane inspired by classic Middle Eastern folklore. Antiquities, on the other hand, transports you to the mechanical workshops of Urza and Mishra, where sibling rivalry paved the way for world-shaping artifacts.

Flavor text for each card is included in-game, readable with a single click. These snippets range from poetic quips to lore-heavy passages that build out the MTG multiverse. While you won’t find lengthy cutscenes or voiced dialogue, the small bites of story reward collectors who enjoy piecing together the narrative mosaic. It’s a different approach to storytelling—one that invites you to become an archaeologist of magic rather than a passive observer of cutscenes.

For players invested in Magic’s wider lore, this expansion pack helps fill in chronological gaps. Arabian Nights is often cited as the first MTG expansion, and its thematic elements underscore the game’s long-standing fascination with exotic planes. Antiquities is revered for its deep dive into artifact lore, laying groundwork for future sets like Urza’s Saga. By integrating these two classic expansions, “Spells of the Ancients” doubles as both a gameplay boost and a historian’s delight.

Overall Experience

“Spells of the Ancients” excels at what a good expansion pack should: it enriches the base game without demanding that you relearn its fundamentals. Whether you’re a seasoned Planeswalker or a curious newcomer eager to taste MTG’s early lore, this add-on offers hours of fresh content. The blend of classic cards, polished deck-building tools, and structured competitive modes makes for a versatile package that caters to multiple playstyles.

The value proposition is strong. You’re essentially getting two full expansion sets worth of cards, plus new modes for sealed and tournament play, all at a price point that feels reasonable compared to physical booster packs. If you own the original Magic: The Gathering video game or Duels of the Planeswalkers, “Spells of the Ancients” is a no-brainer purchase. Even if you’re on the fence, the free trial matches and deck previews give a taste of what’s on offer.

In the crowded field of digital CCGs, few add-ons manage to capture the nostalgia of a 1990s tabletop classic while still offering modern conveniences. “Spells of the Ancients” strikes that balance beautifully, delivering a tight, feature-rich expansion that deepens both gameplay and lore. For anyone looking to rekindle their love for Magic or to explore its formative expansions for the first time, this is one journey you won’t want to miss.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10