It had been such a long time since I had any solid contact with this franchise. I knew there have been umpteen expansions for the card game as well as a few PC games released around the franchise, but it wasn't until I got a good look at Magic: The Gathering - Tactics that I felt myself being pulled back into the universe.

MtG:T is not going to be your basic card game just digitally done. It is actually a 3D TBS (Turn-Based Strategy) styled system that virtually brings the cards to life, while giving you all the control and UI of playing just a digital card game. That means that you will get a nice card layout for you to select cards and summons, but when they come onto the screen they are rendered as a 3D model and not just some basic card representation.

Moving from that, as it really is a bit more TBS, once the creature is summoned you have to worry about placement and movement to attack the opponent mage. This sounds a bit confusing at first, but it actually gets pretty simple as you play a few turns.

Now, while this was still a very impressive alpha build being shown, there are a few things that I think could harm the game if they are not addressed before the launch at the end of next month. Examples include not having a fully 3D camera to look at the battle area or the fact that the Surrender button is right next to the Finish Turn button among a few other UI/HUD choices.

I mean, these are not game breaking in the least bit, but poor choices in my eyes and subsequently, most likely a lot of your eyes as well. Let's keep in mind it is still an alpha build, so there is still time to make changes. Changes that will totally draw my soul back into the world of Magic: The Gathering.

Here are a few other bullet points on MtG:T.

• The source material is being pulled from everything in the franchise. (A few things, like names could be changed, but expect a plethora from all over to be found.)
• Originally, the terrain was going to give your mage a bonus if it was in sync with their magic color. (This was scrapped due to balance issues when it comes to multiplayer.)
• Only the five basic colors will be used. (I asked about true colorless and such, but they said it will just be dropped into what ever color fits your deck.)
• Legendary character cards will be used in the game, but only in the form of opponent mages. (No summoning these bad asses to fight for you.)
• In a pinch, your mage can attack without using magic. (Like I said it has been a while since I've played the CCG, but to my memory, there was never a way for you to damage opponents without magic and mana.)
• Character and creature placement can provide you a great advantage, to an extent. (Mainly when it comes to attacking. Placing a creature behind an opponent gives no extra damage. Only when you are able to flank a creature does it give any kind of bonus.)
• All the creature attacks are fully animated. (Yea, it's like Magic: The Gathering meets Battle Chess.)
• You will be able to build your own decks and not have to use pre-generated templates. (And yes, you can mix and match colors as well. I played with a Green/Red deck.)