

However, this one is a little less glamorous than the first one mentioned here, with some twists and very negative reviews. You can still find the software for purchase on some websites as well.ĭespite the official date of this game being November 1996, it was made available in early 97 and therefore also deserves the title of firstborn, as one of the first Magic electronic games with Shandalar. In case you are interested, there are videos showing how the game with Gameplay is. Sid has worked on other famous games like Civilization and Railroad Tycoon in its history. *One last interesting development fact, this was the last game Sid Meier, esteemed game designer, worked on while at MicroProse. By the end of 1999, it had sold 400,000 units and, among the critics, the average rate is always above 75% favorable. The game seems to have been well accepted and recognized, pleasing the public and being played until today by nostalgic fans, despite the somewhat old graphics.

A 1999 update to ManaLink added a multiplayer feature that allows players to interact via the Internet, modem, serial connection or LAN, which is very reminiscent of the physical card game table. Originally, it features 1-player campaign mode and 1v1 duel-style multiplayer against artificial intelligence. It included, in addition to the original game and all previous updates, 80 new cards from the Legends and The Dark sets.įun fact about this expansion: Anyone who owned the original game at the time could receive a discount to purchase the new expansion via mail! The second expansion, Duels of the Planeswalkers was an optimization of the game as an updated version, available in early 1998. However, some cards could not be added, such as Chaos Orb and Shahrazad for having problematic effects in the video game. Added cards from the Alpha, Beta, Unlimited, Arabian Nights, Antiquities sets and promo cards. Spells of the Ancients, released in late 1997, it includes engine update and improved AI interface and sealed deck tournament features. Shandalar has two published expansion packs: The main objective is to prevent one of the colors from gaining too much power, ensuring the balance to defeat the planeswalker Arzakon, who has a deck with all 5 colors in the game. With each victory, you gain new cards and the main story revolves around defeating five mages, who represent the five existing colors of Magic. The player travels across the plane and fights enemies while progressing their current abilities and unlocking new ones. With several elements of the adventure and RPG genre, gold coins inventory, dungeons and random battles are present.

With the same name as the card game, this game was created, believe me, early 1997!ĭeveloped by MicroProse and available for Windows computers, the game takes place on the plane of Shandalar (perhaps that's why it was informally called Magic: The Gathering - Shandalar).
