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AI Powered Steam Review Summaries
Magic: The Gathering Arena
Strategy
Free To Play
Multi-player
PvP
Online PvP
Cross-Platform Multiplayer
In-App Purchases

Magic: The Gathering Arena empowers you to discover your strategy, meet the planeswalkers, explore the multiverse, and battle friends around the world. Start playing for free, challenge your friends, unlock cards, and feel the magic of the original fantasy CCG!

Developers: Wizards of the Coast LLC
Publishers: Wizards of the Coast LLC
Release Date: May 23, 2023
Price (USD): Free
Current Players: 9.8k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Mixed(60%)
Accessibility
Tutorial
Visual appeal
Free packs
Learning tool
Free-to-play viability
Digital format
Deck building
Matchmaking
Pay-to-win
Rigged matchmaking
Deck shuffling
Crash issues
Monetization
The sentiment around MTG Arena is mixed. A large number of players are frustrated with the game's monetization system, algorithm for matchmaking and deck shuffling, and technical issues like crashes. Despite these criticisms, there is praise for MTG Arena as an accessible, visually appealing platform for Magic: The Gathering, especially appreciated by those learning or unable to play in person.

Positive Points

  • Many players appreciate the accessibility and convenience of playing digitally, especially for those who cannot frequently attend live games.
  • The game provides a variety of decks to start with and often rewards players with additional packs and wildcards.
  • MTG Arena is praised for being visually appealing, capturing the essence of Magic with animations and sound effects.
  • The game is considered a great tool for learning Magic: The Gathering, offering a well-designed tutorial and opportunities to practice.

    • Negative Points

  • A significant number of reviews criticize the game's monetization, describing it as a pay-to-win model that heavily favors those willing to spend money.
  • There are numerous complaints about rigged algorithms, suggesting that matchmaking and deck shuffling are manipulated, leading to unfair play experiences.
  • Players express frustration with the lack of a proper commander mode and point out the absence of many cards from older sets.
  • Technical issues such as frequent crashes, poor matchmaking, and issues with game updates were commonly mentioned.

    • Mixed Points

  • While the game offers a digital way to play MTG, which is appreciated by some, others feel it lacks the social and trading aspects of the physical game.
  • The review sentiment is split on free-to-play viability; some players manage to enjoy the game without spending, while others find it restrictive.

    • Common Themes

  • Monetization and resource acquisition are central concerns, with many players feeling pressured to spend money to stay competitive.
  • Deck building and gameplay mechanics, such as the shuffler and matchmaking, are frequently flagged as problematic yet integral to the game's appeal.
  • The digital format is simultaneously praised for its accessibility and critiqued for failing to capture the essence of physical Magic: The Gathering.
    • Updated 7/30/2025, 12:01:32 AM UTC
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