Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering (1997)

by MicroProse
Genres:Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical, Card & Board Game
Themes:Fantasy
Game modes:Single player
Story:Magic: The Gathering is a computer game published by MicroProse in April 1997 based on the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering. The game takes place in the plane of Shandalar, where the player must travel the land and fight random enemies to gain cards, and defeat five wizards representing the five colors. The player must prevent one color from gaining too much power, and defeat the planeswalker Arzakon, who has a deck of all five colors. Adventure game and role-playing game elements are present, including inventory, gold, towns, dungeons, random battles, and character progression in the form of new abilities and a higher life point total. An oversized version of Aswan Jaguar was included in the game box.Show more
user avatarAdded by @snap-d
Vote to bring this game to GOG and help preserve it.
4 951
Trailers and screenshots
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Stories about this game (26)
What’s your memory of Magic: The Gathering?Share your favorite moments and see what others remember about this game.
user avatar@placeholder

Make sure to follow our Guidelines when adding new Stories.

If not sure what to write:
  • What made this game unforgettable?
  • Who did you play this game with?
  • What made it fun or challenging?
  • Why do you want this game on GOG?
user avatar@rapscallionuser avatar@rapscallion
January 29, 2025
Easily the best rendition of a collectible card game brought to PC, the player was free to build decks from Magic's library (even updated through 2 expansions) with cards earned through gameplay. The player then implements those decks against the game's opponents in an effort to protect the game world from the NPC card players. If the NPCs win, they permanently impact the map, eventually making victory impossible for the player, forcing you to start the game anew. Other games have tried to recreate CCG adaptations or even similar campaign sandboxes, and always pale in comparison to Shandalar, this game's campaign mode. Don't trust my words? Take a look at this game's wikipedia page and scroll down to "Reception." It's a faithful, innovative, and revolutionary adaptation for an entirely new genre of gaming for its time. It's a crime this game isn't already in GOG's forever library and maintained for future generations.
user avatar@unmelonuser avatar@unmelon
January 29, 2025
This games was, and still is, the best card collection game, with map exploration, progression. I realy dont have the words to descrive the moments playing this game. Back then this was also a great way to test decks before building them to play with your friends. Nowdays you have a brand new MTG game, with better graphics and cards, but, nowere near the experience of the campaing of this game.
Those of us that got into M:TG after 1995 never got to experience the sensation of getting a Black Lotus in a pack. This game is the next closest thing. Defeating a dungeon which had a Lotus or Mox or Time Walk almost felt like opening a pack.
The rogue like mechanics surrounding Shandalar are incredible. I would love to see semi-official support for the fan-made expansion packs that have been implemented as well…
Used to play this game a lot, it was...iconic. Very low requirements, low size, excellent quality. A few updates might allow for later sets to played as well, along w/ specialized formats. Would love to see LAN support (that we can hook into other programs to have true multiplayer) to allow for tournies, along with Commander and the like.
user avatar@iofhuauser avatar@iofhua
January 30, 2025
I voted for this almost 10 years ago. Now I'm voting for it again. This is one of the best DOS games ever made and I would love to see it preserved on GOG. I liked the ability to build your own deck with any card from 4th edition, and IMO 4th and 5th were the best editions of Magic.
user avatar@rooriiuser avatar@roorii
January 30, 2025
Honestly, if people want to play Magic, this is my go-to suggestion. It stands with the Pokémon Gameboy TCG as the best card game simulator ever released. All you need for a great TCG sim is a robust single player, yet it's so rare to find. Anyway, best era of Magic, great gimmick decks to fight, and a final boss that really challenges your ability to play optimally, just an overall great package.
user avatar@Prim4xuser avatar@Prim4x
January 30, 2025
This game introduced me into theis cardgame. Really good for old games and the first digital Cardgame at all. I think. Now i want the old game back and build my deck.
user avatar@heissmanuser avatar@heissman
February 13, 2025
This game was such a big part of my childhood. I remember getting into Magic the Gathering card game but not having anyone to play with. My parents got me this and I played it so much. I spent so much time creating new deck. The rendition of this game since have just been about the card game aspect. This was one of the first RPG like games that I played where could walk around the open world and my battles would have impact on my deck and world. I was a little too young to fully appreciate the game and have wanted so much to come back as an adult to try it again. Unfortunately because it was written for Win97 is has been really hard playing it since.
user avatar@devonm90user avatar@devonm90
January 30, 2025
It's been a struggle to get this game running on modern systems. I played it so much when I was a kid and was foundational to but love of MTG entirely. The game's possibilities are endless with the procedural overworld and random encounters, it feels like and RPG with cards. I would love to see it preserved.
Those games also need your vote!
Eight-Minute Empire: Complete Edition
Eight-Minute Empire: Complete EditionEight-Minute Empire is a quick Civilization/Exploration game using card-driven area control. 2-5 players take turns selecting a card from the six displayed. This card gives the player a resource, and also has an action which the player takes immediately. Actions help players take over the map, but the resources are worth points at the end of the game, so players have to balance the two aspects. Players spread across the map in order to collect points at the end of the game by having majority control in regions and continents.
Party
Party
6
Front Mission 3
Front Mission 3Yokosuka, Japan, 2112 AD. The young student Kazuki Takemura works as a test pilot with Kirishima Industries, a production company of military battle wanzers (walking panzers), mechanized walking robots with movement similar to that of a human being. Kazuki has just finished testing the combat capabilities of the new Zeinslev prototype in the lab. Finishing his day's tasks he is asked by his best friend Ryogo to help with a company delivery to the Japanese Defense Force (JDF) military based. This simple choice determines where Kazuki is when strange things begin happening in Japan. A large explosion, a wanzer theft, his sister Alysia being hunted, rumors of a powerful weapon, and accusations of involvement by agents of both the OCU and the USN all make the situation more complicated. Kazuki is swept up in a plot of conflicting loyalties and attacked by various factions. He will need to recruit additional characters and wanzers in order to be victorious in battle and investigate leads to uncover what is going on.
Science fiction
Science fiction
636
4
South Park: The Fractured But Whole
South Park: The Fractured But WholePlayers will once again assume the role of the New Kid, and join South Park favorites Stan, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman in a new hilarious and outrageous adventure. This time, players will delve into the crime-ridden underbelly of South Park with Coon and Friends. This dedicated group of crime fighters was formed by Eric Cartman whose superhero alter-ego, The Coon, is half man, half raccoon. As the New Kid, players will join Mysterion, Toolshed, Human Kite, Mosquito, Mint Berry Crunch and a host of others to battle the forces of evil while Coon strives to make his team the most beloved superheroes in history.
Action
Comedy
Action
Comedy
1 741
5
The Doors of Trithius
The Doors of TrithiusThe Doors of Trithius is a RPG roguelike set in a randomly generated fantasy world. Level your skills and overcome your foes as you traverse the mysterious world of Enalia.
Fantasy
Fantasy
21
Fabledom
FabledomOnce upon a Village.. Set in a wholesome fairytale world, Fabledom is the ideal laid back City builder. Enjoy the growth of your settlement, trade and use diplomacy to ally or challenge your neighbors, and most importantly, find yourself a prince or princess and live happily ever after!
Sandbox
Sandbox
45
Black & White 2
Black & White 2In the game, the player takes the role of a god called from the void (nothingness) to help those who invoked them. However, the player is not an omnipotent style god, but rather a god who rises and falls with his believers and the player must help develop their nature according to their good or evil desires. The player also has a creature, their physical representation in the world, which takes the form of an anthropomorphic ape, lion, wolf, turtle, cow, or tiger. Its physical manifestation can grow to an immense size, and adopt a good or evil persona separate of the player's. They develop their character as the player rewards or punishes their actions. In addition to the god simulation and city-building elements introduced in the original Black & White, Black & White 2 also features elements of real-time strategy gameplay, with the addition of controllable warfare and fighting units.
Top
Action
Fantasy
Comedy
Sandbox
Top
Action
Fantasy
Comedy
Sandbox
77 661
81
Black & White
Black & WhitePlay the role of a deity in a land where the surroundings are yours to shape and its people are yours to lord over. Be an evil, malevolent god and the natives will worship you with fear in their eyes. Play as a kind, benevolent god and they will worship you with love in their hearts. Your actions decide whether you create a heaven or hell for your worshipers. Then select a creature from the land to act as your representative in the world. Raise it to gigantic proportions and teach it to do your bidding--whether the animal grows into an evil colossus of mass destruction or a kind and gentle giant is up to you. Progress through the game's rich storyline performing powerful miracles to battle other deities and become the world's supreme god.
Top
Open world
Sandbox
Top
Open world
Sandbox
93 173
242
Menace from the Deep
Menace from the DeepMenace from the Deep is an enthralling Roguelike Deckbuilding card game that unfolds in a dark world, drawing inspiration from Howard Lovecraft and the Cthulhu Mythos.Set against the backdrop of 1920s USA, the narrative revolves around a clandestine occult society.
18
Shadow Hearts: From the New World
Shadow Hearts: From the New WorldShadow Hearts: From the New World is the third official game in the Shadow Hearts series. The game series departs from Europe and centers on the "New World", the Americas. It is not directly related to the previous games in the series but it occurs in the same universe. The main characters' quest is to investigate mysterious "windows" from which vicious monsters pop out. Gameplay follows that of its predecessors, using the Judgment Ring to decide most battle outcomes, as well as many other actions throughout the game. A new "Stock" system was made for this game which expands the combination attack system between party members from Shadow Hearts - Covenant and enables double attacks. The "Stock" system works by filling up a character's stock gauge when he/she performs or receives an attack. A maximum of two stock gauge may be stored. Stock can then be utilized in many ways. For example, doing a Double attack (a character performs two action on the same turn) or starting a Combo consumes one Stock. A Double Combo on the other hand consumes two Stock. The Judgment Ring system essentially remains the same from Shadow Hearts: Covenant, with ring customization and added ring effect items being still available. Magic returns in the form of Stellar Charts, where characters equip Stellars onto the chart. The charts are based on the constellations of the twelve zodiac signs. Finding and fitting all the Stellars onto the charts rewards the player with the Melt Crest Stellar, the strongest non-elemental magic in the game. Fusion is also back in the game, albeit quite differently. Unlike Yuri, Shania does not possess the power of the Harmonixer where she is able to fuse into different demons. She makes spirit pacts with the different Guardian Spirits and draws on their power to transform. Shania is only able to fuse into four forms but through acquiring fetishes; statues of different animals, she is able to learn different techniques by powering them up. Snapping photos is more emphasized in this game. Not only can Johnny obtain enemy data through his photographing enemies, he can also trade the snap cards obtained for prizes. Johnny can also draw upon the power of Malice to transform; though this ability comes rather late in the game.
Fantasy
Historical
Fantasy
Historical
1 692
1
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
Shadow Hearts: CovenantShadow Hearts: Covenant is a direct continuation of Shadow Hearts; Its story starts a year and a half after the first one in the midst of World War I. It focuses on Karin Koenig, a lieutenant in the German Army who assists in the exorcism of a man able to turn into demons, Yuri Volte Hyuga. However, after learning of Yuri's caring nature, Karin goes on a quest with him to save him from a spell inside him and are drawn into a conflict involving demons of demonolatry.
Fantasy
Historical
Science fiction
Fantasy
Historical
Science fiction
2 315
9