Review: Magicka

An action-adventure video game based on Norse mythology developed by Arrowhead Game Studios. It was released on Microsoft Windows. n Magicka, four mages from a sacred order fight against an evil sorcerer and his creations.

Release Date: February 15, 2011
Also on: Xbox 360
T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
Genre: Action RPG 
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Developer: Arrowhead Game Studios
Online Play: 4 Versus

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Gameplay:
The game is played in an isometric view. Up to four players take on the roles of wizards of a sacred order with the ultimate goal of stopping the evil dark sorcerer who has thrown the world into turmoil as his evil creations besiege the forces of good. The campaign consists of 13 levels, which can be played in single-player or cooperative mode.

In contrast to other games, there is no skill tree or fixed character class (apart from everyone being a wizard) marking it apart from RPGs, traditionally associated with high fantasy settings. Also a contrast to other magician games, there is no "mana bar" so a player can use unlimited amount magic at any moment of time. Eight different elements: Water, Fire, Lighting, Earth, Cold, Shield, Arcane, and Life can be used in almost any combination to cast different spells. Each of these elements can be cast as a projectile/spray/beam; as an area of effect spell; on the player's weapon as a powerup; or on the player themselves. All the elements tend to cause damage excepting Life (which heals) and Shield (which creates barriers). Other elements only do damage as a secondary effect. Cold slows targets or freezes wet targets, and Fire sets targets on fire, causing them to panic and take damage over time.

To cast a spell in Magicka, one must first gather the required elements by pressing the corresponding buttons (q w e r a s d f) then cast with the mouse buttons, while special spells requiring specific combinations, called Magicks, must be cast using the spacebar. Certain combinations, particularly those including earth or ice, require charging up. Water can also be combined with other elements to create new elements: Fire + Water = Steam, Cold + Water = Ice. For instance, casting shield with earth as a projectile will create a short wall of rock pillars in front of the player, or as an area of effect will create pillars surrounding the player, casting it on the player will make the player resistant to earth magic attacks.

Elements also interact with each other: If a player is wet, trying to use Lightning magic will hurt the player and abort the spell, while using lightning based spells on wet enemies causes extra damage. Using Fire on oneself when wet makes you dry, but using fire on oneself while dry sets your robes ablaze. Using Cold on a character while wet freezes them in an ice block.

There are also specific spells require a specific combination of elements to cast. For example, Steam + Water makes a "Rain" spell wetting anyone not under a shield, and Lightning + Arcane + Fire makes a "Haste" spell allowing the player run very fast for a limited time. These cannot be cast unless the player character has found an appropriate spellbook.

Final Thoughts:
A player's wizard is equipped with a magical staff and a secondary weapon. A variety of each can be found during gameplay. Staves can have an "active ability," that allows the wielder to cast a specific spell without first gathering the prerequisite elements, and a "passive ability" which is in effect as long as it's equipped. The secondary weapons are categorized by range, attack speed, damage and secondary effects.


Rating: 3.0 = Fair
Recommendation: Less Priority Buy