Magic - The Gathering

Magic the Gathering on DOS holds a much more basic system than the new online version. Granted there isn't as much "pizazz" as the online version, but the heart of the game is represented to a stronger level. With the ability to create your own decks from 4th, 5th, and the older editions of cards at your disposal, it makes for a great creative task.

Also one of my favorite things about the DOS version is that you are only limited by your imagination, not your pocket book.
You can play random duels with random premade decks, or take on the world of Magic in Shandalar and discover new cards, duel for new cards, or buy them at various shops. As far as graphics, it is a very basic sprite system, but the cards are represented perfectly. All illustrations are held true, and even the card quotations, and artists are displayed. You have a very basic character creator option, or you can use premade characters. Sound is a bit sketchy, being that they are slightly repetitious. The flow of the card duels has a few bugs, but once you get the hang of the programs method, it is tolerable.
For example, if you accidentally tap a card, sometimes you can’t untap it. This becomes a big issue when you mana burn yourself to death, or send a Benaldish Hero into the hands of a Lord of the Pit. The abilities of the cards can be problematic when it requires more complex steps. For instance the Time Warp will not repeat the turn as the card reads. With those issues aside, the game is severely addictive, and is perfect for the non manual solitare players.
There is no 2 player mode, but you can link via the internet and duel a friend. You can also create, save, and export your own decks. And with in Shandalar you can have 4 different deck settings for various colors. Also with the Shandalar mode, you can battle the master wizards of each color and take over the towers and create mana links. There are plenty of miscellaneous side quest to help you earn new cards, jewels, and gold pieces.
All in all, I would give this game a 7 out of 10 because this is the closest you can get to Magic without having the actual cards. I myself am teaching my son to play with the PC version for less mess and less fuss, before teaching him with real cards.