Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 (reviewed), iOS
When I reviewed Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 earlier this summer I speculated that there might be some DLC coming out that would involve Return to Ravnica (an upcoming set in the trading card game). I’m happy to say that this has turned out to be true. This new DLC includes new decks, campaign matches, challenges, personas and achievements and is available right now for the low price of $5.
The new challenges and campaign content is nice, but the stars of the expansion are the five new decks. Each deck is dual-colored and inspired by one of the five guilds featured in Return to Ravnica. Just like the decks in the main game, you’ll start off with a stock 60 card deck, but as you win matches with a deck, you’ll unlock new cards for it. There are 30 cards available to unlock in each deck. Every new deck is fun to play and capable of doing some powerful things (once you‘ve learned the ins-and-outs), but they also felt balanced enough that the older decks don’t feel outclassed.
While the expansion is a welcomed addition to the Duels franchise, I do have a few minor gripes about it. First, and most disappointing, is the absence of any new cards from Return to Ravnica. When Duels 2013 was released back in June, they previewed a fair number of cards from the M13 set that was releasing around that time. For whatever reason, Wizards decided to stick with cards from the original Ravnica block. This doesn’t necessarily affect the enjoyment you’ll get from playing any certain deck, but it would have been nice to try out some of the new cards.
One other small complaint is, unlike the two previous games, you aren’t given any new cards for your existing decks. Considering there were more unlockable cards from the start than in previous installments and you are getting five new decks instead of three like in the DLC of the other games, this is just nitpicking. It was just always nice to go back to the older decks and get some new toys to play with for each.
With all that said, if you enjoyed Duels 2013, picking up this expansion is a no-brainer. You’ll easily get an extra 10 hours out of the game just trying to unlock all the new cards. Finishing the two new campaigns and the five new challenges will give you even more to do. So if you own Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 and have $5 to spare, this is a purchase you won’t regret making.
