Magic Realmis afantasyadventure board gamedesigned byRichard Hamblenand published byAvalon Hillin 1979.Magic Realmis more complex than manywargamesand is somewhat similar to arole-playing game.It can be played solitaire or with up to 16 players and game time can last 4 hours or more. The game board is a type ofgeomorphic mapboardconstructed of large double-sidedhexagontiles, ensuring a wide variety of playing surfaces.
 Magic Realm game components (1st edition) | |
| Designers | Richard Hamblen[1] |
|---|---|
| Publishers | Avalon Hill |
| Publication | 1979 |
| Players | 1–16 |
| Chance | Low |
| Age range | 12 and up |
A second edition of the rules, changing the rulebook format and some of the gameplay, was published in 1986 and included in those games sold after that date.Magic Realmhas been out of print since 1998, when Avalon Hill went out of business. Due to its uniqueness and complexity, the game has achieved cult status with some gamers. Some of these have written an unofficial 'Third Edition' of the rules that clarifies many of the game's ambiguities. Many websites exist today to promote the game.
Gameplay
editIn the game, a player takes the role of one (or more) of sixteen different characters. Each character has different abilities, strengths, weaknesses, and different allies and foes among the native groups and visitors that can appear on the board. Once characters have been chosen, each player chooses individual victory conditions based on 5 categories:Great Treasures,Spells,Fame,NotorietyandGold.The player allocates between 2-5 points (depending on the level he plays at) to the categories in any way he wishes. The allocation usually corresponds to the type of character played. The player will then attempt to obtain these goals through fighting with monsters, trading and various quests and searches for treasure and items, and encounters with other characters and the various beings in the Realm. The player who first achieves his personal victory conditions wins the game.
Example: the Swordsman might choose 2 points in Great Treasures, 1 in Fame and 2 in Gold, meaning that to win he needs to have 2 great treasures, 10 fame, and 60 gold pieces. As the Swordsman has no magical ability he would not be after spells. Another character like the Wizard might choose differently, perhaps decreasing the need for gold and great treasures to obtain spells for casting. Winning the game is quite challenging, and the chances of your character dying at the hands of monsters, hostile natives, or another perfidious character are significant.
The game has many unique features that were groundbreaking for its time that can make repeat play very enjoyable: notably the random distribution of treasure sites, monsters, treasures, and spell cards and the novel board which is built collectively by the players from hexagonal tiles that can be put together in literally millions of ways following a few simple rules to ensure the connectivity of the paths. The ability of characters with magical skills toenchanthex tiles during play, causing the tiles to flip over and changing the paths and adding magiccolorsto the tile, is another unique and intriguing feature.
However, the setup preparation time is extremely long. Preparing thetreasure setup cardcan take 30 min or more and the actual building of the board before you can begin can also take a fair amount of time, particularly for the inexperienced player. In addition, the unique combat system takes some time getting used to. To aid in this effort, and to bend the learning curve, the game system allows to play truncated versions known asencounters.In the Second Edition rules there are 4 encounters - as opposed to 7 in the First Edition -, each one introducing a new game concept. This allows the players to master one part of the rules before learning the next section.
Realm Speak
editRobin Warren has written ajava applicationcalled Realm Speak that simulates both solo and multiplayer Magic Realm on a computer for either offline,LANor internet play. The application decreases setup time to zero and also permits the use of various expansions, alternate counter art and alternate characters. In addition, the app enforces all of the complex written rules for Magic Realm version 2, eliminating the chances for error, and greatly increasing the challenge for players. The app runs on Mac and PC computers, for Windows, macOS/OS X and Linux operating systems.
Reception
editIn 1980,Eric GoldbergreviewedMagic RealminAres Magazine#1, rating it a 4 out of 9.[2]Goldberg commented that "As the rules become more sophisticated (and this is a complex game when all the rules are used), the murky rules require as much interpretation as a Supreme Court decision. There could have been a great game inMagic Realm,but it was aborted early in the life-cycle of this game. "[2]
Eric Goldbergagain reviewedMagic RealminAres Magazine#2 and commented that "For all its faults,Magic Realmcontains a wealth of excellent ideas. If the game had been realistically planned and well executed, it would have been one of the best fantasy board games ever produced. Unfortunately, the lofty goals set for the game caused it to fall flat on its face. The design remains like the legendary Don Quixote: forever tilting at windmills. "[3]
Also in 1980,Denis LoubetreviewedMagic RealminThe Space GamerNo. 28.[4]Loubet commented that "If you can wade through the rules,Magic Realmis worth buying. The components alone justify the price. If you can play the game, so much the better. If you can't figure out the rules, then make up your own, so you can still use the playing pieces. "[4]
Colin Reynolds reviewedMagic RealmforWhite Dwarf#19, giving it an overall rating of 7 out of 10, and stated that "As a game, it excels. The programmed instruction by use of Encounters allows the rules to be grasped slowly but surely, and the colourful board and counters set the scene and create the atmosphere. As a FRP game,D&Dis a better buy, but as a gameMagic Realmhas a flavour all its own. "[5]
In Issue 79 of the UK magazineGames & Puzzles,Nick Palmercalled the game "a plunge into the deep end of fantasy gaming for the hitherto conventionally-oriented Avalon Hill, and while it has many strong points the published product was badly finished." However, Palmer found the game "highly innovative." He concluded by giving the game an Excitement rating of 3 out of 5, saying, "If you are interested in a relatively simple and well-defined introduction to fantasy role-playing, the game might meet your needs."[6]
In a retrospective review ofMagic RealminBlack Gate,Jeff Stehman said "Players choose their own victory conditions, setting goals of Gold, Fame, Notoriety, Usable Spells, and Great Treasures. They travel roads, caves, hidden paths and secret passages that stretch across the twenty tiles making up the board, and you're not likely to see the same board configuration twice." [1]
Reviews
editReferences
edit- ^ab"Magic Realm Lives Again – Black Gate".3 July 2013.
- ^abGoldberg, Eric(March 1980). "A Galaxy of Games".Ares Magazine(1). Simulations Publications, Inc.: 34.
- ^Goldberg, Eric(May 1980). "Games".Ares Magazine(2).Simulations Publications, Inc.:35–36.
- ^abLoubet, Denis(May–June 1980). "Capsule Reviews".The Space Gamer(28).Steve Jackson Games:25.
- ^Reynolds, Colin (June–July 1980). "Open Box".White Dwarf(19).Games Workshop:20–21.
- ^Palmer, Nick(Winter 1980). "Parade Ground".Games and Puzzles.No. 79. pp. 27–28.
- ^"The Playboy winner's guide to board games".1979.