Preview: Magic and Mayhem: The Art of Magic
Magic and Mayhem: The Art of Magic
Developer: Charybdis Ltd.
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks (U.S.); Virgin Interactive (Europe)
Projected Release Date: March 2001
Platform:
Genre: Real-Time Strategy/RPG/Adventure/Combat
A tightly woven entertainment package …
The preview of this RPG is a first for me. I have never previewed or played a role-playing game. I enjoy new challenges–so here we go. The first thing that I want to make clear in my mind is the general difference and similarity between RPGs and adventure games. According to Smart Computing in Plain English: PC Games & Electronic Entertainment: an adventure game is, “A game where characters and the storyline are emphasized more than eye-hand coordination. Often the player will spend days solving puzzles and following a single storyline.” A role-playing game is, “An adventure game where the players select which character they will be. Many RPG’s let the player select some of the attributes of their characters and some let them assemble more than one type of player into a team.” Now I understand the relationship–RPGs and adventure games are like distant cousins. Now, on with the preview.
Magic and Mayhem: The Art of Magic is the sequel to the critically acclaimed Magic and Mayhem, and it has been developed to combine role-playing, tactical combat, adventure gaming, and real-time strategy into one tight 3D package. The game’s timeline begins 500 years prior to the first game. According to Pete Hines, the Director of Marketing and Public Relations of Bethesda Softworks, Inc., Art of Magic will be in a class all its own. The game will showcase explosive graphics, fierce monsters, devastating spells, and deadly combat. All of that packed into one game makes me breathless.
Aurax is a novice spellcaster and the lead character of The Art of Magic. He is your alter ego as you progress through the intricate storyline of this game. The Magistrate has died, and various factions will attempt to control the world through war and bitter combat. You will struggle to hone your magical skills and powers in order to survive the chaos, combat and evil monsters. The Art of Magic will feature state-of-the-art 3D graphics, fantastic spell effects, mythical creatures, and special lighting effects that will rivet your attention. You will be able to use zoom-in ability to inspect the evil henchmen of your enemies up close and personal, perhaps to count their teeth and claws and smell their breath. What a treat that won’t be. And you will be able to zoom out in order to command your armies on the battlefield as you direct a heavy downpour of meteor showers on new creature types such as knights, skeletons, and dragons. And when you are confident of your skills and cunning, there is still another treat in store for you: you will be able to compete with other players/wizards on the Internet to see who is really the best of the bunch.
Key features will include:
- Mastery of an arsenal of 60+ spells
- Ability to summon 21 different types of creatures, such as the Demon, the Storm Giant, the undead Dwarf
- Multiplayer support for up to eight players over LAN and the Internet
- A 3D environment that will offer great realism with 360-degree movement
- Celebration of more than 30 confrontations before you meet your final challenge
- The introduction of allied characters that will assist the player
If you have dabbled in roleplaying, games this could be the perfect fantasy universe for to play in. You may click here to visit The Art of Magic website for further information, such as links, a forum, preview of tactics, and you can have a face-to-face with monsters and other wizards, see the spell of the week, see new screenshots, and read the developer’s diary.
Isn’t it wonderful that there is always another new and exciting game experience lurking out there, waiting to trap us in its infinite glory. You bet …
