Decades after Dungeons and Dragons brought magical worlds to life in the imaginations of kids around the globe, magical video games and a plethora of online casino games have captured these fantasies and recreated them in great digital detail.
Given that imagination is the benchmark against which all new fantasy RPG video games are judged, immersion is the highest priority of any game developer.
Whether you’re a serious gamer with a massive rig or one of the millions of mobile users who prefer instant access to these magic games wherever you are, modern fantasy role-playing games (RPG) have had to consistently create super-immersive magical worlds to stay relevant in the magic gaming business.
To achieve this, game developers spend millions of dollars and hours creating what they call magic systems. Find out what a magic system is, along with some of the most interesting systems available in video games today.
What Is a Magic System?
A magic system in gaming is basically the set of rules and mechanics that govern the use of magical powers within the game. It’s a fundamental part of many fantasy and RPG games and is key to their growing popularity. The system essentially allows players to use spells and magical abilities to progress through the game.
The magic system generally includes rules such as how much mana is required to cast a spell, how long the spell lasts and its potency. It may also have different types of magic, like elemental, healing, destruction, illusion, teleportation, time travel or necromancy, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
The complexity of the magic system can vary between games and genres. A well-designed system can add depth and strategy to the gameplay, while a poorly designed system can make the game frustrating or unbalanced.
Here are some of the most interesting video games with magic systems ever made.
Elder Scrolls
This RPG game has a deep and complex magic system that allows players to choose from various schools of magic, including destruction, illusion, conjuration, restoration and alteration. Each school has its own spells and perks and players can create custom spells by combining various effects.
The system has clear rules that allow players to create spells and enchantments that can be exploited to gain incredible power. Some players have even been able to create spells that enable them to traverse the entire map with a single jump or defeat even the most powerful enemies with a single shot.
Hogwarts Legacy
When talking about magic in games, it’s hard not to mention Hogwarts Legacy. It is set in the Wizarding World of the Harry Potter franchise and brings all the magical elements to life in a spectacular way, including spells, creatures, potions and plants.
While there are only 26 usable spells in Hogwarts Legacy, their true power lies in combining them with each other to create overpowered spell combinations that can take out entire groups of enemies at once.
Final Fantasy VII
This classic RPG game features an innovative Materia system where magic spells are stored in crystal-like orbs that can be attached to weapons and armor. Players can mix and match different materia to create unique combinations and strategies.
Octopath Traveler
Octopath Traveler draws heavy inspiration from Final Fantasy, bringing together old-school RPG concepts to create a unique class and magic system.
Playable characters adopt and learn new classes, resulting in an almost infinite list of spell combinations for players to experiment with. Spells can also be powered up in battle. The game’s magic system allows for powerful spells but also has consequences for overuse.
Fictorum
Fictorum’s magic system boasts a complex and creative magic system that can make players feel nearly invincible as they level up. It allows players to customize spells on the fly and unleash them on destructible environments.
To alter spells to their liking, players must first find special runes that each have their own modifier. Spells can be composed of up to three runes and there are plenty of runes to be found throughout the game. Fictorum’s procedurally generated open world is a gorgeous playground for players to test out their newly unlocked magical abilities.
Dishonored
This action-adventure game has a unique “arcane” magic system that allows players to use supernatural powers such as teleportation, possession and time manipulation. The magic system also has a “chaos” system that affects the game’s story and ending based on the player’s use of powers.
Magicka 2
This co-op action game has a humorous magic system that allows players to combine different elements to create spells. Players can also combine spells with their teammates to create powerful combination attacks.
While the magic system in Magicka 2 can be overwhelming for beginners, the game’s online community is incredibly helpful in getting new players up to speed as well as constantly sharing new spell configurations and ideas.
Path of Exile
This action RPG game has a deep and complex skill tree that allows players to customize their characters with a variety of spells and abilities. The skill tree has over a thousand nodes and players can create unique builds by choosing which nodes to unlock.
Online Slots With Magical Themes
Online casinos have long followed the lead of mainstream game developers’ fantasy trends by incorporating many of their themes into casino games. Here are some of the magic-themed online slots played for real money.
- Merlin’s Millions: A slot that features the legendary wizard Merlin as he helps players win big with magical bonuses and special features.
- Enchanted Meadow: A mystical slot that takes players to a magical meadow where they can win big with enchanted symbols, free spins and bonus rounds.
- Magic Portals: This online slot game features two magic portals that can transform symbols into wilds, giving players more chances to win big.
- Fairy Gate: A beautiful game that features fairies and their magical world, with wilds, free spins and bonus games.
- Book of Spells: This mysterious slot features an enchanted book of spells that can help players win big with special features and free spins.
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