FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles
FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles
Game
Game2020
Master of Magic Classic
Developer SimTex
Master of Magic is a single-player, fantasy turn-based 4X strategy game in which the player plays as a wizard attempting to dominate two linked worlds. From a small settlement, the player manages resources, builds cities and armies, and researches spells, growing an empire and fighting the other wizards. The game was developed by Simtex and published by MicroProse for MS-DOS in 1994. Sometimes described as a… From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
179 reactions from 1 source (Steam reviews) · newest Sep 30, 2026 · last updated Oct 8, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
96
LovedLoved
171 positive · 8 negative
95% range 91–98%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 171 | 8 | 0 |
Steam's own rating
Overwhelmingly Positive
746 of 768 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What people are saying
Summary pending — the reactions are listed below.
Reactions
60 of 179 · most liked firstFind more of my reviews on my curator page: [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/45817624-Kasurot-Recommends/]Kasurot Recommends Master of Magic Classic Short Summary The primordial soup of fantasy strategy. It is broken, unbalanced, and archaic, yet remains infinitely more charming than its balanced modern descendants. Play it to see where the genre peaked in 1994. Who Is This For? Genre historians, min-maxers who love exploiting systems, and anyone who thinks "balance" is a dirty…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Honestly, this is one of the best games ever made .... E A S I L Y. It is so fun. Imagine being a super-cool wizard and commanding troops and casting spells. It feels like an interactive version of DnD combined with Master of Orion and Lord of the Rings all mixed into a super-fun game. The lack of a story-driven campaign isn't a negative, it's a positive. You can create amazing stories in your mind while you play and it truly has the potential to help someone learn about the basics of graph…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I think the original game, without the later updates, was better, but my memory of it could be bad as I played that 25 years ago. I dont remember the computer coming to attack your home city so fast with high level units. I have been attacked by computer players using advanced calvary units before I have my first building built. I cant find my original CD though(assuming I had it on CD, I am worried I had it on floppy disks) so this will have to do. Still a great overall game, even though it…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's ugly, clunky, and loaded with obtuse mechanics, but it's a classic. The Caster of Magic version does introduce some quality of life improvements, but a bunch of the customization options don't seem to actually work. Assuming you can get past the lack of a build queue, I'd stick with the community patched version. The various races are not created equally- some can fly, some have bonuses to production or gold, some have a deeper tech tree than others, some natively produce mana, some have…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I'm playing this for the first time in 2023 and it's a blast. Every gameplay feature is tightly designed; nothing is too simple or too complex. There's no DLC*, no microtransactions, none of the unfinished feeling present in every modern strategy game. It'll run on anything because it's from 1994. Master of Magic expands on the Civilization formula by allowing you to cast spells, which can affect units, cities, or the entire world. Technological research is replaced with spell research, and…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Master of Magic classic with the addition of caster of magic windows version / community patch is still a timeless masterpiece. It looks basic at a first glance like many old games (even though I love the 2D graphics much more than the 3D soulless junk we see a lot today) but its sheer brutality and beauty show as you progress in the game and discover all the mechanics and the super hard fantastic units you have to counter in a very meaningful way. You will save game a lot and die a lot that is…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Unforgiving, surprisingly deep, flawed but beautiful old school strategy. I can’t seem to get enough of it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Unlike the remake, the original's AI is brutal, likely to rek you without mercy even on "Normal". Don't go for larger world sizess: allows the AI players growing stronger to apocalyptic proportions while you drown yourself in micro-management. The UI is a product of its era (read: it sucks by modern standards). And if AI knows any one-hit-kill spells it *will* use them on your best heroes! They give you NO QUARTER!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →best game once you understand
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →MoM was an absolute blast when it was released, and it was also innovative. It pushed gaming well beyond its limits. Unfortunately it is now extremely dated, and you're not likely to get any enjoyment out of it unless you have the nostalgia (which, thankfully, I have a whole lot of). Recruiting your favorite heroes out of a large cast, leveling them up, and equipping them with artifacts and weapons you found in a dungeon is still fun. MoM takes many elements from Magic: the Gathering,…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is a classic game that any 4X fan should try. The limitless replayability makes me come back to this over and over again!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is truly one of the best 4x games ever created. The depth, challenge and theme were a touch point in gaming that influenced dozens of games that came after it. But it's also very much a product of its time, released in 1994 this is not a game many modern gamers will enjoy in this state. So, unless you're ready to deal with 1990's style issues and low resolutions, this version will not be for you. In its current state, it's a nostalgia trip for anyone going through 1990's gaming history.…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The original Master Of Magic is easily one of my favorite games of all time. But oh boy is it a hot buggy mess and how. There's an entire college thesis worth of complaints on how the original is broken so I'll spare you. This remaster adds some much needed bug fixes and then some. However instead of just stopping at some mandatory tweaks and a few quality of life improvements this game decided to frantically throw everything off the table, dump several suitcases full of cocaine and meth and…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A timeless masterpiece Master of Magic is a blend of the two greatest 4X strategy games of its era: Master of Orion and Civilization. It takes tactical combat and a diverse selection of races from Master of Orion, while borrowing city management and a world map from Civilization. The combination worked so well that people are still playing it over 30 years later. Вespite many attempts, no game has truly managed to recreate the unique formula that made Master of Magic so special, in my…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →For many years, classic DOS Master of Magic was my favorite game of all time. It's like Civilization, but with factions ruled by a planeswalker from Magic the gathering. This version delivers variations of that game for you to enjoy, including faithful ones, and new modded content, so it gets a thumbs up from me. All versions have graphics from the early 90s, so the only mark against is that it might be hard to appeal to players who grew up when graphics were better.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →25+ years later, still my favorite PC game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →epic game without mercy!the new edition could not step up to the original->its hard but awesome
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Classic game wonderfully mod-ed for balancing and bug fixes. Great replay value. 10/10
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Been playing this since it was launched and it still provides endless hours of fun. So many ways of playing and to challenge yourself. One of the best turn based games imho.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Played the original Master of Magic for probably hundreds of hours back in the 90's, along with a number of other 4x games back in that time frame. Always loved this game and after getting this version with the Caster of Magic DLC, I can say that DLC version of the game is even better. The DLC adds a whole host of new spells, units and buildings, on top of that it improves the enemy AI and perhaps most importantly adds much needed balancing. The one that stuck out the most to me is when you…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Retro is the way to go! Try playing on impossible mode it is a task. Lots of practice is needed.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Kind of a chore to figure out what to do, but very rewarding once you do.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I'm a wizza with a bounty on my head
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Still as awesome as I remember. Thankfully I don't have to exit Windows 3.1 to DOS to launch it anymore.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Still the best 4X Fantasy Turn Based game out there. Ultimate customization for your wizard. Combined with race selection it really opens up to offer countless builds and play styles. Is the base game balanced? Hell no. But that's part of the fun. But then if you factor in the Caster Of Magic Fan "remake" DLC. That DLC has a complete rebalance of game, including spells. And adds a bunch of stuff like modifiers that you can apply to the game to really make it your own. A true treat for any 4X…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →fun old school pixels
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's a great strategy game, You can't win without it but it has a good deal of action too. At a pace you set. I can recommend it fully. CVG.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Unlike many old games, this one has enough depth to be enjoyable despite the graphics. Many different loadouts to try gives it replayability.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I used to LOVE this game! And... i still do! Worth it just for the nostalgia. Also, it says windows only, but i run Ubuntu, and it ran no problem, Steam opened up dosbox and it runs great, maybe a little choppy as some dosbox games tend to be. I suppose I could have found a free version, since I did own the game back in the day, but I was lazy, so here i am.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Those adamantine wielding troops are back.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Why this type of game faded away we'll never know. This style is so cool. they should expand this genre... would easily sell on steam/stores/wherever. Its unbalanced in the best way
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →i just enjoy playing this game its relaxing and trying to beat the computer program is competitive
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Coming from someone without nostalgia, this game rocks. Mix of Civ and HOMM and Dominions. Serious depth.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Easy to play and has wide options.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Classic fun, I enjot playing with the MOM cheat just the the chill , no stress gaming
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It was more than its formula of infinite replay value and deep customization that made Master of Magic a classic. It was like playing a game from another world. [url=https://blockhead.cc/p/master-of-magic-spell-of-return]Full Review (2022 remake).
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →CoM broke one of the best features of MoM, ability to have a hero unit with special abilities. In CoM AI beelines and focus-fires any hero you might have. They always die, even if you gear them max tanking. You only end up playing with regular units because of that.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Aged like the finest wine, very good stuff, a lot to like, nothing to dislike, at least personally.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →BEST GAME! Thanks to Caster team. Great balance.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Master of Magic! Do you like fantasy games? Do you happen to enjoy the famous TCG known as Magic the Gathering? Have you ever enjoyed a Civ game? Master of Magic is basically all of those things put together which made it a real gem in its time. I realize there is a remake of this game that has all the pretty graphics and remastered UI but I'm afraid I'll always prefer the original. From learning spells to summoning horrific beasts, casting global spells to doom the world or slowly…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Has always been one of the most enjoyable games with plenty of ways to play and adjust strategy.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →An oldie but a goodie, may try the update once I get bored with this (again)!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's the 4x that started them all and the one that ends them all. Nothing else like it. Terrible graphics, but that's fine. It is so good it has no need of paltry things like "good graphics." Who needs graphics when you can smite that haughty fool Merlin and his pitiful army from on high with your mighty eldritch rage?!? CASTER OF MAGIC FOR WINDOWS <--- For the greenhorns, play this version (unless you're on Mac or Linux)
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Updated Classic with a lot more options and almost infinite replay-ability. Incredibly Stable. My Favorite all time game. Mod-able as well.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →very fun. nice tweaks
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Caster of Magic is excellent. Much more depth and balance. Only grievance I have is ability to raze or destroy city that's lacking.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →best civ style game ever
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I can't believe this game is from 1994! I am playing the Caster of Magic for Windows dlc of course, which has several improvements over its OG version. This is one of the best 4X games out there, and will remain for the future.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great oldie that is always fun to play. So many different options to build, use magic, and conquer. Love this oldie but goodie.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The original is still one of the best!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →An timeless classic. I'd forgotten how addictive this game is. 10/10
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Amazingly thematic strategy game
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Such a Great Classic with nice Additions by the Community Patches and the Caster of Magic mod. The old Graphics send you back 30 Years in time immediately :)
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Yeah, it's old and still has game crashing bugs and the it increases difficulty by having the computer cheat even harder, but it's Civilization with dwarves and elves! ( i originally played MOM on a Windows 3.1 machine, so I have way more hours played than listed.)
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →One of the best 4X games ever created.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I'm a devoted player since it first released. So I just cannot down vote this wonderful one. But I miss some old things in buggy official version. - AI with less aggressive conquering nodes, ruins, and towers. They're taking all MY precious before I'm ready. - You're not allowed to gain spells not already written in the book. I'm considering to go back to 1.31, but I love 1.51 UI improvements. I think I'll stick to 1.51 but won't play high men or dark elves. 🤣
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I love the game, but it is pure nostalgia for me. If you never played it before and want to give it a try, be aware that the game is very old, so lower your expectations regarding the graphics and sound. Expect old Civilization game, but with magic.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I cannot describe how magical this game felt in the 1990s. I get nostalgic just listening to the menu music. Being able to play it once again, and face even more challenging enemies is amazing.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Has a few crash problems, but overall its more challenging.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →One part Civ, one part Magic the Gathering, and one part Warhammer Fantasy Battle. I have yet to find anything else that scratches the itch in my brain like this does.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
Posts are quoted from public profiles with links to the original. Want yours removed? Contact us.