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Master of Illusion Review for the Nintendo DS (NDS)

Master of Illusion Review for the Nintendo DS (NDS)

Are those Trick Cards?

It seems no matter how old we get, the mystery of magic still intrigues us all. That is, of course, unless you are a cynic who prefers not to have any fun at all. Casting aside all curmudgeons out there, the Nintendo DS brings us a magic game that they hope will steal the show.

Master of Illusion screenshot

The concept is simple. Not only can the DS perform magic, but it also teaches you a slew of tricks to wow your friends. That is the game; certainly the idea is easy to grasp, and it is executed flawlessly. There is a wide assortment of tricks in each of the three categories for you to partake in. Whether it is solo magic you crave, where the DS itself puts on a display, or you choose to give your friends their own personal magic show, kids will find a lot of enjoyment here. It will even allow them to train their minds in a variety of different methods to sharpen those skills of illusion. After all, nobody wants to put on a terrible show; girls do not dig magicians who cannot execute their tricks. If only I had this game back then…Well anyway, best to not live in the past. A nice feature of the package is that it comes with its very own deck of cards right out of the box. That comes in handy particularly because there are numerous tricks that require the use of them.

Throughout the game you will be mentored in the ways of magic by your DS, which provides players with highly detailed tutorials on a multitude of tricks. After a player becomes familiar with the ins and outs they can then perform these tricks for their friends. Each trick has its own secret, and although I do not want to say too much, here is an example of one trick involving two candles. You ask a person to point at one candle, and you then instruct them to blow on said candle. As they do, you secretly push whichever shoulder button corresponds to it, and that is the one that will go out. There are additional tricks you are spectator to as the DS instructs you to, let’s say, pick a card or hold down a number with your pen as you blow on the screen. It is an interesting diversion for those who get bored of performing. The game definitely dazzles the mind with its concepts, but does it also appeal to the other senses?

Master of Illusion screenshot

Visually, the game holds its own. It is not going to blow anyone’s mind, but it uses the graphics effectively. What I mean by that is the cartoon style it employs keeps the game fresh and entertaining. Learning how to perform the tricks can be boring, as some can be a little complicated, but the fresh cartoony backgrounds keep the wannabe magicians enticed enough to ensure they learn the tricks correctly. In addition, each of the solo tricks comes with a different DS magician, adding a nice variety to the overall package. The bright and vibrant colors are the perfect compliment to what a game like this is trying to achieve. It puts on a visual show, which only enhances the magic you are striving to perform.

Master of Illusion screenshot

The sounds and music in the game are also effective. Although they lack the importance of the visuals when it comes to presenting the tricks, they still do the job. There is a decent background music that plays in the menu, and each trick is accompanied by some sort of tune as well. The sound effects also work just as they should, using the style of tricks as a cue for what noises should emanate. Unfortunately, the game is heavily text based; each trick is explained with quite a bit of dialogue. The advantage this has is that the player can take their time reading over the instructions carefully rather than having to go through multiple sessions to fully understand how to perform it. It was clearly the right choice for how to handle such a game.

Master of Illusion screenshot

We will cover the controls very briefly because there is really not much to talk about. Mainly you just tap the stylus here and there either to answer questions or picks cards. To go any deeper would divulge too much of the magicians secrets, but what it needs to do it does it effectively.

Master of Illusion is what it aspires to be: a game that teaches you the secrets of magic. Sure, it is not going to teach you how to be Criss Angel that guy is really weird, but it is does teach you the basics. With Christmas right around the corner, this is one of those games that may float under the radar. It does not deserve to be one of those titles that never was. With that in mind, this is a game kids will absolutely love; there are enough tricks to keep them busy for months to come, and if you have the socially awkward kid, it may even make him a few friends. A must play for all those still young at heart and a must own for all those still actually young.

Features:

  • Did you know Nintendo DS was magic? It is now, as Master of Illusion first teaches users how to perform incredible magic and card tricks, then acts as an assistant as they perform for others.
  • Once users learn how to secretly read the enclosed cards, they’ll become master magicians in no time.
  • Amaze, and be amazed! Many of the tricks are auto-performing, so users will be wowed long before they learn how it’s done. Once they do, they can hand the DS off and watch others be amazed as well.

    RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 4.0 Graphics
    The visual style perfectly compliments the game. 5.0 Control
    Nothing to complain about here, although there really is not much to them 3.7 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
    Decent music, nothing spectacular 4.0

    Play Value
    Wide selection of tricks that will keep kids busy for months to come

    4.1 Overall Rating – Great
    Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

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