Looking for a magical game

[Rattja]

I've always liked the magical aspect of fantasy games. Whenever I get the chance I make a make or some sort of spellcaster.
But there is one thing that bothers me about them, they just are not... right.
Let me explain.

Whenever you see someone in movies, anime or a npc in a game with magical powers, they all have a whole range of different things they can do with said power. Being able to conjuring fire is not limmited only to fireballs, and ice is not only ice bolts.
They get to use their powers in creative ways, so two with the same powers would not do the same thing with it.

Thing is, that in just about every game you get a set of spells and thats it. You have magic, but can't really play with it.
I know there are reasons for this, but I would like to see a bit more complexity here. Like adjustable power output and combinations with other things.

The only game I've played that comes close to what I would like to see is actually Two Worlds 2. The game itself is nothing much, but the way they handeled magic was rather intreresting.
It's all done in cards, with element type, delevery method and so on, that you combine for different effects.

There is also things like in Oblivion, where you can make your own spells, but that is not exactly right either.
Path of exile comes kinda close as well.

So is there a game out there closer to what I am looking for? It does not have to be new or fancy, as long as the magic system is solid.

 

[Fat Hippo]

The newly released Divinity: Origin Sin has some interesting ways you can use magic. For example, fire spells will cause the ground to burn. If you cast a rain spell on the area, the fire will be quenched, but steam clouds will form. Cast a lightning bolt on this steam, and it will be become electrically charged, and anyone entering it will be stunned. Depending on the terrain, a water pool may be formed, which can also be electrified.

Additionally, any character caught in the rain will become wet, making them susceptible to being frozen by an ice spell. Fire can also be used to ignite pools of poison on the ground, causing a large explosion. Or another spell will create an oil spill, which will both spread the fire and cause a cloud of black smoke to form, blocking the sight of spellcasters and archers on the other side. Or instead of creating the oil with a spell, you could use a teleportation spell to throw an oil barrel onto the fire, causing both an explosion and a lot of smoke. Or you could just throw the enemy into the fire itself. Or throw the enemy onto another enemy.

This game definitely gives you a lot of tactical options with your spells, and actually requires it in some cases, especially when fighting enemies that are a higher level than you. I'm having a blast with it so far.

 

[WhiteTigerShiro]

Have you tried Magicka? It's a game where you can combine elements to create all sorts of interesting spells and effects.

 

[happyninja42]

Yeah, Magicka has a pretty good magic system, and it's also pretty damn funny too. Watching Total Biscuit's Let's Play of it with his friends, and Two Sayans Play from Team Fourstar, were both funny as hell.


Sadly I can't think of any specific examples with the criteria you've mentioned, that haven't already been mentioned.

It's an unfortunate limit to a video game, in that the amount of creativity you have with the magic, is limited by what the devs were able to code.

 

[AmberSword]

If I recall correctly, Two Worlds 2 is exactly what you're looking for, the magic is so customizable that it basically saved the game's ratings. You might want to check it out.

 

[WhiteTigerShiro]

It's an unfortunate limit to a video game, in that the amount of creativity you have with the magic, is limited by what the devs were able to code.

It's a sad truth indeed. As you might guess from my avatar, I'm a huge proponent of using Mages in video games. Sadly, Mages are pigeonholed in the "unwritten hard mode" corner for most games. Bethesda is especially notorious for this, forcing Mages to jump through several hoops in order to get the same results that a Warrior character would get from just mindlessly waving his sword around.

A game that does come to mind suddenly though is Diablo 3. You get a wide variety of spells, and every spell has several runes that can add extra effects to your spells. Through playing around with several Spell/Rune combinations (not to mention passives), you can wind-up with a completely different build from the next guy. A friend and I both play Wizards, for example, but we ended-up with completely different builds that not only rely on completely different sets of offensive spells, but fairly different defenses as well.

 

[shrekfan246]

If I recall correctly, Two Worlds 2 is exactly what you're looking for, the magic is so customizable that it basically saved the game's ratings. You might want to check it out.

Two Worlds II was mentioned right in the OP.

A game that does come to mind suddenly though is Diablo 3. You get a wide variety of spells, and every spell has several runes that can add extra effects to your spells. Through playing around with several Spell/Rune combinations (not to mention passives), you can wind-up with a completely different build from the next guy. A friend and I both play Wizards, for example, but we ended-up with completely different builds that not only rely on completely different sets of offensive spells, but fairly different defenses as well.

I kinda have to agree with this, actually.

It still might not be exactly what the OP is looking for, since the basic spells will always be the same, but the amount of customization you can do for each character is why Diablo III is the only isometric ARPG I've really spent any significant amount of time playing in a long time. The combination of equipment and runes you can use can completely change how you play the game from one level to the next, even if you don't really change the actual spells you're using.

 

[AmberSword]

If I recall correctly, Two Worlds 2 is exactly what you're looking for, the magic is so customizable that it basically saved the game's ratings. You might want to check it out.

Two Worlds II was mentioned right in the OP.

oops, brain skipped a little, I thought I was so smart, now I look like an idiot.

 

[WhiteTigerShiro]

It still might not be exactly what the OP is looking for,

Yeah, sadly as someone else and I stated, Magic just doesn't get enough attention in games. I think the best we can do is post "close enough" examples.

 

[Rattja]

It's an unfortunate limit to a video game, in that the amount of creativity you have with the magic, is limited by what the devs were able to code.

Yup I know. Of course I don't expect any game to allow me to make whatever I can dream up, but mostly it goes like this. Here are your fire ice and arcane magic spells, now you're a mage. Spells you can't alter in any way.

So just looking for something close enough, as so few games actually focus on this.

Have you tried Magicka? It's a game where you can combine elements to create all sorts of interesting spells and effects.

Oh, I've heared about it, but never knew you combined spells like that, need to check that out.

 

[Szierra]

Yep, first thing that comes to mind is Magicka, the comedy and coop chaos is a giant + in its favor.
It's probably the only game I have bought all the DLC for

 

[Asita]

Well there's a skyrim mod for combining spell effects (Haven't installed it so I can't personally vouch for it, but from what I've seen it looks rather overpowered) It doesn't let you alter the spells themselves but it lets you play them off one another for additional effect.

Spoiler

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/23882/?

 

[Smooth Operator]

Magicka and Divinity: Original Sin right now have the most systematic spell casting/effects.
In Magicka(original) you get the full package of 8 elements that can be strung together into 5 combo spells on the fly, and environmental effects on top, but limited on the last part. Other then that you got a full 10h campaign with 4 people co-op, or a deathmatch arena where you can all bash some skulls with magic skills.

Divinity on the other hand sticks close to pre-set skills/spells but has a far greater range of environmental effects. Rain will wet all characters in the area, it will also build up puddles in terrain dips, those puddles can be frozen to make a falling trap, electrocuted to hit anyone within it, wet enemies can also be completely frozen and take extra electric damage, but take less fire damage, pools of water can be fireball-ed which will evaporate them into steam, steam wets enemies but can also be electrocuted to create a storm, steam also creates a temporary visual barrier so ranged attacks are not possible, unless you get to higher ground,... the list goes on and on, I probably haven't even seen all the interactions.
Otherwise this is a party based top down ball buster RPG probably taking a good 50 hours, and they have it set up for 2 person co-op which is quite the novelty. Also this game is not done in "everybody wins" design, they do not hand you things because you want them and they do not solve shit for you, you either make shit happen or it doesn't happen.

 

[Rattja]

Been playing some Magica now, and as much as I like the system there I think Divinity might be more of what I had in mind.
While you can make some cool combos in Magica, it's really a pain to do some of them because of the awkward keys they use. So most of the time you end up doing the ones that are easy to type fast. I guess it gets better once my fingers learns the keys. Even so, it's not as deep as I would like it to be.

Magicka and Divinity: Original Sin right now have the most systematic spell casting/effects.
In Magicka(original) you get the full package of 8 elements that can be strung together into 5 combo spells on the fly, and environmental effects on top, but limited on the last part. Other then that you got a full 10h campaign with 4 people co-op, or a deathmatch arena where you can all bash some skulls with magic skills.

Divinity on the other hand sticks close to pre-set skills/spells but has a far greater range of environmental effects. Rain will wet all characters in the area, it will also build up puddles in terrain dips, those puddles can be frozen to make a falling trap, electrocuted to hit anyone within it, wet enemies can also be completely frozen and take extra electric damage, but take less fire damage, pools of water can be fireball-ed which will evaporate them into steam, steam wets enemies but can also be electrocuted to create a storm, steam also creates a temporary visual barrier so ranged attacks are not possible, unless you get to higher ground,... the list goes on and on, I probably haven't even seen all the interactions.
Otherwise this is a party based top down ball buster RPG probably taking a good 50 hours, and they have it set up for 2 person co-op which is quite the novelty. Also this game is not done in "everybody wins" design, they do not hand you things because you want them and they do not solve shit for you, you either make shit happen or it doesn't happen.

Sounds intriguing, will have a closer look at that as well tomorrow. I am quite used to this type of RPG, so that won't be a problem. Also like the idea of turn based combat, gives me time to think.

 

[Rattja]

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Just wanted to thank you two for recommending Divinity, not exactly what I originally had in mind, but these guys seriously understand the meaning of the word interaction.
Not just the magic, I mean it even lets you wear a bucket on your head as a helmet with reduced sight and all, damn. With reduced sight and hearing, they really put some thought into this one huh.