The Ruins and Roar tokens relate to the monster roll. For example, you rolled a 5 which activated that row of monsters, extending all the way across. You would activate the: spiders at Stink M, Dank M, Patter M, the giant spider at the Cairns, the imp at the Statue, and the Bashkars at the Large or Small Campfire. So, the Roar C will activated the wingless dragon on a roll of 1 while the Ruins would activate the orcs (goblins?) on a roll of 3. Note that you activate each stack of monster separately so the first activation of the Roar will be the small dragon and the second will be the large dragon. Think of it narratively as if you hear a dragon roar off in the distance but don't see the dragon yet. Many times, you'll arrive at a treasure location and try to loot it before the monster roll activates it's guardian. I still think you would have been better off ditching all the downloaded stuff and just doing the programmed instruction scenarios from the 1e rulebook. That's how I learned it, by myself and with no internet.
Hedgehobbit Thank you for this! I will go back to the game and follow what you’ve so usefully written here. Intuitively it seems that 1e rules alone are the way to go but I tried and found myself confused so went to the other sources and got lost. Maybe I need to try again as that advice does seem sound. Thanks.
This is a GREAT GAME! I and my brother played it several times, starting from 1st encounter to the last one, about 37 years ago! I remember very well the complexity... but to us it was FUN! Exactly as Squad Leader, Flat Top and Freedom in the Galaxy!
• Your first move action was incorrect. You cannot move directly from the Inn AV5 to AV1. From AV5 you can only go to AV2 or NW5. • The "discover chits" result means that you get to look at the chits without showing them to any other players. At the end of the turn, you would flip the chits over anyway so it's essentially a null result in this case. • The Roar chit means that Dragons and Trolls live in the tile (i.e., a monster roll of 1 would bring a Dragon into clearing 4 and a monster roll of 4 would bring a troll. • The Ruins C chit means that Goblins also live in the tile. They would show up in your clearing if the monster roll was a 3. • Since the monster roll was a 5, that means only spiders and the imp are "prowling" this day. Basically, you have successfully completed your turn and it's time to start the next turn. Good job!
I love this video, and I am sorry to hear that you will conclude this series. I would have loved to follow your exploits here more (had even checked to see if I could get the game as well). If you do find someone to teach you and then move on with it, I would love to hear some more "shorts" from you on this one! :)
Thank you. I appreciate that. Since filming this, I have continued to muddle through, starting over (yet again) and I am reconsidering my statement that I won't film any more vids on it. I might, though not until I have more to share than "I'm stuck again." It took me quite a while to find a complete copy of the game for less than an arm and a leg so good luck to you. If you are ever coming to NYC, let me know! We can play. :) or try.
I'm really hoping that you can learn Magic Realm! I bought it new (in NY, by the way!), and played it frequently back then. Since those younger days, I've forgotten how to play and was hoping you could teach me! lol
I ended up playing about 2 weeks of the game and will be talking about it a bit in a Geek Gamers update. Unfortunately I packed the game up before thinking that people would care to know what happened so I can no longer show the ground I covered, etc. but I will have a brief discussion of my exploits coming up on the channel, along with some other 'unfinished business'
I know what you mean. I just posted one tiny picture of my AHQ set-up on a forum, and I have been receiving likes, comments etc. for a week now. It seems that the "oldies but goldies" are real in the gaming world. What would you suggest, should I try and get Magic Realm?
This one is definitely worth not giving up on. There is a public domain computer implementation of Magic Realm called Realmspeak available to download, which is capable of solo play. It's impossible to mess anything up as far as the rules, so just pick a character and give it a few goes until you get the hang of the flow. Also, there was a site a number of years back that hosted a series of game play tutorial videos that were especially good for learning the game. Although the site is since defunct, a bunch of the videos are still on an archive site I've linked here archive.org/details/BookShelfGamesMagicRealmBlackKnightWeek1.1 I hope you summon the wherewithal to persevere, because this game is truly a masterpiece of design, and staggering in it's ability to tell a rich and different story with every play through. It was meant as Avalon Hill's answer to Dungeons and Dragons, and the designer, Richard Hamblin, made something that was capable of an incredible number of wildly dynamic situations for a board game. I can't recommend it more highly
Grove Man Thank you for these thoughts. I am in complete agreement. Since I filmed, I continued along and played 2 1/2 weeks of game time. I had some encounters and muddled through combat, bought something and found something (which I later realized I might not have been able to take but oh well). The game creates an atmosphere of place like no other I have played- and not a game place but a place that feels real. The next time I get it out (and I will) I’m sure I will get farther still. I’m curious tho: do you play solo or with others? Despite the solitaire richness it felt to me as if I were missing out by not sharing that with someone else, even if I never played it with PVP combat
I've only played solo. I imagine it would be a far better experience with others, as the course of action each player can take is so widely varying that the outcome is completely impossible to predict. One player can set as his goal to find spells to scribe to his spell book in order to achieve victory, while the other is blatantly slaughtering non player character denizens, or teaming up with the aforementioned for mutual benefit. The possibilities of variation in play are absolutely staggering. I grew up on Avalon Hill games and Dungeons and Dragons both, but only in recent years dug into this particular game, and I have to say that it's the most beautifully conceived and versatile piece of genius I've ever seen in a board game
Yes, I can see with my very limited play what you mean about having various characters with differing goals interacting (and not) in the world that is created. It certainly is an incredibly visionary, artistic creation. Knowing the game well enough to realize its full potential would, I imagine, make all other games pale by comparison.
I do not have this game but have watched multiple playthroughs online and have read several versions of the rules. I'm simultaneously drawn to Magic Realm and repulsed by it. The fantasy adventure theme, open world movement, and modular world really appeal to me, but the rules are kind of a nightmare. Other than Calandale, this guy did a multipart playthrough, with fairly thorough narration of rules throughout: ruclips.net/video/mq448ejK7JQ/видео.html But this is an analog computer game I'm not sure I have enough time on planet earth to learn. I recommend making your own rules for it....
Blue Botic Yes using the map and components (those spells! Those treasures) with some simple rules. THAT could be something sweet. I may get there at some point. Too much goodness to go to waste.
I can hear the frustration in your voice and in your sighs. The question any potential game designer needs to ask themselves is, "Is this game a fun experience or a complete exercise in tedium?" Players need to ask themselves that, too, when they're investigating a new game. While I enjoyed a couple of Avalon Hill's offerings, most of the time I found their games tedious. Not fun. Even if you're taught the game, do you think at this point it would be fun?
Raddlesby As a gamer who likes old stuff and fantasy games in particular I would hope it would be enjoyable. Hard to know at this point because there’s just too much overhead and not enough clarity. I just hear the gaming universe to find someone to teach me. Which is a very valid approach.
It's true that some of the mechanics seem a bit tedious and overly complicated. But in compensation you get the ultimate fantasy sandbox experience. The sheer variety of characters, treasures and spells is mind-blowing. And the attention to detail is crazy: weapons have a length, weight, sharpness and speed. Spells come in different types and colors, need to be found, learned and enchanted. This game has weather, seasons, and a faction system. There's different kinds of horses, and groups of hirelings that can act independently from your character. You can go no quests, trade items and secrets(!), choose to co-operate and/or attack other players. No sane game designer would create such a (board) game these days. That's what makes this game a unique experience. It's quite clearly not for everyone, but I'm fascinated by its scope. So, I'm quite willing to accept its flaws. They're part of the package and probably unavoidable. E.g. I have a love & hate relationship towards the randomness in this game. Apart from the setup, almost everything's decided by dice rolls and you often have to repeatedly record the same actions for several days until you get the desired outcome. But what if success was guaranteed and you didn't need to record actions in advance? That would definitely make it easier, but would it really become a better game? I think it contributes to the game's lifetime that it's so hard to unlock its many mysteries. You're only able to discover a very small part of the game in each session. It's more than just a game, it's a journey.
Udonotknowmeatall Yes I agree with all of this. I have now only experienced a minuscule part of the game (tho more than is shown here). The recording of actions in advance does certainly mimic life where you need to just forage ahead without knowing the outcome. The ideas/concepts in this game do astound; I am still left wondering whether there is a more accessible way to experience them!
This is a GREAT GAME! I and my brother played it several times, starting from 1st encounter to the last one, about 37 years ago! I remember very well the complexity... but to us it was FUN! Exactly as Squad Leader, Flat Top and Freedom in the Galaxy!
Have you considered looking up a how to play video on RUclips? That's how I was able to get a better idea at how to play a war game called Battle over Britian.
Feel free to send a link to one but as far as I have found, there is Calandale playing (great to watch, but not instructive enough for me and certainly now a 'how to play' video) and the series on what the counters mean (with no gameplay).
Simone F Yes I am familiar with this series and mention it right above your comment. It’s great but shows no gameplay, just counters explanation. And thanks for the link to the online gameplay demo which I didn’t know about and which I’m sure will help. Much appreciated.
That is just the first video of the series. I highly recommend going through the whole series ruclips.net/p/PLoNZ2DKZaVh--EihPEalSVsIpjjYD6z2w . This is a real tutorial series and takes a couple of hours but can save you tons of troubles and frustrations (especially when you are struggling with the rulebook). Much better and clearer than Calandale's imo. That's how I picked up the game again several years ago.
game should be fun, however it looks too much like old AH which was an exercise in Law. It needs a remake/overhaul, at the time it was pretty revolutionary.
I purchased the game back in the 70s and basically had the same issues that you are facing, so it didn't last long in my collection. To me, Magic Realm is a classic case of being well produced physically, but poorly developed with no real direction apart from it being "FANTASY!". Compare MR to the Melee/Wizard games that fed the The Fantasy Trip system (something that I believe will be on Kickstarter soon) which was under-produced in terms of physical components (so it could be cheap), yet had simple, almost elegant systems in place. I know there are those who like Magic Realm and it does feature some interesting ideas, but it's poorly developed and I think you would be better served trying another game.
Ken McElhaney I appreciate those thoughts and am starting to agree as my enjoyment factor hasn’t risen in alongside my investment of time. And I do love The Fantasy Trip and have made about 4 videos demonstrating that system which is a great one.
The Ruins and Roar tokens relate to the monster roll. For example, you rolled a 5 which activated that row of monsters, extending all the way across. You would activate the: spiders at Stink M, Dank M, Patter M, the giant spider at the Cairns, the imp at the Statue, and the Bashkars at the Large or Small Campfire.
So, the Roar C will activated the wingless dragon on a roll of 1 while the Ruins would activate the orcs (goblins?) on a roll of 3. Note that you activate each stack of monster separately so the first activation of the Roar will be the small dragon and the second will be the large dragon. Think of it narratively as if you hear a dragon roar off in the distance but don't see the dragon yet.
Many times, you'll arrive at a treasure location and try to loot it before the monster roll activates it's guardian.
I still think you would have been better off ditching all the downloaded stuff and just doing the programmed instruction scenarios from the 1e rulebook. That's how I learned it, by myself and with no internet.
Hedgehobbit Thank you for this! I will go back to the game and follow what you’ve so usefully written here.
Intuitively it seems that 1e rules alone are the way to go but I tried and found myself confused so went to the other sources and got lost. Maybe I need to try again as that advice does seem sound. Thanks.
This is a GREAT GAME! I and my brother played it several times, starting from 1st encounter to the last one, about 37 years ago! I remember very well the complexity... but to us it was FUN!
Exactly as Squad Leader, Flat Top and Freedom in the Galaxy!
• Your first move action was incorrect. You cannot move directly from the Inn AV5 to AV1. From AV5 you can only go to AV2 or NW5.
• The "discover chits" result means that you get to look at the chits without showing them to any other players. At the end of the turn, you would flip the chits over anyway so it's essentially a null result in this case.
• The Roar chit means that Dragons and Trolls live in the tile (i.e., a monster roll of 1 would bring a Dragon into clearing 4 and a monster roll of 4 would bring a troll.
• The Ruins C chit means that Goblins also live in the tile. They would show up in your clearing if the monster roll was a 3.
• Since the monster roll was a 5, that means only spiders and the imp are "prowling" this day.
Basically, you have successfully completed your turn and it's time to start the next turn. Good job!
I love this video, and I am sorry to hear that you will conclude this series. I would have loved to follow your exploits here more (had even checked to see if I could get the game as well). If you do find someone to teach you and then move on with it, I would love to hear some more "shorts" from you on this one! :)
Thank you. I appreciate that. Since filming this, I have continued to muddle through, starting over (yet again) and I am reconsidering my statement that I won't film any more vids on it. I might, though not until I have more to share than "I'm stuck again."
It took me quite a while to find a complete copy of the game for less than an arm and a leg so good luck to you. If you are ever coming to NYC, let me know! We can play. :) or try.
I'm really hoping that you can learn Magic Realm! I bought it new (in NY, by the way!), and played it frequently back then. Since those younger days, I've forgotten how to play and was hoping you could teach me! lol
I ended up playing about 2 weeks of the game and will be talking about it a bit in a Geek Gamers update. Unfortunately I packed the game up before thinking that people would care to know what happened so I can no longer show the ground I covered, etc. but I will have a brief discussion of my exploits coming up on the channel, along with some other 'unfinished business'
Cannot wait!
I know what you mean. I just posted one tiny picture of my AHQ set-up on a forum, and I have been receiving likes, comments etc. for a week now. It seems that the "oldies but goldies" are real in the gaming world. What would you suggest, should I try and get Magic Realm?
You should change your profile picture. Maybe something of your favorite game?
This one is definitely worth not giving up on. There is a public domain computer implementation of Magic Realm called Realmspeak available to download, which is capable of solo play. It's impossible to mess anything up as far as the rules, so just pick a character and give it a few goes until you get the hang of the flow.
Also, there was a site a number of years back that hosted a series of game play tutorial videos that were especially good for learning the game. Although the site is since defunct, a bunch of the videos are still on an archive site I've linked here
archive.org/details/BookShelfGamesMagicRealmBlackKnightWeek1.1
I hope you summon the wherewithal to persevere, because this game is truly a masterpiece of design, and staggering in it's ability to tell a rich and different story with every play through. It was meant as Avalon Hill's answer to Dungeons and Dragons, and the designer, Richard Hamblin, made something that was capable of an incredible number of wildly dynamic situations for a board game. I can't recommend it more highly
Grove Man Thank you for these thoughts. I am in complete agreement. Since I filmed, I continued along and played 2 1/2 weeks of game time. I had some encounters and muddled through combat, bought something and found something (which I later realized I might not have been able to take but oh well). The game creates an atmosphere of place like no other I have played- and not a game place but a place that feels real. The next time I get it out (and I will) I’m sure I will get farther still. I’m curious tho: do you play solo or with others? Despite the solitaire richness it felt to me as if I were missing out by not sharing that with someone else, even if I never played it with PVP combat
I've only played solo. I imagine it would be a far better experience with others, as the course of action each player can take is so widely varying that the outcome is completely impossible to predict. One player can set as his goal to find spells to scribe to his spell book in order to achieve victory, while the other is blatantly slaughtering non player character denizens, or teaming up with the aforementioned for mutual benefit. The possibilities of variation in play are absolutely staggering. I grew up on Avalon Hill games and Dungeons and Dragons both, but only in recent years dug into this particular game, and I have to say that it's the most beautifully conceived and versatile piece of genius I've ever seen in a board game
Yes, I can see with my very limited play what you mean about having various characters with differing goals interacting (and not) in the world that is created. It certainly is an incredibly visionary, artistic creation. Knowing the game well enough to realize its full potential would, I imagine, make all other games pale by comparison.
I do not have this game but have watched multiple playthroughs online and have read several versions of the rules. I'm simultaneously drawn to Magic Realm and repulsed by it. The fantasy adventure theme, open world movement, and modular world really appeal to me, but the rules are kind of a nightmare.
Other than Calandale, this guy did a multipart playthrough, with fairly thorough narration of rules throughout: ruclips.net/video/mq448ejK7JQ/видео.html
But this is an analog computer game I'm not sure I have enough time on planet earth to learn. I recommend making your own rules for it....
Blue Botic Yes using the map and components (those spells! Those treasures) with some simple rules. THAT could be something sweet. I may get there at some point. Too much goodness to go to waste.
I can hear the frustration in your voice and in your sighs. The question any potential game designer needs to ask themselves is, "Is this game a fun experience or a complete exercise in tedium?" Players need to ask themselves that, too, when they're investigating a new game. While I enjoyed a couple of Avalon Hill's offerings, most of the time I found their games tedious. Not fun. Even if you're taught the game, do you think at this point it would be fun?
Raddlesby As a gamer who likes old stuff and fantasy games in particular I would hope it would be enjoyable. Hard to know at this point because there’s just too much overhead and not enough clarity. I just hear the gaming universe to find someone to teach me. Which is a very valid approach.
It's true that some of the mechanics seem a bit tedious and overly complicated. But in compensation you get the ultimate fantasy sandbox experience. The sheer variety of characters, treasures and spells is mind-blowing. And the attention to detail is crazy: weapons have a length, weight, sharpness and speed. Spells come in different types and colors, need to be found, learned and enchanted. This game has weather, seasons, and a faction system. There's different kinds of horses, and groups of hirelings that can act independently from your character. You can go no quests, trade items and secrets(!), choose to co-operate and/or attack other players.
No sane game designer would create such a (board) game these days. That's what makes this game a unique experience. It's quite clearly not for everyone, but I'm fascinated by its scope. So, I'm quite willing to accept its flaws. They're part of the package and probably unavoidable. E.g. I have a love & hate relationship towards the randomness in this game. Apart from the setup, almost everything's decided by dice rolls and you often have to repeatedly record the same actions for several days until you get the desired outcome. But what if success was guaranteed and you didn't need to record actions in advance? That would definitely make it easier, but would it really become a better game? I think it contributes to the game's lifetime that it's so hard to unlock its many mysteries. You're only able to discover a very small part of the game in each session. It's more than just a game, it's a journey.
Udonotknowmeatall Yes I agree with all of this. I have now only experienced a minuscule part of the game (tho more than is shown here). The recording of actions in advance does certainly mimic life where you need to just forage ahead without knowing the outcome.
The ideas/concepts in this game do astound; I am still left wondering whether there is a more accessible way to experience them!
This is a GREAT GAME! I and my brother played it several times, starting from 1st encounter to the last one, about 37 years ago! I remember very well the complexity... but to us it was FUN!
Exactly as Squad Leader, Flat Top and Freedom in the Galaxy!
Have you considered looking up a how to play video on RUclips? That's how I was able to get a better idea at how to play a war game called Battle over Britian.
Feel free to send a link to one but as far as I have found, there is Calandale playing (great to watch, but not instructive enough for me and certainly now a 'how to play' video) and the series on what the counters mean (with no gameplay).
Fair point... Another solution is to try and get any information on BoardGameGeek. Maybe you can find someone to teach you how to play there?
Geek Gamers
ruclips.net/video/BpFqG90ad74/видео.html
archive.org/details/@bookshelfgames
Simone F Yes I am familiar with this series and mention it right above your comment. It’s great but shows no gameplay, just counters explanation. And thanks for the link to the online gameplay demo which I didn’t know about and which I’m sure will help. Much appreciated.
That is just the first video of the series. I highly recommend going through the whole series ruclips.net/p/PLoNZ2DKZaVh--EihPEalSVsIpjjYD6z2w . This is a real tutorial series and takes a couple of hours but can save you tons of troubles and frustrations (especially when you are struggling with the rulebook). Much better and clearer than Calandale's imo. That's how I picked up the game again several years ago.
game should be fun, however it looks too much like old AH which was an exercise in Law. It needs a remake/overhaul, at the time it was pretty revolutionary.
I purchased the game back in the 70s and basically had the same issues that you are facing, so it didn't last long in my collection. To me, Magic Realm is a classic case of being well produced physically, but poorly developed with no real direction apart from it being "FANTASY!".
Compare MR to the Melee/Wizard games that fed the The Fantasy Trip system (something that I believe will be on Kickstarter soon) which was under-produced in terms of physical components (so it could be cheap), yet had simple, almost elegant systems in place.
I know there are those who like Magic Realm and it does feature some interesting ideas, but it's poorly developed and I think you would be better served trying another game.
Ken McElhaney I appreciate those thoughts and am starting to agree as my enjoyment factor hasn’t risen in alongside my investment of time.
And I do love The Fantasy Trip and have made about 4 videos demonstrating that system which is a great one.