Should I get Magicka 1 or 2

[GiantPlaidSquirrel]

I dont know, people have said that 2 is worse in certain ways. I just don't know!

[TheBuzzSaw]

Magicka 1 has more opportunities for casting OP combinations. It is more satisfying with regard to most players' power fantasy, but it has many drawbacks. For starters, the engine is incredibly buggy: BSoD, freezes, disconnects, etc. It's better than it was, but it still has issues. The DLC campaigns have a few bugs remaining too. Overall, Magicka 1 is pretty easy once you master the important spells. Many players never reach that point, so it is a challenging game in general, but every opponent has key weaknesses.

Magicka 2 has a better balance. Lots of people complain about the lack of OP combinations, but the game is more challenging and interesting if you can learn to appreciate the mechanics. The engine is far smoother and stabler. The online play is better.

I'd say buy both, but if you really have to choose one, buy Magicka 2.

[Phytophyte]

I just wrote a review on Magicka 2 that compares the two pretty thoroughly. It's a long read, though, so to sum it up:

Magicka 1 is simpler and funnier, but has obvious imbalances, so it's better if you're looking for a humorous experience, or craving a power trip.

Magicka 2 is faster and refined, at the expense of Magicka 1's big selling points that I just stated. Magicka 2 is more for people looking for rewarding mechanics and challenge.

[UNLUCKY STAR]

Originally posted by Phytophyte:

I just wrote a review on Magicka 2 that compares the two pretty thoroughly. It's a long read, though, so to sum it up:

Magicka 1 is simpler and funnier, but has obvious imbalances, so it's better if you're looking for a humorous experience, or craving a power trip.

Magicka 2 is faster and refined, at the expense of Magicka 1's big selling points that I just stated. Magicka 2 is more for people looking for rewarding mechanics and challenge.

you do realise there were more complicated spells in magicka 1 than in two right?
especially since any combination is good in magicka 2.

[[Lemons] w!z@rD]

Both games have distinct pros and cons. As it doesn't really matter which game you play first, I advise you to throw a coin.

[Phytophyte]

Originally posted by COLONEL FEUERBUSCH:

you do realise there were more complicated spells in magicka 1 than in two right?

Casting spells is simpler in Magicka 2 because actually casting in combat is made more complex.

While it is true that typing "3" for Dragon Strike is easier than typing "SEDQFS+Space" to cast Summon Elemental, the complexity I was referring to is how Magicka 2 prevents you from mashing out a single magick over and over to overwhelm everything you come across. This is not just because of the arbitrary cooldown, either -- the gameplay is faster, and enemies don't leisurely meander over to you; instead they descend on you quickly. You won't have time to spam an army of elementals like you did in Magicka.

Originally posted by COLONEL FEUERBUSCH:

especially since any combination is good in magicka 2.

Isn't this a point in my favor? Only a fraction of combinations in Magicka had any viable use, which makes for simpler decisions -- namely, use "Steam + Steam + Arcane + Lightning + Lightning".

[Dubslar]

For me personally Magicka 1 was more fun. I think it came down to this artificial skill cieling that is placed on you in Magicka 2. This has a lot to do with the recharge on magick cast times. I think they tried to create a balanced game where you would be using all sorts of magicks and element combinations, but the game fell a bit flat for me once i discovered the power of Steam/Arcane/Lightning. The combination its overpowered and contradicted everything else they were trying to achieve. Me and a buddy just finished the campaign on hard in a short amount of time just spamming the steam beam. The only time other magicks seemed relevant was when you needed to revive someone or teleport....

Also since they were trying to create a more balanced game you have the removal of complex powerful magicks suck as elementals/vortex/ect... and thats why i personally liked the first game more. You would constantly get better as you memorized the magicks and were able to fire them off quicker, the game seemed to have skill progression, which is lost in Magicka 2. Though I do think if they nerfed steam/arcane/lightning the game might be more diverse in the magicks you need to overcome enemies.

[UNLUCKY STAR]

Originally posted by COLONEL FEUERBUSCH:

especially since any combination is good in magicka 2.

Isn't this a point in my favor? Only a fraction of combinations in Magicka had any viable use, which makes for simpler decisions -- namely, use "Steam + Steam + Arcane + Lightning + Lightning". [/quote]

No certainly not, unless you preffer dumbed down mechanics,
you can literally make it throught the whole game without dying or risking anything by spamming death damage and fire (thats how i mae it through the campaign without dying on bananas), magicka 1 was at least trying to make you use different spells in certain levels (for example bossfight against death).

[Nexus-Prista]

For me it's still fun. You can try whatever you want and no need for Steam+Arcane+Lightning+x+x as I think it requires longer time to cast than ASFAS (I can just press it much quicker).
Still, this game is pretty hard and pretty fun even solo you will fall a lot (Magicka 1 has much more powerful spells like earth armor as it can make you literally go everywhere without much fear).
As graphic, I think Magicka 1 is sort of too dull and not vivid enough compare to 2.
But this game really need major expansion quickly and not just something like Vietnam and or latest challenge. It would be better for them to add big,long,journey soon.

[silentmike]

When on sale they are quite cheap, so get both :-D

[jim]

Both of them are interesting. i think that 1 is better than 2

[Zombinette]

Both are interesting, it's right but i prefer Magicka 2 : spells are better and there is a beautiful adventure

[blakOrkk]

The first one somewhat "introduces" you to the world and the basic concepts, then comes the second one... It improves the mechanics (IMO) and reshuffles the story and the world, my suggestion? Get both and play them in order.

[vlad1099]

You should definitely try both, but if you want to play with friends, the 2nd is way more stable than the 1st one

[Snowjam]

I haven't played the first one in a while, but I was a bit dissapointed with the second one. It kept freezing on me.

[Evilldread]

I'm wondering if I should also get Magicka 2. I like co op games.