Magic and Mayhem Art of Magic

Apprentice wizard designs spells, summons creatures – if this sounds familiar, you’ve probably played Mythos Games’ 1998 strategy game Magic & Mayhem. The Art of Magic revives the concept, spiced up with 3D graphics.

In search for his kidnapped sister, the young mage Aurax confronts evil wizards in battle to claim their powers and increase his repertoire of magical formulas. Although Aurax learns powerful destructive and defensive spells, he will only survive by summoning creatures to fight at his side. To replenish his magical energy, Aurax has to conquer and hold mana wells; his opponents will try to do the same. If you destroy the opposing wizard, the level is won. Not all missions are straight battles; for example, you’ll have to sneak into a troll camp unnoticed or explore a medieval sewer.

The Art of Macic’s most intriguing feature is the portmanteau, a spell construction set. Each reagent can be placed in a talisman of either the alignment good, neutral or evil to get one of three possible spells; you have to decide which enchantment is most useful for you at the moment. In the course of the game, you will find more, and more powerful, reagents.