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wxSpellcast is a good Windows version of Spellcast, a fun multiplayer-only strategy game for UNIX that is in turn based on Richard Bartle's Spellbinder paper-and-pencil game first published in his magazine. This two-player game stars you as a powerful wizard who must cast spells by making hand gestures – similar to the ones in the computer RPG game The Summoning, except here some spells require two-handed gestures. The two wizards take turns to cast spells, and the duel is over when one wizard has sustained fifteen or more points of damage. Simultaneous death is a draw. More details from the official rules: "each turn both players will write down in secret the directions for their wizards and the monsters under their control. The moves are revealed at the same time and played out simultaneously. Certain spells may alter these circumstances. For example, you don't get to see all of your opponent's moves if their wizard is invisible. Each turn a player's wizard can either gesture with their hands to weave part of a spell, stab with their knife, or do nothing. They use both hands and each hand can act independently or in concord with the other. Monsters will obey their master's commands exactly. Monsters may change hands (as it were) as a result of enchantment. From that point on the monster's attacks are directed by the new master. Monsters may make a single attack each turn against a target chosen by their master or they may spend the turn doing nothing." Offensive spells include summoning, elemental energy, protection, and psionic influence to name a few. Because your opponent may attack you while you are preparing to cast a complex two-handed spell, this means that timing and planning are crucial to ensure that your defensive spells can block all attacks. This Windows version is a very nice port of the UNIX version, and although there is no AI present, the well-designed user interface means you can have a lot of fun fighting a friend on the network. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an elegant two-player war/strategy game. Reviewed by: Underdogs | 
wxSpellcast 
