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Magical Drop V

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Magical Drop V
Developer(s)Golgoth Studio
Publisher(s)UTV Ignition Entertainment
Composer(s)Sam Cheboub
SeriesMagical Drop
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
Release
  • WW: November 15, 2012
Genre(s)Puzzle
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Magical Drop V is a 2012 puzzle video game developed by Golgoth Studio and published by UTV Ignition Entertainment for Microsoft Windows. It is the sixth entry in the Magical Drop series, preceding Magical Drop Touch (2009) for iOS and Android platforms. In the game, the player takes control of one of several characters, battling against computer-controlled opponents. The objective is to clear the screen of constantly advancing colored 'drops' via a character placed at the bottom of the playfield, which can grab drops and make them disappear by putting them as a column of three or more drops of the same color. Characters and mechanics from the cancelled Data East game Ghostlop (1996) are also introduced. Two or more players can participate in local and online multiplayer modes.

Magical Drop V garnered generally unfavorable reception from reviewers; Some felt divided regarding the audio and inclusion of elements from Ghostlop, while criticism was geared towards the numerous technical issues, lack of series-staple features and mechanics, poor English translation, and weak visual presentation. Versions for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network were announced, but ultimately never materialized. In 2020, the game was delisted for purchase from Steam. It was the final Magical Drop entry until Magical Drop VI (2023).

Gameplay

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Screenshot of a multiplayer match, showcasing gameplay of Bruce from the unreleased game Ghostlop
See also: Magical Drop § Gameplay

Magical Drop V is a puzzle game similar to previous entries in the Magical Drop series, where the player takes control of one of several characters named after a tarot card, battling against computer-controlled opponents. The objective is to clear the screen from a stack of constantly advancing colored 'drops' that descend from the top of the playfield. Drops can be picked up and dropped by the player's character, which is placed at the bottom of the screen, and they disappear when three or more of the same color are put together on a single column. Chains are formed either when a single drop caused a chain reaction or when more than one group of drops are cleared in quick succession. Forming chains cause the opponent's stack to descend faster.[1][2] The game features a much smaller selection of characters, omits items, and removes P"uzzle" mode, but it adds new online gameplay modes.[1][2] Characters from the cancelled Data East puzzle game Ghostlop (1996) are introduced; these three characters use Ghostlop gameplay instead of the series' traditional mechanics.[1][2][3] The game is over once a player is defeated when the stack of drops hits the bottom.

Development and release

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Magical Drop V was first unveiled at E3 2011 by publisher UTV Ignition Entertainment and slated for a late 2011 release.[4][5][6] Ignition Entertainment struck a deal with G-Mode, a Japanese company which owns various franchises and titles by Data East, to make the game.[6] It was created by Golgoth Studio, an independent French game developer responsible for the enhanced remake of Toki (2019),[1][3][4] with Sam Cheboub being responsible for the game's soundtrack.[7] In January 2012, an Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) version was also announced and the game was then planned for a summer launch.[8][9][10] However, it missed the summer release but Golgoth Studio later clarified that Ignition approved an internal beta and they were nearing a mastered version.[11][12] To promote the launch, Golgoth Studio released the game's soundtrack online for free via their official website and SoundCloud on October of that year.[7][13] The game was released for Microsoft Windows via Steam on November 15, while the XBLA version was delayed to 2013.[14][15][16] Neither the XBLA version and a planned PlayStation Network version ever materialized.[3][13] In July 2020, the game was later made unavailable to purchase from Steam.[17]

Reception

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Magical Drop V garnered generally unfavorable reviews from critics. Destructoid's Allistair Pinsof found the game below average, citing the lack of puzzle and adventure mode from previous entries, dull story mode, graphical department, lackluster design, technical issues, and poor English translation. Pinsof also found the addition of Bruce from the unreleased Ghostlop (1996) as an "odd compromise".[18] Gamekult's Valentin Lormeau commended the gameplay, music, and introduction of characters and mechanics from Ghostlop. Nevertheless, Lormeau ultimately regaded it as an "unpleasant experience", criticizing its rushed nature, numerous bugs, and online multiplayer.[19] A reviewer writing for PCActu expressed disappointment towards the game's weak visuals, playability, repetitive audio, as well as the lack of puzzle mode, but highlighted the multiplayer as its strongest point.[21]

Drew Leachman of ZTGD gave positive remarks to the game's simple concept and soundtrack, but lambasted its sluggish controls, inconsistent AI, lag during online matches, and poor translation.[22] Joystiq's Heidi Kemps concurred with Pinsof and echoed similar thoughts regarding the Engrish translation, numerous glitches, lack of series-staple features, and disparate playstyle of Bruce from Ghostlop compared to other character.[20] Rice Digital's Pete Davison felt that Magical Drop V failed to live up to the rest of the Magical Drop series, noting its lack of polish and bugs, among other issues. Davison also saw the incorporation of elements from Ghostlop to be an interesting but "ill-advised" feature.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Fletcher, JC (June 9, 2011). "Magical Drop V preview: The ghost of Data East". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on 2014-12-24. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  2. ^ a b c Aung (DrakosAmatras) (December 15, 2012). "Magical Drop V Is Out. Here's How It Plays". Siliconera. Gamurs. Archived from the original on 2022-05-21. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  3. ^ a b c d Davison, Pete (September 29, 2022). "The History of Magical Drop". Rice Digital. Rice Digital Ltd. Archived from the original on 2023-01-15. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  4. ^ a b Devore, Jordan (June 8, 2011). "E3: Jiggle! Magical Drop V is coming to PC". Destructoid. Enthusiast Gaming. Archived from the original on 2022-08-09. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  5. ^ Mateus, Fernando (June 8, 2011). "E3: Jiggle! Magical Drop V rumbo al PC". HobbyConsolas (in Spanish). Axel Springer SE. Archived from the original on 2013-07-31. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  6. ^ a b "Magical Drop V Bounces Onto PC First, But It's Coming To Consoles Too". Siliconera. Gamurs. June 9, 2011. Archived from the original on 2020-09-21. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  7. ^ a b "Magical Drop V Original Soundtrack". Golgoth Studio. October 6, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-11-16. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  8. ^ Mateus, Fernando (January 8, 2012). "Lo que nos espera en XBLA en 2012". HobbyConsolas (in Spanish). Axel Springer SE. Archived from the original on 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  9. ^ Fletcher, JC (March 28, 2012). "Magical Drop V due this summer". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on 2014-12-19. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  10. ^ Carmichael, Stephanie (May 4, 2012). "Magical Drop V set for summer". GameZone. GameZone Online, LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-12-03. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  11. ^ Carmichael, Stephanie (June 13, 2012). "Ignition approves Magical Drop V internal beta". GameZone. GameZone Online, LLC. Archived from the original on 2023-02-12. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  12. ^ Fletcher, JC (June 13, 2012). "Magical Drop 5 still happening, internal beta approved by Ignition". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on 2015-02-09. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  13. ^ a b Hannley, Steve (October 5, 2012). "Snag the Magical Drop V Soundtrack for Free". Hardcore Gamer. Hardcore Gamer LLC. Archived from the original on 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  14. ^ Fletcher, JC (October 18, 2012). "Magical Drop V magically drops on PC November 15". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  15. ^ "Magical Drop V Bounces Onto Steam On November 15". Siliconera. Gamurs. November 5, 2012. Archived from the original on 2022-05-23. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  16. ^ Carmichael, Stephanie (November 6, 2012). "Magical Drop 5 finally releases next week on Steam". GameZone. GameZone Online, LLC. Archived from the original on 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  17. ^ "Magical Drop V (App 204960)". SteamDB. 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-09-23. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  18. ^ a b Pinsof, Allistair (November 15, 2012). "Review: Magical Drop V - More like Magical Plop". Destructoid. Enthusiast Gaming. Archived from the original on 2012-11-19. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  19. ^ a b Lormeau, Valentin (November 16, 2012). "Test : Magical Drop V - Gamekult". Gamekult (in French). CNET Networks. Archived from the original on 2021-05-01. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  20. ^ a b Kemps, Heidi (January 10, 2013). "Magical Drop 5 review: Magical Mess". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on 2013-01-12. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  21. ^ a b SwedishFrog (November 26, 2012). "Test de jeu / / Magical Drop V". PCActu (in French). Fnac Direct S.A. Archived from the original on 2012-12-03. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  22. ^ a b Leachman, Drew (December 6, 2012). "Magical Drop V Review - Dropping magical turds". ZTGD. Archived from the original on 2013-09-29. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
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