Magicka: Wizard Wars hits open beta with a new map and magicks

The wacky world of Magicka created by the developers at Paradox North is bringing back the insane (and hilarious) competitive combat with all of the hectic wizard duels and friendly (arcane) fire you could want. Magicka: Wizard Wars is a more robust multiplayer option over the original allowing you to battle your friends and other online players in all out spell casting warfare. And if you missed out on playing Wizard Wars in Steam's Early Access so far, the game is now in open beta with a new map and additional customizable wizard accessories.

As of now, the game includes two main modes for competitive play: Duel lets you take part in one-on-one battles and Wizard Warfare is a capture point-style game tasking you with running down the opposing team's respawn tickets before they do. In my hands-on demo with the beta, the battle took place in a map called Wizard Warfare--an arena with four capture points up for grabs. Between each capture point are narrow pathways that bottleneck attacking wizards into head on duels.

Each engagement is a tactical tug of war with multiple wizards casting a variety of specially crafted fireballs, ice mines, and healing beams using the game's unique spell casting system. Up to three of the eight elemental spells can be combined to different effects, such as resistances to specific elements, direct-damage beams, or area-of-effect attacks. Once you get in a few kills you'll earn the right to cast even more powerful Magicks that let you rain down screen-clearing lighting storms, summon the Grim Reaper, or drop an outhouse on an enemy's head.

Check out the following slides for more information and images