I've always liked magic. Growing up, I learned card tricks, sleight-of-hand, and other ways to fool an audience. One of my great childhood memories was being driven downtown by my mom and rummaging though a magic store's disorganized racks. I picked out a small, mirrored box that could cause any object I placed inside to disappear.If that store had Master of Illusion, I would have likely bought it instead. The DS "game" teaches kids tricks through dozens of on-screen activities. Some even rely on the included deck of cards. The best tricks lead to performances for friends, while some activities -- like fortune telling -- seem better suited to slumber parties. A few other activities let single players amaze themselves, with the DS reading the gamer's mind in a series of logic-based tricks.
While I'll try not to spill too many secrets about how Master of Illusion works, the game looks to be a unique tool for young magicians. However, I was disappointed that the DS is required in all activities; I wanted the game to teach stand-alone tricks that work with just the included cards. But at least the game explains ways to misdirect an audience, recover from a mistake, and other basics that could be applied to other performances.
Master of Illusion does a great job of creatively using Nintendo's handheld. Certain tricks ask the performer to draw a face, whose eyes become animated and look in the direction of an audience member. Other times, the DS speaks the name of a card that's seemingly unknown to the system, magician, and audience. Or the performer may say commands into the DS for other surprises. The game also charts progress, unlocking new tricks and activities with more practice.
Specific tricks seem aimed at kids about 10 to 13 years-old. They'll mostly impress a younger sibling, but parents could be fooled by a few. The first time a magician sees a trick, each step is explained with a clear storyboard pane. Many tricks work by the performer secretly communicating with the DS. A subtle button push or the manner in which an item is drawn guide the handheld through the final reveal.
I hope that creative magicians will eventually figure out ways to perform without the handheld. I just wish the game offered that outright, analog goal. There's something more magical about a simple deck of cards, set of coins, cups, or other accessible props. But even with the DS requirement, Master of Illusion looks like a fun way to begin learning and performing tricks.
