Update: E3 2012: Hands on with Magic The Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 for iPad

Update: Originally wrote the 13th July as the release date. This is the date for the physical card release. Updated article follows:

In a way, it’s a surprise that it’s taken quite so long for the successful console and PC series Duels of the Planeswalkers to make its way over to the iPad, given the platform's strengths when it comes to virtual card gaming.

However, the 2013 edition of the series appears to be just the ideal point for the series to join the platform, going further than ever to make the often overwhelming game of Magic the Gathering more approachable for newcomers, and more challenging for veterans.

Turn on the tap

Differences between the iPad version and the console/PC iterations are almost completely limited to the controls. The touchscreen means a more tactile element to the game, with players dragging cards from their deck into play, as well as physically tapping land cards to gather mana required for the various spells/creatures.

The other change is in the multiplayer element of the game – but even this is a minor alteration. Human players are limited to just the two in one game (with online play over Game Center), but up to two AI players can bulk up the number.

While you’re likely to find some pretty serious Magic fans online, this 2013 edition of Planeswalkers looks like it’s by far the friendliest edition of the series for newcomers, with additions like recommended cards, as well as a completely redesigned menu system that cuts away a lot of the more confusing elements of the game.

For instance, the game now displays a series of five star ratings for your cards and deck (and your opponent’s deck), with information such as how large their average creature is and even going as far as to breakdown your deck based on mana cost.

You can still 'go deep' and edit your unlocked decks, though, and there's 10 completely new additions to the Planeswalkers series.

Chase and status (effects)

Another new addition to the series is the new Planer cards, which impart global effects on the game (such as newly summoned creatures getting a damage boost).

This unique type of card is the key component of the intriguing Planechase multiplayer mode, with a six-sided dice determining whether a card remains in play or is swapped out for another.

The Planer cards will also form part of the 2013 Magic the Gathering range of physical cards, with the game offering up a preview of the 100 new additions to the game a good month before they go on sale in shops.

While Wizards of the Coast were a little hazy on the pricing of the iPad version (it’s around that of the other versions, as far as I could tell), the company did confirm to me that the title will launch at the same time as the console and PC versions on June 20th, so there’s not too long to wait before laying down some mana burn.