Magicka: Wizard Wars launches in open beta on May 27

Magicka: Wizard Wars, Paradox Interactive's spellcasting-focused competitive online game, will launch in open beta on May 27, the company announced today.

In the game, players group into two teams of up to four wizards and head into player-versus-player combat using only a bank of magic spells. These spells follow a system retooled from Wizard Wars' predecessor, 2011 PC action-adventure title Magicka, in which players can use various different types of magic as well as combine elements to create more powerful spells. Wizard Wars also includes a one-on-one duel mode in which players can engage in short battles to hone their casting skills.

Magicka: Wizard Wars is currently available via Steam Early Access and will be free-to-play when it launches in open beta. The Early Access version, which launched last October and costs $12.99, also includes additional in-game goodies and "trinkets" for players to use in combat. For more details on how the game plays, check out our hands-on impressions and interview with lead designer David Nisshagen.