I found the graphics charming, and the controls innovating. It does take some time to learn, but when you do they are working very well, and the game becomes very fluid. The humor, is as all types of humor, depending on the reader whether it is hit or miss, I kind of liked the whole Pytonesque and tongue in cheek approach.

The main problem I found with the Magicka games is the focus on multiplayer.

Not sure if you're aware but there is a new rune drawing recognition system in Arx Libertatis which makes drawing runes a whole lot easier. More info can be found here;

https://www.gog.com/forum/arx_fatalis/arx_libertatis_new_rune_recognition_in_the_latest_development_snapshot/post1

Might be useful if you've not tried the game lately, the awful rune drawing system was why I gave up playing but this does help.

Far out! Thank you. :D

Hope it works as well for you as it did for me :)

Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition follows a similar premise. Except that you don't necessarily have to be a mage, but you are free to make all of your characters mages (you must have at least 2 characters, and it's optional to have up to two more). They definitely start off weak and gradually become powerful throughout the game. I highly recommend that game.

The final boss is immune to magic? Then how did you win?

Johnny Cage Punch. :P

I googled and saw it was written by Ed Greenwood. Is the old creep still at it, or have the editors been able to rein him in?

Despite that the game turned out to be a little disappointing for me, but MagicMaker has a very interesting approach, even if the game is overall a little shallow.

It must be editor's good job, because I didn't even know he's a creep.

If you're into text adventures, there's the Enchanter trilogy (Enchanter, Sorcerer, Spellbreaker)?

I happen to really like the spellmaking system in the Elder Scrolls series (Arena, Daggerfall, Morrowind, Oblivion, but unfortunately not Skyrim).

Basically, you choose one or more effects to put on a spell, and you can choose various parameters, such as magnitude and duration, for each one of them. This allows you to be creative. It also creates an interesting mathematical optimization problem if you want to create the most effective spell for a particular purpose.

Of course, I should probably put in a standard disclaimer; the Elder Scrolls games are not known for being either bug-free or balanced. Remember to save early, often, and in multiple slots.

Nox no? I swore that had mage in it. unless it was wizard.

If you want to work for your spells, check out Ultima Underworld. Even though the mage is a class I wouldn't recommend due to massive inconvenience, you do have to find runestones before you can cast magic, and then learn their combinations (or even experiment yourself!).

For a more modern and streamlined game, there's Tyranny, where you combine Core Sigils (e.g. fire, frost, emotion etc.), Expression Sigils (e.g. single target, area, cone,...) and Accent/Enhancement Sigils (for power/range modifications etc.). You have to learn each one in the game world.