Board games also evolves on the mechanic and estetic point of view. Board games today have be strongly enhanced with the use of computers for making artwork. Mechanics also has evolved, you see tables much less often. CCG was a mechanic that could not possible be done in the 70ies. So there is an evolution but it's different.
In the video game, you just have a spell book of assorted spells for the 5 colors of magic. You pick a spell to research and eventually you will learn the spell. Your mana can be splitted as mana for spell casting and maintenance, research or skill improvement.
Then at anytime you can cast a spells on either units, cities, areas, in combat, on the world, etc. Some are permanents, some are instant, etc.
In the board game I try to make, it's a bit more touchy because there is too much information to note ( for example, I cannot have an enchantment token under each city and unit to mark that they are enchanted.
So for example, when you cast an enchantment, all your cities in a certain range from your tower are enchanted automatically.
Right now I am not sure how spell cards should be handled:
The dominion way: You draft cards during the game add them to your deck. Draw, cast, reshuffle. Some powerup allows you them to leave them in play. (need many multiple copies of cards)
Permanent powerup: You develop a field of magic, place the card in play and the effect stay permanent for all your civ. (it gives you bonus)(need less spells and not that much multi copies).
Reusable spells: Spell are cast from your hand but you can re-cast them as you like, you just have a limit of spell you can cast/maintain per turn.
So the game is now on ice waiting for futher ideas will eventually comes in.
My last words about Zelda
Remember the NES game cartridge? It was gold with a simple shield on the cover with symbols on it. When I was a kid I wanted to know what this game was that had this emblam on it. I think that was better than haveing Link on the cover flying through the air, as he makes a blow with his sword showing his teeth. I got to imagine what the rest of the game is like. It didn't matter that the graphics were bad it was fun.
In video games, they progress technilogically getting better in graphics and more realistic game e experience. The beauty of board games is that they don't have that issue. A board game from the 70's could be created just as well as a game today. It's different. But what about the idea above, where it doesn't have to be a dramatic picture on the cover but draws a person in. We know a simple game can be vary fun. I'm gong to stop there because that's all I really wanted to say. What do you got?