Man, it feels like there’s something magical in the gaming waters during January! Just as Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown kickstarted the Metroidvania genre back in 2024, Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is carrying on the tradition a year later. This game is the sequel to Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights, and it builds upon the fantastic work co-developers Adglobe and Live Wire did four years ago. They’ve taken their irresistible mix of combat, exploration, and platforming and raised the bar even higher!
Similar to its previous version, Ender Magnolia doesn’t introduce anything new; instead, it refines what’s already known, offering an optimal experience. Its engaging combat system, enhanced by capturing the spirits of vanquished bosses, is incredibly satisfying, with swift sword attacks and enjoyable long-range options. Early in the game, you acquire the double jump and dash ability, instantly broadening the play area and testing your platforming abilities.
The hidden features you uncover (such as character enhancements and pick-ups) are generally valuable, but revisiting areas with fresh skills doesn’t offer quite the same enjoyment as typical Metroidvania games – this is the area where the game seems a bit less complex.
The story presented by Ender Magnolia delves deeper and becomes harder to grasp, but it’s rich with complexity. This narrative takes us on a journey through the Toxic Wasteland where Homunculi, an artificial life form, has been pushed to insanity due to poisonous gases. Although certain aspects evoke profound emotions, understanding the entire story requires effort and concentration. It bears resemblance to the tales found in Dark Souls games, allowing it to serve as a backdrop to the action without demanding constant attention.
You can customize the game’s challenge level to resemble a FromSoftware game, with options to modify elements such as enemy health, damage output, and attack speed whenever you pause for rest. If a boss fight proves too challenging, you can momentarily lower the difficulty. Conversely, increasing the difficulty will grant more rewards upon defeating enemies.
Despite adjusting the difficulty sliders, there are certain challenging spots in the game, such as the Crimson Forest, that remain frustrating. The game tends to fill areas within this forest with portals that don’t make it clear where you’ll be transported to. When your progress in the main story is hindered by the bewildering maze of these gateways, the Crimson Forest becomes an unusual blemish in the overall enjoyable experience.
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist offers satisfying battles, fun platforming, and an impressive array of abilities that make it easy to overlook minor flaws. The game’s vibrant graphics and smooth technical performance, provided by Adglobe and Live Wire, truly highlight the greatness of Metroidvania-style games.
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2025-01-31 17:06