I Played Magical Survival Game Witchspire in Early Access & It’s Off to a Promising Start (Review)

Fans of survival games, cozy experiences, and titles like Hogwarts Legacy have been eagerly awaiting Witchspire, a new magical survival game. With over 300,000 wishlists already, it’s clear many players are excited to explore its open world, cast spells, and connect with magical creatures. Today, June 10th, Witchspire is finally available in Early Access on Steam, and after getting a sneak peek, I’m happy to say it’s off to a great start!

Witchspire is a fun, cooperative adventure game that combines the best parts of creature collecting, open-world survival, and role-playing games. You can explore a large, magical world either by yourself or with friends, discovering its secrets alongside some cute companions. Even on older computers, the game runs very well in its current Early Access state. While there’s still room for improvement, players are likely to enjoy their initial experiences with Witchspire.

Early Access Review Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Pros Cons
Runs smoothly with little to no glitches in Early Access Story lacks a sense of drive/strong hook in Early Access
Beautiful open world full of unique creatures to befriend World feels a bit empty without NPCs or side quests
Solid core gameplay loop already in place

Witchspire Looks Great & Runs Smoothly in Early Access

Like many role-playing games, Witchbrook begins with creating your character. While the Early Access version doesn’t offer extensive customization, you can still choose from a handful of body types, faces, and hairstyles. I’m hoping the developers add more options in the future, as I’d like to be able to create a more distinctive character.

Okay, so when you first start the game, you get to pick from six different classes. This choice decides whether you begin as a Spellblade or with a Wand, and it also affects your starting stats and what you’re wearing! Then you go through the tutorial and get your first Familiar – there are four to choose from. If you’re playing with friends, I really recommend everyone starting a new game and making new characters together. Anyone joining later will have to go through the tutorial and start at level 1. And if you’re playing co-op, it’s smart to try and have a balanced group – pick different classes and familiars to really cover all your bases!

I was immediately impressed with how well the game performs, whether playing alone or with friends. Usually, when a game enters Early Access, I expect to encounter bugs and problems, but this one felt surprisingly polished right from the start of the tutorial. I didn’t notice any visual glitches or slowdowns, which is a great achievement for an open-world game still in development. The game also looks good, even on lower graphics settings. It creates a welcoming atmosphere that makes you want to explore, and the way you build and gather resources feels fresh and unique to the world of Witchspire.

Core Gameplay Delivers in Witchspire Already, but The Story and World Need a Bit of Work

The Early Access version of Witchbrook has most of the main gameplay features working. Once the tutorial is complete, you’re free to explore the game’s world. Clear objectives guide you as you learn, helping you build and improve your home base (called a Hearth) and form relationships with magical creatures called Familiars. The combat feels solid, and each weapon type offers a unique playstyle. I enjoy using wands, but the Spellblade is a good choice for players who prefer close-quarters fighting.

Gathering materials and crafting feel really good in this game. I especially like how the pickaxe and axe function more like magical tools than standard survival gear – it reinforces the fact that you’re playing as a witch in a magical world. Building is also unique, with a cool astral projection feature and the ability to use your Familiars to help. Overall, the core survival and crafting elements are solid. Plus, you can adjust the difficulty with four different settings, making the game as relaxing or as challenging as you like.

While Witchbrook does have a story in its Early Access version, it unfolds very slowly and doesn’t immediately grab your attention. You play as a character who’s supposedly special, but it’s unclear why. The game hints that you’re searching for friends, but because you’ve never even heard of them, it’s hard to care about the quest. Overall, I was hoping for a more compelling reason to push forward with the story and learn more about the game’s world.

The game’s world is beautiful and has plenty of materials to collect, but it feels a little lonely. I barely encountered any characters during my playthrough – only one NPC, actually. While it’s pleasant to explore without constant attacks, there aren’t many creatures around either. I wish the world felt more populated or that there was some explanation for why it’s so empty. Adding NPCs and side quests alongside the main story would make a big difference, and I hope the developers consider that. Even playing with friends, the world still felt a bit lifeless.

Witchspire has a strong start in Early Access! It’s visually appealing, performs smoothly, and has a good foundation for a relaxing survival experience. While there’s still work to be done – and that’s expected with Early Access games – players who have been looking forward to Witchspire should enjoy what’s currently available.

Witchspire launches into Early Access on Steam June 10th and costs $23. There’s a 15% discount available at launch. ComicBook was provided a Steam copy of Witchspire to review during this Early Access period.

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2026-06-10 18:16