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A Pinch of Magic

87%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
87% User Score Based on 322 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindows
Buy NowGet on Steam

About

"A Pinch of Magic" is a free visual novel game where you play as Varsha, a young witch who returns to their hometown to save their grandparents' magic store while navigating a strict magic ban and finding love. The game features customizable pronouns and two romantic interests with three different endings. With over 25,000 words, players can also enjoy an art gallery of CGs and guest artwork.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
A Pinch of Magic screenshot
A Pinch of Magic screenshot
A Pinch of Magic screenshot
A Pinch of Magic screenshot
A Pinch of Magic screenshot
A Pinch of Magic screenshot

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 322 reviews
story68 positive mentions
  • The game features cute art and a charming storyline, making it a delightful visual novel experience.
  • Players appreciate the option to choose pronouns and character appearance, promoting inclusivity.
  • Despite its short length, the game is well-written and engaging, providing a fun way to spend a couple of hours.
  • Kiana's route is significantly shorter and less developed compared to Mikhail's, leading to disappointment for players seeking a balanced experience.
  • The pacing feels rushed, with some storylines and character developments left unexplored, making the game feel incomplete.
  • The music can be repetitive and distracting, detracting from the overall immersion of the game.
  • story
    186 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story is a cute, short visual novel that features two main routes, one for a male character and one for a female character, with the male route being significantly longer and more developed. While the art and music are praised, many reviewers feel that the pacing is uneven, character development is rushed, and the female route lacks depth compared to the male route. Overall, the narrative has potential but is seen as needing more time and content to fully realize its charm and emotional impact.

    • “The story is beautiful, twisting and mesmerizing.”
    • “I genuinely enjoyed the story and the art is just beautiful.”
    • “The story kept me wanting to see what happens next, and while it may not be very exciting, it felt like a good light-reading set in a rather casual setting.”
    • “The game is fun and cute but you can certainly tell a lot was cut from the original story; it does not always flow and the character development feels rushed and incomplete.”
    • “The story lost most of its charm after you pick which route you want to see.”
    • “So there is technically a storyline, but it seems rather rushed and childish.”
  • graphics
    66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their cute art style, beautiful character sprites, and cozy color schemes, making it visually appealing, especially for a free title. While some users noted a desire for more custom artwork and improvements, the overall aesthetic and harmonious integration with the music contribute positively to the experience. The inclusion of special moment artworks and a gallery feature adds an extra layer of charm to the visuals.

    • “Every CG, background, and character sprite is so beautiful to look at - the art style is adorable and the color scheme is super cozy.”
    • “The art and menus and general aesthetics of this game are very nice and it has a lovely color scheme.”
    • “The visuals are really nice, and the music is also great, and wouldn't sound out of place on any good lofi/jazzy playlist that I'd listen to regularly.”
    • “Even kissing is done without visuals.”
    • “With more time they could have fleshed out the story, developed the romantic routes and had some custom artwork.”
    • “Most everything else about the game was fine-- controls, design, music, artwork, and everything else was alright for the most part, especially considering that this game is not only free, but was made in a month's time; however, it's still lacking in a lot of areas, and I feel it could definitely use some improvement.”
  • music
    56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its calming and positive vibes, while others found it repetitive and distracting from the dialogue. The soundtrack features a blend of eighties synth pop and piano tracks, fitting the game's atmosphere but lacking in variety for some. Overall, while the music complements the cute art style and engaging story, there are suggestions for improvement in its alignment with the game's emotional tone and transitions between tracks.

    • “The soundtrack is a mix of eighties sounding synth pop with some piano tracks thrown into it in places.”
    • “All in all, the soundtrack does have a fun café vibe that comfortably melts into the background as the story becomes more engaging.”
    • “The music is so calming and the vibes are so positive.”
    • “I admit I was not overly fond of a lot of the music and kept the volume down low.”
    • “The music is repetitive and the loop is too audible to ignore.”
    • “There are a few transitions between one song to another that don't mesh well.”
  • emotional
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its heartwarming and emotional storytelling, featuring beautifully written characters and heartfelt narratives that resonate with players. While some reviewers felt the story could have been more challenging and emotionally impactful, the overall experience is described as kind and uplifting, with humor and supportive character interactions enhancing its charm.

    • “It's a quick game that's also heartwarming at the same time.”
    • “Each of their stories is so heartfelt and all three endings feature truly beautiful character writing that sheds light on the different parts of the world they're living in.”
    • “While the plot was pretty simple, it was heartfelt (especially with Kia's path).”
  • character development
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is generally perceived as rushed and incomplete, with some players noting that the transition between characters feels abrupt and lacks depth. While the character designs and personalities are well-executed, the short length of the visual novel limits the potential for more nuanced growth. Despite these shortcomings, players appreciate the cute interactions and the ability to make choices that influence character dynamics.

    • “It's good in a sense that the character designs and art are well done, and the personalities seem fleshed out for what they are.”
    • “It's a super short visual novel, so I wasn't expecting amazing character development, but with Mikhail, it's very odd how the main character and he go from being blunt, indifferent, and not really liking each other to co-workers who tease each other and get along well overnight.”
    • “The game is fun and cute, but you can certainly tell a lot was cut from the original story. It does not always flow, and the character development feels rushed and incomplete.”
    • “Character development is cute, and I love the choices you can make.”
    • “The game is fun and cute, but you can certainly tell a lot was cut from the original story. It does not always flow, and the character development feels rushed and incomplete.”
  • humor
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's humor is characterized by light-heartedness and warmth, featuring clever puns that some players find particularly enjoyable. Many reviewers noted that the dialogue is heartwarming and consistently funny, eliciting genuine laughter throughout the gameplay. However, the reliance on puns may not appeal to everyone, indicating a varied reception of the humor style.

    • “The game was funny, light-hearted, warm-hearted, and made me laugh out loud several times.”
    • “I enjoyed this game for its humor and heartwarming dialogue.”
    • “They were so funny and added a nice touch.”
  • atmosphere
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with a strong emphasis on the fitting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers consistently rate the atmosphere at 4 out of 5, highlighting its effectiveness in immersing players in the game world.

    • “The soundtrack is perfectly suited to the game, enhancing the atmosphere it creates.”
  • gameplay
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay, particularly the choice system, is praised for being intuitive and engaging, striking a balance between simplicity and authenticity that enhances the overall experience.

    • “The gameplay, particularly the choice system, is excellent; it's not too complicated or artificial, and it feels great!”

Buy A Pinch of Magic

3h Median play time
3h Average play time
3-3h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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