Magenta Horizon

About

Magenta Horizon is a single player hack and slash game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Maddison Baek(Hellfire Railway Interactive) and was released on December 6, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

Magenta Horizon is a fast-paced 2D action platformer game that is heavily inspired by the Spectacle Fighter genre. Playing as a Reaper of the twisted purgatorial afterlife, push your skills to the limit to destroy the hordes of demons and epic bosses to reach your destination.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 163 reviews

gameplay16 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

Magenta Horizon features a unique and captivating art style, blending grotesque and whimsical elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the game.
The combat system is fluid and engaging, encouraging players to experiment with a variety of moves and combos, while the healing mechanic promotes aggressive play.
The game offers a challenging experience with a diverse roster of enemies and bosses, each requiring different strategies to defeat, making for a rewarding gameplay loop.

The checkpoint system can be frustrating, as players may have to redo large sections of levels after dying, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay.
Some players may find the difficulty curve steep, especially in certain levels where enemy combinations can feel overwhelming.
The platforming sections can be tedious and punishing, with some mechanics feeling clunky or unresponsive at times.

gameplay
75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
75%
4%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its fluid combat system and depth, while others criticize its repetitive mechanics and poor design choices, such as a frustrating healing system and lack of effective tutorials. Players appreciate the aggressive playstyle encouraged by the mechanics, but many feel that the game can be punishing and lacks necessary features like blocking or parrying. Overall, while the game offers a rich and challenging experience for skilled players, it may alienate those seeking a more casual or straightforward gameplay experience.
- “Released in late 2024, it has quickly garnered attention for its intense gameplay and distinctive art style, appealing to players who crave a challenge coupled with an immersive world.”
- “The gameplay shines through a robust and fluid combat system that encourages experimentation and skillful play.”
- “Combine that with bouncy and free-flowing movement, a meaningful customization system where you can build your character based on your playstyle and preferences, a huge amount of ranged offensive skills that synergize with each other, and healing mechanics that encourage aggression and remaining active while taking risks, and you have the ingredients for one of the best action games ever made.”
- “The healing mechanic is pure nonsense, and the gameplay feels horrible. You're locked into going through corridors and get trapped in rooms until you kill spawning enemies, repeating this over and over.”
- “However, I feel like there are a lot of aspects, mainly in the gameplay department, that really bog down this game's quality.”
- “The game isn't bad, just repetitive, missing multiple necessary mechanics, with a half-assed dodge system, the worst healing system I've ever seen, way too many enemies on screen, and other bad design decisions like being juggled on almost every hit.”
music
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
35%
5%
The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising its excellent soundtrack that enhances gameplay and emotional moments, featuring a blend of ethereal melodies and adrenaline-pumping tracks. However, some players found the music grating or mediocre, contrasting with the overall positive feedback on the game's visuals and combat. Overall, the soundtrack is noted for its variety and ability to complement the game's unique art style and dynamic combat system, making it a significant aspect of the gaming experience.
- “The soundtrack weaves between ethereal melodies and adrenaline-pumping tracks that elevate combat encounters, enhancing the emotional highs and lows of the journey.”
- “The music is also good, fitting for every part.”
- “The soundtrack is solid, and fits the setting of the game well.”
- “The music is just grating.”
- “It feels like the kind of music you would hear in a chaotic dream that you remember nothing about when you wake up.”
- “Level 7-2 was the worst by far not only because it was so excruciatingly long but this was the only level in the game, as far as I know, where I didn't like the song at all and it made for a really painful experience for me.”
graphics
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
34%
7%
The graphics of "Magenta Horizon - Neverending Harvest" are widely praised for their striking and unique art style, blending vibrant colors with grotesque yet charming enemy designs reminiscent of classic prog-rock aesthetics. Players appreciate the immersive visuals that enhance the gameplay experience, creating a captivating world filled with intricate details and dynamic animations. While some critiques mention minor roughness in execution, the overall consensus highlights the game's beautiful, colorful artwork and its ability to evoke strong emotional resonance.
- “Magenta Horizon is a captivating 2D action platformer that manages to carve out a unique space in the indie game landscape through its blend of fast-paced combat, striking visuals, and atmospheric storytelling.”
- “The world itself feels alive, painted with vivid colors and intricate designs that echo the surreal aesthetics found in classic prog-rock album art and the works of visionary artists like Tim Burton and Terry Gilliam.”
- “Absolutely stunning, colorful artwork and brilliant animations.”
- “I'm not a fan of some aspects of the art style.”
- “Level visuals are a bit lacking, but everything else is amazing; combat is really fun and I'm interested in the story so far.”
- “The graphics, music, and aesthetic aren't necessarily a style I would pick, but I love this game specifically because it confidently doesn't meet my aesthetic expectations and moves along to the beat of its own drum.”
story
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
46%
8%
The story of "Magenta Horizon - Neverending Harvest" is a blend of engaging character-driven narratives and atmospheric environmental storytelling, enhanced by its unique art style and humor. While some players found the plot nonsensical or overly wordy, many appreciated the depth and charm of the characters, particularly the protagonist Gretel, and the emotional themes woven throughout the gameplay. Overall, the story is seen as a compelling aspect that complements the fast-paced action and striking visuals, making it a noteworthy part of the indie game experience.
- “Her sudden release by a wandering soul named Archibald sets the stage for a journey back toward sanctuary, a mission that unfolds through evocative environmental storytelling rather than heavy-handed exposition.”
- “The story is surprisingly deep, very character-focused but with its twists and emotional moments.”
- “Most surprisingly to me, though, is how good the story is, far beyond what I expected.”
- “The story was pretty nonsensical and I couldn't follow; it was just a bunch of still panels of long dialogue droning on with different names and overly wordy dialogue. Between that and the in-game chatting with all these different characters, I found myself tuning out pretty early on.”
- “That said, I wouldn't recommend buying the game only for the story, as most of the time the game is just pure combat with some platforming and exploration.”
- “The story itself also takes a while to get going.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its narrative depth, immersive art style, and evocative soundtrack, which together create a rich, interpretive experience filled with mystery and emotional weight. Players appreciate the character-driven story and its poignant moments, noting that the combination of visuals and music enhances the emotional highs and lows throughout the journey. Despite its beauty and emotional resonance, some feel the game deserves a larger audience within the action genre.
- “This narrative approach leaves much to player interpretation, creating a sense of mystery and emotional weight that lingers throughout the experience.”
- “The art style is deeply immersive and contributes heavily to the game's emotional resonance, transforming each new area into a visual feast that invites exploration.”
- “The story is surprisingly deep, very character-focused but with its twists and emotional moments.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky and absurd elements, such as comical enemies like helicopter foes that add a humorous twist to the combat mechanics. Players appreciate the lighthearted tone, particularly enjoying the antics of the funny bird character and the overall wacky design of the game world. Despite some frustrations with gameplay mechanics, the humor remains a strong selling point for many players.
- “I played this game during an earlier alpha, and I can say the humor and combat sold me after I got past the first level.”
- “I like playing as the funny bird and making her hit the bad men till they fall over, pretty good!”
- “This is a funny 2D action platformer in a crazy world with crazily designed enemies.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
67%
The atmosphere of "Magenta Horizon - Neverending Harvest" is characterized by its striking visuals and atmospheric storytelling, which together create a captivating and immersive experience. The game's unique blend of fast-paced combat and stylish design contributes to its strong identity, enhancing the overall narrative without the need for dialogue.
- “Magenta Horizon - Neverending Harvest is a captivating 2D action platformer that manages to carve out a unique space in the indie game landscape through its blend of fast-paced combat, striking visuals, and atmospheric storytelling.”
- “An incredibly stylish action game with a strong identity and atmosphere.”
- “This juxtaposition creates a captivating atmosphere that enhances the storytelling without words.”
- “An incredible stylish action game with a strong identity and atmosphere.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Character development in the game is highlighted positively, particularly through the character Gretel, who stands out with her engaging design and memorable one-liners. While the animation and character designs are consistently praised, they are noted as the strongest elements of the overall experience.
- “I really like Gretel's role in the story; she has a really cool character design, and I enjoy her one-liners throughout the stages.”
- “The character development in this game is impressive, as it allows players to connect deeply with the characters and their journeys.”
- “The way characters evolve and grow throughout the game adds a rich layer to the storytelling experience.”
- “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, leaving me disconnected from the story.”
- “I was hoping for a deeper exploration of the characters, but they all seem one-dimensional and forgettable.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices in character progression makes the experience feel linear and unengaging.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game demonstrates excellent stability, particularly noted for its smooth performance on the Steam Deck.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck as well.”
- “The game maintains a steady frame rate, providing a smooth experience.”
- “I haven't encountered any crashes or bugs, which is impressive.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization is highly praised for its potential to reward quick reflexes and creativity, offering a ranking system that encourages players to excel in encounters. While the skill ceiling is perceived as nearly limitless, casual players can still enjoy the experience if they engage with the gameplay mechanics.
- “The game rewards quick reflexes and creativity through a ranking system that grades player performance, pushing players to not only survive but to dominate encounters with flair.”
- “The potential for optimization and mastery here is insane, and the skill ceiling feels practically infinite. Even for a casual player (like me), you should still have a really good time with Magenta Horizon if you buy into the gameplay it's going for.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to frustrating platforming mechanics and overwhelming enemy encounters. The combination of health penalties upon failure and the excessive durability of certain enemies contributes to a sense of monotony and frustration during gameplay.
- “You'll also deal with platforming that's a lot more tedious than it needs to be, because for some reason when you make a mistake and hit a spike, the screen goes black for a second and you're reset to your previous position, minus some health.”
- “Slashpluckers can be overwhelming in conjunction with other enemies, as they flail every which way with their massive bodies. Dealer automatons have just a bit too much health for how overbearing their projectile onslaught can be, and gembusters are pretty frustrating to deal with, usually lasting until the end of an encounter where they need to be tediously 1v1'd.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers high replayability due to all difficulties being unlocked from the start and customizable options, including skippable dialogue and cutscenes. Players find the story and characters engaging, and the inclusion of extra modes enhances the overall experience, making it highly recommendable.
- “All difficulties are unlocked from the start, and the game experience is highly customizable with all dialogue and cutscenes skippable from the beginning (though I recommend not skipping them the first time, as the story and its characters are quite charming!). This makes the game highly replayable.”
- “It's incredible, lengthy, with extra modes and replayability. There's no way I couldn't recommend it; it's totally worth checking out.”