Magic Wand

About

"Magic Wand" is a narrative-driven JRPG with a emphasis on exploration and atmosphere, featuring a whimsical world filled with doors, trees, and fragments of non-linear storytelling. The game is best experienced with a mouse on Mac, Linux, or PC, and offers a soothing soundtrack. Players search for magic and friends in a ruined world with the help of a mystical wand.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 68 reviews

music7 positive mentions

atmosphere3 negative mentions

Magic Wand offers a unique and surreal experience, filled with bizarre characters and whimsical dialogue that feels both intentional and fun.
The game's art style and soundtrack are praised for their charm, creating an immersive atmosphere that evokes nostalgia and creativity.
Players appreciate the game's lighthearted nature and the freedom to explore its quirky world without the pressure of traditional gameplay mechanics.

Many players find the lack of a coherent story and meaningful gameplay elements disappointing, as the game often feels shallow and directionless.
The visuals and sound design can be overwhelming or unpleasant for some, with pixelated graphics and harsh audio that detract from the experience.
Some mechanics, such as combat and navigation, are criticized for being clunky and poorly executed, leading to frustration during gameplay.

graphics
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
The game's graphics are characterized by a unique and chaotic aesthetic that blends isometric landscapes with a retro, pixelated style reminiscent of Minecraft, evoking a sense of nostalgia. While some players appreciate the beauty in its harsh visuals and vibrant colors, others find the color palettes unappealing and the overall presentation overwhelming. Despite mixed opinions, the art style is generally seen as a bold expression that contributes to the game's quirky charm.
- “The game was made by thecatamites, better known for 'space funeral' and 'goblet grotto', and it certainly shows in both visuals and writing, the former consisting of enclosed isometric landscapes with a freely rotatable camera, alongside a look and feel similar to Minecraft, playing on an NES which had previously been thrown out of a window.”
- “This is a powerful expression of aesthetic.”
- “+artwork is absolutely beautiful; the sunsets and clouds and waterfalls - just everything!”
- “The music is great, the dialogue is silly, and the visuals gave me a headache.”
- “Sure it has exploration, but it's not like you really want to explore it that much due to the ear-piercing music and god awful graphics.”
- “This is a strange wacky game that has a neat art style, but everything else is a mess.”
story
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The story in the game is described as largely incoherent and lacking depth, with many players finding it nonsensical and poorly developed. However, some appreciate the quirky dialogue and the unexpected tenderness that emerges amidst the chaos, suggesting that while the narrative may be weak, it still manages to engage players in a unique way. Overall, the experience is characterized by randomness and irreverence, leaving some players confused yet entertained.
- “Humble Radiget has a serendipitous journey through the plot of a JRPG, when all he wants is to collect capsules!”
- “Yet it does hold together, by the grace of an excellent soundtrack and a surprisingly tender story.”
- “You didn't know how the story was going to unfold, but you just kept coming up with new stuff like it was never going to end until mom called you downstairs for dinner.”
- “I would say that the story felt non-existent.”
- “There doesn't seem to be a story, just random characters saying what might as well be randomly generated lines of dialogue.”
- “I did not understand the story or purpose of the game.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
30%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the excellent soundtrack and indie music vibe that enhances the overall experience. However, some players find certain tracks ear-piercing or annoying, particularly during critical moments, which detracts from the enjoyment. Overall, while the music is a highlight for many, it can be polarizing depending on individual taste.
- “And it has an amazing soundtrack.”
- “That indie music touch is so great and it’s pleasing to the ears.”
- “Yet it does hold together, by the grace of an excellent soundtrack and a surprisingly tender story.”
- “Sure, it has exploration, but it's not like you really want to explore it that much due to the ear-piercing music and god-awful graphics.”
- “Also, the sound effects were pretty lush, although the music was hit or miss for me.”
- “The painful music at some parts.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The gameplay of "magic wand" is polarizing; while some players appreciate its unique character collecting mechanic and charming aesthetics, others find it confusing and lacking in depth. The game diverges from traditional gameplay expectations, leading to mixed experiences, with some players enjoying the novelty while others struggle with its mechanics and overall clarity.
- “I liked the character collecting mechanic (which may contain grind if you want it 100%), because the odd sprites and the descriptions are grotesquely charming!”
- “The memories I have formed during my gameplay may not stay with me forever, but I enjoyed them a lot.”
- “The novel game mechanic is so great that they need to make a full-blown RPG with it.”
- “Most people will find the pure gameplay appalling, but 'Magic Wand' clearly doesn't want to be a 'game' in the usual sense.”
- “I honestly did not understand a single thing that was happening in this game throughout my entire 20 minutes of gameplay (let alone see anything).”
- “The game suffers a little bit from thin mechanics and general player unawareness (it only works windowed, but the camera is controlled with the mouse).”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a quirky and absurd style, featuring a cast of hilariously eccentric characters and a wealth of amusing dialogue. Reviewers appreciate the blend of lightheartedness with moments of deeper reflection, creating an engaging and entertaining experience that is both unique and thought-provoking. Overall, the game's comedic elements are a standout feature, making it a worthwhile investment for players seeking a fun and offbeat adventure.
- “I love Stephen's sense of humor and perspective on games and interactive experiences. Check out other work by thecatamites as well.”
- “Mr. thecatamites follows the tradition of Final Fantasy VII by creating a quirky little world filled with mostly useless, albeit funny, dialogue.”
- “Just under 2 hours of strange landscapes, a cast of obtusely hilarious characters, and brief moments of thought-provoking depth tie together a crazy ride that is wholly worth your money.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of heartfelt moments that resonate deeply, despite some criticisms of its narrative coherence. Overall, it is praised as a charming and touching experience that leaves a lasting impression.
- “Sometimes heartfelt corruption outweighs well-crafted but ultimately shallow coherence.”
- “I wholeheartedly recommend this game; it's a charming and heartfelt little piece.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
The atmosphere is highly praised for its excellence, creating an immersive experience that resonates deeply with players. Many feel that this captivating ambiance could be extended to enhance the overall gameplay, akin to a transformative or psychedelic experience.
- “The atmosphere and mood are excellent.”
- “I feel like this atmosphere, this experience, could be elongated in such a way that it could, much like a seer or psychedelic experience, leave lasting augmentations to the player.”
- “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in the game world.”
- “Despite the potential for a rich environment, the atmosphere is dull and fails to evoke any real emotion or engagement.”
- “The game’s atmosphere is so generic that it feels like a missed opportunity to create something truly memorable.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users report experiencing glitches that affect the overall stability of the game, indicating that performance issues may detract from the gaming experience.
- “There are frequent glitches that disrupt gameplay.”
- “The game suffers from numerous stability issues.”
- “I encountered several bugs that affected my overall experience.”