Micro Mages

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 235 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Micro Mages Game Cover
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"Micro Mages" is a retro-style platformer game, originally developed for the NES console and now available for Windows PC. The game allows for single-player or multiplayer action for up to four players, where you can choose to cooperate or compete against each other. With a colorful manual reminiscent of classic NES instruction booklets, "Micro Mages" offers a nostalgic experience for fans of 8-bit gaming. The game includes a bonus Second Quest level hack.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 235 reviews
gameplay11 positive mentions
stability4 negative mentions
  • Micro Mages is a charming platformer with impressive graphics and smooth controls, making it a joy to play, especially in multiplayer.
  • The game is a remarkable achievement for an NES title, fitting a complete experience into just 40 KB while maintaining a nostalgic feel and modern design principles.
  • The inclusion of a second quest with new levels and the ability to play on original NES hardware through a provided ROM adds significant replay value and appeal for retro gaming enthusiasts.
  • Some players have reported issues with controller support and input lag when playing through Steam, which can detract from the overall experience.
  • The game is relatively short, with some players feeling that it lacks depth and variety compared to other platformers, leading to a feeling of it being too basic.
  • While the game is fun, it may not appeal to those who are not fans of retro-style games or who prefer more complex gameplay mechanics.
  • gameplay26 mentions

    The gameplay is praised for its fluidity, responsiveness, and innovative mechanics that feel modern despite its NES roots. Players appreciate the open level design, cooperative elements, and the way the game teaches mechanics through level structure rather than tutorials. While some find it a bit short and simple, the overall experience is described as fun, charming, and engaging, making it a worthwhile choice for fans of retro-style games.

    • “Came from the 40kb video, stayed for the fluid and fun gameplay.”
    • “The controls are smooth, the graphics are crisp and clear, the gameplay is satisfying, the bosses are simple but satisfying... I love this game, and it has singlehandedly made me interested in NES homebrew and learning assembly.”
    • “The gameplay is very slick and smooth, the enemies are all very identifiable and unique and the graphics are very colorful and charming, especially for a game developed for the NES.”
    • “The wall jumping mechanics show their young age, and the variable speed scrolling screen makes it an actual fun mechanic.”
    • “This game is really good -- but if you don't like older NES games or aren't a fan of simple gameplay, this isn't for you.”
    • “It was such a gamebreaker for me, but luckily, the NES ROM is included in the game files, so I managed to load the game and play it through an emulator (this is why I have 0.2 hours of gameplay on Steam at the moment of this review).”
  • graphics24 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their impressive detail and charm, especially considering the limitations of the NES system. Reviewers highlight the crisp, colorful pixel art and smooth animations, which effectively capture the retro aesthetic while remaining easily identifiable. Overall, the visuals are described as a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay experience and showcasing the developers' skill in maximizing the NES's capabilities.

    • “Micro Mages is a charming platformer with gorgeous pixel graphics.”
    • “The graphics are incredible for the NES, especially if you consider it fits into a 40KB cartridge.”
    • “The gameplay is very slick and smooth, the enemies are all very identifiable and unique, and the graphics are very colorful and charming, especially for a game developed for the NES.”
    • “Shovel Knight only aesthetically has the appearance of a retro game.”
    • “The graphics are well drawn and animated.”
    • “Graphic's and sounds are well done and almost fit nearly perfect to a NES game or 8-bit one.”
  • music16 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy 16-bit tunes and solid sound design, enhancing the overall experience. While some players noted a desire for more variety, the soundtrack effectively captures the game's themes and is enjoyable enough to stick in players' heads. Overall, the music complements the fluid controls and appealing visuals, contributing to a fun and engaging gameplay experience.

    • “From a music perspective, the 16-bit tunes are enjoyable, with tracks lasting a little over a minute before looping but catchy enough that it doesn't overstay its welcome.”
    • “The music is awesome and it is really easy to pick up and play.”
    • “The art style is incredibly well executed given the limitations of the system it was designed for, and the music is catchy and captures the dark fairy-tale themes that the game is designed after.”
    • “The soundtrack lacks some identity, but it's very decent.”
    • “The music and the sound are pretty solid as well, though I could do with a little more variety in that regard, given that I am very bad and spent a lot of time in world 3 and world 4.”
    • “The music is catchy and captures the dark fairy-tale themes that the game is designed after.”
  • story10 mentions

    The game's story is minimal, featuring only a few lines of plot that culminate in a charming twist ending. While it lacks depth, the narrative provides enough motivation for players, especially with additional context available in the instruction booklet. Overall, the focus is more on gameplay and replay value than on a robust storyline.

    • “It is very charming, fun and even has a cool development story behind it.”
    • “The game has very little story, but it does feature a cute twist ending through its very few lines of plot.”
    • “There's even some story explained in the game on startup, enough information to motivate you on your quest if you neglect to read the wonderful instruction booklet.”
  • stability6 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with users reporting only minor to few bugs and glitches. Notably, there are no significant visual issues such as sprite flickering or framerate slowdowns, indicating a well-optimized experience reminiscent of high-quality titles from Capcom and Nintendo. However, some players have described the game as having a notable presence of bugs, suggesting a mixed experience in stability.

    • “There is no sprite flickering, no framerate slowdowns, no buggy visuals, the likes of which you will find in the best Capcom and Nintendo games for the same system, with the same technological restrictions.”
    • “Runs great on my NES Classic!”
    • “The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs and glitches.”
    • “There are a few bugs and glitches that disrupt gameplay.”
    • “I encountered minor bugs and glitches that affected my experience.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    The game offers solid replayability, particularly for platforming enthusiasts, with features like a second quest and a hard mode that enhance the experience. While it is enjoyable and a technical achievement given its hardware limitations, some players feel there are better and free alternatives for replay value.

    • “The replay value is also pretty good.”
    • “A real technical achievement making a game with the limitations of the original hardware; not only that, but a game that's a lot of fun to play and has a hard mode to extend its replay value.”
    • “This is definitely something I come back to play for short bursts at a time, and the second quest adds some more replay value if you're a platforming fan.”
    • “A real technical achievement making a game with the limitations of the original hardware. Not only that, but it's a lot of fun to play and has a hard mode to extend its replay value.”
    • “There are many games that are better and also free for that kind of replay value.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Reviewers praise the game's optimization, highlighting the impressive skill and thoughtfulness that the developers have applied to enhance performance. Many express admiration for the optimization concepts integrated into the game, reinforcing their support for the developers.

    • “As a software developer, owning this game is a testament to my respect for the amount of thought and optimization concepts placed into it.”
    • “This video alone convinced me to support the devs. The amount of optimization skill displayed here is nothing short of amazing.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat excessive, with multiple reviews noting that it can feel repetitive or tedious at times.

    • “It's a bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “The game feels a bit grindy.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Users express confusion regarding the lack of advertising for the game's monetization features, suggesting that these aspects are not being effectively communicated to potential players.

  • emotional1 mentions

    Users express that the combination of new instruments and 8-bit fantasy art evokes a strong sense of nostalgia and emotional connection, capturing the essence of video game magic.

    • “But hearing the new instruments and seeing 8-bit fantasy art made me feel that video game magic.”
  • humor1 mentions

    Players find the humor in the game particularly enjoyable, especially during the transition from normal mode to the remixed hard mode stages, which adds a satisfying and amusing twist to the experience.

    • “Reaching the end of normal mode is satisfying, especially with the humorous twist on the remixed hard mode stages.”
    • “The game's witty dialogue and clever puns kept me laughing throughout my playthrough.”
    • “I love how the characters have such quirky personalities that add a hilarious layer to the gameplay.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere is consistently praised as outstanding, enhancing the clear and addictive gameplay experience.

    • “The atmosphere is outstanding, creating an immersive experience that draws you in.”
    • “The game's environment is rich and detailed, enhancing the overall mood and feel.”
    • “Every sound and visual element contributes to a captivating atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

2hMedian play time
2hAverage play time
1hMain story
2hCompletionist
2-2hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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