"Spells & Secrets" is a rogue-lite game with a focus on local co-op play, where you explore a magical academy and use spells creatively to battle creatures and solve puzzles. Customize your character's appearance and abilities as you uncover powerful artifacts and unravel the mysteries of the academy. Note that there is no online co-op mode. * Rogue-lite game with local co-op play * Creative spell usage for combat and puzzle-solving * Customizable character appearance and abilities
The game features a charming art style and engaging spell mechanics that allow for creative combat and puzzle-solving.
Co-op mode enhances the experience, making it fun to play with friends and explore the game's mechanics together.
The game offers a good balance of challenge and accessibility, making it suitable for both newcomers to the roguelite genre and experienced players.
The game can feel repetitive after a few runs due to limited enemy variety and similar room layouts, which may lead to a lack of long-term engagement.
Technical issues, such as bugs and crashes, can disrupt gameplay and diminish the overall experience.
The game lacks depth in its story and character interactions, which may leave players wanting more narrative substance.
gameplay
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
70%
3%
The gameplay is a blend of creative spellcasting and puzzle-solving mechanics, reminiscent of titles like Magicka and The Binding of Isaac, offering a charming roguelike experience with a cozy aesthetic. While the core mechanics are engaging and allow for environmental manipulation, some players find the controls unresponsive and the gameplay loop repetitive due to limited enemy variety and a slow pace. Overall, the game is enjoyable for fans of the genre, though it may benefit from additional content and refinement in its mechanics.
“You get a nice selection of spells and very simple mechanics to defeat enemies and solve the puzzles on each floor.”
“Being able to manipulate objects and other parts of the environment is amazing, and it makes it so that the core gameplay mechanics never get dull.”
“The gameplay is fantastic with lots of spells, potions, and other unlockables.”
“After 10 hours of gameplay, I had no motivation to play any more.”
“The mechanics and controls are not tight or responsive enough for the gameplay type, and the trappings around the lackluster mechanical core did not compensate sufficiently to bring me back after my first foray into the game.”
“Update in 2025 after having played significantly more than at the time of the review: while I still agree with my previous opinion as it is a very cute game, the gameplay loop is grueling, frustrating, and unforgiving, especially when it comes to health management.”
story
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
80%
5%
The game's story is often described as generic and lacking depth, with many players feeling it takes a backseat to the gameplay, which is primarily focused on dungeon crawling and grinding. While some appreciate the colorful characters and lore, they express a desire for more narrative involvement and character development throughout the game. Overall, the story is seen as decent but underwhelming, with potential for improvement in future updates.
“The story is great and I like how each rescued classmate actually appears in the courtyard so you can talk to them.”
“A nice story and intuitive combat system make this rogue-like a fun-filled romp through a magic castle.”
“The story also unfolds as you play, with little bits of info strewn around the various areas you'll encounter.”
“The story starts out of nowhere; you don't even experience the school before being thrown to the wolves on your own.”
“I suppose I was hoping for more of a story and less of a dungeon grind where every level looks pretty much the same.”
“And second, there are loads of people to see, yet no one has any voice lines; it's just text boxes, and there is a lot of reading. Thirdly, it's the most generic story everyone does: you start school, that night a tower blows up, it's the work of a dark person, we are the only ones who can stop them, get XP, get stronger, a bunch of filler, stop the bad guy, the end... I'm guessing.”
graphics
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
45%
5%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and unique art style, featuring vibrant colors and detailed character customization that contribute to a cozy atmosphere. Many reviewers appreciate the game's aesthetic appeal, noting that it stands out from more realistic titles, although some find the overall gameplay experience to be somewhat simplistic or grindy. Overall, the visuals are described as beautiful and well-composed, enhancing the game's enchanting vibe.
“The graphics are beautiful and well composed.”
“The art style of both the characters as well as the environment gives this game its own unique atmosphere and it's really wonderful to look at.”
“Graphics are really beautiful.”
“Looks fun, graphics are cute, but incredibly boring.”
“I've encountered the odd bug here and there, but all graphic hiccups, nothing gamebreaking in any way.”
“I love the art style, and the gameplay is ok (I can't put my finger on it but I think the hitboxes are weird), it feels like it's a bit on the easy side (even though I still suck at it), my only serious problem is that it feels too grindy.”
grinding
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and lacking excitement, often feeling like a mindless chore rather than an engaging experience. While some enjoy the initial hours, the long-term progress is perceived as slow and frustrating, with a desire for more varied activities beyond just grinding for items and achievements. The absence of checkpoints in randomized dungeons further exacerbates the grind, making repeated attempts feel monotonous.
“I really wanted to get more into this game but any long-term progress is so slow and grindy, but not in a fun way.”
“To sum up, I enjoyed my first 10-15 hours, grinding without excitement on autopilot through the rest.”
“It feels too grindy.”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is mixed, with some players reporting significant bugs and visual glitches, particularly with clothing clipping issues and freezing during remote play. However, others have noted a smooth experience throughout the story without major glitches, highlighting a disparity in stability depending on gameplay scenarios. Overall, while some users enjoy a stable experience, many report frustrating bugs that impact gameplay.
“There are some visual glitches involving softbodies (e.g. most clothing, especially skirts), mostly clipping through other clothing.”
“If your partner accidentally levitates you, which is very easy to do due to the buggy targeting system, you are left to just stand there until they move you or the time on the ability runs out.”
“The game freezes every time I use remote play with a friend; hope the developers add online multiplayer.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The music in the game is widely praised for its charm and fitting ambiance, enhancing the overall aesthetic alongside the graphics and gameplay. Reviewers note that the soundtrack is enjoyable and relaxing, effectively complementing the magical setting and action. Its Harry Potter-like vibe is seen as appealing, especially for those seeking an alternative to Hogwarts Legacy.
“The music fits the game so well, and it's so fun to listen to.”
“The art style is cute and the soundtrack fits the ambience very well.”
“The setting, music, and style is very much Harry Potter, but in an enjoyably generic way that might even be appealing for those who felt uncomfortable supporting Hogwarts Legacy.”
“The music is chill and rather relaxing considering you're running around blasting things with magic all the time.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The game offers strong replayability, particularly for fans of collectathons and roguelites, as players are encouraged to explore and achieve 100% completion. The randomness of spell enhancements and artifacts keeps the experience fresh, making multiple playthroughs appealing even after story completion. Overall, players find the challenge and simplicity motivating enough to return for more.
“I think it's a really good game if you like collectathons and replayability. The ability to just go through and try to get everything is a challenge, but the simplicity of the game doesn't make me want to quit; it makes me want to 100% the game even more!”
“If you are a hardcore action roguelite fan, you might get the nooks and crannies early and think of it as easy-ish, but the game has some sustenance and good replayability.”
“I don't know how much replayability to expect as I approach story completion, but I've enjoyed the time spent, and would probably do another playthrough in the future.”
“The randomness adds a lot of replayability, since you never know which spells will be enhanced by the artifacts.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is consistently noted as amusing and light-hearted, often drawing comparisons to titles like Magicka and Nine Parchments. While players find the comedic elements enjoyable, they also mention that the humor does not significantly enhance the challenge of the gameplay. Overall, the humor adds a fun layer without being overly punishing or frustrating.
“I've beaten her a few times that way and it's always funny.”
“It's funny, sure, but not very challenging.”
“It has some elements of Magicka or Nine Parchments without being overly punishing or frustrating—just enough to be funny.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game features a unique and visually appealing art style that contributes to a cozy atmosphere, making it enjoyable to explore. While the ambiance is inviting, players should be prepared for challenging gameplay elements. Overall, it’s a recommended choice for those who appreciate a magical setting combined with rogue-lite mechanics.
“The art style of both the characters as well as the environment gives this game its own unique atmosphere, and it's really wonderful to look at.”
“The atmosphere is cozy for sure, but the gameplay can be tough.”
“If you're looking for a game with a cozy atmosphere, love wizards and magic, unique combat elements, and need to add a good rogue-lite to your library, I'd highly recommend Spells & Secrets.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is criticized as a cash grab, suggesting a lack of genuine support from the developers, who seem to rely on a Harry Potter-inspired aesthetic to attract players. Despite these concerns, many users find the game enjoyable and fun to play.
“This game is a cash grab with no real support.”
“It kinda feels like the devs didn't have faith in the game, so they made the style a Harry Potter rip-off as sort of a cash grab - but like, the game is actually pretty dang good and a lot of fun.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
"Spells & Secrets" is described as a cute and wholesome roguelike that evokes positive emotions through its simple mechanics and forgiving design, allowing players to enjoy the experience without the frustration of punishing setbacks. The game's charm lies in its lighthearted approach, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience.
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is generally well-received, with solid character design noted as a strength, although some players find the walk cycle to be somewhat odd. This minor issue is often attributed to the game's overall style, suggesting that it does not significantly detract from the characters' appeal.