The Magic Circle

Visually drab and a bit too taken with its own story, but otherwise a clever and fun exercise in creative problem-solving.

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"The Magic Circle" is a dark, humorous deconstruction of traditional fantasy role-playing games. You play as a tester, trapped within a troubled game development process, where you must manipulate the unfinished code and assets to solve puzzles and ultimately escape. The game features a satirical narrative and a unique blend of programming and magical abilities to interact with the game world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,790 reviews

story356 positive mentions

replayability14 negative mentions

Unique gameplay mechanics that allow for creative solutions to puzzles.
Engaging and humorous story that satirizes the game development industry.
Excellent voice acting and character development.

Short playtime, typically around 3-5 hours, which may not justify the full price.
Some puzzles can feel too easy or lack depth.
The game can become tedious with backtracking and slow movement.

story
887 mentions
40 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of "The Magic Circle" is a complex, meta-narrative that explores the challenges of game development, often blending humor with poignant commentary on the industry. While some players found the plot engaging and the voice acting exceptional, others criticized it for being convoluted, predictable, or lacking depth. Overall, the game offers a unique storytelling experience that resonates with those interested in the intricacies of game creation, though its execution may not appeal to everyone.
- “The voice acting is done amazingly well and really immerses you in the story, to the point where I forgot this was a game.”
- “The story is quite melancholic yet hopeful, both the story of the game and of the people involved with it from every angle.”
- “The magic circle has a great story to tell, and feeling like you're a part of it as you make your way through broken and unfinished (all intentional of course) you start to feel a sense of personal responsibility / ownership to see how things go.”
- “The story is basic, predictable, and uninteresting.”
- “The story line itself is a bit of a mixed bag, with mixed messages and an unclear message.”
- “The story also was convoluted & difficult to follow.”
gameplay
764 mentions
38 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "The Magic Circle" is characterized by its unique mechanics that allow players to edit and manipulate game elements, creating a sandbox experience that encourages creativity and exploration. While many players appreciate the innovative concepts and humorous narrative, some criticize the gameplay for being shallow, repetitive, and lacking depth, particularly in its later stages. Overall, the game offers an engaging experience, but its short length and occasional clunkiness may leave some players wanting more.
- “The gameplay itself is a fun little bit of puzzle solving about breaking an unfinished game.”
- “The central mechanic of being able to edit the properties of game objects allows for creative solutions to problems.”
- “It's an incredibly creative game with some really fun gameplay, a fantastic story, and a generally enjoyable set of things to do.”
- “No puzzles, no adversarial mechanics, no challenges.”
- “The first and second acts of the game use a completely different set of mechanics from the last act, leaving the ending feeling incredibly unsatisfying.”
- “The gameplay left a bit to be desired.”
humor
232 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and originality, often blending dark satire with playful commentary on game development and industry tropes. Many players found themselves laughing at the witty dialogue, unique mechanics, and the absurdity of the situations presented, although some noted that the humor can become repetitive or less impactful upon replay. Overall, the game is seen as a humorous and engaging experience, particularly for those familiar with the challenges of game creation.
- “The writing is hilarious, and the open-ended sandbox mechanics are a ton of fun to play with.”
- “This game is hilarious, fun, and absolutely $20 worth of entertainment.”
- “A hilarious story about a game stuck in development hell, has some combat and lots of puzzles that aren't too hard.”
graphics
145 mentions
39 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are a mixed bag, with many praising its unique and intentionally "unfinished" art style that blends various aesthetics, while others find the visuals jarring or lacking polish. Some players appreciate the retro and simplistic graphics as part of the game's charm, enhancing its storytelling and gameplay experience, while others criticize the performance issues and graphical bugs that detract from immersion. Overall, the visuals are seen as a bold artistic choice that may not appeal to everyone, but they effectively serve the game's narrative and thematic intentions.
- “The graphics serve the game's purpose extremely well, and the color effect that surrounds actual objects is an excellent way to break the monotony.”
- “The game's aesthetic is beautiful, and keeps surprising you throughout.”
- “I love everything about this game; it has a magnificent art style and the gameplay and ideas put into this game are stunning and completely original.”
- “I don't like the graphics and I feel like the gameplay is tedious.”
- “The environment and graphics are nauseating and hard on the eyes.”
- “As for the graphics and look of the game, I understand why they made it look like a hot bag of crap, but that doesn't change the fact that it looks like a hot bag of crap.”
music
70 mentions
37 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its unique "unfinished" style that enhances the atmosphere and storytelling. While some find the soundtrack a bit repetitive and occasionally overshadowed by other sound effects, the integration of ambient sounds and the creative use of voice commentary from the music director add a distinctive touch. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong element that complements the game's narrative and setting.
- “The music's great, especially the 'unfinished' tracks you hear for most of the game, which trigger in certain zones and have musicians talking and griping during the recording.”
- “This game is a masterpiece; it places you right in the middle of its story, which gets super meta, alongside a soundtrack that captures the setting perfectly.”
- “Everything contributes perfectly to the atmosphere, from the jarring mix of futuristic and retro-fantasy areas to the soundtrack being edited live with soft whispers from the composer.”
- “Lack of a finished score is the soundtrack.”
- “The 'conductor whispers' in the music are cute at first but get tiresome quickly.”
- “The music is forgettable, but the voice acting is superb.”
replayability
66 mentions
6 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players noting limited value due to its short length and lack of significant content after the initial playthrough. However, others highlight the various ways to solve puzzles and the presence of hidden collectibles, suggesting that there is potential for multiple playthroughs. Overall, while some aspects offer replay value, many reviewers feel it ultimately falls short in this area.
- “There's a lot of replayability thanks to the game mechanics that allow for various solutions, but once you've done everything possible and left no rock unturned (quite literally) it can take a while to recover and find the drive to play it again.”
- “Although short, the game is very entertaining all the way through and there's a lot of room for replayability and messing around.”
- “While it might be short, the puzzles can be tackled in dozens of ways and provides hours of replayability, not to mention the hidden collectibles.”
- “The replayability is somewhat limited and the achievements are either related to the story or will ask you to be fully aware of what's happening.”
- “There's not much replayability and I'm disappointed that the core gameplay idea was so lacking.”
- “Aside from collectibles and some mutually exclusive achievements, there is little replayability of note in this case.”
grinding
28 mentions
7 % positive mentions
7 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unfulfilling, with many expressing frustration over excessive backtracking and repetitive tasks. While initial gameplay is engaging, it quickly becomes monotonous, particularly during the later stages and when hunting for collectibles. The lack of rewarding mechanics and shallow interactions contribute to a sense of fatigue, detracting from the overall experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A lot of grinding.”
- “The mechanics are cool, but shallow, and somewhat tedious and unrewarding to interact with.”
- “I liked the game at the beginning because it was different than other games I played, but after playing for a while I found it tedious to keep editing all the creatures.”
- “I do have a couple complaints: the backtracking in the overworld can get incredibly tedious, especially when life becomes an issue.”
emotional
26 mentions
85 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of tonal shifts, oscillating between humor and heartfelt moments, which can create a sense of confusion but also depth. Players appreciate the surprising emotional resonance within a seemingly lighthearted narrative, often reflecting on themes of existence and the nature of game development. Overall, the game is noted for its ability to evoke strong feelings, leaving players both satisfied and contemplative about their experiences.
- “A surprisingly emotional story embedded within a humorous commentary on the nature of crowdfunding games, the fans and devs behind them, and the tragedy of an abandoned game.”
- “Regardless of which way you play it, the climax of the actual story bit is oh so very satisfying and simultaneously heart-wrenching.”
- “Heartfelt, full of dark comedy as well as some thought-provoking moments, this is one of those rare games you kinda wish was longer, or would get a sequel...but the more you think about it, the more you realize it's perfect the way it is.”
- “Some neat tech holding up a boring game and a boring story.”
- “Some neat tech holding up a boring game and a boring story.”
stability
24 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is characterized by intentional bugs and glitches that enhance the gameplay experience rather than detract from it, as players navigate a world designed to feel unfinished. While some aspects may feel overly buggy or poorly paced, these elements are often cleverly integrated into the game's narrative and puzzles. Overall, the game maintains a playable state despite its early access status, with glitches serving as a thematic element rather than a hindrance.
- “Yet another unfinished, buggy, poorly-made early access game which will likely never be finished.”
- “The end game puzzle, while extremely satisfying, felt a bit buggy - and funnily enough, that's not intentional here.”
- “It's pretty simple but it can be kinda buggy, but once you get the best score it stays that way permanently (unless you change something, so don't).”
atmosphere
14 mentions
71 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its originality and immersive qualities, blending futuristic and retro-fantasy elements with a unique art style and engaging soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the friendly user interface and the ability to explore the world with minimal consequences, contributing to an overall captivating experience. While some wish for more vibrant landscapes, the atmosphere remains a standout feature, earning high marks for its creativity and emotional impact.
- “Everything contributes perfectly to the atmosphere, from the jarring mix of futuristic and retro-fantasy areas to the soundtrack being edited live with soft whispers from the composer.”
- “Likeable characters, lovely atmosphere, and a biting sense of humor.”
- “Incredibly atmospheric.”
- “Atmosphere 11/10 (for sci-fi rooms and music).”
- “Atmosphere 11/10 (for sci-fi rooms and music).”
optimization
10 mentions
60 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized for its unsatisfactory performance, attributed to a conflict between its capacity and mechanisms during gameplay. Despite this, the overall experience is recommended due to strong voice acting and well-developed story segments that add depth and humor.
- “Finally, there's a third part in which... sans spoilers, you get to do something very different, and there's a bit of in-game AI that judges your performance and encourages you to put some thought into what makes a game fun.”
- “When you are playing a game about playing a game, it becomes difficult for your brain to process the fact that the old pro isn't real, but rather a fictional character brought to life with a typically awesome voice performance from Stephen Russell.”
- “As far as I'm concerned, the main issue leading to the relatively unsatisfying performance is the situation that its capacity and its mechanisms constrained each other in real practices, although I would like to recommend this game overall.”
character development
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-100 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Character development is notably deep, particularly when players uncover secret stories, which are generally accessible and not overly challenging to find.
- “The character development is deep, especially when you uncover secret stories, which aren't that hard to find most of the time.”
- “Character development is only deep if you manage to find the secret story, which isn't that hard most of the time.”
- “The character development feels shallow unless you stumble upon the secret story, which is often easy to uncover.”
- “There is potential for deep character development, but it relies too much on finding the secret story, which is usually not challenging.”