Witch Explorer
- December 20, 2021
- Pico Games
Get on SteamWitch Explorer is a game which features a mix of both shoot 'em up and tower defense gameplay. You play as the witch Tia, who is on a teasure-hunt in order to remove her debt and improve her magic shop. The goal of the game is to defeat waves of monsters by both strategically placing units on the map, and by flying around on the map while shooting and dodging projectiles and enemies yourself.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- The game combines tower defense and bullet hell mechanics in a unique and engaging way, providing a fun and challenging experience.
- The art style is charming and cute, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game, along with a decent soundtrack.
- The gameplay is complex yet accessible, with a good mix of strategy and action that keeps players engaged throughout the playtime.
- The difficulty curve can be frustratingly steep, with some levels feeling unfairly challenging and requiring grinding to progress.
- Controls are clunky and not customizable, making gameplay awkward, especially for those using a keyboard without a mouse.
- The game feels somewhat incomplete, with a lack of content and upgrades available by the end, leaving players wanting more.
- story15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally described as simple and somewhat cliché, yet it effectively complements the gameplay and features endearing characters and relationships. While some players find the narrative short and lacking in complexity, many appreciate its charm and the way it fits within the tower defense and bullet hell mechanics. Overall, the story is seen as a pleasant addition that enhances the overall experience, despite its brevity.
“The art is very cute, the gameplay is complex and chaotic beyond what a friendly art style would hint at, and as cliché as the story is, I really enjoy the characters and their relationships.”
“If you want a unique and fun tower defense game that has bullet-hell gameplay, cute monsters, a story about friendship and family, some really lovely artwork, and a pretty good soundtrack, then Witch Explorer might be the game for you.”
“The story of the game is simple, but fitting to the game and enough to make this a nice package.”
“The only real negatives I had for the game is that the story is so-so and you realistically will upgrade everything way before you finish the game, even if you are not replaying missions.”
“You could have spaced out the ending a bit more story-wise; the sad moment is ripped away from too soon.”
“The story is short and sweet, but don't expect a complex and detailed story, with big twists and turns; it's simple and that's fine for my taste.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Witch Explorer" is a unique blend of tower defense and shoot 'em up mechanics, offering a complex and engaging experience that balances challenge with accessibility. While the cute art style contrasts with the chaotic gameplay, players appreciate the depth and strategic elements, such as the lunchbox mechanic that provides a forgiving aspect. However, some users note issues with clunky controls and a few design flaws that may detract from the overall experience.
“If you want a unique and fun tower defense game that has bullet-hell gameplay, cute monsters, a story about friendship and family, some really lovely artwork, and a pretty good soundtrack, then Witch Explorer might be the game for you.”
“I also like that it is challenging and the depth in the gameplay.”
“The gamepad-centric controls make gameplay sometimes clunky (e.g. when placing towers, you have to cycle through different towers with the shoulder buttons).”
“The gameplay is a mix between tower defense and shoot 'em up.”
“Plus the devs also changed bento/retry mechanics that were obviously flawed.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their cute and charming aesthetic, which contrasts with the complex and chaotic gameplay. Reviewers highlight the lovely artwork and appealing sound design, noting that the visuals stand out in the indie game landscape, even if the overall gameplay experience may be lacking.
“The art is very cute, the gameplay is complex and chaotic beyond what a friendly art style would hint at, and as cliché as the story is, I really enjoy the characters and their relationships.”
“If you want a unique and fun tower defense game that has bullet-hell gameplay, cute monsters, a story about friendship and family, some really lovely artwork, and a pretty good soundtrack, then Witch Explorer might be the game for you.”
“Other than that, it's just a below-average tower defense with an unnecessarily long grind, but at the same time, you don't find that many indie games with graphics this gorgeous, especially the food part.”
“The only redeeming value about this game is the graphics.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, featuring a good selection of tracks that enhance the overall charm and aesthetic, despite some criticism regarding the reuse of certain tracks and the lack of in-game remapping for controls. Players appreciate the soundtrack's contribution to the game's unique atmosphere, which complements its cute characters and engaging story.
“If you want a unique and fun tower defense game that has bullet-hell gameplay, cute monsters, a story about friendship and family, some really lovely artwork, and a pretty good soundtrack, then Witch Explorer might be the game for you.”
“Though the game seems to be using licensed music, and the stage portions reuse the same tracks too often, the selection of tracks is generally quite good.”
“Honestly, I really just enjoyed myself playing this and love the overall charm this game has with its cute characters, its art, and also its music.”
“Though the game seems to be using licensed music, the stage portions reuse the same tracks too often.”
“The selection of tracks is generally quite good.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players have mixed feelings about grinding; while some enjoy the process of strengthening their characters and elementals, others appreciate the reduced difficulty and less grinding overall.
“The difficulty has been toned down; there is now less grinding.”
