WitchSpring R
- September 25, 2023
- KIWIWALKS
- 26h median play time
WitchSpring R is a story-driven RPG that combines simulation, collecting, crafting, and battling elements. As Piebie, a witch living in a world full of magic and danger, players will navigate through an engaging narrative while managing resources, honing skills, and fighting enemies. Respecting story spoiler guidelines is essential for the community, ensuring a satisfying experience for all players until the end of October 2023.
Reviews
- Charming and engaging story with emotional depth.
- Cute graphics and lovable characters, especially Pieberry.
- Fun and addictive gameplay with a unique stat progression system.
- Combat can become too easy, especially in the late game.
- Some missable content and quests that can lead to frustration.
- No New Game Plus or post-game content after finishing the main story.
- story1,810 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Witchspring R" is a charming and engaging narrative that balances lighthearted moments with darker themes, following the journey of a young witch named Pieberry. Players appreciate the well-developed characters, emotional depth, and unexpected plot twists that keep them invested throughout the game. While some found the story predictable or linear, many highlighted its ability to evoke genuine emotional responses, making it a standout aspect of the game.
“The story was endearing and the right amount of dark for the world they are in.”
“Amazing story with complex character progression (with multiple builds) and grind.”
“The story is in the big scheme of things quite simple but very well written and very effective.”
“Throughout the story, there were moments of missing, incomplete, or inaccurate translations that broke immersion.”
“The story is at times painfully dumb and entirely propelled forward by characters (mostly the main character) being braindead.”
“The story is quite short and certain characters lack screentime/story.”
- gameplay582 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Witchspring R" is widely praised for its polished mechanics, engaging turn-based combat, and a variety of systems that enhance player experience, such as crafting and training. Players appreciate the balance between simplicity and depth, making it accessible while still offering rewarding gameplay loops and character progression. However, some note that the game can become grindy and may feel easy at times, especially after mastering the mechanics. Overall, it combines charming visuals and a cozy narrative with addictive gameplay, making it a standout in the JRPG genre.
“I can't praise this game enough for its gameplay (special kudos to the unexpectedly complex and diverse turn-based combat), art style, and charming, colorful cast of characters.”
“The gameplay is addictive, and it has a fairly cozy story that doesn't leave you out in the wilderness trying to figure out what to do next.”
“The combat for Witchspring R also has a lot of very fun mechanics and the spells feel chunky and impactful; you can also collect several different schools of spells and weapons to go along with different playstyles.”
“One thing that could be negative is that once you understand the combat mechanics, grind and train enough, the battles weren't really that hard, which can take some of the fun out of the game.”
“The gameplay is not for everyone; it can get very grindy and slow-paced with the turn-based combat, and the story definitely pushes you along pretty fast.”
“I absolutely recommend buying the game, but be warned that the gameplay can drag out towards the end (honestly just put it on easy and auto win because it's not fun anymore).”
- graphics342 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Witchspring R" have received widespread praise for their polished and charming aesthetic, showcasing a cute art style that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the vibrant and colorful visuals, which are complemented by smooth animations and well-designed character models. While some may find the graphics simplistic compared to high-end titles, the game's artistic direction and attention to detail create an engaging and visually appealing environment that resonates well with fans of the genre.
“The graphics look great, and if you want to support indie developers, I highly recommend it.”
“From the beautiful graphics to the charming story, everything about this game just fits.”
“The graphics are crisp and colorful and the character portraits are a nice addition to the voice acting.”
“3 - there is no options to modify the graphic settings, there's presets only for low, medium, and high.”
“While this art style is cute, the world sometimes felt devoid of details like trees, vegetation, and overall depth in terrain.”
“Granted this isn't a graphic-heavy game, but you can see the repeating cliff pattern and the blatant square-shaped assets in the map.”
- grinding272 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 6 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is generally viewed as rewarding and optional, with many players appreciating its balance and integration into the gameplay loop. While some found it a bit tedious at times, especially towards the end, most agree that it respects players' time and offers enjoyable mechanics that make the grind feel less burdensome. Overall, the game successfully combines grinding with crafting and exploration, making it a fun experience rather than a chore.
“I really enjoyed this game; all of the progression systems feel nice and not too grindy. The game respects your time, where once you're strong enough, you can essentially skip battles with weaker enemies and just collect the resources.”
“The game isn't grindy, but if anything gives you trouble, becoming stronger never gets slower; in fact, it gets faster.”
“The game is relatively easy for the required fights, and as mentioned prior, no grinding is needed.”
“Game's fighting and story parts can get really tedious in places.”
“But grinding out regular monsters while you wait for the ancient dragon and such to respawn is a definite time sink.”
“I get this would have made sense when this was a mobile game, but it's just very tedious as a PC game.”
- music200 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its charm and ability to complement the game's visuals and tone. However, several reviewers noted that the soundtrack lacks variety and can become repetitive, particularly during combat and cutscenes, where it sometimes overpowers voice lines. Overall, while the music enhances the experience, it could benefit from a broader selection of tracks to avoid monotony.
“The music is also really good and fits very well with the game's tone and visuals.”
“The art is so lovely, the voice acting is top tier, the music is cute and often immersive, and the storytelling is just so, so compelling.”
“It oozes charm, has great music, and is just about the cutest RPG you'll ever play.”
“The background music is as loud as a concert compared to the voice lines, and sometimes the background music is not appropriate for the scene.”
“The music is alright, but tends to get repetitive.”
“Unfortunately, it has two flaws that just hold it back from being a truly amazing game: 1. a very forgettable and uninspired soundtrack, and 2. this game's biggest flaw is that it's too easy.”
- emotional192 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartwarming and wholesome narrative, featuring a charming protagonist, Pieberry, whose journey evokes genuine feelings and even tears from players. Many reviews highlight the balance between lighthearted humor and deeper emotional themes, creating a cozy yet impactful experience that resonates with a broad audience. Overall, players find the story touching, with unexpected twists that enhance its emotional depth, making it a standout title in the RPG genre.
“I cried 2-3 times through the whole thing and I'll be honest... this game is a nice little gem that can take you 20-30 hours of game time.”
“This game is surprisingly good and emotional and made by one guy.”
“Genuinely one of the most heartfelt and fulfilling experiences I've ever had with a game.”
- humor132 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cute and whimsical nature, often blending light-hearted moments with darker themes. Players appreciate the quirky characters, particularly the protagonist Pieberry, whose mischievous and chaotic personality adds to the comedic charm. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with emotional storytelling, making it an engaging and enjoyable experience.
“Honestly though what sold me was the humor; it honestly does not take things seriously and will sometimes throw out really unexpected things or make jokes that connect really well.”
“The dialogue is upbeat and punchy, with some hilariously dark moments like when this adorable little witch contemplates roasting a support character alive.”
“Pieberry is also incredibly cute, pretty funny at times and pretty sassy while also being entirely unaware of the deep political and complex world around her.”
- character development54 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised, with players noting that it is well-executed and satisfying, extending to both main and side characters. The interactions and growth of characters, particularly in the context of a cute aesthetic, contribute to a rewarding narrative experience, despite some characters not receiving equal attention. Overall, the combination of engaging storylines, character design, and emotional depth enhances the game's appeal.
“The character development is so well done and so satisfying.”
“The characters undergo real character development, and while not all of them were given the time to truly shine, I enjoyed my interactions with all of them.”
“The story, dialogue, characters, how you make your character grow, witnessing proper character development, not to mention how you grow them stat-wise, is outstanding.”
“Pieberry and Black Joe are a wonderful and very lovable duo, and I love the character development that both of them had - that also goes for some of the other characters you meet along the way.”
- atmosphere22 mentions
- 82 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its cozy, cute, and immersive qualities, encouraging players to explore its beautifully designed landscapes. The combination of charming art style, engaging character interactions, and a lovely soundtrack enhances the overall experience, making it feel both emotionally resonant and inviting. While not a AAA title, it effectively creates a captivating environment that keeps players invested in the story and world.
“I spent so much more time than necessary just enjoying the atmosphere and landscapes.”
“The story is also very lovely and easygoing with great characters, funny jokes, and a cozy atmosphere, while still having moments of intense emotion or tragedy without breaking its own atmosphere.”
“The art style is massively cute and atmospheric - it really encourages you to scour the map and go adventuring.”
“It throws away traditional ideas like the story -> long dungeon -> story loop you expect from such a game, and replaces it with non-stop character building, interactions, and atmosphere.”
- stability22 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 55 % negative mentions
The game's stability is generally praised, with most players reporting flawless performance and no significant bugs or glitches. However, one user experienced severe issues, including system freezes that led to PC restarts, which raises concerns about potential risks to progress. Overall, the game is well-optimized for various platforms, including the Steam Deck and Linux, making it accessible even on lower-end hardware.
“The game runs great on the Steam Deck.”
“The game runs great and has been optimized so even a potato can run it on max, and I can confirm this is a great Steam Deck game.”
“Performance and graphics: runs great on Linux with zero tweaking and looks great.”
“This is currently the only game on Steam that freezes and then takes down my PC, which restarts after a while.”
“If your game freezes or crashes, or if your computer dies, then you can lose a lot of progress.”
“This is currently the only game on Steam that freezes and then takes down my PC, which restarts after a while.”
- replayability16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game offers moderate replayability through various difficulty levels, achievement hunting, and different upgrade paths for weapons, allowing players to experiment with alternate builds. However, it lacks a New Game Plus mode or substantial post-story content, which may limit long-term engagement for some players. Overall, while the gameplay mechanics are enjoyable, the replay value may not be sufficient for those seeking extensive replay experiences.
“Fun gameplay mechanics and replay value after completing the main quest to get all the achievements!”
“I was pleasantly surprised with the actual quality of the game; the graphics are great (though some may find them too cartoonish), the Japanese voice acting is spot on and captures the tone really well, combat is relatively simple yet intuitive and has several different ways to handle it, the soundtrack is gorgeous, and there's quite a bit of replayability with several difficulty levels and new game plus.”
“The game unfortunately does not have any new game plus or post-story content to explore, but it does have some light replayability with different upgrade paths for your initial weapon and at least one distinctly different playstyle that the game gives you plenty of alternate equipment for.”
“There is some replayability in trying out other builds, although if you stick to a single playthrough long enough, you could probably just stack all your stats to the ceiling and make an omni-build, but that's cheating!”
“Again, I wish Steam had more options than a yes-or-no recommendation, as the main aspects of this game (RPG combat and story) are better than mediocre, but there are so many games of this type already that I think you have to be pretty hungry for more for this to be worthwhile, especially considering there is little replay value to this game.”
- optimization12 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is highly praised for its exceptional optimization, running smoothly across various platforms including Steam Deck, OLED Switch, and Linux without any glitches or performance issues. Reviewers consistently highlight its flawless technical performance and high-quality graphics, making it a recommended choice for players seeking a seamless gaming experience.
“On a technical level, the game is flawless, 0 glitches and perfect performance.”
“Oh, and have I told you that this game is incredibly well-optimized?”
“Performance and graphics: runs great on Linux with zero tweaking and looks great.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is praised for being non-predatory, with no microtransactions or intrusive monetization practices, allowing players to enjoy a seamless experience without game-breaking issues. This positive approach contrasts with typical mobile game monetization, enhancing the overall reception of the title.
“All in all, I hope they'll keep remaking the series for PC/console. After playing it for some time, I tried to find some stuff online about the series because from the title it seemed like this is a series of games. To my surprise, this came from a mobile game, which doesn’t have predatory monetization.”
“No microtransactions, no game-breaking bugs or visual glitches, just a game that works out of the box.”