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 progression system.
- Combat can become too easy, especially in the late game.
- Some missable content and quests that can lead to frustration.
- No post-game content or New Game Plus option.
- story905 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Witchspring R" is a charming blend of lightheartedness and darker themes, following the journey of a young witch named Pieberry as she navigates a whimsical yet complex world. Players appreciate the well-written characters and emotional depth, with many noting unexpected twists that enhance the narrative experience. While some found the story linear and predictable, the overall execution, voice acting, and engaging plot kept players invested throughout their adventure.
“The story was endearing and the right amount of dark for the world they are in.”
“Amazing story with complex character progression 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 simple but helped by some strong characters in Pieberry, Anna, and Livya.”
- gameplay291 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 mini-games. Players appreciate the balance between simplicity and depth, allowing for enjoyable grinding and character progression without feeling overwhelming. While some find the game easy, the overall consensus is that the gameplay is addictive, charming, and well-integrated with the story, making it a standout in the JRPG genre.
“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.”
“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 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 different playstyles, there's also plenty of exploration to be had, so there's always something to do!”
“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.”
“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.”
“I am serious, you spend about equal time in boring dialogues and actual gameplay.”
- graphics171 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 vibrant art style that enhances the game's whimsical tone. Players appreciate the improved visuals compared to previous titles in the series, noting the cute character designs and colorful environments that contribute to an engaging experience. While some critiques mention a lack of depth in certain areas, the overall presentation is considered visually appealing and well-executed, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The graphics are crisp and colorful, and the character portraits are a nice addition to the voice acting.”
“From the beautiful graphics to the charming story, everything about this game just fits.”
“The hand-drawn visuals are a feast for the eyes, and each character and location is bursting with personality and charm.”
“There are no options to modify the graphic settings; there are only presets 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.”
- grinding136 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 6 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
Overall, the grinding aspect of the game is viewed positively, with many players finding it rewarding and engaging rather than tedious. While some noted that grinding can be necessary for crafting and boss battles, most agree that it respects player time, offering options to skip weaker enemies and providing meaningful progression without excessive repetition. The balance between grinding and story progression is generally praised, making it a fun and enjoyable experience for those who appreciate character building and resource farming.
“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.”
“It needs almost no grinding for the main story.”
“Grinding can be very grindy, especially near the end of the game.”
“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.”
- music100 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 visuals and story. However, several reviewers noted that the soundtrack lacks variety and can become repetitive, particularly during combat and cutscenes, with some tracks being too loud or poorly timed. Overall, while the music enhances the game's atmosphere, it could benefit from a broader selection to avoid monotony.
“The music is also really good and fits very well with the game's tone and visuals.”
“The art is fantastic and the characters are designed really well, the soundtrack was also very nice and adds a perfect ambiance to the experience.”
“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 could be better, especially with how it loops.”
“The music is alright, but tends to get repetitive.”
- emotional96 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its wholesome and heartwarming story, which resonates deeply with players, often leading to genuine emotional reactions such as tears and laughter. Many reviews highlight the charming protagonist, Pieberry, and the balance of lighthearted humor with more serious themes, creating a cozy yet impactful experience. Overall, players find the game to be a delightful emotional journey that successfully combines cute aesthetics with touching narratives.
“A very cute and heartwarming RPG story of a cute witch that is simple and charming enough for anyone to enjoy, with enough depth to it that the journey throughout the end feels satisfactory.”
“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.”
- humor66 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and lightheartedness, featuring cute and quirky characters that deliver both silly and darkly comedic moments. Players appreciate the balance between engaging storytelling and humor, with many noting that the protagonist's antics and dialogue often lead to genuine laughter. Overall, the game's whimsical tone and funny scenarios contribute significantly to its appeal, making it a delightful experience for fans of cute and humorous RPGs.
“Overall, if you account for price, this is a 9-9.5 out of 10 game if you don't mind some cute JRPG-style humor.”
“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.”
- character development27 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised, with players noting its depth and satisfaction, particularly in the main and side characters. The interactions and growth of characters, alongside engaging dialogues and cute designs, contribute to a rewarding narrative experience, despite some characters not receiving equal attention. Overall, the combination of strong character arcs and appealing aesthetics enhances the game's emotional impact.
“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.”
“I'm also impressed by the character designs and cutscenes, but you'll come across stiff animations every now and then.”
“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.”
- atmosphere11 mentions
- 82 % positive mentions
- -9 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its cozy, cute, and immersive qualities, encouraging exploration and interaction with its charming landscapes and characters. Players appreciate the blend of lighthearted storytelling with moments of emotional depth, complemented by an engaging art style and music that enhances the overall experience. While not a AAA title, the atmosphere is considered a strong point that enriches the gameplay and narrative.
“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.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in the world.”
“While the game attempts to create a unique atmosphere, it ultimately falls short, leaving players feeling disconnected from the environment.”
“The overall ambiance is underwhelming, making it difficult to engage with the narrative or care about the characters.”
- stability11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 55 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report flawless performance and optimization across various platforms, including the Steam Deck and Linux, some users have experienced severe issues such as freezing and system crashes that can lead to lost progress. Despite these concerns, the majority find the game enjoyable and technically sound, with no significant bugs or glitches reported during gameplay.
“The game runs great on the Steam Deck.”
“Runs great on the Steam Deck.”
“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 the next 3 minutes it also 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.”
“You can see that they did the most they could with a limited budget, without the game suffering from it - which is all the more impressive when you see all the janky and buggy games being released on a regular basis, some with much higher budgets and production values.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game offers moderate replayability, with various difficulty levels, new game plus options, and different upgrade paths that encourage experimentation with builds and playstyles. However, some players feel that the lack of extensive post-story content and the potential for overpowered builds may limit long-term engagement. Overall, while there are enjoyable mechanics to revisit, the replay value may not be sufficient for those seeking a deeply immersive experience.
“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, the Japanese voice acting is spot on, and the combat is relatively simple yet intuitive with 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.”
“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.”
“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!”
- optimization6 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 and OLED Switch, with flawless performance and no glitches reported. Users highlight its high-quality graphics and seamless experience, even on Linux without any need for tweaking. Overall, it is regarded as a well-optimized title that delivers a fun and engaging experience.
“On a technical level, the game is flawless, 0 glitches and perfect performance.”
“Performance on the OLED Switch is excellent.”
“Performance and graphics: runs great on Linux with zero tweaking and looks great.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is praised for being non-predatory, as it lacks microtransactions and offers a seamless experience without game-breaking bugs or visual glitches, distinguishing it positively from typical mobile games.
“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 information 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.”