Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch
Also on: Playstation 5/4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
Price: $24.99
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist was one of my most anticipated releases of the year. After playing it at PAX West last year, it earned one of our Best of PAX West awards. The game's gorgeous art and powerful music immediately set it apart, and now, after experiencing the full release, I’m even more captivated by its beauty. Ender Magnolia is easily a top contender for my Game of the Year.
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is a sequel to Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights, but playing the original isn’t required. In fact, I only recently started Ender Lilies after spending time with Ender Magnolia. The story takes place several years after its predecessor, and while the first game is very good, the sequel is a better experience.
The story of Ender Magnolia is a bleak, tragic one—toxic fumes have engulfed the land, corrupting the Homunculi, machine-like beings created to serve humans. Now, they’ve turned against their creators. I play as Lilac, an Attuner who awakens from her slumber with the power to restore the infected to their original state.
Lilac’s ability is central to the game’s mechanics. The Homunculi I battle are actually the game's bosses, and after defeating them, I can attune with them, allowing them to fight alongside me. Some join my team outright, while others enhance my existing allies. The first Homunculus I encounter is Nola, a sword-wielder. By assigning her to the Y button, I can summon her to unleash a sword attack. As I progress, I gain new allies with unique abilities—some attacks have cooldown timers, adding a layer of strategy on how to use them.
I love that the bosses I defeat become part of my team. After defeating them their backstories unfold through beautifully animated cutscenes, and each one has a compelling story that deepens my love for the game.
Ender Magnolia is a Metroidvania that evokes my favorite Castlevania games, particularly in its sense of progression. While there are some RPG elements, leveling up only increases attack and defense stats slightly. True stat increases come from the equipment, items, and relics I discover or craft, making exploration a key aspect of becoming stronger.
Ender Magnolia doesn’t hold my hand—I’m free to explore at my own pace and go where I want. That said, some areas remain locked until I find the right key or acquire a special ability. One design choice I truly appreciate is how fully explored areas turn blue on the map, making it easy to track my progress.
As I delve deeper, the world expands and becomes increasingly complex—but thankfully, fast travel unlocks early, making navigation much smoother. While a mini-map is available during exploration, it only reveals a small portion of the area. To view the full map, I need to visit Respites, the game’s save points.
I appreciate how Respites are strategically placed—often in the middle of large areas or, more importantly, right before a boss battle. Resting and saving come at a cost, though, as doing so respawns defeated enemies. I actually used this to my advantage; by saving in areas with weaker foes, I could grind, gaining experience and level up.
While Ender Magnolia has well-designed mechanics, it’s the art and music that truly make it stand out. Despite the world’s grim story, the visuals are anything but bleak—vibrant and detailed, evoking the feel of an anime. The character designs are equally impressive, especially the Homunculi, whose intricate details give them personality and charm. One standout example is the Shackled Beast, a hulking figure with a rough, battle-worn presence, is seen casually smoking some sort of cigarette at the Respites.
The game’s soundtrack further elevates my experience, weaving each level together with beautiful music that enhances the world’s depth and atmosphere. There are moments when the music gives off a haunting vibe, and yet there are times when the music feels uplifting. This adds to the complexity and the depth of the game’s narrative.
Final Grade: A
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is a dream come true for Metroidvania fans. Its world is brought to life with vibrant art and a beautifully crafted soundtrack. I love how every boss—each one uniquely designed—becomes an ally, forming the foundation of my attacks. The story is deep and intriguing, though it can get complex at times. For fans of the Metroidvania genre, this is a must-play!
Review code provided by Stride PR
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