It must be magic. The concept of magic has fascinated humans for centuries. It speaks to our innate desire for the extraordinary, the unexplainable. Magic adds a touch of wonder and mystery to our lives, challenging the boundaries of what we believe to be possible. Whether it's the illusions of magicians, the existence of mythical creatures, or the power of spellcasting in folklore, magic captures our imagination and invites us into a realm of endless possibilities. In the realm of magic tricks, magicians have mastered the art of deception.
In the realm of magic tricks, magicians have mastered the art of deception. They are skilled at manipulating our senses and perception, making us question the reality before our eyes. From levitating objects to mind reading, these tricks baffle and amaze us.
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I love a good Metroidvania as much as the next person. I grew up playing Castlevania games and Metroid games, along with every Metroidvania in between that I could get my hands on. However, I’m always curious about Metroidvanias that do things a little differently. The Knight Witch is one such game and takes the Metroidvania genre in a completely new direction.
The Knight Witch is a Metroidvania/Bullet Hell/Deckbuilder hybrid that puts you in the role of Rayne, a trainee Knight Witch who winds up having to defend her people after a mysterious threat takes out her sister Knight Witches. For a bit of an explanation (without spoilers) Knight Witches are powerful spellcasting defenders who were enlisted to stop the spread of an industrialized empire that was destroying the natural resources of the planet.
Rayne starts out as a failed trainee, who wasn’t needed when the “final battle” took place and thus went back to her life with her husband Akai. She always wished she could have been more useful and lamented not being able to fight with the other witches. However, on a celebration day of the anniversary of the final battle, the peaceful underground city the remaining people have taken shelter in is attacked.
Afterward, Rayne must take up arms and become the Knight Witch she was always meant to be while finding captured citizens and undergoing quests to increase their faith and trust in her. Knight Witches grow stronger by their “Link” which grows stronger when more people believe in them. The plot itself seems simple, but it is clear from the beginning that there is something sinister at work.
As far as gameplay goes, The Knight Witch (as its hybrid genres describe) takes some getting used to. You shoot magic either just by hitting the attack button or by aiming with the right stick and attacking. However, as you kill enemies and collect Mana, you can use spell cards that have different costs and do different things. Some change how Rayne’s attack functions, making it have rapid-fire, triple-shot, or even more powerful single-shot attacks.
Other cards provide things like damage over time hazards that can damage enemies, bombs, and all sorts of attacks that will help you take out the myriad of threats you’ll face. You can set up your “deck” of spell cards at beacons (save points) which also provide a training area that allows you to try out any new cards you might find.
By raising your link level, you’ll level up Rayne’s capabilities. You can choose (at each level) between a Knight upgrade which is usually health or damage related or a Witch upgrade that focuses on Mana or spell card damage. By collecting shards off fallen enemies, you can purchase armor that only blocks a single hit of damage, upgrade spell cards, and even purchase new ones.
In true Metroidvania fashion, there are all sorts of secrets, hidden items, and upgrades scattered throughout each area. Admittedly, I really like the story and the visual style of The Knight Witch, but the Bullet Hell gameplay leads to a few issues. The main issue is that a game like The Knight Witch needs varying difficulty levels. It has a cheat function, and with a few well-placed google searches you can find options that increase mana gain, make you invulnerable, and other useful cheats, but that’s not a substitute for accessibility.
The sheer volume of enemy bullets is enough to make even small encounters a challenge. If you’re a Bullet Hell veteran, then you probably wouldn’t have an issue with this. However, for beginners or someone just looking to experience The Knight Witch’s story, this causes a high barrier to entry.
That doesn’t even take the difficulty of the bosses into account, which ramps things up considerably. I could see people with joint problems or reflex issues having a hard time, just from how demanding the combat system can be. It is a disappointing reality when you look at how much love and attention went into every aspect of The Knight Witch’s story and gameplay.
The characters are colorful, the environments are vibrant, and the combat systems weave in and out of each other seamlessly. It just isn’t an experience that will be playable by everyone. On top of that, even people without reflex issues may be turned off by the difficulty, if they aren’t Bullet Hell fans.
As far as Metroidvanias go, I like The Knight Witch‘s inspiration and style. It brings together some interesting ideas and somehow manages to become something totally unique and fresh. However, the difficulty and lack of accessibility features are going to turn people off. If you find yourself questioning whether you’ll be able to play The Knight Witch, I’d suggest checking out a Let’s Play, or you could always go hunt down the cheats and play that way to enjoy the story.
A Nintendo Switch review copy of The Knight Witch was provided by Team17 for this review.
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The Knight Witch is a Metroidvania/Bullet Hell/Deckbuilder hybrid that puts you in the role of Rayne, a trainee Knight Witch who winds up having to defend her people after a mysterious threat takes out her sister Knight Witches. For a bit of an explanation (without spoilers) Knight Witches are powerful spellcasting defenders who were enlisted to stop the spread of an industrialized empire that was destroying the natural resources of the planet.
But despite knowing that it's all an illusion, we can't help but marvel at the skill and precision required to pull off such performances. The mystery and allure of magic lies in the fact that it challenges our logical thinking and leaves us in awe of the unknown. Beyond the realm of magic tricks, legends and folklore are filled with enchanting tales of mystical creatures. From unicorns to dragons, these creatures captivate our imagination and transport us to a world where anything is possible. These mythical creatures embody aspects of the human experience, representing power, beauty, or danger. They carry symbolic meanings that resonate with us and reveal our deepest desires and fears. Whether they are benevolent or malevolent beings, they awaken a sense of wonder and remind us that there may be more to this world than meets the eye. In folklore and fantasy literature, magic is often portrayed as a tool possessed by a select few. These individuals, often known as witches, wizards, or sorcerers, harness the supernatural forces surrounding them and use them to alter the course of events. The power of spellcasting and potion brewing adds an element of excitement and adventure to these stories. With a flick of a wand or the recitation of an incantation, these characters can create miracles or wreak havoc. They remind us that we are not bound by the limitations of the natural world and that the impossible can become possible with a touch of magic. But perhaps the most magical aspect of magic is its ability to inspire hope and wonder in our everyday lives. It reminds us that there is still room for mystery and enchantment in a world dominated by logic and reason. Magic provides an escape from the mundane, inviting us to believe in something greater than ourselves. It fuels our imagination and encourages us to dream beyond the boundaries of what we know to be true. In a world where everything seems explainable, magic offers a glimmer of possibility and reminds us to never stop believing in the extraordinary. In conclusion, magic adds a touch of wonder and mystery to our lives. Whether in the form of magic tricks, mythical creatures, or spellcasting in folklore, it challenges our perceptions and invites us into a realm of endless possibilities. Magic captures our imagination and reminds us that there is still room for the unknown in our lives. It is this sense of wonder and possibility that makes magic so fascinating and ultimately, magical..
Reviews for "Magic in Ancient Times: The Origins of Mystical Practices"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "It Must Be Magic" based on the rave reviews, but I was left sorely disappointed. The plot was predictable and lacked depth, making the story feel stagnant. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked complexity, making it difficult to connect or care about their journey. Overall, the book felt rushed and underdeveloped, leaving me wanting more from what could have been a magical read.
2. John - 3/5 stars - While "It Must Be Magic" had an interesting premise, the execution fell flat for me. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me with many unanswered questions. Additionally, the romance aspect felt forced and lacked chemistry between the main characters. Overall, I found the book to be mediocre and it didn't live up to my expectations.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I found "It Must Be Magic" to be a shallow and unoriginal read. The plot felt like a rehash of other fantasy novels I've read, without any unique elements to set it apart. The writing style was also lackluster, failing to captivate me or draw me into the story. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, making it difficult to become emotionally invested in their journey. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to fellow fantasy lovers.
4. Jason - 2/5 stars - "It Must Be Magic" promised an exciting and enchanting adventure, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver. The storyline was predictable and lacked any major surprises or twists. The characters felt formulaic and lacked individuality, making it difficult to feel any attachment to them. Additionally, the writing style was unremarkable and lacked the necessary depth to fully immerse readers in the magical world. Overall, this book fell short of its potential and left me feeling disappointed.