Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree It is one of those games that, without being perfect, well deserves a chance. The title developed by Primal Game Studio He knows how to highlight in a genre crowded with proposals.
Announced in 2022, Mandragora is finally available for PS5, Xbox Series X | S, Nintendo Switch (later) and PC and has the firm intention of becoming the first installment of a saga arranged by and for lovers of dark fantasy.
However, what makes this game special, having others 2D Soulsvanias as notable as Salt and SanctuaryBlasphemous 2 or the Almighty Hollow Knight. Do you get this title to be as good as Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown or Metroid Dread?
As I go in this Mandragora Analysis: Whispers of the Witch Treethe game manages to shine in several sections to convince a few fans of the Action RPG. The combination of Soulike and Metroidvania returns and does so with good ideas under the arm.
The mandragora gameplay: whispers of the witch tree
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a 2.5D soulsvania who knows how to take advantage of the great virtues of both genres to which he belongs to develop a satisfactory and challenging combat and exploration experience.
Everything you can find in a Soulike, you see it in Mandragora. Souls, bonfires or a camp await you in this adventure. And everything you can find in a Metroidvania is also here. That is, we have backtracking, new skills and an interconnected map.
Nevertheless, The game is much more Action RPG than Metroidvania and does not incorporate the most characteristic elements of the latter in the same degree. This is appreciated in its progression, which deeply relies on a system of class, levels and skill trees.
It is perfectly possible to train your character in different archetypal arts (warrior, magician, rogue, etc.), but your choice will greatly condition your first steps, since each class has a series of passive and Special Combat Skills.
This responds to a fundamental principle that will sound to fans: stamin control. The character has a very limited resistance and you can barely paste a few blows if you then want to dodge the enemy.
Luckily, this stamina is recharged at a great speed, so everything is a a matter of managing your resources well and trust the reflexes and understanding of the attack patterns of the good variety of enemies and bosses that the game throws you in the face.
On a mechanical level, the combat is quite simplesince everything rests in three buttons (plus one of elusive) that are normally intended for a melee action already related to spells, additional protection or traps.
Perhaps I would not have been adding the occasional combo to emerge in this section, but the Souls bases are good and measured, better feel each confrontation. The variety of weapons and spells is not crazy, but they manage to differentiate enough.
As for its metroidvania essence, the exploration of a map full of areas and rooms is quite satisfactory, although I would not have been bad for its design to be less “linear” and more intricate To gain depth.
In some moments it is time to go back to revise certain inaccessible areas, but it feels more like an addition for the curious. Yes indeed, Mandragora manages to continue offering small playable extras as the hours spend.
While the platform is limited, it stands out at several times, although the result is light years of recent works such as Ubisoft Montpellier with Pop. Maybe a small mandragora of being too conservative in its meteroidvania.
And it gives some rage because more RPG elements where the focus has been made a lot (such as the craft of armor and equipment), they do not finish convincing. Unlocking and improvements are somewhat frustrating because they don’t go hand in hand.
To climb to the blacksmith and other NPCs that we will recruit for the camp, we must deliver certain diagrams that also unlock weapons, armor and other pieces, but these are tied to a level that often does not correspond to yours.
Nevertheless, These “Fallitos” do not tarnish a great action experience that always makes you “one more attempt” after each death. Everything is greatly enjoyed and if its creators take note of the elements to polish, the future can be brilliant if Mandragora ends up being a saga.
The history, setting and visual section of Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree
Mandragora transports us to the gloomy faelduum, A dark manual fantasy world that collects the best influences of other great exponents such as Diar, Darkest Dungeon or Dark Souls himself.
The decline of its medieval society is reflected at every step of our tour as an inquisitor in the mission of hunting a witch that threatens to take everything ahead. The great construction of this world that makes Primal Game Studio is worthy of praise.
While the story has its topics and shares elements and symbolism with other works (even some recent such as Tails of Iron: Whiskers of Winter or with worship works such as Castlevania), this is managed to keep hooked and surprise you with some revelation.
The narrative relies on the use of curious scenes of dialogues where The characters appear portrayed as if they were in a canvas (Even if they don’t move their mouths). Decision that makes it very clear where the best of mandragora rests.
The visual section of the game is outstanding. Following the scheme raised by titles such as not resting the Wicked, the warm tones intermingle with those darker and cold to leave us really beautiful prints that breathe life and crafts.
It is a pleasure to stand on each scenario and observe your huge level of detail and great lighting. There is something truly magical in Mandragora. Everything has life and the villas and other places of passage transmit a feeling of quality and security that generate a great contrast to the hostile world that is behind its walls.
A soundtrack more than competent Accompaniment of a practically unbeatable section that also seeks to move to simpler times, with a somewhat grid characters that remind World of Warcraft and other great works.
Is Mandragora difficult: Whispers of the Witch Tree?
You are going to die in Mandragora. You are going to die a lot. We are faced with a Soulike/Metroidvania, so you do not expect a rose path, or that the game takes you hand in hand. However, Mandragora is not an unfair title and offers a fun and stimulating challengealthough you fail.
Once you make your mechanics and the exploration, the game becomes much more intuitive than it may seem to the beginning. Although there are some sections in which the difficulty peaks are high enough. Of course, There are a few bosses that will be a great challenge.
How long does it last Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree?
There has been true controversy regarding the duration of mandragora Because developers said at the time that the game offered 40 hours of content. Does the final result offer a similar footage?
Of course, the story is completed much less (between 18-20 hours depending on your level of skill and how much you entertain yourself). However, the game offers a good amount of secondary and secret missions that can expand that duration to thirty hours.
Price, platforms and editions of Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree
Mandragora is available in digital format on PS5, Xbox Series X | S, Nintendo Switch and PC under a standard edition with a price of 39.99 euros. You should also know that there is a Free demo In case you want to try the game before.
However, there is also A Deluxe edition for 49.99 euros which includes several extras. Curious nutrilla pets, ethereal cervatillo or an exclusive mission, the original soundtrack or the digital art book are some of those additions.
Surviving saturation
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a somewhat risky project due to The saturation experienced genres such as Metroidvania or Soulmeke. Luckily, thanks to this “overbooking” of similar games it is quite simple to realize which ones are most worth it.
Only a few hours (and deaths)
It is true that it does not find the key in all its sections and that there are elements that could give some more play (perhaps in a sequel), but Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree knows how to make you stay and enjoy what he proposes.
