Review of the Mageseeker Switch: you make me think of the mage
Our Verdict
The Mageseeker is a confident and immensely satisfying action game with a great mixture of physical attacks and a huge arsenal of magical abilities to steal and equip. I love the multiple ways to improve your moveset and your home base, and even as a Fairweather League of Legends fan, I’m now obsessed with Sylus's character and the world at large. Digital Sun has crafted a fantastic title for League fans, but anyone with an interest in the genre will find something to love.
I was originally introduced to League of Legends, along with a lot of other people, via the popular Netflix series Arcane. I can't say I play League much since I play console games, but I'm a big fan of Arcane, so my curiosity has been, to put it mildly, peaked. In addition, I really like the action-rogue-like Moonlighter on the Switch, so The Mageseeker could be just right for me.
Developer Digital Sun's The Mageseeker goes to great efforts to create and explore the universe that so many League players enjoy. It seems like a development of the combat that made its previous release, Moonlighter, so addictive (but regrettably without a store).
In a world where magic is prohibited, you take on the role of the champion Sylus, a captured magician who must spend years eating only rats to live. Sylus is a fascinating figure who isn't your usual decent person. Sylus does terrible acts, whether on purpose or out of desperation, but The Mageseeker investigates the reasons behind them and how he pays for them.
The Mageseeker is a great game to start with. A top-down action roguelike, Digital Sun creates a quick-thinking, responsive, and very enjoyable gameplay. Your primary physical strike, which has a genuine crunch to it, swings the shackles that are still attached to Sylus' arms. Sylus' magic adds to this, because the mage can absorb magical strikes from opponents, much like in League of Legends.
Sylus has the ability to absorb enemies' magical assaults, which might have several outcomes. Specifically, it is not only advised to use these techniques against enemies that possess that vulnerability, but they also often possess elemental features. It is necessary. In addition to the opposing powers of fire and ice, additional elements also exist. It's exciting to quickly read those components and take aim at vulnerable opponents; it gives the battle a strong feeling of strategy.
The powerful magician Sylus can also wield a number of standard spells, which may be acquired by traveling the globe and encountering more opponents that use various magical assaults. A skill tree allows you to develop and enhance your spells, but you may also ultimately equip additional spells. This is in contrast to the early hours when you only had one slot.
Analog sticks are used to target foes while utilizing chains to attack them in the top-down perspective. This is also how you toss your chains and steal magic. Crucially, you may grapple with them while navigating the stages and going up against opponents. Even while the fighting seems fantastic now, there is one amazing aspect I cannot get enough of: latching onto your enemies and swiftly charging towards them to deal a lethal blow.
As you advance, you'll be able to access new magical powers, combinations, and foes from whom you may steal strikes. The combat system's foundations are really strong and feel fantastic right away, but I can't help but be captivated by its gradual development and extension.
My only gripe is that, despite the talents being expanded, things may seem a little monotonous. Magic is enjoyable to use, but nothing compares to the chains' satisfying feel, thus you can find yourself repeatedly repeating attacks. The challenge here may also grow rather intense. Fortunately, a variety of settings are available, allowing you to alter your attack strength, health, and amount of damage dealt. so that you may customize this experience to your own specifications.
There are other ways to become better than just spending the money you discover in levels with merchants back at your base to develop your talents (more on that in a moment). As you go through the levels, you encounter additional mages who are being held captive as part of Sylus' quest to free all mages. Setting them free makes them a member of your cohort, and these mages strengthen your magic. Additionally, similar to the missions in Xenoblade Chronicles 2, you may send some on missions in between narrative chapters to acquire additional goods for yourself.
Sylus returns to a base teeming with rebels and mages after every operation, all of them striving to instill optimism in the realm of Demacia. This base grows as the plot and the world are explored, and much like the town in Moonlighter, part of the pleasure of the game is going home to relax, organize your skills, and prepare for the next fight.
In relation to narrative missions, you may have noticed that this game is classified as an action roguelike by Digital Sun. Although the levels are well-thought-out and have a predetermined route, you discover transient magical powers while exploring and have to decide which to equip. After every chapter, Sylus is unable to retain these extra skills due to their instability, which adds another layer of complexity to your fighting approach.
Engaging gameplay includes level exploration, magical ability acquisition, mage liberation, and of course, tight battle. The steadily increasing difficulty curve and the introduction of new foes are both incredibly nicely done, and I haven't once felt bored. There are many of locations to discover, and Sylus is really put to the test.
Additionally, League players get to meet a number of the game's characters, such as Morgana, Lux, and a few others. Similar to Arcane, it's wonderful to see people given more depth and individuality, although Sylus steals the stage. It's actually difficult to cheer for the anti-hero at some points in his spectacular arc, which is further enhanced by excellent writing. But in the end, this is a tale of redemption, and you are the one who has to write it.
The Mageseeker's stunning pixel graphics should not come as a surprise considering how successful Moonlighter was. The purple tones and the striking blasts of power provide a strong feeling of character for this planet and its abilities. The level of detail and the exquisite use of color are amazing.
Character images that are emotive add life to conversations, and I can't help but giggle a bit too much at Slyus on a few instances. The animation is especially amazing, with Sylus flying about using his grappling strikes and magical powers, and the screen-filling monsters unleashing massive blows on you. The Nintendo Switch may stutter from time to time, although it happens extremely seldom. All things considered, the experience is responsive and fluid, which is crucial for any action RPG on the network.
Lastly, the sound design is excellent as well; I can't stop thinking about the themes even after I've finished playing. The lively tune makes the action seem lively and alive, yet the understated and laid-back theme supporting your foundation is also striking in a different way. Every skill and action has a delightful whoosh or thwack, and it's simply one more amazing feature I don't want people to miss.
The Mageseeker has really pleased me, and even if I can't claim I'm going to start playing League of Legends right now, it's an exciting and compelling look into this complex game. Hardcore fans will certainly appreciate the worldbuilding and attention to detail, but anybody who like Moonlighter can pick this up without any previous knowledge and simply enjoy it for what it is. There is a really excellent action RPG here for anybody to enjoy, while the performance on the Switch could be a little better and I would like additional ways to spice up the battle.
Check out our guides to the best Switch adventure games and the best roguelike games for more content similar to this.