Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist
Release Date: January 22, 2025
Action, fantasy, platformers, RPG elements, 2D, metroidvania, indie games, side-scroll, singleplayer
OpenCritic
Steam
A two-dimensional metroidvania platformer. Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is a sequel to Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights. It features Lilac as the new protagonist and it offers various new gameplay features, including voice overs and difficulty levels changes.
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is the sequel to Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights, a very well-received 2D metroidvania platformer from 2021. The original creators, the Japanese studio Live Wire, worked on the development. The game was released by Binary Haze Interactive, also originating from Japan.
Plot
The action of Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is set several dozen years after the Rain of Death and other events from the first game. The game takes us to the Land of Fumes where rich deposits of magical resources were discovered under the surface. To accelerate their extraction, artificial forms of life known as Homunculi were created (humanoid creatures resembling wrinkled small children, which in the Middle Ages - unsuccessfully - alchemists tried to bring to life). Unfortunately, the poisonous fumes emanating from the bowels of the earth first drove them to madness, and then turned them into monsters.
Lilac, the protagonist of Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist, can bring them salvation. Similar to Lily from the first game, she has the power to cleanse beings that have fallen into madness. Having awakened in an underground laboratory, the heroine embarks on a journey, the goal of which is to heal the Land of Fumes and discover the truth about its downfall.
Although at first glance it eerily resembles the main theme from Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights, where we similarly saved the kingdom, the plot structure of the sequel is a bit more complicated. On her way, Lilac encounters both people with various social status and the Homunculi, and ultimately has to decide which group should be saved. We learn the story mainly through dialogues, in which Lilac also takes part (Lily was silent throughout the previous game). Many of the story bits are also revealed using the notes found in the game world.
Mechanics
Enriching the characteristic dark fantasy atmosphere with post-apocalyptic themes is not the only change that the creators decided to make in the sequel. In many ways, they also improved the gameplay, especially the combat system. At the same time, the developers remained faithful to the predecessor, which is why Lilac - like Lily - does not participate directly in battles, although she is constantly exposed to enemy attacks.
The heroine is "helped" by the souls of defeated bosses and minibosses, the use of which is done through activating various skills. Lily was able to use a maximum of three "skills" within one set, but Lilac can use as many as four.
In total, there are over 30 different abilities available in Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist. Some of them are also useful outside of combat - during the exploration of the Land of Fumes. Typical for the metroidvania genre, some skills open the way for the heroine to previously inaccessible areas and their secrets.
There are equipment elements for Lilac that were not available in the first game. Just like the souls and relics we acquire, we are able to improve them, which makes overcoming challenges easier. If any of this proves to be too demanding, the game allows to modify the difficulty level using the benches Lilac encounters. They also serve as a resting place and a save point. This is a big change, because in the first game the difficulty could only be changed after finishing the story. This made it very difficult for some people to get to know the plot.
Technical aspects
Like the original, Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is kept in a dark style, somewhat similar to that associated with anime. It is worth adding that the Mili band is again responsible for the soundtrack.
Videos and Screens
[2:58] Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist - Final Trailer
[1:34] Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist ENDER MAGNOLIA Bloom in the Mist - Version 1.0 Release Date Trailer
Paste Magazine: 9.1 / 10 by Elijah Gonzalez
All in all, Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist doesn’t just take inspiration from the best games in this style; it has its own essential lessons to impart.
Nintendo Life: 9 / 10 by Mitch Vogel
Ender Magnolia is an excellent Metroidvania that exemplifies the best of what the genre has to offer. Its combination of tense combat, interesting worldbuilding, and memorable art style makes for a compelling experience that we'd highly suggest to anybody drawn to games such as Hollow Knight or Blasphemous. It's downbeat, but anyone who isn't yet exhausted by Metroidvanias will find a lot to love here.
Pure Nintendo: 8 / 10 by Kaelyn Daugherty
For anyone who loved Ender Lilies, or enjoys Metroidvania games in general, Ender Magnolia is a must-play. It includes a good amount of exploration, a great story and beautiful hand drawn graphics.
The main pros of the game
- Improved Gameplay Mechanics: The game features a more fluid combat system with no contact damage, allowing for a more engaging experience. Players appreciate the variety of abilities and the ability to switch loadouts easily.
- Excellent Map Design: The map is highly praised for its clarity, showing completion status for areas, which enhances exploration without unnecessary backtracking.
- Stunning Visuals and Soundtrack: The art style is considered beautiful and immersive, with a hauntingly effective soundtrack by Mili that complements the game's atmosphere.
- Rich Characterization and Storytelling: The introduction of NPCs and character interactions adds depth to the narrative, making it feel more alive compared to its predecessor.
- Quality of Life Improvements: Features such as fast travel, detailed map markers, and the early acquisition of movement abilities (like double jump and dash) enhance the overall experience.
- Customizable Difficulty: Players can adjust difficulty settings to suit their preferences, making the game accessible to a wider audience.
The main cons of the game
- Boss Difficulty Imbalances: Some players found certain bosses to be either too easy or frustrating, particularly due to mechanics that could lead to instant deaths.
- Lack of Voice Acting: The absence of voice acting for character interactions was noted as a missed opportunity to enhance immersion.
- Weakness in Storyline: While the game builds on the lore from the first title, some players felt the narrative lacked the emotional depth and coherence of its predecessor.
- Minor Technical Issues: A few users reported slight stutter in performance and minor bugs, though these were generally not game-breaking.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- More Depth in Character Development: Some players desired more background and development for the NPCs and homunculi, as well as more engaging side quests.
- Increased Challenge in Boss Fights: A call for more challenging boss mechanics and varied strategies was noted, as some bosses felt repetitive or less engaging.
- Expanded Lore and World-Building: While the game improves upon the previous title, players expressed a desire for a more intricate and compelling storyline that ties everything together.
- Enhanced Audio Effects: Some users mentioned missing sound effects during certain actions or attacks, which detracted from the overall experience.
Summary
- Overall, ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist is seen as a worthy sequel that improves on many aspects of ENDER LILIES, delivering a visually stunning and engaging gameplay experience, albeit with some areas that could benefit from further refinement.
Summary generated on:
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist Summary
Early Access:March 25, 2024
Game Series: Ender
Platforms:
PC / Windows
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Switch
PlayStation 4
Developer: Live Wire
Publisher: Binary Haze Interactive
Age restrictions: 12+
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Dual Core 2.5 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 660 or better, 5 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Recommended: Quad Core 3.0 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 4 GB GeForce GTX 970 or better, 5 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Dark and Beautiful Metroidvania with 97% Positive Steam Reviews Set for a 2025 Launch. Full Version of Ender Magnolia With Release Date
The dark Metroidvania Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is making us wait a little longer than expected, but will be a really long game. A new trailer brings the highly anticipated release date.
video games
Hubert Sledziewski
September 11, 2024
Highly Rated Metroidvania Will Get a Sequel. It Looks as Beautiful and Dark as Original
Do you remember the game Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights? This highly praised title will get a sequel in the near future. Will Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist repeat the success of the original?
video games
Kamil Kleszyk
February 26, 2024