8Bit/Digi

Return to the Land of Fumes

This is a game that first caught my attention when it launched in Early Access late last year. Even in its early stages, Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist showed immense promise. The available content was impressively polished, and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. A few months later it has successfully exited Early Access.

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is a game that immediately caught my attention with its dark atmosphere and anime-inspired visuals. Once I started playing, I discovered it to be a thrilling Metroidvania adventure. It’s a game that pays homage to its inspirations while maintaining a unique identity.

I Have Faith in You

This game serves as a follow-up to Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights, released in 2021. While playing the first game enhances the experience, it’s not a requirement. Personally, I didn’t play the original, but I have a solid grasp of Bloom in the Mist‘s story. Still, it would have been nice to play the predecessor to compare how much the series has evolved.

Set in the Land of Fumes, a once-prosperous magical superpower brimming with underground magical resources, the story unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by the disastrous Rain of Death. To advance the kingdom, artificial life forms called Homunculi were created, but the toxic Fumes drove them to madness, turning them into feral monsters. The game begins with Lilac, an Attuner with the power to save the Homunculi, awakening in a laboratory deep underground. With no memory of her past or purpose, she seeks to uncover the truth of what happened and her past.

The narrative direction of Bloom in the Mist is introduced at the start, with its deeper elements gradually revealed as you progress. Throughout the story, I couldn’t help but notice thematic parallels to NieR: Automata. Both games delve into the human experience and the nature of free will, set against the backdrop of a world in despair. These themes are thoughtfully explored during Lilac’s journey to uncover her past and piece together her identity. Making it a story you want to be invested in as you progress.

Forged in Fire

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is a Metroidvania adventure that has all the hallmarks of the genre. Players traverse a labyrinthine world populated with a variety of abominations, with danger lurking at every corner. Connecting it all are platforms and mazes that players must overcome. It’s also a world rich in despair that could be seen in the details. It doesn’t stay stagnant but evolves as you progress. At the same time, it’s rich in secrets and rewards.

Combat revolves around the Homunculi you possess and the abilities you equip them with. For example, Nola allows for close-range attacks so you could equip her with the Spirit Piecer for a classic hack’n slash. Alternatively, equipping Nola with the Bone Pulverizer provides slower but more powerful strikes. Yolvan, on the other hand, uses ranged attacks with their preferred weapon being the Barrage ability. As you progress, you can unlock additional Homunculi by battling them in their rogue stage. The combat system is designed to be approachable for players of any skill level, though mastering combos and creating the perfect setup will require experimentation.

As players battle the various creatures they encounter, they earn experience points to help them level up. Leveling up improves stats such as increased health and stronger attacks, enhancing overall performance. Additionally, players can equip accessories to further boost their stats or grant enhanced abilities.

I Swore to Protect Them

As I mentioned earlier, the dark atmosphere and anime-inspired visuals of Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist immediately caught my attention. This is a world where one should abandon all hope as any resemblance of humanity or civilization is lost. To its credit, these elements aren’t just for show—they effectively set the tone of the entire experience. The game immerses you in a world of despair, where all hope seems lost, yet you’re tasked with delving deep into the labyrinth’s wretched depths to uncover your purpose.

As a Metroidvania game, it has all the hallmarks one would expect. It features a likable protagonist who ventures into a perilous world filled with danger. The world itself captures your attention, constantly reminding you of this grim world. Enemies aren’t limited to the abominations but also the environment itself poses multiple threats. This combination of character, world, and hazards keeps the gameplay engaging and immersive throughout the adventure.

How it compares to Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights, I can not say since I never played it but I should give it a chance given what I experienced with Bloom in the Mist.

A Fated Meeting

Bloom in the Mist is also a game that has its fair share of shortcomings. The most notable of these issues are the sluggish controls, delays in using health items, and character progression is unnecessarily grindy.

One of the first issues I encountered was the sluggish response to certain actions, which became especially noticeable during platforming sections where precision was crucial. Jumping often felt unresponsive, making these stages unnecessarily frustrating. Similarly, some attacks had a noticeable delay between input and execution, breaking the flow of combat. Using health items was another issue, as the unnecessary delay in their activation made it frustrating, particularly during intense boss fights where every second counts. It’s disheartening to die simply because the health item didn’t activate in time. Finally, the character progression involves a grind reminiscent of games with “pay-to-win” mechanics, which can feel tedious at times.

Despite these shortcomings, one should not be dissuaded from playing Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist, as it remains a highly enjoyable experience overall.

Finding Your Past

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is a Metroidvania that explores what it means to be human in a world overcome by despair. Whether or not you’ve played Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights, this game offers a welcoming experience. Players awaken in a hopeless world beautifully rendered with anime-inspired visuals. As they explore the Land of Fumes, they’ll battle a variety of abominations, uncovering secrets and challenges through its engaging Metroidvania gameplay. At the same time, they will be engaged in a thought provoking narrative journey.

Disclaimer: The publisher through a PR representative provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist (PC)

8

Excellent

8.0/10

Pros

• Thought provoking story that makes you invested in the lore.
• Gameplay that has all the elements of a good Metroidvania.
• Its dark atmosphere and anime-inspired visuals.
• You don't need to have played Ender Lilies to understand what is going on.

Cons

• Sluggish controls that don't properly respond to the player's action.
• Using health items has an unnecessary delay in use.
• Character progression is unnecessarily grindy.