Review: Magical Delicacy (PC)

The platform gaming genre faces a bit of a dilemma. While the core mechanics are enjoyable, it’s tough for one game to truly stand apart from the rest. After all, they typically revolve around a character hopping around from spot to spot, eliminating foes. Still, while platform games are an excellent foundation for branching into different types of games, like Metroidvanias for instance, they often need something extra to really shine when standing alone. Enter Magical Delicacy—a delightful example of the inventive twist we need.

Magical Delicacy serves up a unique mix of platforming, RPG elements, and a cooking simulator. If that doesn’t sound intriguing enough, I don’t know what does! The main question is whether these ingredients blend well together, and I would say they do, for the most part. A few minor hiccups might depend on your personal preferences or some tweaks that enhance user experience.

In this fascinating game, players step into the shoes of a witch who moves to a bustling city in search of self-discovery. She ends up running her bakery, fulfilling the culinary desires of the townsfolk. While it sounds straightforward, this just scratches the surface of an engaging plot that’s much deeper than daily interactions and food preparation. Diving into the RPG elements would take us a while, so I’ll let you explore those yourself. Trust me: the story is engaging enough to keep you coming back for more.

Describing the gameplay doesn’t come easy due to its complexity. You’re tasked with building relationships with NPCs and meeting their requests, akin to any RPG. A significant portion of the game includes cooking and delivering orders. Patrons are vocal about their preferences and aversions, leaving you to find recipes, gather or grow ingredients, and gain the necessary tools to make their favorite dishes. In tandem, there’s a platforming aspect—it transports you around the city. While similar to Metroidvanias, you’ll need various upgrades to explore new areas, linking back to the RPG components.

One key aspect worth mentioning is the relaxed atmosphere. Despite a few hazards, the game lacks enemies that can kill you, which lets players focus on the platforming challenge without fear of dire repercussions. This design choice makes for a soothing gaming experience, contrary to the high-stakes world of typical platformers where threats lurk at every turn.

An unexpected sense of balance lies at the heart of Magical Delicacy. I’ll admit, I wasn’t immediately smitten by this game. But, after spending some time navigating the blend of RPG and cooking simulator elements, I found it quite captivating. The developers have kept the cooking aspect simple but engaging, preventing it from breaking the immersion.

Cooking in this game involves creativity and experimentation. Customers place orders specifying what they fancy and detest. For instance, if someone wants a stew without anything spicy, avoid using chili peppers! Whether following a recipe or trying your luck, the game nudges you to experiment, as some recipes can’t be found or purchased.

Your choice of equipment matters too. Roasting requires an oven, grinding needs a pestle and mortar, and so on. These tools must be acquired before completing orders, and finding the best way to prepare dishes falls on you. Dishes are rated, encouraging you to perfect your culinary creations.

Drawing inspiration from late ’90s arcade vibes, Magical Delicacy excels in its visual and auditory presentation, enhancing the gameplay significantly. Although best experienced with a gamepad, the keyboard offers a decent experience. If you have a controller, use it for fluid controls, but rest assured, it’s not mandatory.

Magical Delicacy may not capture your heart immediately, but its slowly unfolding story is bound to reel you in. The dialogue-heavy script might deter players who prefer less narrative interruption, as conversations are presented in text bubbles. But for those who relish rich storylines and character interactions, the dialogue adds depth and charm.

Regarding quality-of-life improvements, the game could benefit from a feature allowing faster travel between locations. It’d save time when gathering ingredients or revisiting shops. Additionally, mapping NPC locations could prevent tedious backtracking in search of specific characters. However, these are minor gripes, and there’s potential for in-game items to address these issues later.

Overall, Magical Delicacy offers a refreshing experience, far from my usual type of game. If you favor a leisurely pace where you can savor the world at your own speed, you’ll likely enjoy this one. If fast action is more your style, you might want to look elsewhere.

This review is based on a retail copy provided by the publisher.

Review Summary:

Absolutely Delicious!

• Look and feel: 8/10
• Story: 8/10
• Controls: 8/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Challenge: 8/10
• Replayability: 7/10

Score: 7.7/10

Cooking up a storm: Magical Delicacy brings together a medley of genres, making it a solid choice for platform and RPG enthusiasts. Despite a few areas that could use quality-of-life improvements and a story that’s occasionally slow, it’s a wonderful game for those who enjoy playing at their own pace. If you’re looking for frantic action, you might want to explore other options.