The anime and video games completely share intimate history. One means stems from Japan, while the other was widely popularized. The talented creators left their mark on the two fields, by Yoshitaka Amano (Final Fantasy,, Vampire Hunter D) In the end, the large Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ballon,, Dragon quest). The two tell stories of escape, growth and inner power. The two serve passionate fans who like to exchange stories and cosplay like their favorite characters. And, of course, the two are great.
As large as anime and games are, you would expect it to be easy to find Large video games inspired by anime. Not so fast. For all One piece And Naruto Tie-ins there, few anime games manage to reach the brand. The games that lack inspiration, dynamism or courage are much more frequent, given the protagonists Shounen and Shojo that they aim to imitate.
Vroom, vroom! Take a broom!
Mika and the witch mountainNow via Steam Early Access and Nintendo Switch, aims to school the trend. Developed by Chibig and Nukefist, the game brings its influence on the anime with pride, inspired by Hayao Miyazaki and the Witch of Studio Life Ghibli from Studio Ghibli, Kiki delivery service. As Mika, you make flexes around a comfortable island, delivering packages to an original cast of sympathetic (and not so favorable) neighbors.
Although always work in progress, Mika and the witch mountain Impression by his clear writing, his colorful characters and his intriguing premise. The story revolves around holder Mika, a budding witch who suffered a broken broom on the way to the top of an island. With the help of a local handyman, Mika aims to resume the sky, but not before taking the time to help various city dwellers with their problems.
In the typical manner of Miyasaki-Esque, it is a story about charity and the community in times of difficulties and conflicts. The game island is home to an eclectic group of people, fishermen and farmers to a owner of a pop-up ice cream shop. As Mika provides packages to and from various edges of the island, it will develop relationships with people while offering its broom with new navigation capacities.
Blood shards
It is a convincing loop, enriched by a charming aesthetic shaded by Cel, not too different from Zelda’s legend: The Wind Waker. Unfortunately, Mika and the witch mountain stumbles in areas where I would like to see it hover.
On the one hand, the underlying mechanics of the game needs work. The gameplay consists of piloting your broom through various pockets of wind located around the island. Hit an ascending current at the right angle and you will zoom on a hill or a cliff; Find a burst in a valley and you will propel yourself forward. Orders work fairly well, but there are not enough comments (visually, sound or haptically) so that the flight act feels fun.
Secondly, Mika and the witch mountain suffers from bugs and other user / UX interface problems. The musical tracks cut abruptly, the menus show the incorrect button prompts and the game card is hidden in the break menu. A mini-map on the screen with objective markers would do wonders but is significantly absent.
Perhaps the minimalist user interface is a choice of style; Perhaps developers intend to add one to the future. Be that as it may, the act of serving your community often looks less like joy and more of a chore. In its current state, Mika and the witch mountain plays like a series of prolonged feet quests rather than an exhilarating journey through the sky.
What is the next step for Mika and the witch mountain?
While the main story of Mika and the witch mountain is complete, there is more in reserve from the point of view of content. Since the game released in August 2024, he received a series of small patches and bug corrections.
In October, the game received its First content update: Churros & Cats. Here is what the update adds, directly from Chibig:
- Churro Express Minigame: Complete 7 circuits dispersed on the Wind Island in a given time to help in Awan with its new business.
- Save the mini-game Kitties: Nourish the 5 kitten [sic] who came to Orilla Town for a shelter.
- The Pet Companion: Unlock a companion who will follow you when you fly with your magic broom.
- New cosmetics, character and achievements!
The new content does not add any major revelation and does not fundamentally change the nucleus Mika experience. If you are an existing Mika Player, you will probably appreciate what is here; Do not expect anything radically different before.
Another content update should drop in December. Hoping that we see new fascinating bells and whistles. For the moment, however, we are waiting.
Final reflections
Mika and the witch mountain Allows players to realize their Ghibli studio dreams – at least on paper. The Chibig and Nukefist teams have board for them if they want to deliver a game that can be up to its potential.
Fortunately, the possibility is there. There are large bases in place, lush colors with surprisingly strong dialogue and central narrative. If Mika Can be annoyed by its gameplay, we could have a competitor that can be up to the name of Ghibli.
Until then, the other Miyazaki fans, it is probably better to stay with Nor kuni.
Score: n / a
Mika and the witch mountain is available now via Early steam access And Nintendo switchWith plans to go out on PlayStation and Xbox platforms in the coming months. PDSF: $ 19.99.
Warning: an exam code was provided by the publisher. Given the early access status of the game, we have chosen not to provide a score.
