REVIEW / Enchanting Delights (PC)

The platformer genre has its fair share of challenges. It thrives on fun, straightforward mechanics that invite players to jump from point to point and dispatch adversaries. However, this simplicity also makes it tough for one platformer to truly distinguish itself from another. One can expand on this basic formula, as seen in Metroidvania titles, yet the core idea on its own can struggle to feel fresh. Enter Magical Delicacy, the game on today’s menu, which injects a good dose of creativity into the mix.

Magical Delicacy is a delightful concoction of platforming, role-playing, and cooking simulation. If that sounds wild to you, you’re not alone. The real test, though, is whether this combination can effectively gel together, and for the most part, it does. Of course, there are a couple of minor caveats we’ll touch upon, but those mostly hinge on personal preference and a few quality-of-life improvements.

In this whimsical world, you’re in the shoes of a witch who’s moved to a bustling city to embark on a journey of self-discovery. With a bakery of her own, she begins filling orders for the townsfolk. Yet, there’s more to the tale than just meeting the locals and whipping up culinary delights. There’s an engaging narrative at play, supported by rich RPG elements that are best discovered firsthand. Rest assured, the storytelling is engrossing enough to keep you returning for more.

When describing the gameplay of Magical Delicacy, where to begin? There’s a lot happening! Essentially, you’ll chat with local NPCs to advance the story, fulfilling their diverse culinary cravings. Your task involves crafting their orders to exact specifications while hunting down recipes and sourcing ingredients. As such, you can’t just whip up any dish on a whim—you’ll need the right equipment and maybe a recipe or two before satisfying your customers. Then there’s the platforming aspect that links it all together, echoing a Metroidvania style, where progressing might require some character upgrades and equipment.

An interesting observation is that, except for a few hazards, the game isn’t packed with enemies. You can’t “die,” per se, which is a nice deviation from the norm. The obstacles are more about challenging your platforming skills than punishing failure, adding to the game’s relaxed vibe—a refreshing break from traditionally perilous platformers.

There’s more balance in Magical Delicacy than meets the eye, a delightful surprise that became more apparent the further I played. Initially, its mix of RPG elements with cooking simulation seemed odd, but it won me over. The cooking isn’t overly complex—just enough to complement the game’s other aspects without bogging it down. It isn’t a true sim, per se, but it adds a unique twist that I found appealing.

Cooking in the game involves a bit of experimentation. Orders specify what customers desire and detest in their dishes, like avoiding spicy ingredients in a stew. Ingredients carry descriptions like ‘herb’ or ‘fruit’ and feature specific traits such as ‘spicy’ or ‘earthy.’ Sometimes you follow a recipe, and other times you improvise, encouraging creative play.

Your cooking success hinges on having the proper equipment for dish preparation, such as an oven or pestle and mortar. Balancing these mechanics is crucial, as it affects the star rating of the meals you produce. Experimentation thus emerges as a key part of the gameplay.

Magical Delicacy exudes a late ’90s arcade nostalgia with its visual and sound design, enhancing the gaming experience. While a gamepad is suggested, this isn’t essential for enjoyment on PC—keyboard controls work just as well, though a gamepad feels slightly more fluid.

For some players, the game grows on you slowly. It’s not the type to immediately captivate your attention but instead draws you in as its story unfolds. However, one area of potential improvement is the abundance of dialogue. If deep conversations pique your interest, you’ll find the narrative engaging, but if you’re more action-focused, the dialogue might feel excessive.

Regarding quality-of-life enhancements, these aren’t major issues but could benefit from refinement. For instance, fast travel could streamline ingredient acquisition, avoiding the need to load multiple screens for a single item. An improved map with character visibility could also help navigate more easily throughout the town.

Overall, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Magical Delicacy. It might not typically be my go-to genre, but its unique charm and well-executed gameplay have left a lasting impression. If you enjoy a leisurely-paced game where you can immerse yourself and explore at your own pace, there’s plenty to appreciate. For those craving non-stop action, a different title might better suit your needs.

And there you have it—a game that adds a fresh twist to the age-old art of platforming.