Hey, fellow Tarnished—er, Mandragorans? Let’s talk about Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree, the latest game that wants to hug your inner masochist with spiky gauntlets.
If you’ve ever screamed “WHY?!” at a screen after a skeleton archer snipes you off a cliff, this one’s for you. Buckle up, because we’re diving into a dark fantasy world that’s equal parts breathtaking and controller-chucking frustrating (in the best way).
Setting & Narrative: Where Elden Ring Meets Grimdark Fairy Tales
Alright, so here’s the deal: you’re an Inquisitor in Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree, which basically means you’re the world’s grumpiest monster hunter. The setting is Faelduum, a land that’s seen better days—think crumbling cities, twisted forests, and a whole lot of “What fresh nightmare is this?” moments. Humanity’s holed up behind city walls, trying to keep the creeping corruption known as Entropy at bay. Spoiler alert: Entropy isn’t just a fancy word for chaos here—it’s a literal otherworldly force leaking monsters and bad vibes into the world.
Your mission starts as a witch hunt (because, of course, witches), but quickly escalates into a desperate scramble to stop Entropy from swallowing everything. The story doesn’t hold your hand or spell things out in neon signs. Instead, you get to piece it together from cryptic clues, eerie environments, and NPCs who talk in riddles or just sound like they’ve had way too much mushroom tea. It’s a world soaked in folklore and fairy tale darkness, where every choice you make can tip the scales between survival and total collapse.
Art Direction & Atmosphere: “Wait, Did I Just Stop to Stare at a Mushroom?”
The game’s visuals are a masterclass in “I’m lost but I don’t care because this place is GORGEOUS.” If you’re the kind of player who stops mid-run just to admire a creepy mushroom glowing in the dark, Mandragora will be your jam. The game’s hand-painted environments are stunning—think glowing fungal forests, ruined villages that scream “don’t trust that door,” and gothic temples that look like they were designed by someone who hates you.
The soundtrack is a moody masterpiece, full of haunting melodies that’ll stick with you long after you’ve put down the controller. Voice acting is solid, though the witch’s constant whispering might make you check your headphones for ghosts. It’s the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to explore… and then immediately regret it when something lunges out of the shadows.
Combat System: Dance or Die (Mostly Die)
Let’s talk about the thing you’ll be doing most in Mandragora: fighting for your life—and probably dying a lot (don’t worry, we’re right there with you). Combat here is methodical and punishing in that classic Soulslike way. Every swing, dodge, and block matters, and if you get greedy or sloppy, the game will remind you who’s boss faster than you can say “respawn.”
You’ve got a solid arsenal to play with. Mandragora offers a range of weapon types—think swords, greatswords, daggers, and staves—each with their own movesets and weight. Want to go heavy and slow, or quick and nimble? You can. Magic is also a real option, letting you sling spells from a distance or buff yourself for those up-close brawls. On top of that, status effects like poison, burn, root, and weakness add extra layers of strategy (and frustration), especially when enemies start stacking them on you.
Boss fights are a true test of patience and pattern recognition. You’ll need to watch for openings, learn attack tells, and sometimes just accept that you’re going to die a few times before you get it right. But when you finally land that last hit and the boss goes down? That’s the kind of fist-pump moment that makes all the pain worth it.
Bottom line: if you love combat that rewards skill, timing, and a bit of stubbornness, you’ll feel right at home. Just don’t blame us when you start dreaming about dodge rolls.
Character Classes & Progression: Your OC’s Dark Backstory, Now in Game Form!
Mandragora doesn’t just hand you a sword and wish you luck—it lets you choose from six distinct classes, each with their own tragic flair and gameplay quirks. You’ve got the Rootbound Knight, a walking tank whose armor is more moss than metal; the Wisp Thief, who’s so nimble she could probably steal your inventory while you’re reading this sentence; and the Hex Scholar, a glass-cannon spellcaster with a penchant for accidentally setting both enemies and themselves on fire. There’s also the Fungal Shaman (think: poison clouds and questionable hygiene), the Bloodbound Duelist (who gets stronger as their health gets lower—because why not live on the edge?), and the Pale Ranger, whose arrows are as sharp as their one-liners.
Leveling up feels rewarding without being overwhelming. The talent trees are deep, letting you specialize or mix things up however you like. Want to be a poison-spewing, spell-slinging, trap-setting nightmare? Go for it. Just don’t forget to invest in fall damage resistance unless you enjoy watching your character splat on the floor more than you’d like to admit.
Exploration & World Design: Metroidvania, But Make It Soulslike
Exploring Faelduum is a masterclass in atmospheric level design—and a crash course in “Wait, was that a secret door?” The world is a sprawling, interconnected labyrinth where every shortcut discovered feels like a personal victory (and every locked door a personal insult). Mandragora borrows the best of Metroidvania sensibilities: you’ll double back with new traversal powers, like the vine-grappling hook or the delightfully floaty double jump, to access previously unreachable areas. And yes, there are plenty of suspiciously fragile walls just begging for a good whack.
The environments are as varied as they are hostile. One minute you’re creeping through a bioluminescent mushroom grove, the next you’re dodging traps in a ruined cathedral overtaken by roots. Each zone has its own hazards and secrets, rewarding the curious and punishing the reckless. Hidden dungeons, illusory walls, and lore-filled nooks abound, making exploration feel both daunting and addictive.
RPG Systems: Crafting, Loot, and a Homebase That’s Cozier Than Your Apartment
You’re not just swinging swords and dodging monsters here—you’ll also gather herbs, monster parts, and other goodies to craft potions and upgrade your gear. The crafting system is straightforward but satisfying, giving you tools to survive and thrive.
Your home base is a treehouse hub where you can rest, upgrade, and chat with NPCs who sometimes have quests or just weird things to say. It’s cozy in a “this place has definitely seen some dark stuff” kind of way. Upgrading your base unlocks new features, making it a worthwhile pit stop between your death runs.
Challenge & Difficulty: Git Gud or Git a Refund
Mandragora doesn’t hold your hand—it chops it off and feeds it to the nearest wolf. Enemies hit like trucks, traps are everywhere, and the first boss is a teleporting scarecrow with a scythe (we named him “Larry”). But hey, there’s an “Exploration Mode” that tones down aggression for casual masochists. Still, beating a boss after 15 tries delivers a high better than finding an unbroken USB port on the first try.
Technical Performance: Surprisingly Not on Fire
For a game this dense, it runs smoother than a mimic’s pickup line. Load times are snappy, and we only encountered one bug where a boss T-posed mid-fight (which, honestly, made him scarier). The day-one patch allegedly fixes the “invisible death pit” issue. Allegedly.
Comparisons: What’s in Its DNA?
- Elden Ring: The DNA is there, but Mandragora’s tighter world feels more personal. No open-world horse, though—just your two cursed feet.
- Castlevania: The gothic vibe and whip weapons will make you nostalgic for Dracula’s castle.
- Blasphemous: If you loved that game’s religious horror, you’ll feel right at home here.
Replay Value: Because One Trauma Isn’t Enough
Multiple classes, branching talent trees, secret bosses, and different endings give Mandragora plenty of replay value. Whether you want to try out a new build, hunt down every secret, or just see how your choices change the world, there’s a lot here to keep you busy. And if you’re like us, you’ll probably die a lot on the way.
Final Verdict: A Must-Play for Gluttons for Punishment
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is the dark fantasy Soulslike you’ve been craving—assuming you enjoy pain, beauty, and the occasional existential crisis. It’s not perfect (we’re side-eyeing you, checkpoint spacing), but it’s a haunting, rewarding experience that’ll stick with you like fungal spores in your lungs.
Now if you’ll excuse us, we’re off to fight Larry again. Third time’s the charm… right?
Rating: 9/10 “Screams Into Pillows”
Best enjoyed with: A stress ball, black coffee, and the number for your local therapist on speed dial.
What’s your take? Let us know in the comments—or just scream about Larry. We get it. 🍄🗡️
Leave a Reply