Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree: Sidescroller RPG with Soul-Shaped Combat Released 23 Comments
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a new action RPG that combines challenging Soulslike battles with RPG mechanics such as talent trees and class diversity. The indie game with 2.5D graphics takes place in a dark fantasy world and is available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
SIDESCROLLER-SOULSIGHE WITH RPG GAMEPLAY
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree was developed by Hungarian studio Primal Game Studio and published by Knights Peak Interactive. The title takes place in the post-magical world of Faelduum, which is slowly falling under the influence of a destructive force called entropy. Players assume the role of an Inquisitor navigating the tension between the authorities and their own conscience. The story comes from Brian Mitsoda, the author of Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines, and changes depending on the decision.
The battles follow the well-known Souls-like principle: opponents require precise timing, stamina, and positional management. Progression is achieved through experience and talents; return points are limited. In terms of game structure, Mandragora is reminiscent of side-scrolling action titles with RPG Focus and Tactical Boss Fights, with a layout based on Metroid vanias, including hidden paths and optional areas.
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree (Image: Primal Game Studio) Image 1 of 12
Players choose from six character classes, each offering their own talent trees. There are a total of over 200 active and 96 passive finishing upgrades, and multi-class combinations are possible, according to the developers. The system is complemented by extensive visual customization: physique, voice, hair color, tattoos, and more can be customized.
The game world consists of ten handcrafted maps as well as over 40 main and side quests. Over 350 pieces of equipment, consumables, and crafting ingredients provide additional playful depth. The presentation is based on detailed 2.5D graphics with focused mood lighting. The musical background was recorded by a Prague orchestra.
Price and Early Reviews
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree costs around €40 and is available on Steam, DRM-free via GOG, for PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. A deluxe edition with a bonus quest, cosmetic content, the soundtrack, and a digital art book costs around 35 euros. A free demo version is also available on all platforms.
There are already several hundred reviews on Steam, with 71% of the reviews being “mostly positive.” The game’s atmosphere, art design, character development, and narrative depth are often praised. On the other hand, the balancing of combat, animations, and minor technical issues are criticized. Additionally, there is no support for ultrawidescreen formats such as 3840 x 1440 pixels.
Topics: action games, indie games, games. Source: Primal Game Studio
A lifelong video game enthusiast, Julien reviews the latest releases and explores the technologies transforming the gaming world.
