The Epic Games Store Wants You to Make Your Own Magic With this Week’s Free Game.
Mages of Mystralia
In a world of magic, your mind is your greatest weapon. Learn the ways of magic and design your own spells to fight enemies, navigate treacherous terrain, and right past wrongs in the kingdom of Mystralia.
Game Review
Mages of Mystralia is a spellbinding little gem that feels like a love letter to anyone who’s ever dreamed of wielding magic with their own flair. Set in the vibrant, hand-drawn world of Mystralia, you play as Zia, a young mage on the run after accidentally torching her house with her newfound powers. What unfolds is a charming adventure that blends classic action-RPG vibes with a spell-crafting system so clever it’s practically a character of its own.
The game’s heart lies in its magic. Rather than handing you a pre-set list of fireballs and ice blasts, it tosses you a rune-based toolkit and says, “Go wild.” Want a fireball that bounces off walls? A shield that zaps enemies back? A beam that curves around corners? You can build it. It’s less about memorizing combos and more about tinkering like a mad alchemist, which makes every encounter feel like a personal triumph when your custom spell lands just right. Sure, the system isn’t infinitely deep—by the late game, you’ll likely settle on a few go-to tricks—but the joy of experimentation keeps it fresh longer than you’d expect.
Visually, Mystralia is a watercolor dreamscape. The forests shimmer with dappled light, the ruins ooze ancient mystery, and the character designs have a storybook charm that’s hard not to love. It’s not a technical powerhouse, but its art direction carries a warmth that makes every frame feel intentional. The soundtrack, composed by the legendary Bobby Tahouri (with a nod to his Skyrim roots), is an unsung hero—sweeping and subtle in all the right places, elevating quiet exploration as much as frantic battles.
Where it stumbles a bit is pacing. The story, while endearing, leans heavily on trope-heavy beats—exiled hero, shadowy kingdom, wise mentor—and doesn’t always dig as deep as it could. Some might find the combat repetitive too, especially when enemy variety doesn’t quite keep up with your growing spellbook. But these are minor smudges on an otherwise enchanting canvas.
What sets Mages of Mystralia apart isn’t just its mechanics or aesthetics—it’s the quiet confidence it exudes. It doesn’t try to be a sprawling epic or a genre-defining titan. It’s content being a cozy, creative playground where you can feel like a magical prodigy for a dozen hours. For a game penned in part by Ed Greenwood (the Dungeons & Dragons lore maestro), it’s fittingly a world that invites you to leave your mark.
If you’re craving a bite-sized adventure that’s equal parts whimsical and empowering, Mages of Mystralia is a spell worth casting your time on.
