As there isn't an OT I guess I'll post this here. I'll start with a simple statement: Ender Magnolia is the first must-buy game of 2025 and it's a crying shame that on a supposed "hardcore" gaming forum more people aren't talking about it.
Now let me take a step back. Ender Lilies was a *good* game, a competent Metroidvania with nice art and some fun mechanics but overall nothing special. I enjoyed it but I didn't *love* it. Ender Magnolia is exceptional from top to bottom, a turbocharged sequel that is superior in every single way. I'll start with the visuals, a picture is worth a thousand words:
The art in this game is gorgeous, it's use of colour, it's attention to detail, it's care put into both the background and foreground, it's refined elegance. Quite simply, it's amongst the most beautiful games I've ever played and it absolutely *sings* on my OLED TV, I frequently stop playing when entering a new area to marvel at the splendour around me. There is something Vanillaware-esque in it's overall aesthetic but I believe it's ultimately different enough to have it's own identity.
The soundtrack is sublime and early contender to add to the OST of the Year shortlist. Eclectic, moody, vast, grandiose, tinged with melancholy and sadness. Whether it's channeling Nier:
Or radiating menace:
Quietly contemplative:
Or something out of a fairytale:
Truly great stuff
The gameplay/combat is a lot more creative anddynamic then the first game with a much greater emphasis on customizing your combat style by mixing/matching your different companions who all have 3 unique attack types to choose from (which can all be leveled up further with unique resources), a distinct "super" skill and of course myriad equipment/relics that can drastically change your method of engagement. Want to play more of a ranged character? You can do that. Want to be focused on breaking enemy armor as quickly as possible in order to stagger them? The tools are there to do that too.
The Metroidvania elements are mostly your standard fare starting with getting the ever important double jump early on and greatly expanding from there. There is something unique about how many of them are implemented though to fit this magical world. And this is a generous game, after 16+ hours my progress tracker shows 60% story completion. If you're like me and want to grab every secret, explore every nook and cranny to 100% map completion then rest assured there is a lot of game to get through here.
In conclusion I'll say this is on track to be one of my top 10 Metroidvanias ever, it deserves more exposure and should be championed from the rooftops. If this post sells a single additional copy I'll consider it mission accomplished, give these devs the love they deserve!
