Mines and Magic is a deceptively simple title. The retro aesthetic and straightforward mechanics shroud a complex strategic core. Furthermore, you must consider a range of elements if you wish to survive and defeat every wave of foes you face. It is this basic approach and casual gameplay that keeps you coming back for more.
This tower defence title was published and developed by Zolden Games. Moreover, it can be enjoyed alone or against other humans. Its fantasy edge and basic imagery are interesting but somewhat lacking. The rough finish and poor voice work weren’t to my liking. Yet, the excellent UI, interesting spells, and gentle learning curve kept me focused throughout.
Mines and Magic has no story.
Unlike its peers, Mines and Magic has no central story. Additionally, there isn’t a world map to explore or a sense of progression from one stage to another. Instead, you are expected to work on one randomly generated arena. This lack of cohesion and progression will disappoint some gamers, myself included. I was desperate for a sense of achievement and reward. Instead, there is an overwhelming expectation of failure as you romp towards your inevitable downfall.
Alongside this, a lack of a story ensures that there is little depth! I would have loved an array of protagonists and antagonists to explore. Moreover, a character customisation screen and a lore-rich background would have gone a long way. In its current build, you have to accept its limitations and this is unfortunate. On top of this, if you can’t find an online opponent to face, you simply have to accept a 1V1 battle against the computer. Though this is fine, it lacks tactical finesse and quickly becomes tiresome as a result.
Simple mechanics.
Mines and Magic utilises a simple gameplay loop with even simpler mechanics. Your HQ is a magical castle. This stronghold can be upgraded to improve its defences, spells, and offensive prowess. Alongside this, you must remove rocks with a drill beam to unlock resource nodes. You may use the beam once per round, and you can buy new troops and upgrade your structures between each wave.
Your army is limited to a handful of unit types, but each one can be combined to devastating effect. Additionally, you can upgrade those fighters and purchase spells to complement your approach. Once the wave begins, you must sit back and watch each opposing force battle it out. If you so wish, you can select your purchased spells and give your forces a helping hand. However, you quickly learn that resources are scarce and wasting them is ill-advised.
Fun but repetitive.
The straightforward gameplay loop and the resource management element are fun. Yet, I can’t help but think that the basic action and simplicity of the core mechanics were unfortunately repetitive. If the developer wishes to make Mines and Magic stand out from the crowd, they will need to work on many key aspects.
Sadly, the balance of resources to the destructive nature of your opponents is way out! Consequently, you will fail repeatedly, which will frustrate you. What’s more, there is too much trial and error and not enough customisation. These shortcomings leave you wanting, and the game rarely unlocks its potential.
Mines and Magic is dated.
I love a retro and dated experience. Subsequently, Mines and Magic was right up my street! The sultry colours and occasional vivid moments enhance the fantasy theme. Moreover, the top-down perspective and easy-to-understand grid layout improve usability. Next, you must consider the easy-to-identify resource nodes and the simple character models. Each of these elements is understated but well-considered.
The audio wasn’t as impressive. I disliked the poor acting and the slow and arduous tutorial. Furthermore, the sound effects are old and lacking in energy or originality. The soundtrack doesn’t fare much better, as the music quickly becomes repetitive and tiresome. This was a shame as a few tweaks could improve the overall experience.
Excellent controls.
Mines and Magic can be played on Steam Deck, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Consequently, I spent most of my time using my laptop and a mouse and keyboard. Therefore, the simple control layout and clean UI help to keep you on track. Moreover, the inputs were responsive and this helped during the short planning stages.
I’d love to say that this oozes replay value and longevity, but it doesn’t. The lack of intense core mechanics or a solid multiplayer mode holds it back. Additionally, no story or character customisation prevents this from truly excelling. However, there is room for improvement and if new elements can be implemented, then it has a good chance of succeeding.
Mines and Magic is fun but not particularly great.
I enjoyed my time with Mines and Magic. Yet, I was left wanting and that was disappointing. There are far too many shortcomings to make this truly excel. Consequently, the developers have a lot of work on their hands to make this game sparkle. However, if they can address the shortcomings, this has a real chance of impressing genre diehards. Accordingly, I cannot recommend buying it at the moment, but more information can be found here! Protect your castle at all costs. Find the resources, build your army, and use magic to destroy your opponents.
