Verdict: Extra Recommended
Playtime at review: 67 hours (Ongoing)
Platform: Windows 11 PC
Version/Build: v1.23.4a+ | 2021+

I PURCHASED THIS GAME WITH MY OWN D4MN MONEY!!
(did you notice? okay thanks)

This game is so fricken awesome it's basically like a roguelite avatar the last airbender you can play with your friends. There are loads of spells / powers to pick from and create your loadout and it is endless, obsessive fun / a great challenge. Definitely buy this game. No caveats.
TL;IS READING

Pros (3-5) - :)
[ 1 ] 4 move types is the optimal range / variety of powers with bonus slots becoming available within the rounds, but it mostly sticking to 4 simple types of moves throughout.
[ 2 ] The Elements are more accurately portrayed to create gameplay generation variety but also unique pixel art aesthetics that set this game apart.
[ 3 ] When I play this with friends genuine hours fly by and we always have so much fun even just picking our wizard's loadout and that's BEFORE we jump into a round.
[ 4 ] The gameplay loop, which teaches the painful lesson of focus and, "each round counts," mechanics allows the players to iterate endlessly with their loadout and the loss of progress is quickly rewarded with opportunities for new relics or moves or combos.
[ 5 ] I think this game can bring two friends together by allowing for the perfect balance of intermittent conversation mixed in with strategizing and collaborating together, while every dash counts as you weave between enemy attacks.

Cons (2-4) - >:/
[ 1 ] Tragically joins the list of Original Indie games whose higher production sequels fail to capture the magic of their predecessor.
[ 2 ] Need more... just more, need more need more more please give me now. Please.

Gameplay & Loop: Dodge a variety of enemies and fill out maps; challenging; endless variety of runs.
Level/Pacing: Each match has two basic rounds and a boss round, the difficulty gets easier as you collect items but remains new and exciting with each run.
Story & Writing: The fantasy backdrop is perfectly infused with odd characters with signature offerings, money and shards are sparse and saving becomes a skill.
Audio & Music: I just want to note that the spatial cues and combat sfx are immaculate.
Art & Visuals: Although it takes awhile to get used to the readability of this game, the payoff of the art style and direction is unprecedented and more than covers the visual learning curb.
Controls & UX: The menus are decent menus, they were honestly most visually creative in the home room you spawn in, they "do the trick" when in a match.

Rig Components:
CPU [ Intel Core i5 13600K ] | GPU [ 4034MB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 ] | RAM [ 64.0GB @ 2400MHz ]
Resolution [ 1920x1080 ]
Avg FPS [ 120 ] | Crashes [ 0 ]

[x] Remappable controls [x] Subtitles/size [x] Screen shake toggle [x] Motion blur toggle

Length: Main 67h+ | Side tbd+
Replayability: A seemingly endless combination of variable runs to attempt
Monetization: NONE / No in-game purchases available.
Fair value at: $39.99 but its actually like $15 I mean COME ON.

Co-op features: you cannot drop-in/out, progress is not shared WITHIN the rounds nor health, but is shared AFTER / OUTSIDE of the rounds.

Great for: Fans of rogue-likes and pixel art fantasy actiony goodness
Probably not for: Deal-breakers: grind, difficulty, repetition, focused not casual

"PREPOSTEROUS"
Not sure why, I just like the word, I think it makes a good final word to come before the other last words, after the final word.

Roguelite • Fantasy • Magic • Loadout-Building • Procedural • PvE Co-op