76
MONSTER
Mankind has surrendered the world to the monsters. People hide away behind walls of brick and palisades of ignorance, constructed by their leaders. Joy and delight are coveted jewels, out of reach of the masses. This is not the world you were promised. Travel by night and take it back. Journey through a world in decline, slowly falling prey to the damaging effects of Entropy. Fight against vicious enemies, challenge unique, deadly bosses, meet new allies, enemies, and every shade in-between, and make harsh moral choices. There are many paths worth taking. Choose yours.
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
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73
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree delivers an intriguing dark fantasy narrative praised for its world-building, moral complexities, and engaging characters. However, critics largely agree that its execution falters, relying on predictable tropes and lacking emotional depth. While the story starts strong with beautifully illustrated cutscenes, it ultimately feels archetypical and loses momentum, leading to a mixed reception that highlights its potential but underscores its shortcomings.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
73
Positive Reviews (80-100)
45%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
45%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
10%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree delivers an intriguing dark fantasy narrative praised for its world-building, moral complexities, and engaging characters. However, critics largely agree that its execution falters, relying on predictable tropes and lacking emotional depth. While the story starts strong with beautifully illustrated cutscenes, it ultimately feels archetypical and loses momentum, leading to a mixed reception that highlights its potential but underscores its shortcomings.
Gameplay Mechanics
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78
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree impresses with its blend of Soulslike and Metroidvania elements, featuring responsive combat and rewarding exploration, but struggles with combat depth and enemy variety. Critics praise its challenging gameplay and customization options, yet highlight issues like repetitive mechanics and clunky controls. While it shows potential, the game needs refinement to elevate the overall experience.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
78
Positive Reviews (80-100)
48%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
52%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree impresses with its blend of Soulslike and Metroidvania elements, featuring responsive combat and rewarding exploration, but struggles with combat depth and enemy variety. Critics praise its challenging gameplay and customization options, yet highlight issues like repetitive mechanics and clunky controls. While it shows potential, the game needs refinement to elevate the overall experience.
Graphics and Visual Design
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88
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree wows critics with its stunning graphics and immersive 2.5D art, receiving high praise for its hand-drawn style and vibrant environments. While some feel enemy designs are generic and certain areas lack depth, these minor critiques don't overshadow the game’s overall visual excellence. It's a standout title in its genre.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
88
Positive Reviews (80-100)
94%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
6%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree wows critics with its stunning graphics and immersive 2.5D art, receiving high praise for its hand-drawn style and vibrant environments. While some feel enemy designs are generic and certain areas lack depth, these minor critiques don't overshadow the game’s overall visual excellence. It's a standout title in its genre.
Music and Sound Design
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80
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree boasts a praised orchestral soundtrack, enhancing the game's atmosphere with epic and dramatic tones. Critics, including COGconnected and Gameliner, commend the music as a standout feature. However, the sound design suffers from inconsistent voice acting and clichéd dialogue, leading to mixed reviews. While the music is a definite high point, the flaws in sound execution diminish the overall audio experience, marking a clear divide in critical reception.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
80
Positive Reviews (80-100)
69%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
23%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
8%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree boasts a praised orchestral soundtrack, enhancing the game's atmosphere with epic and dramatic tones. Critics, including COGconnected and Gameliner, commend the music as a standout feature. However, the sound design suffers from inconsistent voice acting and clichéd dialogue, leading to mixed reviews. While the music is a definite high point, the flaws in sound execution diminish the overall audio experience, marking a clear divide in critical reception.
Voice Acting
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72
"Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree" features a mixed bag of voice acting—critics praise its ability to enhance character depth and the dark fantasy atmosphere, but also highlight inconsistencies and clichéd lines that disrupt immersion. While standout performances exist, uneven quality and forced dialogue undermine the narrative experience, signaling a need for improved consistency in future updates.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING
Acting Score
72
Positive Reviews (80-100)
46%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
46%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
8%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.
TL;DR
voice acting
"Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree" features a mixed bag of voice acting—critics praise its ability to enhance character depth and the dark fantasy atmosphere, but also highlight inconsistencies and clichéd lines that disrupt immersion. While standout performances exist, uneven quality and forced dialogue undermine the narrative experience, signaling a need for improved consistency in future updates.
Technical Performance
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69
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree on PS5 receives mixed reviews: some praise its stability and smooth gameplay, while others highlight frustrating control issues and frame drops that mar the experience. Xbox Series X shows better performance overall, though save system concerns loom large. Despite some enjoyment potential, technical flaws are a recurring theme that may deter players.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
69
Positive Reviews (80-100)
27%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
73%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree on PS5 receives mixed reviews: some praise its stability and smooth gameplay, while others highlight frustrating control issues and frame drops that mar the experience. Xbox Series X shows better performance overall, though save system concerns loom large. Despite some enjoyment potential, technical flaws are a recurring theme that may deter players.
Replay Value
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72
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree offers some replayability through diverse classes, a talent tree, and a New Game Plus mode, enticing players to experiment with builds. However, criticisms loom large, including tedious combat and lack of compelling reasons to revisit old areas, which could dampen the experience. While some players may find engaging content and customization appealing, others might be deterred by the game's design flaws. Overall, it's a mixed bag that may not satisfy everyone.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
72
Positive Reviews (80-100)
29%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
65%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
6%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree offers some replayability through diverse classes, a talent tree, and a New Game Plus mode, enticing players to experiment with builds. However, criticisms loom large, including tedious combat and lack of compelling reasons to revisit old areas, which could dampen the experience. While some players may find engaging content and customization appealing, others might be deterred by the game's design flaws. Overall, it's a mixed bag that may not satisfy everyone.
Overall Verdict
76
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
76
Positive Reviews (80-100)
63%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
37%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
"Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree" impresses with stunning visuals and engaging gameplay, blending Metroidvania and soulslike elements effectively. Critics praise its combat and atmosphere but highlight a lack of originality, technical flaws, and shallow depth. It's a solid experience for genre fans, yet it doesn’t break new ground.
76
MONSTER
Reviews
58 reviews found100
Gameliner
Apr 27, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree successfully combines elements of Metroidvania and soulslike genres, offering an engaging story, challenging gameplay, and a captivating atmosphere.
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90
Noisy Pixel
Apr 17, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a must-play for fans of fantasy and souls-like games, despite its narrative shortcomings.
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85
GAMES.CH
Apr 17, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The review suggests that Mandragora is a noteworthy indie title that offers enjoyable gameplay, especially for fans of sidescroller action.
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85
ElDesmarque
Apr 28, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
A pesar de sus fallos, Mandragora ofrece una experiencia gratificante y se recomienda su compra.
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82
Generación Xbox
May 1, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is an engaging experience that, while not groundbreaking, offers a captivating journey for fans of the genre. It has its flaws but remains enjoyable.
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80
Gaming Nexus
May 1, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Despite some frustrations, Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a captivating blend of genres with a compelling story and engaging gameplay that keeps players returning to the world of Faelduum.
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80
Meristation
May 5, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Overall, Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a well-crafted game that successfully blends elements of metroidvania and soulslike genres, making it highly recommended for fans.
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80
TheXboxHub
May 1, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a solid dark fantasy RPG with engaging gameplay and a decent story, making it worth playing.
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80
Voxel
Apr 24, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a solid soulsvania that respects genre conventions, with engaging combat and exploration, though it suffers from a lack of originality in design and a forgettable story.
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80
Slant Magazine
Apr 22, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a compelling RPG with a rich story and stunning visuals, though it has some gameplay frustrations and technical issues.
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