July 23rd 2024.
There's a new indie game on the horizon that's stirring up some buzz - Magical Delicacy. Combining a magical version of food delivery service Deliveroo with a 2D platformer, this game is looking to be the next cozy hit of the year.
In a world filled with constant news of pandemics, war, and political turmoil, sometimes all we want is a peaceful escape. And that's exactly what cozy games offer - a chance to unwind and forget about the troubles of the world. Games like Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley have gained immense popularity, and Magical Delicacy is hoping to join their ranks. With its charming pixel art, whimsical music, and no violence in sight, this game offers a much-needed break from reality.
The game follows the story of Flora, a witch who has recently moved to a town that is known for its witch-friendly atmosphere. In order to make a living, she starts a food delivery business. But unlike Deliveroo, Flora does all the cooking and delivery herself, without exploiting underpaid workers. Her job involves going around the town, meeting hungry customers, collecting ingredients, and cooking up delicious meals to fulfill orders.
Flora's simple job becomes complicated by various factors, the first being the acquisition of ingredients. While some can be found and harvested, others need to be bought from suppliers scattered around the map. To earn money for these purchases, Flora has to successfully deliver food orders. As her business grows, she adds more equipment to her kitchen, such as a chopping board, pestle and mortar, and an oven, to fulfill complex orders that require pre-prepared ingredients.
However, all this running around and gathering ingredients can become monotonous and time-consuming. That's where fast travel comes in to save the day. But even with this feature, the game still has its share of bottlenecks and interdependencies that can make the gameplay frustrating. To keep track of recipes and ingredients, players can pin them to a list on the screen, but the limit of only three pins can become inadequate.
The game also has a day/night cycle that affects certain aspects of the gameplay. Potions can only be brewed at night, and some plants can only be harvested during the day. While this adds an interesting element to the game, it can also mean waiting around for certain tasks to be completed.
On the bright side, conversations in the game are kept simple with text-only dialogue. This adds to the retro feel of the game, reminiscent of Japanese role-playing games from the 90s. The platforming aspect of the game is also not very challenging, making it accessible to players of all skill levels. And although there is a risk of burning food if left unattended, cooking only takes a few seconds, so it's not a major issue.
The biggest challenge in Magical Delicacy is having a good memory. With so many ingredients and customers to keep track of, it can be difficult to remember where everything is located. Players can buy markers to help them find important places, but this doesn't completely solve the problem. The game's interface can also be clunky and confusing, making simple tasks more complicated than they need to be.
Despite its flaws, Magical Delicacy has a lot of charm and offers a delightful break from reality. Its beautiful pixel art, soothing music, and overall friendly atmosphere make it a joy to play. However, the frustrating interface and level design can dampen the experience at times. Overall, the game earns a solid 6/10 and is available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. And if you have Game Pass, you can play it on day one. So why not give it a try and let us know what you think? Email us, leave a comment, follow us on Twitter, and sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on all things gaming.
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