Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist Review
Attuned Too Close
Back in 2021, a little gem of a game was released that likely went under the radar of many RPG enthusiasts. Those who did play Ender Lilies were treated to one of the best side-scrolling RPGs that has ever been released. Fast-forward to 2025 and Adglobe is back at it with Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist. While Magnolia is a more polished experience, it fails to capture the magic that made its predecessor stick out from the masses.
Ender Magnolia is a 2D side-scrolling RPG that takes place decades after the events of Ender Lilies. Players take control of Lilac, an “Attuner” who can form bonds with homunculi in this dark and desolate world. At first, Lilac is slow, frail, clunky, and can barely traverse the world, but as she explores and fights the different bosses and mini-bosses, she gains new battle techniques that also give her the ability to open up new areas.
In terms of story, Ender Magnolia tells a crisp and concise story. Deep in the depths of the Land of Fumes, a girl wakes up amidst rubble and refuse. Lilac awakens with her memories in tatters and hints that the kingdom sitting atop the desolate underworld holds the answers to her heritage. As she beats bosses, Lilac and the players are rewarded with short vignettes that show some of that boss’s backstory. These videos are more form than substance, as only a few offer hints towards the main plot. While the main story of Ender Magnolia is inoffensive, it takes a back seat to exploration and combat, making it the least memorable experience in this game.
The bosses look intimidating.
Ender Magnolia has a large and lush world, rife with secrets and numerous fast travel options for players to use at their discretion. It’s a good idea for players to use the custom markers to keep tabs on the inaccessible locations scattered around the map. In fact, the map system is more refined and shows a much clearer picture when scanning to check for new areas to uncover. Areas that have all secrets and items pilfered will be marked blue, so players know that it is safe to move and search a new quadrant for goodies to collect.
The good thing about Ender Magnolia is that it does not punish players for exploring the world. When Lilac loses all of her hit points, she is sent back to the last respite location she rested at with no penalty other than the slain monsters all coming back to life. Lilac will acquire healing items, gear to tweak stats, upgrades, and numerous ways to avoid damage that help in her journey through this desolate, yet beautiful world. There is also a difficulty slider so players can make the game easier or harder to match their comfort level. The game feels easier than the previous entry, so RPGamers looking for a challenge may want to move that slider up.
The combat in Ender Magnolia feels smoother than Ender Lilies. Combat is swift and slick, as Lilac utilizes her array of Homunculi abilities to create customizable attacks. There are ten main attacks for her to choose from, with four being equipable at a time. Each Homunculi also has three different attack types, such as Nola – the first and most important Homunculi that joins Lilac – who can switch between a sword, scythe, and axe. Each Homunculi can also have their abilities enhanced by collecting scraps and special items. All of this allows for tons of flexibility when deciding how to tackle enemies in the game.
Normal battles are over fairly quickly because Lilac and enemies alike can be felled in the blink of an eye. It’s the boss battles where the game’s graphics and engine truly shine. Bosses are a spectacle and are wonderfully animated. Timing is key, as boss attacks stretch out further and quicker than expected. There is also an option to turn off boss tells, so players will have a harder time predicting incoming attacks. It’s easy to mistime a dodge or to not jump away far enough and get punished by a boss’s move set, though nothing that a little repetition and practice can’t overcome. There is plenty of gear that helps mitigate damage and boost Lilac’s output to help keep her upright for the duration of the game.
Good robo-pup
Ender Magnolia has two endings that can be obtained, but players will have to follow the crumbs the game leaves around to witness the second ending. There are lots of secrets hidden about, and while most items are stat or weapon upgrades, some are key items that trigger new events at old locales. The map and its ability to quickly tell players which areas have fully been explored is one of the easiest ways to stay on track and discover everything this game has to offer.
One element that stays on par with its sequel is the music of Ender Magnolia. Once again, Mili returns to compose the soundtrack for the series, and they do a wonderful job at filling the atmosphere of this world out perfectly. The music is powerful, mysterious, serene, or somber when it needs to be. There are a few areas that feel empty before the music trickles in, but it can’t be overstated how beautiful and majestic the melodies are when they do hit those high notes. The music is one of the best parts of the game.
When Ender Lilies came out, it was a game that captured that side-scrolling feeling perfectly. Ender Magnolia hits all the notes as well, but it follows a game that was more original with a more engaging story. When crafting a sequel, one would hope that a new title would retain some of the spirit of the original work, but for Ender Magnolia, it feels more like a DLC than its own experience. Still, fans of Ender Lilies who want a new world to explore should check out Ender Magnolia.
Disclosure: This review is based on a free copy of the game provided by the publisher.
Lovely visuals
Engaging combat
Fun map to explore
Beautiful music
Too Similar to Ender Lilies.
Story isn't anything special.
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