Majogami: Inti Creates’ boldest 2D action game yet blends style, precision, and chaos into a mesmerizing slashfest.
There are two things that Inti Creates does really well: making games for fans and making 2D action platformers. They’ve been making fast-paced, tightly controlled side-scrolling games that capture the magic of old games while pushing the limits of modern polish for decades.
Their skill at precise fighting and responsive gameplay has rarely been called into question, from Mega Man Zero to Azure Striker Gunvolt and Blaster Master Zero. But in the last few years, the studio has tried new things creatively, and some of them have worked better than others. Many people had different reactions to Majogami, so fans approached this game with some concern.
Was this just another “close but not quite” try, or would it remind people why Inti Creates used to be one of the best 2D action games? Surprisingly, Majogami doesn’t just fix their image; it changes it. It’s a stylish, daring, and completely crazy take on what a 2D action platformer can be. It combines the brutality of hack-and-slash fighting with graphics that could be on par with Vanillaware.
Majogami might look like just another anime-style action game at first glance. But hidden behind the well-known tropes is one of the most mechanically satisfying systems that Inti Creates has ever made. It moves quickly, smoothly, and in layers, so players have to learn how to control its beat instead of just brute force.
Majogami teaches you how to dance with a sword in a world where everyone else swings them.
The story is about Shiroha, a girl who has lost her memory and is stuck in a strange world called Orchestra. Shiori, a talking marker (or maybe a cursed piece of paper), who says he is her father, is the only thing she has with her.
They set out on a journey together to get out of this strange world run by evil beings known as Craft Witches. Each witch controls a small piece of reality and lives out Shiroha’s sins, wants, and obsessions. They are twisted versions of her long-forgotten past.
Majogami‘s story is told through conversation scenes that look like anime, with detailed portraits and moody lighting. The tone goes back and forth between serious thought and silly fun. Shiori’s almost weird fatherly love makes the story more fun when it would otherwise be sad. As the story goes on, their relationship becomes the emotional center of it, blending sad moments with unexpectedly warm ones.
The main plot doesn’t change the way anime stories are told, but Majogami‘s strange characters, dreamlike setting, and hidden meanings make it stand out. The Craft Witches’ statements during battles show very personal reasons like envy, regret, lust, and guilt. This makes every fight a mental battle as well as a physical one.
The world of Majogami seems to be made up of memories and madness sewn together like a paper realm folded over itself.
Majogami is an action shooter at its core, but it plays around with space, time, and gravity all the time. You don’t stay still for very long. What really makes Shiroa stand out is her sword and, more importantly, her signature move, the Setsuna Sword Drive.
When the Setsuna button is pressed, Shiroa is instantly teleported to a target where she can slash through enemies or even fly across gaps. You can chain this move over and over, which lets them jump from enemy to enemy as if they were flying. What starts out as a fun trick quickly turns into the main part of the experience.
Each stage is like a training tutorial being played, showing you how to do new things slowly before big boss fights cause chaos. To get past enemy guards, players need to know when to hit across, up, or diagonally. It’s not enough to just press buttons; you have to read tells, pick angles, and keep your flow. When you use Setsuna too much, it drains your energy, making you choose between being angry and being patient.
Optional stages offer harder tasks and give in-game currency and gear to players who complete them. Even though the rounds are short, they are meant to be played again and again, making it perfect for people who love speedrunning and trying to get high scores.
Majogami turns the air itself into a weapon. Each enemy is a new challenge to master.
Majogami combat isn’t so much about brute force as it is about time. Each enemy you face is like a piece in a game that you have to solve in a certain way. Because enemies have shields, health bars that heal themselves, and tricky movement patterns, you can’t just hit them all the time.
Bosses are the most important parts of Majogami. Every single one is a show of both art and gameplay, with complex attack routines and emotional stories. The fights change over time, forcing you to use all the skills you’ve learned so far. When enemies get weaker, their desperation shows in the way they look: frantic animations, broken spell circles, and broken scenery make the drama higher.
The best thing about these fights is that they test how well you can think about space. You’ll have to avoid, block, reflect, and move projectiles while they’re in the air, and Setsuna will often chain teleports between multiple threats in a matter of seconds. Later, witches add environmental dangers and mirror clones, which make players balance attack and defense at the right speed.
Even though some of the smaller enemies aren’t very interesting, the game’s pace keeps you from getting bored. Later, the Astral System makes battle better by letting Shiroa call up constellations that briefly make her stronger or add new Setsuna gauges. These are like limited “super modes” that reward players who plan their moves and don’t spam power-ups.
Bosses don’t just fight back; they put on a show with blades and spells that will kill you.
Majogami promotes skill-based growth instead of the usual XP grind. You can buy more powerful items like charms, trinkets, and skill scrolls from the in-game shop, Etc. You can spend the currency you earn by beating enemies and finishing challenges to improve your stats or make your Astrals stronger.
As you level up, you’ll be able to use astrals, which are like passive buffs and special moves. Each cluster does something different, like increasing the range of your attacks or healing you faster. When used together in a smart way, they can completely change how you fight.
It’s a loop that makes skill more important than farming. The changes feel more worthwhile as you learn more about how they work. You can also get rare materials that let you make the game even more unique by doing optional trials and side tasks.
The graphics are the first thing that makes Majogami stand out. It was a big step for Inti Creates to go beyond pixel art and combine 2D drawings with 3D depth and moving effects. The end result is a game that looks like it was made by hand, like a life-sized paper model.
With expressive animation and smooth changes, the characters look like they were painted on. This makes every attack stand out. Bosses stand over the screen and change in complex ways, and the background is destroyed in ways that make the game feel more like a movie. Even though there is a lot of visual flair, the text is still easy to read, which isn’t always easy in games this fast-paced.
The art direction is on par with Vanillaware’s best work, but it still has Inti Creates’ unique cartoon edge. It’s one of the most beautiful 2D games of the decade and their most complex visual project to date.
It’s like seeing a painting come to life and then tear itself apart.
The sound design goes well with the images. Gothic piano melodies and electric guitar riffs are mixed together on the music to make a mood that is both sad and exciting. Each stage theme fits the mood of its setting, whether it’s a haunted castle, a machine-built church, or a dreamy landscape.
The attack sounds and voice cues are clear, so every cut, clash, and jump feels good, even when there is a lot going on. Even though the Japanese voice acting isn’t localized, it adds authenticity and feeling. However, some comedic exchanges could have been more powerful with English voices.
Sound design also has a small mechanical part to play. Paying attention to enemy cues can help you time your counterattacks, which is a small but important detail that rewards players who pay attention.
Majogami isn’t just another 2D action platformer; it’s the result of Inti Creates’ decades of experience with the genre, remade with big goals. It’s one of their best games in years because of its tight gameplay, beautiful art, and smart boss fights.
It has some problems, like story jumps, uneven pace in tutorials, and not many different types of enemies, but these aren’t as noticeable as the game’s creativity and energy. Majogami is a very challenging and rewarding game that few games today can match for those who are willing to learn how to play it well.
