Magic and Machines
A retro fantasy turn-based RPG
Ratings
Age
13+
Category
Roleplaying
Languages
English
Mon Jul 24 2023
Small fix for dialog bug from a player's review. Misleading dialog when entering Reaper's Castle
Magic and Machines is a retro-inspired turn-based RPG that simplifies classic mechanics for a modern audience. Explore a world where monsters run rampant and Sacred Stones are disappearing. Form a party from six unique characters, each with elemental abilities that can alter the terrain to solve puzzles. Featuring a strategic 'Overload' combat mechanic and a charming narrative, it's perfect for both JRPG veterans and newcomers looking for a polished adventure.
Dinsun Expert Review
Our Expert Score
Magic and Machines is a love letter to the 16-bit era of JRPGs, but it’s one that respects the modern player's time. Inspired by classics like Chrono Trigger and Golden Sun, it captures that nostalgic magic while stripping away the tedious grinding and overly complex systems that often bog down the genre. The turn-based combat is the star here, specifically the 'Overload' mechanic. Being able to supercharge a move after two uses adds a brilliant tactical layer—do you heal now or save your Overload for a massive offensive blast later?
The party members are distinct not just in personality but in how they interact with the world. Using elemental abilities to alter the terrain for puzzle-solving is a great touch that makes exploration feel meaningful. The story, which starts with a simple accident in a quiet town and scales to a world-ending crisis, is charming and doesn't take itself too seriously. It’s the perfect RPG for someone with a busy life; it’s easy to pick up for 10 minutes but deep enough to get lost in for hours. For just $1.99 with no ads or IAPs, it’s one of the best values on the App Store.
Features
Retro 16-bit Art Style
6 Playable Characters
Overload Battle System
Elemental World Puzzles
No Ads or Microtransactions
Tips & Walkthrough
Choose three members from the six available heroes. Balance your team with an elemental adept like Blaer for damage and Alda for essential healing.
Gameplays
Use a skill twice to charge your Overload. Once active, your next move is supercharged, allowing for stronger attacks, longer buffs, or heals that surpass max health.
Screenshot
Q&A
While it varies by playstyle, the game is designed for both short bursts and longer sessions, providing a substantial JRPG experience without unnecessary filler.
Ratings & Reviews
An homage to the rpg greats
Thu Jul 20 2023 ZerskeysImagine that the year is 1995, your just got the new Earthbound rpg for your SNES, you open the box and you are overwhelmed by the crisp fresh smell of your new plastic cartridge. This game really takes you back to a time where you were excited to open a new game and see what it had in store for you. Magic and machines has buttery smooth controls where your hero glides aimlessly across terrain, like when you’ve just finished shoveling your tenth fistful of popcorn into your mouth and you attempt to continue to your next eppy on Netflix using your chrome cast remote but your fingers just slide across the buttons. The combat mechanics are fun and just the right amount of challenging. I highly recommend this game to anyone who is a fan of old school rpgs.
Enjoyed very much, hoping for a second chapter
Tue Jul 18 2023 (=)Nicho(=)This was quite fun, perfect length for a mobile game, and was linear without being outright predictable. End game has a lot of fun mechanics, so there’s a bit of replay value too. At some point I would like to Buck the trend and try an all-melee run to go against the grain of “Magic and Machines” and try to make it “Melee and Machines”Instead. Game runtime is fast enough where it would be interesting to see a speed run community built around it too. Maybe one note: a bit more to highlight that there are underlying set bonuses to using two of the same classification of gear, e.g. two “steel” pieces, two “sorcerer” pieces, etc. Would love to see a story expansion at some point, and make it so that “Gamebreaker” weapons are not as powerful, or disappear and reduce the team power back to a normal level.
Love game but hopelessly stuck
Wed Aug 09 2023 BudbeagleI really loved this game. Brings back all the memories of early Nintendo games like Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior. Sadly I made it to Reapers Castle in Act 5 and find myself stuck and without a clue as what to do. I would love to finish the game but after finding no help online, my journey has come to an end. I still give the game 5 stars and hope in the future other gamers will share clues about going forward.
Can’t recommend this
Fri Jul 21 2023 JammkarThis game would be good, but it has the most annoying movement mechanism of any mobile game I’ve played. Whether set to fixed or floating, the joystick is awkward and does not cooperate, distracting you from the game constantly. 2nd, the developer should not put dead ends with no reasonable resolution into the game. At the reaper castle, when I try to enter, the front door tells me “you may enter” but does not open. I have looked everywhere for secret openings, hidden clues, talked to npcs, etc. Cannot find any way to open the door, so I can’t continue the game. Waste of money. At least it was only a couple bucks.
Intriguing and worthwhile.
Tue Jul 11 2023 MetalkicXWinterXThornIf imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Little Bear Studios’ Magic And Machines is about as flattering as app games come. It certainly harkens back to the nostalgic days of the original Final Fantasy. Magic And Machines features familiar gameplay systems and charming story beats that summon forth fond memories from other genre titles. Truly, a simple yet compelling story, that you’ll fall in love with over and over again💞
Some good ideas, but needs some love
Tue Jul 04 2023 SeriouslyseanI love magic, I love machines, and I really love RPGs. I just couldn’t get invested in this game despite trying for over an hour. Some pointed feedback: - Cost was right on the nose, seems like a lot of value for the price - The writing was totally fine, few grammatical errors here and there - Game appears blurry on an iPhone 11 Pro - Movement felt clunky as your character speed is based on how far you’re holding the joystick control away from the center - Characters and items all use varying types of sprites and styles they didn’t feel like they meshed well together - Menu and controls were really disjointed and the placement was confusing for a lot of the buttons There might be a great game underneath all of these issues so I’ll check back in a few months.
Great for traveling, doesn’t need internet
Fri Jun 30 2023 kwuzyyyHours of nostalgic fun that doesn’t take itself too seriously
Great game!
Sun Jul 02 2023 aaa16889My whole family like this game! Hope a second game coming up soon!
Some Youtube Videos found!
Magic And Machines Gameplay Android Ios - YouTube
Magic And Machines Trailer: Meet the Party! - YouTube
One year anniversary of development for Magic and Machines - YouTube
Little Bear Preschool Thinking Adventures Full Walkthrough - YouTube
MtG Casual Gameplay - Bears VS Crabs - YouTube
Magic and Machines - Official Trailer - YouTube
Horse Ranch Tycoon (by Rogue Harbour) IOS Gameplay Video (HD) - YouTube
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