[PlayStation 5] ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist – A Comprehensive Review

If you’re a fan of the Soulslike Metroidvania genre, you should definitely check out ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist. Brought to us by Binary Haze Interactive, Adglobe, and Live Wire, this sequel brings an engaging experience to the PlayStation 5. Join us as we dive into what makes this game worth your while.

In ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist, you’ll find yourself in the mysterious Land of Fumes, a place where Homunculi were originally crafted to harness magical resources from underground. Sadly, the noxious fumes seeped through to twist these creations into frenzied monsters. All hope seems lost, but there might just be a way to restore the balance and return things to their original state.

Players assume the role of Lilac, an Attuner with a unique talent for saving the Homunculi. Her abilities are your gateway to delve deeper into unexplored regions beneath the surface. Thankfully, Lilac isn’t alone in her quest. Early on, you’ll encounter Nola, a Homunculus left behind at the Subterranean Test Site. With her assistance, you’ll have the means to battle the foe-crazed inhabitants you encounter. And Nola’s just the beginning of your lineup; there are others out there waiting to join your cause.

It’s been nearly four years since I reviewed the prequel, ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights, on the Nintendo Switch back in 2021. That game boasted impressive visuals for the console, and this sequel elevates that foundation to a whole new level on the PlayStation 5, utilizing its capabilities for incredibly smooth animations that feel alive on screen.

As you begin your journey, you’re quickly introduced to the mechanics. You’ll control Lilac using the left stick or D-Pad, jump with the X button, and evade attacks using R2, which also doubles as a sprint when held. Mastering these controls will lead to unlocking impressive moves like a second jump or even an aerial dash, opening new pathways for exploration.

Interact with your surroundings using the L2 button. Need to heal? The L1 button activates your Healing Ward, perfect for patching up, though you’ll need to recharge it at Respites. Your special abilities get assigned to Square, Triangle, Circle, and R1, populated by skills provided by the Homunculi you recruit along the way.

Opening the menu with the DualSense’s Touchpad lets you track stats, gear, and plan future moves by using maps and markers, essential for any Metroidvania aficionado with its complex environments. And speaking of maps, they unfurl automatically, appreciating your every step into new areas.

A handy mini-map resides in the upper-right corner of your screen. Clicking in the right stick grants a broader view, allowing you to navigate, find objectives, and identify nearby Respites. These Rest points let you save your game, heal up, and restock resources, although they resurrect all enemies, too. Plus, they offer chances to replay story cutscenes or build upon your abilities with collected components.

You can tweak the game difficulty to match your pace, bearing in mind this adjusts the Fragments you earn from enemies—critical for unlocking bonuses within the Extras menu, offering things like costumes and enemy insights. Difficulty settings range from Easy to Hard, with fine-tuning options for things like enemy stats and your own survivability.

Progressing through ENDER MAGNOLIA also grants experience points for level-ups, boosting Lilac’s combat prowess. Pay attention to each enemy’s break gauge—a perfect point to decimate when depleted, leaving them defenseless against your aggressive counterattacks. It’s vital for surviving this challenging world.

Collect world resources to craft gear at the Craftory. Items like Magic Vials and bracelets can be built using materials like magicite and metals. Breakable items and deposits provide these resources, so don’t shy away from exploration. As the game progresses, new crafting opportunities arise, making material collection worthwhile.

Another key resource is Scraps, reclaimable from enemy parts. Certain game milestones unlock the Relic Refinery in the main city, allowing for upgrades to your relics to enhance their effects and slot efficiency, offering strategic benefits like improved health recovery or damage resistance.

The game features a Platinum trophy collection on PlayStation, with tasks ranging from story milestones, ally enhancements, and collectible chasing tasks, to exploring multiple endings. It’s a robust challenge for trophy hunters aiming to master this game.

ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist unfolds in a world tainted by underground fumes, turning the Homunculi into frenzied foes. As Lilac, you’ll embark on an epic journey to undo these calamities, exploring, recruiting allies like Nola, and battling every step of the way. This captivating tale is available now for $24.99 on PS5, with a PS4 version also available at the same price point.

Please note, this review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Binary Haze Interactive.