Abracadabrew has been in Early Access for quite some time however the game released fully and out of its Early Access phase last month. Developed by Miju Games, Abracadabrew is a potion-brewing game where your memory skills are put to the test as you brew potions and try to complete your tasks within the strict time limits. This is our review of Abracadabrew on PC where we blow up some potions and try to find bat wings in different boxes.
Abracadabrew is a real challenging game and not for gamers who are looking forward to a relaxing game. Despite its simple looking UI and visuals, at its core, Abracadabrew will challenge every last cell in your brain as you try to remember where the ingredients are located and also try to work in tandem with your team where everyone tries to cope up with the pressure. In short, this game will separate master brewers from casual brewers pretty easily with its tight controls and demanding gameplay. While on the paper, Abracadabrew is simply a potion-brewing game but the reality is actually pretty far from it.
Yes, you have to brew potions in the game however each potion requires particular ingredients that are hidden away in different locations. These could be boxes, wardrobes, small stashes, and more depending on the level. Each level in the game is unique however despite the location remaining the same, each time you play the level, the recipes change, and also the locations of where you find ingredients change. Completing a level unlocks a new level and you also fight some bosses at the end of each chapter. The boss battles require potion brewing as well but are much more challenging than normal levels.
Apart from time limits, some of the levels come with additional challenges as well. For example, the level might get strong winds which may hinder your movement, or your cauldron starts to float away. My favorite one was the flock of bats blinding your view on the screen since it fits really well with the overall theme of the game. To counter-these, you have to go to particular buttons and mash the keys to stop them. Some of the levels come with blocked passages or other obstacles as well and you have to find new ways to move around the level to collect and bring back the ingredients. Earning higher medals at certain levels will also nab you a few new skins for your witches.
Probably the best feature of Abracadabrew is its challenging, memory-based gameplay. Your goal is to brew as many potions as possible in the game before the time runs out. The time limits are really tight and the ingredients for potions are hidden in multiple cupboards all around the level. While the initial levels seem pretty easy, as you progress in the game, the levels start introducing more and more challenges to each level. Apart from the tight time limits and ingredients storages scattered all over the level, you also have to ensure that you are throwing the ingredients into the cauldron in the right order. One mistake and your potion go poof in a puff of black smoke.
Abracadabrew can be played solo as well however the game is primarily made as a couch co-op game and the main fun lies in the chaotic co-op gameplay as well. While playing solo, your only challenge is the race against time however while playing with friends and family, you have to ensure that not only do you make as many potions in time but also during the ingredient hunt, everyone goes for particular ingredients so that two of you do not end up with the same ingredient at the same time and thus wasting your precious time. In addition, throwing the wrong ingredient at the last time will also waste your potion and time as you have to start from the start.
All of this ensures completely challenging gameplay that is extremely hard to master but really satisfying when you do. Playing the game and understanding the mechanics is not that hard since there are literally two buttons to press while moving around with the joystick. The game is playable with a keyboard and mouse however using joysticks is the best option in couch co-op. The game is easier to play with a joystick as well. If you are good with a keyboard and mouse, you might get a good grip over the controls however I was just getting confused, so a controller was the best option for me in this game.
Coming to the visuals of the game, Abracadabrew is nothing that would blow you out of the mind. Considering the fact that this is an indie game, visuals are still pretty decent, and nothing that would really make you look the other way. The witches are cute and the overall animations of the game are pretty smooth. Nothing feels choppy and the movement around the levels is crisp as well. As far as I am concerned, I did not encounter a single glitch or bug in the game, and it ran extremely well on my system. The control, UI, and visuals are pretty simple however the gameplay is pretty challenging and will literally take you a good time to master.
Final Verdict:
Abracadabrew is a great couch co-op game however for solo plays, the game gets a little tedious sometimes. While the challenge level is surely high, playing solo, a time will come when the levels will simply start to look repetitive and you will get bored however when it comes to playing with your family and friends, the game changes completely and becomes a highly satisfying and challenging memory game. The puzzles might appear simple however they are pretty challenging. With simple controls and a linear learning curve, it is a great title for quick play-and-leave sessions. If you love couch co-op titles and are looking for some for a challenging memory game, Abracadabrew is the perfect game for your library.
Final Score: 8.0/10
