ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist | PC Early Access Review

Ender Magnolia is the second game by Binary Haze Interactive to bear the Ender prefix, though it’s unclear in its early access state whether it’s a sequel to their first Metroidvania, Ender Lilies. Regardless, it has the same bones as the original: sidescrolling action platforming with monstrous enemies, massive bosses that unlock new abilities and demand your attention, and of course a small child who travels around with a bunch of ghosts that do all her fighting.

More of a Good Thing

This game follows Lilac, a girl who awakens in what can only be described as a chamber of horrors and has to escape to the surface. Along the way she meets various Homunculi, effectively magically animated dolls, who she can bond with and will serve as her weapons. In the early access version so far, you have access to your bread-and-butter sword, a Homunculi who acts as a double jump and fast dash, a wolf that lets you fast-travel, and a gun. Yep, gun.

The combat system from Ender Lilies returns in full force: enemies have a health and a stagger meter, and knocking out their stagger bar makes them vulnerable, giving you a window to deal more damage. This applies to bosses as well, though it should be noted you don’t have to lower the stagger bar to deal damage to their health.

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist Early Access Verdict

All in all, the early access version feels like more of the same as Ender Lilies, and considering the quality of that title, that’s not a bad thing. It’s a new adventure in a new location with new opportunities for exploration and taking on scary monsters. Look forward to the finished product when it launches sometime later in 2024.

To hear me talk more about ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist, be sure to listen to the April 3 episode of The Gaming Outsider podcast.

This review is based on a PC Early Access copy of ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist provided by Stride PR for coverage purposes. It will also be available on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch at a later date.