The Magic Circle: Gold Edition

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. GameCritics
    Jun 12, 2016
    85
    For such a small title, The Magic Circle has a lot to say. This isn’t something most games can claim, and it sits comfortably along other recent indies like The Beginner’s Guide, which deconstruct traditional approaches to design.
  2. CGMagazine
    Jun 2, 2016
    85
    The Magic Circle is a delightful puzzler brimming with creativity.
  3. COGconnected
    May 5, 2016
    85
    Everything from the concept to the way The Magic Circle tackles puzzle solving is unique. Question has pulled off quite the feat in making a game that is inspirational on several levels, one that rewards, and fosters, creativity. This is an adventure that needs to be played.
  5. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Jul 6, 2016
    80
    An inventive puzzler built around using pseudo code to fight enemies and overcome obstacles. It's no more than an evening's play, but a brilliantly unusual one. [July 2016, p.82]
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  6. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Jun 25, 2016
    80
    The last sections of The Magic Circle are some of the best “no WAY!” twists you’re likely to play this year. [August 2016, p.76]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Eurogamer Italy
    May 12, 2016
    80
    We love videogames but what are the difficulties that every developer must overcome in order to deliver their creation? The Magic Circle is a funny and smart adventure which shows the backstage of the realization of a game providing a well-written plot and an original, though not perfect, gameplay.
  8. TheSixthAxis
    May 6, 2016
    80
    The Magic Circle: Gold Edition is a humourous and satirical look at the complexity of game development. At the same time, it’s a fun game that encourages you to experiment with different combinations to reach your goal, leading to a number of bizarre creations, but The Magic Circle: Gold Edition is brought to life by its comedy.
  9. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Apr 29, 2016
    75
    The Magic Circle will appeal to anyone who can laugh at themselves.
  10. IGN Spain
    Jul 12, 2016
    70
    A weird and original proposal that is only flawed for getting old long before its end.
  11. GameSpot
    May 11, 2016
    70
    Those expecting to play around with the physics of an open video game world will find themselves lamenting the lack of control and additional objectives after a short period of time, and those wanting nothing more than to find out where the narrative goes will be discouraged by how frustrating the gameplay can occasionally be. The essence of The Magic Circle is somewhere in between.
  12. Brash Games
    May 6, 2016
    70
    This is a truly unique experience with a narrative deserving of the accolades it’s received. The Magic Circle: Gold Edition is an enchanting game with some fresh concepts that I would like to see more of in this genre.
  13. GameSpew
    May 11, 2016
    60
    The presentation of The Magic Circle is simple but striking… I would be lying if I said it wasn’t one of the cleverest uses of a retro aesthetic I’ve ever seen.
  14. We Got This Covered
    Apr 28, 2016
    60
    Providing a unique look at a studio unable to get over its developers' egos to finish a highly anticipated project, The Magic Circle introduces interesting development tool mechanics that aren't as fun to manipulate as they should be.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 2 out of 8
  1. SuperkenGaming
    May 4, 2016
    6
    The Magic Circle
    From Magic to lame
    The Magic Circle is basically a game about game development.. development teams not agreeing on what    The Magic Circle
    From Magic to lame
    The Magic Circle is basically a game about game development..
    development teams not agreeing on what goes where, and who should have what powers…
    so its up to you to try and finish this game…
    The game starts out with a feeling of mystery.. and exploration ironically thanks to the linear feel the game originally gives off … coming across a sword and the developers changing the world and story around you…discovering your first deleted cave, All of this instantly got me excited for what was to come.. that I was going to play an ever changing game in conflict…but once you realize that this is actually an open world game that goes back and forth between colorless plains and a pixilated space station, it quickly loses all magic and charm, and ends up being quite dull…
    The game for the most part takes place in an unfinished open world rpg
    its all about exploring the world and editing creatures and their abilities to help you progress through the world.
    You can strip abilities from some items and use them on another item.. you can bring non living items to life.. make a certain object or creature attack another…
    Cool idea on paper, but you can literally just make everything your ally removing all threat in the game..
    Turning this more into a lifeless open world puzzle game…
    of course you will run into objects that give you troubles, but it will only last for a few seconds…
    and there are literally only like 80 enemies in the entire world and half of them are mushrooms and rocks.
    At the end you do get to make your own game with a laughable amount of options and design choices..
    with no real urge or need to get creative… unless you want a 10/10 score for a trophy,
    but again the options are so boring that this is chore…
    I was in love with magic circle during its first moments.
    but unfortunately this game gets worse the longer you play it.
    I give the magic circle
    a 6/10    … Full Review »
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