Magic and Machines (2023)

Developer: Little Bear Studios
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Genres: Action, Adventure, Casual, Indie, RPG, Strategy
Rating: 5.0 of 5, 6 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 2.5 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

a breezy retro turn-based RPG with a playful tone, gentle puzzles, and a party of quirky characters exploring a faded world.

retroturn-basedlightheartedaccessiblepuzzleyparty-basedfantasycasual

What players say

Players enjoy this as a short, affordable turn-based JRPG that scratches the nostalgia itch without demanding dozens of hours. Its Overload battle system draws comparisons to Bravely Default, and the story is light but engaging with pop culture jokes. A timer bug resets save data after 24 hours.

Screenshots

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.