| Mika and The Witch’s Mountain | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gameplay & Story | Release Date | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
Mika and The Witch’s Mountain is a fantasy adventure about an aspiring witch who delivers packages in a cozy town. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn’t do well, and if it’s worth buying.
Mika and The Witch's Mountain Review Overview
What is Mika and The Witch's Mountain?
Mika and The Witch’s Mountain is a heartwarming coming-of-age tale about Mika, an aspiring witch with dreams of mastering her craft. Working as a parcel courier on a quaint island, Mika soars through the skies on her broom, delivering packages and exploring the world around her. But to reach the summit of the Witch’s Mountain and become a full-fledged witch, she'll need to perfect her broom-riding skills and prove her worth.
Mika and The Witch's Mountain features:
⚫︎ Fantasy adventure game
⚫︎ Coming-of-age journey
⚫︎ Female Protagonist
⚫︎ Wholesome Life Sim
⚫︎ Open-world game
⚫︎ Light-hearted story
⚫︎ Cozy and relaxing gameplay
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Mika and The Witch's Mountain's gameplay and story.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Steam |
 PSN
|  Xbox |
 eShop |
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| Wishlist Only | Coming soon | $19.99 | |||||
Mika and The Witch's Mountain Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Beautiful Explorable World This Game Makes Fetch Quests Fun Charming Light-Hearted Story |
Some Terrible Bugs and Frame Drops Lack of QoL Features |
Mika and The Witch's Mountain Overall Score - 86/100
Mika and The Witch’s Mountain is basically Kiki’s Delivery Service if it was a game. It captures all the charm and coziness of a Miyazaki film, paired with its simple but equally relaxing gameplay. Sure, it has some bugs and could use a few improvements, but despite that, it's a Ghibli fan’s dream come true.
Mika and The Witch's Mountain Story - 9/10
The game is a heartwarming coming-of-age story where you watch Mika grow into a full-fledged witch while building meaningful relationships with the townsfolk. It’s lighthearted and simple, yet in that simplicity, there’s something truly magical and moving.
Mika and The Witch's Mountain Gameplay - 9/10
Who knew fetch quests could be this enjoyable? The game’s core mechanic revolves around delivering packages while gliding through the skies, and it nails both aspects beautifully. I’ve had a great time soaring around, ensuring my deliveries are safe and on schedule. Plus, exploring the world is incredibly rewarding, with hidden nooks and crannies offering up fun challenges just waiting to be discovered.
Mika and The Witch's Mountain Visuals - 8/10
Visually, the game is bright and colorful, with adorable and creative characters that give off a vibe similar to Windwaker and Breath of the Wild. It has that same kind of charm that makes the world feel alive and inviting.
Mika and The Witch's Mountain Audio - 8/10
I loved the soundtrack in this game—it’s warm, bubbly, and adventurous, perfectly matching Mika’s curious spirit as she explores and helps others. That said, the audio mixing could’ve been better; the tracks sometimes cut off abruptly and don’t flow smoothly when transitioning between areas. But overall, I really appreciated the upbeat vibe they were aiming for.
Mika and The Witch's Mountain Value for Money - 9/10
At $20, this game is totally worth it, especially if you’re a Ghibli fan. It’s perfect for all ages and makes for a fun family experience, much like a Ghibli movie.
Mika and The Witch's Mountain Review: A Ghibli Fan's Dream Come True
As a huge fan of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki’s Kiki’s Delivery Service, I was really excited for this game since it’s so clearly inspired by that beloved film. I’ve been craving another game that captures that Ghibli magic, much like Ni no Kuni, which even had Ghibli's involvement and Joe Hisaishi composing the soundtrack. I have to say, this game truly nails the essence and wonder of a Ghibli film while also carving out its own unique identity.
Let’s dive into the start of the game. It kicks off with a gorgeous hand-drawn cutscene where Mika is dropped off at Witch’s Olagari’s Mountain, dreaming of becoming a full-fledged witch. Right away, the witch herself, with her big nose and distinctive personality, reminded me of Yubaba from Spirited Away. She sends Mika flying down to the cozy island of Orilla Town, where Mika’s broom breaks from the fall.
In Orilla Town, Mika meets Allegra, an artisan who has a bit of Ursula from Kiki’s Delivery Service in her. You ask Allegra to fix your broom, and she agrees—but only if you can gather four coins. To earn the coins, she suggests working at the local post office. There, you meet Greef, your boss, who gives you your first delivery task to O’vel, an elderly man near the shipyard.
From there, you’ll be sent on various fetch quests, interacting with the townsfolk, and returning to Allegra to get your broom fixed up and improved. She advises Mika to stick around and practice flying to become even better. And that’s where your adventure truly begins.
As for the gameplay, you'll spend a lot of time flying around on your broom, which is a key part of how you get around. At first, the broken broom you start with can be pretty frustrating—it limits what you can do, like navigating through windy areas. But once you get it fixed, flying becomes a breeze and feels natural. You can hop on your broom anytime and explore with ease.
Exploration never gets dull because you’re always discovering new nooks and crannies of the island, which might even sidetrack you from your deliveries. Although the game mainly revolves around delivering packages, it keeps things interesting with various challenges and criteria, like ensuring packages stay undamaged or are delivered on time.
The improved flying and engaging exploration make each delivery feel fresh and exciting.
The game does have its issues, with quite a few bugs and glitches that can dampen the experience. Additionally, some features that could really enhance the game are missing, like the ability to save anywhere and anytime. Instead, the game only saves automatically, which can be a bit frustrating since it’s unclear when exactly your progress is saved.
Despite these problems, the game has the potential to be patched and improved. It’s still one of the most enjoyable and relaxing cozy games out there, and it’s definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re a Ghibli fan.
Pros of Mika and The Witch's Mountain
| Things Mika and The Witch's Mountain Got Right |
|---|
|
Beautiful Explorable World This Game Makes Fetch Quests Fun Charming Light-Hearted Story |
Beautiful Explorable World
The game features a stunning open world that’s perfectly sized, filled with charming nooks, crannies, and cute collectibles. Exploring pays off, as you’ll discover shortcuts and secrets that make the adventure even more rewarding. The town is brimming with surprises, and I won’t spoil them, but the game really encourages curiosity. The world is imaginative and has a fascinating landscape that makes exploration a joy.
This Game Makes Fetch Quests Fun
Fetch quests can be hit-or-miss, often leaning toward the dull side, so I was worried when I saw that delivering parcels is a big part of this game. But it turns out, that the game makes fetch quests enjoyable and full of personality. The items you deliver aren’t just ordinary boxes; they can be quirky things like a fish in a bowl that needs water, or ice cream that must be delivered before it melts.
There are fun challenges, like keeping packages dry or on time, which add a playful twist. The rating system is forgiving, so you don’t need to be a perfectionist. Plus, the characters are memorable and endearing, and the open, less restrictive world makes exploration a delight.
Charming Light-Hearted Story
I really enjoyed the game’s story—it’s a coming-of-age tale that had me rooting for Mika, who’s incredibly likable. The townsfolk are charming, and the bonds you form throughout the game are genuinely heartwarming. While the game clearly takes inspiration from Kiki’s Delivery Service, it has its own unique flavor. Mika is much more cheerful and positive compared to the quieter, more introverted Kiki.
Both stories are about growing up, but they tackle it differently: Kiki’s journey focuses on the challenges of adulthood and losing passion, while Mika’s story is an uplifting adventure about pursuing dreams. The game captures Ghibli's magic of wonder and charm in a way that feels both familiar and fresh.
Cons of Mika and The Witch's Mountain
| Things That Mika and The Witch's Mountain Can Improve |
|---|
|
Some Terrible Bugs and Frame Drops Lack of QoL Features |
Terrible Bugs and Frame Drops
Unfortunately, I ran into some bugs and glitches. For example, if you reopen the game while you’re on a delivery, the items you were carrying might magically return to the postal office, forcing you to retrieve them again, which is really frustrating. Plus, there are occasional frame drops while flying, which can be especially troublesome if you’re carrying a fragile package.
Lack of QoL Features
While the game does become easier to navigate, I really wish it had a few extra features like a mini-map or the ability to pin destinations. An in-game compass would also be super helpful, instead of having to open the menu and check the map every time. It can get pretty annoying, especially if you’re like me and tend to forget where you’re going. Also, being able to save anywhere would be a big plus. The auto-save feature is a bit unreliable, and it’s hard to know when your progress is actually saved.
Is Mika and The Witch's Mountain Worth It?
Yes its a Magical and Heartwarming Experience!
Even with its issues, the game’s charm and fun factor really shine through. It’s a magical experience that’s perfect for the whole family and ideal for just kicking back and relaxing. For $20, it’s definitely worth every penny.
Will Mika and The Witch's Mountain Have a Physical Release?
As of the moment, only the Nintendo Switch version will have a physical release.
Is Mika and The Witch's Mountain Steam Deck Compatible?
Yes, the game can be played properly on the Steam Deck.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam |
PSN
| Xbox |
eShop |
||||
| Wishlist Only | Coming soon | $19.99 | |||||
Mika and The Witch's Mountain FAQ
Is Mika and the Witch’s Mountain Inspired by Kiki’s Delivery Service?
Yes, according to their Kickstarter page, the game was inspired by Studio Ghibli movies, and mainly Kiki’s Delivery Service.
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Mika and The Witch's Mountain Product Information
 | |
| Title | MIKA AND THE WITCH’S MOUNTAIN |
|---|---|
| Release Date | August 21, 2024 |
| Developer | Chibig, Nukefist |
| Publisher | Chibig |
| Supported Platforms | PC (Steam), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch |
| Genre | Adventure, RPG, Indie |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Rating | E (Everyone) |
| Official Website | Mika and The Witch's Mountain Official Website |
