In case it’s not already clear, I’m kind of excited forWitchbrook.It’s a game I’ve been anticipating for 84 years nine years, and following the surprise trailer at the Nintendo Direct in March, we now know we’re finally going to get our hands on it at the end of this year.
As if I wasn’t already excited enough, I keep seeing the small snippets of gameplay posted onChucklefish’s social accounts, and my anticipation grows with each new gorgeous scene, feature, or brief moment of magic the studio has been showing off.
But most of all, I’m excited about going out for coffee.
Life Sim First, Wizard Sim Second
While the game is, first and foremost, focused on life as a student at the magical academy of Witchbrook College, I’m most bewitched by the life sim elements like exploring the town of Mossport - the seaside location where you’re able to visit small businesses, socialise, and take part in seasonal events or markets.
Or perhaps you just want to go ride around on your scooter, or - if you’re like me - slowly walk the streets, coffee in hand, taking in the beautiful pixel art scenery.
Maybe it’s just me and the way I enjoy games now, but it’s the moments of serenity and peace that I can’t wait to take in. Living out a life that contrasts with my own, in a visual style more beautiful than the real world, those are the things I’m most excited about. Every snippet I see convinces me more and more that this is going to be a very special game to me.
The Magic Isn’t Purely In The Magical Elements
I’m still excited for all of the wizardy parts of this game, don’t get me wrong, and I have no doubt those moments will be just as wonderful. I’m not pushing that aside or planning to just go play The Sims instead for a peaceful, normal life - I want to be a wizard as much as the next guy - I just want to combine that magical experience with something so… regular.
To further weave the spectacular into the mundane, you may even head into the local businesses of Mossport and help them out using the magic you’ve learned, melding the two parts of life together to create something that looks so energising. Not to mention the secluded forest cottages, which I’ll be able to decorate and customise, forming my own little slice of sorcerous academia cottage-core style.
Oh, to have an enchanted coffee machine in real life.
Coffee shops, flower stores, and the Dough Bros donut place that I’ll visit every day of my Witchbrook life - if I can live out a peaceful existence in a seaside town, taking moments between college classes, sipping on a coffee that I stirred with an enchanted spoon, then I think that might just bring me the peace that I can’t find anywhere else.
