Scholar of the Arcane Arts

AI art is used, despite not being mentioned in the description. I will be willing to change my review if this is removed.

Amazingly fun game to play, cannot believe it is so cheap for the content you get! Combining spells to make new combos is a really unique idea. The difficulty scales really well, can't wait to beat the final boss!

It took time to realize how to combo spells. Some of the builds are so fun!

Nice game, so much customization! its fun to try different things and i only had one hour to try! 100% getting back to this, also i love my mushroom companion :D

Simply stated, this is an absolute triumph of a game. Don't be put off by the early access tag! I know we've all been hurt before, but this isn't that game or that developer. My hat's off to Endo for being committed to the true spirit of game design! Now, lets get down to the nitty-gritty. GAMEPLAY: This is a game not just about magic, but the study and application of it. Your classroom is a hellscape of elemental chaos as beings from higher planes wage war for control of your world. Weaving spells comes naturally the moment you have more than one on your hotbar, but mastering the art of it is more of a constant pursuit than an achieved state. The spell codex contained in Morello, your leatherbound companion, is both fun to complete and invaluable to study as you wage war on the elemental demigods that threaten Villa and its inhabitants. Perhaps the most addicting aspect to the gameplay is just how much it MAKES SENSE. GRAPHICS: I'm not about to come in here and give a back-handed compliment like "The art is amazing considering this was all done by just one person." The art is amazing in this game and it, along with everything else, was done by just one person. Wow. This pixel style is nostalgic for me as it reminds of games like Maniac Mansion and Hugo's House of Horrors. The fluidity of motion and clarity of form is executed brilliantly on so many different models that don't simply get rehued for a different zone. Mindblowing amount of effort and detail. SOUND: Admittedly I play with my own music on most of the time, but that is a preference thing. The OST slaps, and spell sounds are absolutely played at full volume so I can immerse myself in the raw power I'm unleashing with these godly spell concepts. Even opening chests is a bumping good time. 9.5/10 The game isn't finished yet, but not for a lack of content. This is a beautiful entry into gaming this is still growing and becoming what it will absolutely go viral as. There is an amazing community of Scholars on the Discord server who are happy to share their knowledge with anybody thirsty for it. If you're even a little bit curious what this game is like or about, its a bargain fee to find out. You owe it to yourself.

Combining spells makes my brain bigger

Don't be fooled by the art, this is a wild gem of an experience. I would heartily recommend Scholar to any roguelike fan. The amount of spell combos is truly ridiculous. It's not just that there are lots of combos, it's that nearly everything combos with nearly everything. It's impossible to memorize every single permutation and these aren't simple things like, "+5% attack speed" permutations. It's the difference between shooting a fire ball and then putting up a defensive wall to making a maelstrom of fire and ice that generate living plants which might walk on your fire patches to then turn into fire plants. Even something as simple as the order you cast your spells leads to monumentally different combos and possibilities. Due to all these combos, it always feels like you have a possibility to make something busted. I've never felt like I was handicapped because I was missing some meta relic or item or anything like I do in other Roguelikes where you just refresh the shop until you find the thing that makes the build. It really feels like nearly anything CAN be incredible as long as you are able to think through it and adjust appropriately.

This games a blast! Hits that sweet spot of nostalgic pixel art and fun/deep mechanics

Game is a blast. Most fun I've had playing a roguelike in a while. Doesn't fall off but I still can't wait for more content!!

Scholar of the Arcane Arts is an extremely creative indie spell-slinger rougelike that focuses on the power trip of stacking powerful, interacting spells. You can make combos that clear the screen if you can remember the order and execute. The game also includes an index of spells you have and a chart on how they interact (once you've tried out the combo). It's magic feels like a stepping stone to Noita, but the difficulty is much more approachable and there is no platforming. The creator is very passionate. When I booted it up, I encountered an installation error. I reached out, and Endo hopped on a discord call with me to troubleshoot. We tweaked a Windows permission and got it running! Really a great guy to buy a game from.