BLACK DRAGON MAGE REVIEW - WHEN VAMPIRE SURVIVORS MEETS DOLLAR STORE MAGIC
Ever wondered what would happen if Vampire Survivors had a one-night stand with a budget RPG and forgot to call back? Well, Black Dragon Mage is that unexpected lovechild, complete with pixelated daddy issues and a concerning lack of depth. But like that weird cousin who's really good at exactly one party trick, it's got its moments.
PIXEL PERFECT PROBLEMS
The pixel art deserves more praise than a Dark Souls player giving tips - it's genuinely gorgeous. Every spell effect pops off the screen like a fireworks show in a glitter factory, and the monster designs, while limited, have more personality than a tavern full of drunk bards. The sound design hits harder than a caffeinated musician on payday, creating an atmosphere that's genuinely engaging.
THE MAGICAL MENU OF MEDIOCRITY
For a game about being a powerful mage, the spell variety is thinner than a goblin's retirement plan. You get four basic attacks (frost, fire, shadow, and lightning) and roughly six spells total - I say roughly because they're so forgettable that counting them feels like trying to remember what you had for breakfast three weeks ago. Each spell comes with a cooldown longer than a dragon's grocery list, leaving you to rely mainly on your basic attacks like a wizard who forgot how to read their spellbook.
UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE?
The upgrade system is where things get about as clear as mud in a swamp. You've got your basic attack improvements - more projectiles, more damage, longer range - standard stuff that's about as exciting as watching grass grow in real-time. But then there's this mysterious "magic power" stat that the game explains about as well as a mime with laryngitis. Five percent bonus here, ten percent there, but what does it actually do? That's between you and whatever eldritch god designed this system.
DRAGON THESE NUTS
Let's talk about the dragon transformation - the game's flagship feature that ends up feeling more like a rowboat with wings. Sure, you can temporarily zoom around with increased speed and some invincibility frames, but it's about as game-changing as putting a hat on your hat. The potions to fill your dragon meter are scattered around like candy at a parade, making what should be an epic transformation feel more like a regular coffee break.
REAPER CREEPER
Twice per map, you'll face off against a Grim Reaper wannabe who can permanently steal your heart containers. Sounds terrifying, right? Except your reward for defeating this supposedly mighty foe is... a single piece of meta-currency and some gold. It's like being promised treasure and getting handed a coupon for free shipping instead.
BOSS BATTLES AND BUGS
The bosses are actually one of the few things that might raise your heart rate above "slightly interested." They're the only enemies that remember projectiles exist, turning fights into bullet-hell ballets. Well, when they work properly - sometimes they just stand there like they're posing for a fantasy portrait, which is less "epic boss fight" and more "free target practice."
CONCLUSION
Black Dragon Mage feels like it left early access too early - like a cake pulled from the oven while the middle was still raw. There's potential here, buried under layers of missed opportunities and basic design choices. The core gameplay loop works, the aesthetics are genuinely impressive, and when everything clicks, it can be genuinely fun. But the shallow progression, limited variety, and general lack of depth make it feel more like a demo than a full release.
Score: 6.5/10 - Like a magic show where the rabbit got stuck in the hat and the magician just kept going anyway.
We at NLM received a key for this game for free, this however didn't impact our review in any way. Though we might need therapy after trying to figure out what "magic power" actually does.