## Mandragora: Because Who Needs Happiness Anyway?
Ah, the Soulslike genre—a delightful realm where your patience is tested, your reflexes are mocked, and your controller might just end up lodged in your TV. Enter *Mandragora*, the latest contender in this illustrious category, promising to chew you up and spit you out with a smug “git gud” smirk. If you’re a fan of pain and suffering cloaked in “immersive gameplay,” then boy, do I have the game for you.
### What Is Mandragora?
For those blissfully unaware, *Mandragora* is a 2D Soulslike RPG that combines the dark, brooding atmosphere of *Dark Souls* with a side-scrolling aesthetic. Think Tim Burton meets *Hollow Knight*, but with extra existential dread. The game is brought to you by Primal Game Studio, a team that clearly enjoys watching players suffer for fun.
The game features:
– **A bleak, dystopian world**: Because who needs sunshine and rainbows?
– **Challenging combat**: Translation: Prepare to die. A lot.
– **Crafting and skill trees**: Because nothing says “fun” like spending hours tweaking a build only to realize you still suck.
But hey, at least it’s pretty. The game’s art direction is stunning, which is great because you’ll be staring at that “You Died” screen more often than the actual gameplay.
### How Long Does It Take to Beat?
If you’re wondering how long it takes to “beat” *Mandragora*, the answer is: how much of your sanity are you willing to sacrifice? According to Kotaku, the average playthrough will take you around 20–30 hours. But let’s be real, most of that time will be spent dying and respawning. And if you’re a masochist who ventures into New Game Plus, add another 10–15 hours of agony.
Still, that’s not too bad compared to other Soulslikes like *Elden Ring*, which can easily swallow 100+ hours of your life. But hey, who needs sleep or social interaction?
### Gameplay: A Love Letter to Misery
#### Combat: Timing Is Everything
The combat in *Mandragora* is “challenging,” which is a polite way of saying it’s borderline unfair. Every enemy feels like they graduated top of their class at the “How to Ruin a Player’s Day” academy. Timing your attacks, dodges, and parries is crucial, but even then, the game will find a way to humble you.
#### Exploration: Beautifully Depressing
The world of *Mandragora* is a visual masterpiece. The hand-drawn 2D environments are dripping with atmosphere, making it almost worth getting lost for hours. Almost. The game encourages exploration, but beware: every corner hides a new way to kill you.
#### Crafting and Skill Trees: Because Why Not?
If you’re looking for a break from the relentless combat, you can dive into the game’s crafting and skill tree systems. These mechanics allow you to customize your character and gear, which is great—until you realize you’ve invested all your points into the wrong skills and now have to start over. Fun times!
### Pros & Cons
#### Pros:
– **Stunning visuals**: Seriously, it’s like a gothic painting come to life.
– **Challenging gameplay**: If you’re into that sort of thing.
– **Deep crafting and skill systems**: For the perfectionists out there.
#### Cons:
– **Punishing difficulty**: Casual gamers, stay far, far away.
– **Steep learning curve**: The game assumes you’ve already mastered the Soulslike genre.
– **Limited accessibility options**: Not great for players with disabilities.
### Is It Worth Your Time?
If you’re a glutton for punishment and enjoy games that make you question your self-worth, then absolutely. *Mandragora* is a beautifully crafted nightmare that will challenge even the most seasoned gamers. However, if you’re new to the genre or prefer your games to be, you know, fun, you might want to sit this one out.
For a deeper dive into the world of Soulslikes, check out our article on the best Soulslike games. Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more accessible, take a look at our guide to the best indie games for casual players.
### Final Verdict
*Mandragora* is not for the faint of heart. It’s a game that demands your full attention, a lot of patience, and perhaps a backup controller or two. But for those brave enough to tackle its challenges, it offers a rewarding (albeit masochistic) experience. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.
### Call to Action
Think you’ve got what it takes to conquer *Mandragora*? Share your thoughts and death counts in the comments below! And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more sarcastic takes on the latest in gaming and tech.
