Game: Folly of the Wizards
Genre: Adventure, Platformer, Action, Shooting
System: Nintendo Switch (also on PlayStation, Xbox and Steam (Windows))
Developer|Publisher: UpFox Labs| Numbskull Games
Age Rating: EU 16+ | US Teen
Price: US $29.99 | UK £22.99 | EU € 29,99
Release Date: September 19th, 2025
Review code provided with many thanks to Press Engine.
Folly of the Wizards – A Magical Roguelike
Roguelikes have a certain reputation: tough as nails, heavy on trial and error, and often very stingy with mercy. Folly of the Wizards absolutely embraces that tradition, throwing you into the hood of a clumsy wizard apprentice who is, let’s be honest, hilariously underqualified to save the world. What follows is a blend of shooting, platforming, and plenty of magical misfires that can be equal parts rewarding and punishing.
It’s not the most approachable roguelike out there, but for those who enjoy a challenge (and don’t mind the game occasionally mocking your failure), there’s a lot of magic tucked inside.
A World in Need of Wizards (Again)
The premise sets the stage nicely: the world is in danger (again), and the elder wizards are too old to help. That leaves the burden of saving the day to their apprentices, a gaggle of young, clumsy, underpowered spellcasters who barely know what they’re doing. You play as one of these hapless heroes, and right from the start, the game makes sure you feel like the underdog.
It’s a simple story, but the whimsical tone keeps things engaging. I especially liked the little touches. After a game over, the game itself pokes fun at you, gently reminding you that your wizard really isn’t very good. It’s harsh but oddly motivating.
Shooting, Jumping, and Dodging Doom
Gameplay is straightforward on paper. Each run drops you into procedurally generated levels where you clear out rooms, collect upgrades, and eventually face off against a boss before moving on. The structure is familiar to roguelike fans, but the way you control your apprentice wizard keeps things lively.
You start with a generous toolkit: jump, double jump, dash, and a basic spell attack. The shooting is twin-stick style; you aim with the analogue stick and fire with the trigger. As you progress, you’ll find elemental additions like fire, water, or lightning spells that spice up your attacks. Certain enemies are vulnerable to specific elements. Though useful when the random generation odds weren’t in my favour, I could still get by with good skill.
Platforming feels tight enough, though the pacing of the game is slower than you might expect. It’s not a bad thing; the deliberate movement suits the idea that your character isn’t exactly a master sorcerer. But don’t mistake “slow” for “easy.” Folly of the Wizards is tough. Very tough.
Losing Is Part of the Job
Expect to fail a lot in this game. Your health pool is tiny, enemies hit hard, and invulnerability frames after damage are very short, meaning you can get hit multiple times in rapid succession. Health pickups are rare, and currency comes slowly, making upgrades feel hard-earned.
This is the sort of game where progress comes from persistence. You’ll gradually learn enemy attack patterns, boss behaviours, and level hazards, and slowly, very slowly, you’ll make it further each run. The randomness of level generation keeps things fresh, so at least you’re not facing the exact same obstacles or boss fights every time.
Choices and Consequences
One of the more unique features is the affinity system. As you encounter NPCs and vendors, you can respond positively or negatively, which shifts your affinity and influences the ending. It’s not overly complex, but it adds flavour to your runs and gives your choices a bit more weight.
There’s also a hefty variety of items, spells, and relics to discover. Over time, you’ll stumble across some powerful combos that make you feel briefly unstoppable, before the game humbles you again with a brutal boss fight. It reminded me a little of The Binding of Isaac in that sense: rough beginnings, but the deeper you go, the harder it is to put down.
Presentation and Performance
Visually, the game uses a charming, simple art style with bold colours and quirky character designs. It’s not flashy, but it fits the comedic, underdog tone perfectly. The little wizard looks like they wandered out of a retro RPG sprite sheet, which only adds to the charm. Levels offer a nice variety in design, accompanied by unique enemies in each area. As mentioned, your starting level randomly generates, giving you something often new to look at with each attempt.
Performance on the base Switch was solid in both handheld and docked play. I didn’t notice any technical hiccups, which is always reassuring for a game that demands quick reflexes.
Conclusion: A Fine Spell
Folly of the Wizards is not a game for everyone. Casual players will likely bounce off the steep difficulty curve, and there aren’t really any accessibility features to ease new players in. But for hardened roguelike fans who thrive on trial and error, this game has a lot to offer.
Its quirky humour, challenging gameplay, and moral-choice system give it a unique flavour in a crowded genre. It won’t win everyone over straight away, but for the patient and persistent, it can become oddly addictive. Its spell certainly worked for me.
Final Verdict: I Like It a Lot 
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