Game: Sokomage
Genre: Puzzle, Strategy
System: Nintendo Switch (Also on Steam (Windows), Xbox One/X/S and PS4/5)
Developer | Publisher: Antonio Filipe | Afil Games
Age Rating: US Everyone | EU 3+
Price: US $4.99 | UK £4.49 | EU € 4,99
Release Date: August 8th, 2024
Review code used, with many thanks to Press Engine.
Sokomage is a sokoban-style puzzle game, with a wizard theme. The blurb on the Nintendo eShop page talks of becoming a “true master of the arcane arts” and a “bona fide sorcerer”, all through pushing blocks, navigating hazards and reaching the magical crystals. We’ve reviewed a number of sokoban type games on LadiesGamers, so will Sokomage cast a spell on us?
A Magical Journey in Sokomage
As with most puzzle games, the starting levels of Sokomage are straightforward. Use your wand to break through the bushes, another zap to push the rock into the hole and then crack the crystal. The grey rocks are immobile and form the boundary but the blue rocks will move until they fill a hole, or hit another rock.
However, the levels quickly require more thought as to which bushes to destroy and which way the stones should be pushed to fill the holes. Unlike other sokoban games I’ve played, Sokomage uses multiple screens per level, so that your little mage has to navigate a labyrinth to find the crystal. The screen does not scroll to a new area, it’s a sudden change, once you find the gap in the boundary to move there!
The Challenges of Sokomage
There are 30 levels in total, with each ten having a different theme and new challenges. The first ten, in lush green spring colours, have the challenge of destroying the correct bushes to enable the movement of the blue stones to fill up the holes.
The second ten, in brighter green and summery purple trees, have red crosses and blue arrows. A pushed blue stone will stop if it hits a red cross, but will move in the direction of the blue arrow, sometimes changing direction. Instead of bushes to uproot, there are broken rocks to smash.
The final ten, in wintery tones, combines all previous hazards and increases the labyrinth aspect. So expect a lot of screens to navigate!
Pros & Cons of Sokomage
It’s great that there is no time limit or move restrictions, especially as the mage walks slowly. The slow pace is quite frustrating, as, for quite a few levels, you need to go back and forth between areas moving the stones.
The addition of an undo last move is very welcome, but there are no hints available and you can’t move to a new level until the current one is solved.
The top-down view and pixel graphics work really well, I just wish that when you strike the final crystal, it shatters in a colourful explosion; a celebration for completing the level. I know that many puzzle games don’t have a story, but after reading the blurb, I was expecting something to show the journey my mage had been on, maybe a change in costume or a bigger hat. I completed all 30 levels and didn’t feel rewarded for my time spent playing.
Gameplay
The controls are straightforward, with the restart and undo shown on screen. The main and level selection menus are controlled via the D-pad, but once in the game, movement is via either the D-pad or the left stick. I didn’t encounter any major issues, although a couple of the blue, movement arrows didn’t propel the blue stones as expected, but it didn’t impact the gameplay.
The game works well in docked and handheld mode, but there is no touchscreen functionality. Oddly, I found the graphics too large in docked mode (via 55in TV) for comfortable play, but Sokomage lends itself to handheld play, something to do whilst commuting or having a coffee break.
The game records the level you attain, so you can continue rather than re-select the level from the menu when you return to the game. However, you can easily select a previous level if necessary.
The music is retro synth, and whilst not annoying if you progress through the level quickly, it grates when you get stuck.
On average, it took 20-40 minutes to complete a level, but as with all puzzle games, some levels take considerably longer.
Conclusion
Sokomage is a short, but pleasantly challenging sokoban-style puzzle game, especially when navigating the multiple screen per level. Frustrating at times, but overall satisfying.
Final Verdict: I Like it 
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