Mirthwood is a game filled with potential. Its charming world, quirky characters, and beautiful art style are undeniable strengths. For the first half of its namesake meaning “amusement, especially as expressed in laughter” – I found the game in contrast of that. However, technical issues, repetitive gameplay, and pacing problems prevent it from truly capturing that potential. Beneath Mirthwood‘s whimsical exterior lies a game riddled with technical issues, repetitive gameplay, and pacing problems don’t make it worth the time you can put into it – yet.
Editor’s Note: This game was reviewed up to Patch 1.0.24f
The first thing you’ll do is create your character. While it doesn’t have the most robust editor out there, it does allow you to make a facsimile of yourself. From there you’ll select from five origins, which are regions you hail from and what personality traits you possess like being curious. Next you’ll choose from three classes like Royal, Noble, or Peasant – all of which are self-explanatory. Finally you’ll select one of seven backgrounds which determines your profession and what pros and cons of your character. It’s a great system that lets you mold someone like they were made of clay.
Mirthwood also suffers from pacing issues. The main story starts well enough, introducing the world and its characters in a captivating way. However, the flames burn out on the opening as the narrative stalls out midway through the game. Long stretches are spent backtracking through previously explored areas to complete fetch quests or grind for materials. The game blends RPG character building with life sim elements like Stardew Valley, but the two never marry well enough together.
You don’t really feel part of the story, perhaps intentional but not very engrossing. The characters themselves aren’t memorable or all that interesting, they’re just people. You play as Evelyn, a young woman who stumbles upon Mirthwood while fleeing a mysterious past. Evelyn is a likable protagonist, voiced with genuine warmth. She’s joined by a cast of companions, each with their own distinct personalities and motivations. The ever-optimistic squirrel bard, Pip, and the grumpy but loyal goblin warrior, Grog, provide some genuinely funny moments throughout the adventure.
Gameplay in Mirthwood revolves around a mix of exploration, combat, and basic resource gathering. While the exploration is initially engaging, thanks to the beautiful world design, it quickly becomes repetitive. The game world is divided into smaller, self-contained areas, each with its own set of fetch quests and monster bashing. Combat itself is a simple hack-and-slash affair. You have a light attack, a heavy attack, and a dodge to utilize against the various woodland creatures. While there’s a decent variety of enemies, the combat lacks depth and quickly becomes monotonous. It doesn’t help that the enemies respawn infinitely, leading to situations where defeating the same group of wolves or goblins for the tenth time feels like a chore.
The resource gathering and crafting systems are similarly uninspired. You’ll spend a lot of time chopping down trees, mining for ore, and picking berries to craft potions, weapons, and armor. While crafting offers some customization options, the process is tedious and feels like a box to be checked rather than a meaningful gameplay element.
Unfortunately, the technical side of Mirthwood throws a bucket of cold water on this charming experience. Frame drops are frequent, especially in crowded areas. The voice acting, while charming in its intent, is plagued by occasional clipping and audio glitches that disrupt the immersion. Several key quests glitched out entirely during my playthrough, forcing me to reload and repeat sections. These technical issues can be frustrating, disrupting the game’s flow and dampening the overall experience. this has been improved in frequent patches, but has been a detriment on the experience
The art style deserves special praise. It’s reminiscent of classic children’s books, with vibrant colors and detailed backgrounds. The character designs are equally impressive, with each creature possessing a unique charm. From the gruff but endearing badger blacksmith to the mischievous, giggling imps, there’s a joy to be found in simply exploring Mirthwood and meeting its inhabitants.
My PC Specs:
– Microsoft Windows 11 Pro
– Intel Core i9 13900K @ 5.8GHz
– ASUS ROG RYUJIN II 360 ARGB AIO Liquid CPU Cooler
– G.SKILL TRIDENT Z5 6000MHZ 64GB (32×2) DDR5 RAM
– ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4080 16GB GDDR6X
– WD_BLACK SN850X M.2 (4 TB)
– LG UltraGear 34GP950B-G (21:9 Ultrawide @ 3440×1440)
Mirthwood isn’t a bad game, but it’s a dull and even a frustrating one. It’s a game that constantly feels like it’s on the verge of greatness, only to be held back by its technical shortcomings and gameplay loop. If the developers can address these issues, add some depth to all of its systems, and tighten up the pacing, Mirthwood could be a more enjoyable experience. However, in its current state, Mirthwood is a game that only the most patient and forgiving players will find truly charming or amusing.
A Steam code was provided by the publisher for review purposes
