Review | The Spell Brigade

The Spell Brigade has now officially launched in version 1.0, emerging from early access with a more complete and refined take on its chaotic co-op roguelike formula. It captures what I enjoy most about survivor-like games, with its constant progression, satisfying power scaling, and the thrill of creating wildly overpowered builds during a single run. Much like Vampire Survivors, it leans into that addictive loop of surviving overwhelming odds while your abilities spiral into screen-filling chaos, making each run feel both rewarding and unpredictable. Bolt Blaster Games have done a great job at adding tons of customisable characters, and loads of enchantments in the latest update. So if you’ve played before, you might want to dive back in!

Things I liked!

• Cross Play | One of the strongest aspects of The Spell Brigade is its seamless online co-op, allowing up to four players to jump in and play together with ease. The game is clearly built around teamwork, encouraging coordination through shared objectives and chaotic combat encounters. Whether you’re playing with friends or random players, the system feels smooth and accessible, making it easy to get into matches quickly. The addition of simple communication tools like ping systems helps bridge the gap for players who may not be using voice chat. Overall, it creates a social experience that feels natural and is clearly at the core of what makes the game so enjoyable.

• Music & Sound | The audio design does a fantastic job of supporting the chaotic gameplay without overwhelming the player. The soundtrack leans into energetic and magical tones that match the intensity of large-scale battles against hordes of enemies. Sound effects are punchy and impactful, especially when spells collide, enemies fall, or the battlefield becomes completely saturated with effects. Even in the middle of complete chaos, the game manages to maintain clarity, which is essential in a bullet-heaven style experience. Altogether, the music and sound design elevate the gameplay and help immerse you in the constant action.
  
  
• Enemy Variety | The Spell Brigade throws a huge range of enemies at you, ensuring that no two runs feel exactly the same. From smaller swarm-type creatures to more dangerous and durable threats, each enemy type changes how you approach combat. As runs progress, the sheer number and combination of enemies create increasingly intense and unpredictable scenarios. This constant variation keeps players engaged and forces quick adaptation rather than relying on a single strategy. It’s a key part of why the gameplay loop remains exciting even after multiple runs.
  
  
• Lots of Upgrades | Progression in The Spell Brigade feels rewarding thanks to the sheer number of upgrades available throughout each run. Players can continuously improve their abilities, making each attempt feel stronger and more refined than the last. These upgrades come in different forms, allowing for both immediate power boosts and longer-term strategic advantages. The system encourages experimentation, letting players try different builds rather than sticking to a single approach. As a result, progression never feels stale and instead becomes one of the main driving forces behind replayability. Upgrades come in the form of enchantments and offer a wide variety of different buffs for your Wizard such as increased health, mana gain, mana pull and so on. Each buff can be upgraded multiple times using the gold you find in the battlefield.
  
  
• Tons of Characters to Unlock | Unlocking new characters adds another layer of depth to the overall experience. Each character brings their own unique playstyle, encouraging players to adapt and experiment with different strategies. This variety keeps the gameplay feeling new, and allows you to experiment with new spell types. This can really help you in the battlefield, especially when combined with the game’s roguelike structure. Unlocking characters also provides a strong sense of progression beyond just upgrading abilities. It gives players something meaningful to work toward across multiple sessions.
  
  
• Special Upgrades & Elements | The spell system is where the game truly shines, offering a wide range of elements and modifiers that can completely change how abilities behave. Players can combine different upgrades, enchantments, and elemental effects to create powerful and sometimes chaotic spell builds. This level of customisation allows for unique combinations that make every run feel different. It also adds a layer of strategy, as choosing the right combinations can significantly impact success. The end result is a system that rewards creativity and experimentation in every session.
  
  
• Multiple Lives | The revive system adds an interesting twist to the traditional roguelike formula. Instead of being instantly punished for failure, players can come back into the fight using revive mechanics, keeping the action going. This is especially important in co-op, where teammates can help bring each other back into the game. It creates moments of chaos and recovery that add to the overall fun rather than frustration. Downed players take the form of a ghost which can collect experience orbs and still help surviving players level up. On top of this, downed players will also have the opportunity to select an instant revive from their upgrade choices if they are lucky enough. Ultimately, it makes the experience more forgiving while still maintaining the challenge.
  
  

Mixed & disliked!

• Slow Progression | Progression can feel slower than expected, especially in the early hours of the game. While unlocking upgrades and new content is satisfying, the pace at which you earn them can sometimes drag. This becomes more noticeable when you’re repeating similar runs without gaining anything significantly new. The grind to unlock meaningful upgrades can feel stretched out rather than naturally paced. As a result, I felt like I was putting in more time than I was getting back in progression.
  
  
• Only 4 Levels | One of the biggest drawbacks is the limited number of levels available. With only a handful of maps to play through, the game starts to feel repetitive sooner than it should. Even though the gameplay itself is fun, the lack of environmental variety reduces long-term engagement. Map layouts also don’t change drastically, which further adds to the sense of repetition over time. This limitation affects replayability and overall longevity.
  
  
• Short if you think about it | The overall content offering can feel quite short. A few solid sessions can take you through most of what the game has to offer. While the roguelite structure is designed for replayability, the lack of variety makes those repeated runs feel less meaningful. It’s the kind of game that feels great in short bursts but struggles to hold attention for extended periods. Once you’ve seen most of the systems and content, there’s not always enough to keep pulling you back in.
  
  
• Incredibly Grindy | The game leans heavily into grinding, particularly if you’re aiming to unlock everything. Certain upgrades, achievements, or progression paths require a significant time investment that can feel excessive. This is made more noticeable by the repetition in enemies, objectives, and maps. Instead of feeling like natural progression, it can at times feel like you’re repeating the same content purely to unlock the next thing.

How long did I play the review before publishing? 10 hours
How long to beat the story? 10 hours
How long to Complete the game 100%? 60 hours
How many Trophies did I earn before publishing? 29/59
You’ll love this game if you like these | Vampire Survivors, Net.Attack!, Devil Jam

CONCLUSION

Score: 70/100

The Spell Brigade offers a chaotic and enjoyable co-op experience, with creative spell combinations and strong teamwork moments being its biggest strengths. However, its excessive grinding just to unlock the next thing, small handful of maps, and general repetition, leaves this initially fun experience feeling exhausting. It’s better in short bursts rather than extended play sessions.

Aaron

Gaming is in my blood.  Be it handheld games, Xbox, PC, Switch or Playstation, I am all over it.
I make my own games as part of my profession and love playing co op games with friends in my spare time. Avid dog lover and camper van enthusiast.