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26 Indie Games To Get Excited About in September 2022 - Finger Guns

Ever since I stumbled across Spellbound in the Rezzed indie games area of EGX 2021, I’ve been eagerly anticipating this game. A visual novel with optional romance elements, you play as someone who’s moving to the town of Witcherley to learn how to harness their blossoming magical abilities. With a focus on diversity and inclusivity, this game has you working with a magical tutor of your choosing while investigating a dangerous monster that’s threatening magic itself. I’ve already played Spellbound and our review for the game will hit the site on September 2nd, the same day that the game launches. While I don’t want to spoil the review, the fact that this game is on this list kind of suggests that I thought it was good (Spoiler: it is). Check out Spellbound: The Magic Within when it launches on Steam on September 2nd.

Excerpt from an article by Sean Davies writing for fingerguns.net

Gamer! Beware!

“As I wandered around the Indie Game Showcase at W.A.S.D. one stall, adorned with a colourful banner and a cast of magical characters, immediately grabbed my attention. The game in question was Spellbound: The Magic Within, an upcoming visual novel from developer Wyrdren Games. While I waited to play the demo, I was further intrigued by the reaction of those who were experiencing the game in front of me.”
”I was impressed upon playing the game and discovering the number of possible choices and dialogue options, all of which eventually led to a scene in which you attend a ritual and are assigned a school of magic to pursue. Further still, I was appreciative of the fact that the game offered you the ability to supersede the choice made for you and pick your own path, ensuring that the player had full autonomy over their journey.”

Excerpt from an article by Patrick T Johnson author of Gamer! Beware!

Nintendolink.com

“There will be a lot of diversity in the different endings and choices players can make in game as well as in the NPC’s represented on screen. Sheppard hopes there will be even more diversity in the number of people who feel represented and welcomed playing Spellbound. Sally explained how not only can you customise your own character and select personal pronouns but you can then adjust these when you like later in the game. Furthermore she had just finished working on text to speech to make sure differently abled folks would be able to enjoy the game too.”

Author of Nintendo Link article - Will Goad

GameByte.com

”Spellbound: The Magic Within Is A Cute And Inclusive Magic School Game For The Harry Potter Generation”

“During our demo playthrough, we were tasked with creating a character before anything else. What immediately stood out is just how inclusive and diverse all the options were here. Wyrdren Games understands that making a game that can include anyone isn’t just limited to gender options and a few skin colours. Spellbound includes options for multiple body types, decent Black hair, and the choice of different pronouns.”

“Spellbound: The Magic Within really looks like it was created by, and for, the Harry Potter generation who are after a gaming experience that welcomes in as many players as it possibly can.”
Author of the Gamebyte article - Olly Smith

gamesindustry.biz

Featured on gamesindustry.biz - announcing our selection for Round 8 of the UK Games Fund.

Sally Sheppard, founder and director of one of the chosen studios, Wyrdren Games, added: "I am incredibly excited to have Spellbound: The Magic Within chosen for funding, this opportunity will help to elevate the project. I am thrilled to be able to use this funding to provide opportunities and grow the team at Wyrdren Games."

fingerguns.net Article

Featured on fingetguns.net - EGX 2021: Interactive Fiction Might Be About To Have A Stellar Year

“While it might be the most traditional of the visual novel games I played on the EGX show floor, the game I came away from the show most excited about was ‘Spellbound: The Magic Within’ (Steam link) from Wyrdren Games. A visual novel with a branching narrative, this game puts you in the shoes of a character who recently discovered they have magical abilities.” -

Author of fingerguns.net article - Sean Davies

moviesgamesandtech.com

Featured in moviesgamesandtech.com round up of EGX 2021.

”Many of the developers and publishers were extremely excited about offering a hands-on experience with their creations, yet two stood out for their enthusiasm and flair. Sally Sheppard, a solo developer, has created a visual novel-like title called Spellbound: The Magic Within.” - Daniel Waite (author of the article)

Finger Guns UK Podcast

Sean & Greg from Finger Guns UK featured Spellbound: the Magic Within on their Day Two round up of EGX 2021. You can listen to their review of the game at 24 minutes into the podcast or read the highlights bellow:

Sean: “This is my jam”

Sean :”There’s a lot of magic in this… This game was magical… woo hoo!”

Sean: ”Great art style, the amount of customization in this. No matter what you look like this game will have you covered. I had a moustache…”
Greg: “You had a multicoloured goatee”
Sean: “Yes, multicoloured goatee, big hoop earrings, [laughs] yeah it was fun.”