Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 77 | 116 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 76% | 71 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 73 | 55 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 85% | 78 | 1072 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jul 16, 2025) · 300 reviews sampled · 1072 total reviews in window · weighted 220.6 up / 34 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (70)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree might not rewrite the Soulslike or Metroidvania playbook, but it brings enough style, systems, and substance to justify a place in any dark fantasy fan’s library. It’s a sprawling, artistically impressive RPG that nails exploration and combat, but stumbles with some frustrating design choices and uneven storytelling. Buy it if you’re a fan of Salt and Sanctuary, Blasphemous, or Hollow Knight, and want something moody, challenging, and visually rich. Just be prepared to dig through some rough edges to find the heart of what makes this game special.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“While Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree reads well on paper and boasts an intriguing premise, it stumbles in execution, delivering a game that needs more polish to truly shine as the next great Soulslike Metroidvania.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Don't overlook Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree. It offers the same frustrations common to soulslikes, but its visuals, soundtrack, and story comprise an experience that can and should be enjoyed by a much wider audience. (With help from its friendly difficulty options, mind you.)”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree turned out to be an ambitious attempt to create a grandiose game. But everything is spoiled by repetitive bosses and dull gameplay.”
read full review ↗ - 40
“Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree offers a picturesque, dark, and dangerous world with a unique atmosphere and gameplay that, despite some drawbacks, is very enjoyable. It's a good game that just needs a little technical polish and a balance between what the game offers and what it requires to complete it 100%. It is a game that offers many hours of entertainment and fun, challenge, and, above all, visual delight. And that's despite the drawbacks that the development team is already gradually correcting through updates.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Most evocative are the stunning vistas that serve as the backdrop of your journey. Wind shakes the trees of haunted forests; rows of houses stand humbly in warm, fuzzy light; a swollen sun plunges into the distant horizon. These deeply textured images seem to extend endlessly beyond the frame, suggesting the vastness of the land they depict, and in doing so hint at not just the untold horrors that Faelduum has witnessed but its infinite capacity for further calamity.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree surprised me a lot with its range of build possibilities and its very well-made bosses. I expected a lukewarm Metroidvania in its combat, and I was surprised with something completely different. Its art direction is impeccable, bringing all the decadence and horror of this fantasy world. Its skill tree is a show in itself, with a wide range of possibilities for combining builds. Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree fulfills its role, offering great combat with elements of Soulslike and Metroidvania and with jaw-dropping art direction.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a promising action RPG with soulslike elements that deserves the attention of all dark fantasy fans. The game offers a richly detailed world, an intriguing story, a complex combat system, and outstanding visuals and music. Despite a few minor flaws, it’s a high-quality game that offers dozens of hours of entertainment and is guaranteed to draw you into a dark and dangerous world. You’ll journey through a decaying world, battle monsters, and uncover secrets that could destroy everything you know. Get ready for an adventure where every decision has consequences and every step could be your last.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a very solid first foray into the Metroidvania/action RPG space for developer Primal Game Studio.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The latest in a line of solid soulvanias, Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a gritty challenge that rises to the occasion.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Mandragora is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be - a hard, slow, atmospheric, and at times unrewarding journey through rot and magic. And in that, it truly shines. It’s not for everyone, but for those seeking an uncompromising challenge and a world where every victory is earned with blood - and who absolutely have nothing more urgent to do and enjoy farming - this is a perfect hit.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Game offers a fantastic experience for all Souls and Metroidvania fans. The game features a captivating story, engaging narrative, and high-quality voice acting that enhances the immersive experience. The gameplay is enjoyable, though it suffers from occasional repetition, but these flaws don't detract significantly from the overall enjoyment, especially since they can be addressed in future updates. It's a worthwhile experience for those who enjoy a challenge and a dark atmosphere.”
read full review ↗
TheBigBois
Gamepressure
Pure Nintendo
GameMAG
La Orden del Pixel
Slant Magazine
GameFM
Gaming Professors
RPGamer
Seasoned Gaming
EmuGlx.org
ReGame It…and 58 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- 1.6.2 Patch Notes – Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch TreeJul 16, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Update 1.6 Patch Notes — Introducing New Game+Jul 7, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- 1.5 Patch Notes - Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch TreeMay 27, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- 1.4 Patch Notes - Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch TreeMay 21, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Notes: 1.3.2May 14, 2025
- Patch Notes: 1.3 and New Pet FollowersMay 7, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Notes: 1.2.10Apr 29, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Important Update on Data Collection and Privacy removalApr 21, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- An Update from the Devs about DRMMar 12, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Development UpdateJul 2, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- October 2023 Development UpdateOct 10, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Summer Development UpdateAug 1, 2023
- Winter Development UpdateApr 17, 2023