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The Spell Brigade

The Spell Brigade

Bolt Blaster Games · released Apr 29, 2026

ActionCasualIndiePCPlayStation 5

Survivors-like with ONLINE CO-OP for 1-4 players. Team up with your wizard friends to slay hordes of dark creatures. Complete team-based objectives, unlock new upgrades and create overpowered spell synergies. Friend nor foe is safe in this friendly fire bullet hell!

Steam page ↗OpenCritic ↗Metacritic 69 ↗
77
VGC Score
■Stablehigh confidence▲ +12 since launch

launched at 64, updates lifted it to 77

anchored at patch: “The Spell Brigade 1.0 - Patch 9” (2mo ago)

64%
At launch
81%
Steam all-time
70%
Press
85%
Recent sentiment

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.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)–7032
All-time Steam reviews81%751000
Metacritic user ratings––0
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)85%79660
Calibration prior (typical game)–7250

Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jul 1, 2026) · 299 reviews sampled · 660 total reviews in window · weighted 203.1 up / 34.8 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (18)

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
    Gaming ProfessorsGaming Professors
    trust 76Mar 30, 2025

    “The Spell Brigade offers a highly entertaining mix of action, strategy, and cooperation that will appeal to both fans of rogue-like games and lovers of magical combat. Thanks to randomly generated levels, a wide range of spells, and a variety of strategic combinations, the game offers high replay value. Every playthrough is different, and players must constantly adapt their tactics to new challenges. The game stands out for the depth of its combat system and character customization options. Experimenting with spells and strategic combinations is one of the game’s main attractions, offering players constantly new ways to enjoy the game. The cooperative element adds another layer of fun, as coordinating with other players can significantly influence the outcome of battles.”

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    Life is XboxLife is Xbox
    trust 69Apr 28, 2026

    “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.”

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    PragaliciousPragalicious
    trust 64May 18, 2026

    “The Spell Brigade proves that Belgian talent can also dominate the crowded rogue-like genre. The move from Early Access to 1.0 is not a simple ‘port’, but a genuine evolution. With the addition of Knelly, the deeper Ascension system and Austin Wintory’s phenomenal soundtrack, the result is a rock-solid co-op experience. Although the new economy takes some getting used to and the chaos can sometimes be overwhelming, the core of the game, laughing together at magical blunders, remains unrivalled. An absolute must-play for fans of the genre who love style, humour and tight gameplay!”

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    Try Hard GuidesTry Hard Guides
    trust 63Apr 28, 2026

    “The Spell Brigade is excellence in the survivors-like genre, offering players a chance to partake in some whacky, chaotic co-op wizardry. While designed for online play, solo players can still appreciate the title, though they may find progression to be a slower grind overall.”

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    CrazyGameCommunity.itCrazyGameCommunity.it
    trust 62Apr 28, 2026

    “The Spell Brigade is a brilliant survivors-like title that carves out its space in the genre thanks to some excellent ideas and cross-play co-op that gives it additional value.”

    read full review ↗
  • 72
    NoobFeedNoobFeed
    trust 62May 8, 2026

    “The Spell Brigade is a fun, slightly rough, but highly replayable experience that works best when you lean into its co-op systems. Some of the systems need refinement and expansion, but it is deep enough to make you want to play it again. The Spell Brigade could be much more than that in the genre with continued updates.”

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    IGNIGN
    trust 61May 6, 2026

    “The Spell Brigade is a solid bullet hell, built on a classic foundation, enhanced with a few original mechanics that bring a welcome twist to the genre. Cooperative play is undoubtedly one of its greatest strengths, offering an unusual yet successful take on the bullet hell experience in multiplayer.”

    read full review ↗
  • 50
    GameSpewGameSpew
    trust 61Apr 28, 2026

    “The Spell Brigade doesn't do anything wrong, but it also doesn't do anything to make itself stand out in a sea of survivors-like games. Its gameplay isn't all that exciting, its art and sound design is ho-hum, and any meaningful upgrades take far too long to unlock. There are plenty of other games in the genre that are far more rewarding to play.”

    read full review ↗
  • 100
    Thumb CultureThumb Culture
    trust 60May 15, 2026

    “The Spell Brigade is a surprising game to come across our board to review and I’m glad I picked it. It’s a fun survivor game to pick up and invite others to play with. If you have a controller, this game allows people to use either control stick. You don’t need to explain yourself, just know you have the option to make that choice. So pick up a copy and see if you get assistance from a celestial wizard like myself popping in to rid the forces of Cthulhu. Or you can do it yourself. I give The Spell Brigade the Thumb Culture Platinum Award”

    read full review ↗
  • 85
    Screen HypeScreen Hype
    trust 60Jan 16, 2025

    “There’s a fair amount down to chance in this game other than your starting weapon since that’s intrinsic to your wizard. Upgrades to your spells can be rerolled a few times once you progress far enough. Being able to gamble a reroll on the choice of augmentations and relics at the expense of health is a cool mechanic. This is incredibly valuable at higher levels when you know the playstyle of the wizard you like and what spells you need to make it work. That said, the only thing you can’t reroll are the spells. As frustrating as this is it does encourage players to try out new combinations. Plus, you won’t get stuck in ruts too often. This is a big part of what keeps this game feeling fresh every time. Embrace it!”

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    Digital ChumpsDigital Chumps
    trust 58Apr 28, 2026

    “The Spell Brigade separates itself from the pack of Vampire Survivors-adjacent games by letting up to four players engage in unruly, wave-based chaos. However, the power climb is locked behind a steep grind that takes too long to feel rewarding.”

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    Console CreaturesConsole Creatures
    trust 57Apr 28, 2026

    “The Spell Brigade has delivered a 1.0 release that really does shine! Wizards and spells are abundant, and co-op play is a lot of fun. Though the core gameplay loop is a little too familiar at times, there’s no denying that this is still one of the best recent entries in a now crowded genre.”

    read full review ↗

…and 6 more tracked reviews.

Patch history

  1. The Spell Brigade 1.0 - Patch 10
    Jul 8, 2026
  2. The Spell Brigade 1.0 - Patch 9
    Jul 1, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  3. 1.0.6 OPEN BETA
    Jun 25, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  4. The Spell Brigade 1.0 - Patch 8
    Jun 12, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  5. The Spell Brigade 1.0 - Patch 7
    Jun 11, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  6. 1.0.5 OPEN BETA
    Jun 4, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  7. The Spell Brigade 1.0 - Patch 6
    May 22, 2026
  8. The Spell Brigade 1.0 - Patch 5
    May 19, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  9. The Spell Brigade 1.0 - Patch 4
    May 6, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  10. The Spell Brigade 1.0 - Patch 3
    May 2, 2026
  11. ADDRESSING THE 1.0 FEEDBACK
    May 1, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  12. The Spell Brigade 1.0 - Patch 2
    May 1, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  13. The Spell Brigade 1.0 - Patch 1
    Apr 29, 2026
  14. 🧙 THE SPELL BRIGADE 1.0
    Apr 29, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  15. 🙏 Final post before 1.0 (we promise)
    Apr 28, 2026
  16. ⚠️ Read this if you want to reset your save file for 1.0
    Apr 27, 2026
  17. 1.0 will have expanded PLAYER PROGRESSION 📜
    Apr 21, 2026
  18. 1.0 will introduce the 15th WIZARD🔔
    Apr 16, 2026
  19. 🥳 The Spell Brigade 1.0 launches April 29th!
    Mar 31, 2026
  20. 1.0 will have IMPROVED ELEMENTS 🔥
    Mar 27, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  21. 🎮 1.0 Playtest
    Mar 12, 2026
  22. 1.0 will have new SOCIAL FEATURES💬
    Mar 11, 2026
  23. 1.0 will have PRESTIGES & CURSES 🎖️
    Mar 4, 2026
  24. 1.0 will have NEW ENEMIES 👻
    Feb 27, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  25. Bullet Heaven 3.0 Festival
    Dec 9, 2025
  26. 🛠️EA Update 13 Patch 2
    Nov 12, 2025
  27. 🛠️EA Update 13 Patch
    Nov 3, 2025
  28. 🧙 EA UPDATE 13 - PUMPKIN PANIC
    Oct 22, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  29. Summary of the Latest Hotfixes
    Oct 10, 2025
  30. 🧙 EA UPDATE 12 - THE ASTRAL RIFTLANDS
    Sep 24, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  31. 🧙 EA UPDATE 11 - THE BLOATED ONE
    Jul 2, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  32. 🛠️EA Update 10 Patch 4
    Jun 26, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  33. 🛠️EA Update 10 Patch 3
    May 27, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  34. 🛠️EA Update 10 Patch 2
    May 23, 2025
  35. 🧙 EA UPDATE 10 - FROM THE DEAD
    May 21, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  36. 🛠️EA Update 9 Patch
    Apr 18, 2025
  37. 🧙 EA UPDATE 9 - DARK DEVOTION
    Apr 16, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  38. 🛠️Early Access - Update 8 Patch 2
    Mar 11, 2025
  39. 🛠️Early Access - Update 8 Patch
    Mar 7, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  40. 🧙‍♂️ Early Access - Update 8
    Mar 5, 2025significant · resets scoring window

…and 19 earlier patch announcements.