Home / Features /Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is a much-improved Metroidvania sequel ByRichard Seagrave 24 January 202524 January 2025
If you’re a fan of the Metroidvania genre, there’s a good chance you’ve played Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights. Developed by Live Wire and Adglobe and published by Binary Haze Interactive, this dark, gothic Metroidvania proved to be a hit with players and critics alike when it launched in 2021, putting players in control of a young girl who could purify the spirits of deceased knights. In turn, they fight for her to show their gratitude, giving her access to a wide range of invaluable skills. Available now, Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is its sequel, and an improved one at that.
Set decades apart, you don’t need to have played Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights to enjoy Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist. There are some connections, sure, but it features a brand new cast of characters and a new setting, so you’re free to jump in and enjoy this sprawling adventure without feeling lost of you’ve not played its predecessor. In fact, there’s one feature here that makes it a better starting point for newcomers, and may even draw in those who didn’t get on with the original game: difficulty settings.
Ender Lilies is good, no doubt, but it can be punishing at times, especially when it comes to boss fights. You don’t have to be frustrated when playing Ender Magnolia, however. You can lower the difficulty at any time, and even adjust numerous individual settings to fine-tune the experience to your liking. The only thing you’ll miss out on are Fragments, a currency earned while playing that allows you to unlock a range of extras, such as alternative outfits and illustrations in a gallery.
But the inclusion of difficulty options isn’t the only way Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist elevates itself above its predecessor. While the core gameplay is very similar, with you once again playing as a young girl with mysterious powers, this time allowing you to attune yourself to Homunculi and make them fight on your behalf, there are a number of improvements. For one, not only is Ender Magnolia prettier to look at despite its apocalyptic setting, but the animation of its characters has been noticeably improved, making it much more enjoyable to play.
Other improvements include being able to equip four Homunculi, up from three Knights in Ender Lilies. Each of these Homunculi have multiple skills for you to learn and upgrade, too, giving you even more options in battle. There’s also a new inventory system, and your character can equip stat-boosting items to make them more formidable as you make your way through the game. What those who have played the first game will perhaps appreciate the most, however, is that there’s no longer contact damage.
Overall then, Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is a much improved sequel. It doesn’t shake up the formula too much, but it makes numerous meaningful changes that result in it not only being a more enjoyable experience for all who give it a go, but also more welcoming to newcomers. And so, whether you played and loved Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights or simply love Metroidvanias, you should definitely pay Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist some attention.
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
