Mystica

Mystica is a dark fantasy game set in a world of political conflict, grimness and magic. Thirty years after a near-apocalyptic incident caused by powerful magic, people have turned against magic and embraced manmade technology. Because magic is an innate ability people cannot control, its users face widespread persecution. As powerful figures seek greater influence, an elected emperor may set a genocide of people with magic in motion.

Story and characters

You play as Vyral, an imperfect mercenary who initially rejects his dormant magic. His hostile brother and mysterious family history shape the early adventure as Vyral discovers who he is and where he stands.

His companions include Evie, a budding knight from the allied northern kingdom of Falm, and Bailey, Vyral’s childhood friend, who also has ties to Falm’s higher ranks. Poppy is an outsider and hostile foreigner who trusts few people, and other guest party members join as events unfold.

Vyral’s brother Bismarck leads a mysterious faction of soldiers in black. They target places where powerful magic is present, but their motives remain unclear. Rulers Drake and Frey lead the Empire’s campaign against magic, determined to prevent another disaster and willing to eradicate the rights and lives of anyone who can use it. Other forces with roots in the world’s history continue to plot as the world descends into chaos and war.

Tactical battles

Combat uses rows, giving you different strategies for approaching each battle. Skills can change a fight’s pace and outcome, and you can chain powerful skills with weaker ones learned earlier to increase damage and keep every skill useful. You can also charge finishers across several battles and unleash them when you choose, whether against a tough enemy or to turn the tide in a difficult boss fight.

Understanding elements, ailments and status boosts helps you gain the upper hand as battles grow harder. The challenges ease you in before tougher fights arrive.

Choices and progression

Normal Mode and Story Mode offer different difficulty options; Story Mode turns off random encounters. A skill tree lets you choose how each character develops, from focusing on a particular strategy to improving their parameters.

Peaceful and Ruthless dialogue choices shape how Vyral responds in certain situations, and other characters form opinions based on his behaviour.

Quests and resources

Optional sidequests include hunting monsters, testing combat mechs, filling a library with books and recounting tales to an orphan boy. You can take on extra content at any point in the game.

Money and items are important in battle. Earn money by selling loot and old equipment, searching the environment or completing sidequests, then use it to buy supplies. The game also includes a database with information on characters, places, story events, encountered monsters and more.

Mystica is a sequel to Empire, but playing Empire is not necessary to follow or become immersed in Mystica’s world.