Mika And The Witch’s Mountain review: broom for improvement

I’m a simple man. I like Studio Ghibli movies, cosy games, and think graphics peaked with The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Oh you think Red Dead Redemption 2 is gorgeous? Well you haven’t seen my cartoon boat.

Mika And The Witch’s Mountain is, on paper, exactly the kind of game I should be evangelical about. It has the cel-shaded visual splendour of my dream Zelda game, the comforting low-stakes joy of A Short Hike, and a story and world clearly in thrall to Kiki’s Delivery Service.

The influences are clear throughout, and while Mika And The Witch’s Mountain never really comes close to the games and movies that inspired it, it’s still a wonderful game with a big heart that only the coldest of souls could possibly truly dislike.

Our adventure begins when Mika - a young witch in training - is booted from the top of a mountain and has to spend a few days slumming it with the common folk down below. With a crappy broken broom and not a penny to her name, we need to help her earn enough money to fix her motor so she can get back up the mountain and give the teacher who shoved her a good telling off.

Much like A Short Hike, Mika And The Witch’s Mountain takes place across one island which you’re free to explore at will, meeting characters and helping them out. This is primarily done by carrying out deliveries for the local postal service. So it is that Mika will have to hop on her broom, grab the package, and transport it from A to B in one piece.

There’s very little thought involved in actually carting these packages around. While you’re not supposed to get them wet or drop them, it’s pretty easy to fly without ever damaging a parcel, and even if you do you can immediately respawn it and try again. You can also simply open up the map to see where you’re supposed to take it, instead of puzzling out which items might go to which characters based on what you’ve learned about them, which is a shame.

Still, the aim of Mika is to deliver a relaxing experience, so being able to putter across deep green meadows and stunningly blue ocean as you go about your business is still a joy. There are also optional packages and missing items which don’t actually give you any hint as to where they belong, so completionists will be encouraged to explore thoroughly.

As you complete your deliveries your broom will be upgraded, netting you new skills that allow you to reach new heights and previously hidden areas until you can make it back to the peak. Flying itself takes a bit of getting used to, but once you master it, there’s something delightful about leaping from a great height and then hopping onto the broom to catch a current of wind. There are also a handful of really well placed secrets scattered around the island to scratch that exploration itch.

Mika And The Witch’s Mountain is as short as it is sweet, and while it might not be the most stunningly original or captivating game released this year, it has so much heart that it’s impossible not to lose yourself in its charming world and cast of characters.

Pros: Stunning to look at, flying is great fun, very relaxing

Cons: Very short, not hugely challenging, not the most original

For fans of: Kiki’s Delivery Service, A Short Hike, The Wind Waker

7/10: Very Good

Mika And The Witch’s Mountain is available now on PC via Steam (version tested), and Nintendo Switch. Review code was provided by the publisher. Find a complete guide to GAMINGbible's review scores here.