User:Mtstaffa/Supermagical

Supermagical is a puzzle video game developed by Spanish computer game developer Super Awesome Hyper Dimensional Mega Team. Inspired by classic games like Puzzle Bobble, the game was first released for Apple's iOS in June 2012. In the game, players follow the tale of Nina, the youngest of a group of witches and the only sister not exiled to the underworld for being evil. Unfortunately, after a magical experiment gone awry, Nina unleashes her sisters onto the world, along with Minix, creatures from the underworld that feed on magic. Thus, Nina embarks on a tale to send her sisters back to the underworld and rid the world of Minix.

Gameplay
Taking its cues from other puzzle games and adding RPG features, gameplay is centered around shooting like-colored Minix at each other in order to make them disappear into the nether. In addition, when you make moves that separate Minix from the rest of the pack, they run away in fear clearing them from the battlefield. Later levels introduce black and white-colored Minix, which can’t be matched and add to the strategy. Finally, Nina can also call upon the power of her warlock companions to take out Minix in a variety of ways.

Meanwhile, Supermagical also employs some light RPG elements throughout the course of the game. Shops at each locale offer items for use in battle as well as ingredients for permanent spells that make the game slightly easier. In addition, you can also purchase hats which can change gameplay attributes, pets to aid in Minix eradication and even power-ups for your warlocks.

In Supermagical, every time that the player destroys a group of Minix coins will begin to spawn around their former location. Tapping on these coins will add them to your balance, which players can than spend later on candy. These coins allow players to buy candy. Some players may find that the spells element of the game takes a bit of getting used to, but once they accustom themselves with the system of cooking the spells they’ll feel right at home.

Release
The initial iOS version of the game included a single episode "Story Mode", which contained three themed continents, totaling 71 levels. The game was launched on the Spanish iTunes on June 20, 2012. On August 22, 2012, the game was localized into French, English, German, Korean and Japanese in addition to the original Spanish localization. In the first week of the global launch, the game was featured by Apple as their "Editors' Choice" app for the week of August 23 - August 31, 2012.

Reception
Reviews for Supermagical have been mostly positive. Eric Ford of Touch Arcade called the game "a Near Perfect Melding of Genres", and 148apps's Ruairi O'Gallchoir said Supermagical's in-game graphics are truly something to fall in love with. The attention to detail is second to none". Devin Wieland of App Chronicles wrote that "as a bubble buster, it boasts a gorgeous interface that does the genre proud, and as an RPG and storytelling game, it’s far from shallow".

Awards
In June 2012, Supermagical won the "Best Mobile Game" award at the 8th annual Gamelab Awards in Barcelona, Spain, held by the The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences.