Create an army and use spells while it fights for you. Mage & Monsters is an active auto battler, where you must choose wisely between upgrading the might of your army, or increasing the power of your spells.
You control an army and use spells in this engaging auto-battler. The core loop involves carefully selecting and upgrading units and spells between waves of enemies, then watching the battles unfold automatically. You must make strategic decisions to balance strengthening your army versus enhancing your spellcasting abilities.
The game presents you with meaningful choices and tradeoffs. Upgrading unit types or spell abilities can significantly impact battle outcomes, so you must weigh the relative value of various upgrades. This strategic element is key as you attempt to optimize your army composition and spell selection to overcome increasingly challenging enemy waves.
The game offers a varied roster of 8 playable mages, 25 distinct units, and 11 unique spells to experiment with. Discovering effective combinations is a core part of the gameplay, as you work to develop your own successful strategies.
The progression system allows you to unlock new mages, units, and spell upgrades as you play. Earning in-game currency (Blood Shards) and applying them to permanent upgrades between runs creates a sense of persistent advancement, motivating you to continue improving your capabilities over multiple playthroughs.
The difficulty curve is well-designed, starting off accessible while ramping up the challenge substantially in later stages. This balance between manageable early levels and satisfying harder challenges contributes to the game's appeal, offering a sense of accomplishment when you overcome tougher obstacles.