The Magic Circle

{
"short": "Released in 2015, *The Magic Circle* is an action-adventure game where players manipulate unfinished game assets to solve puzzles and uncover the story behind a troubled development. It's a unique satire of the game industry.",
"long": "## Introduction\n\n*The Magic Circle* is a 2015 action-adventure game that blends puzzle-solving with a meta-narrative about game development. Developed and published by Question, the game allows players to explore an unfinished fantasy world and manipulate the assets of the game's various unfinished builds. The core gameplay revolves around using the \"Editor\" mechanic to rewrite the behaviors of enemies and objects, allowing players to solve puzzles and progress through the game. This unique premise and gameplay loop set it apart from other titles in the action-adventure and simulation genres.\n\n\n## Development & Release\n\n*The Magic Circle* was developed and published by the independent studio Question. It was released on July 9, 2015, for PC, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The game's development focused on creating a compelling narrative about the struggles of game development, and the creative conflicts that can arise. This is reflected in the game's setting, which is a fictional game development studio that is in a state of disarray. The game's design is heavily influenced by the team's experiences and observations about the video game industry.\n\n\n## Gameplay & Content\n\nPlayers explore a first-person perspective world, solving puzzles by changing the properties of enemies and objects. The gameplay loop centers on utilizing the Editor to rewrite AI behaviors, allowing players to reprogram creatures and objects to their advantage. This mechanic provides a unique and satisfying way to solve puzzles and navigate the game world. The game's setting is a fictional fantasy world within an unfinished video game, offering an intriguing backdrop for the player's interactions. Completionist reports suggest an average playtime of 9.2 hours, indicating a substantial amount of content and engagement for players.\n\n\n## Critical Reception\n\n*The Magic Circle* received generally positive reviews from critics. The game earned a "Strong" tier rating on OpenCritic. Reviewers praised the game's originality and its commentary on the game development process. TechRaptor stated, \"A memorable trip into game design and development hell, The Magic Circle's only sin is that there isn't more of it to play around in.\" The Escapist called it \"the best 'broken' game you've ever played - and a rich satire of the industry to boot.\" PressA2Join concluded, \"The Magic Circle was definitely a quirky, lovingly made and interesting ride which I enjoyed immensely. The only thing I'm still unclear on is I'm still trying to decide whether the fact that it left me wanting more is a good or a bad thing.\""
}