Marisa of Liartop Mountain Review – A Charming but Flawed Fantasy Adventure
Marisa of Liartop Mountain, released on August 21, 2025, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, is a narrative-driven action-adventure game from indie developer DreamForge Studios. Inspired by classic gamebooks like Fighting Fantasy, it casts players as Marisa, a young mage exploring a perilous mountain to uncover her destiny. Earning a 72/100 (Mixed or Average), Marisa of Liartop Mountain offers a nostalgic blend of choice-driven storytelling and action, but clunky combat and uneven pacing prevent it from reaching its full potential. For fans of retro-inspired RPGs, it’s a charming if inconsistent journey that struggles to compete with 2025’s heavier hitters.
A Magical Quest with Branching Paths Set in the mystical realm of Eldrith, Marisa of Liartop Mountain follows Marisa, a novice sorceress, as she ascends the titular peak to confront a dark warlock and unravel her hidden lineage. The 12–15-hour campaign emphasizes player choice, with branching dialogue and decisions that shape the story’s outcome, from alliances with forest spirits to moral dilemmas about sacrifice. The narrative shines with evocative writing and a fairy-tale vibe, though it leans heavily on clichés like chosen-one tropes. Compared to 2025’s Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, Marisa’s story is less epic but more personal, with multiple endings adding replayability. However, pacing falters with drawn-out exploration segments, and some choices feel inconsequential. X posts reflect mixed reactions: “Love the story’s charm, but it drags in the middle.” The voice acting, while earnest, is inconsistent, with Marisa’s lines shining but NPCs sounding flat.
Action and Choices with Mixed Execution Gameplay blends action combat with choice-driven exploration. Marisa wields elemental spells—fireballs, ice barriers, wind dashes—in real-time battles against goblins, wraiths, and other fantasy foes. The spell system is flashy, with combo potential, but clunky hit detection and stiff controls make fights frustrating, especially against larger enemy groups. Exploration is more engaging, with puzzle-filled dungeons and hidden lore scrolls rewarding curiosity. The choice system, inspired by gamebooks, lets players roll virtual dice to resolve risky actions, like scaling cliffs or disarming traps, adding a fun layer of chance. However, the dice mechanic feels underutilized, appearing only sporadically. Accessibility options, like adjustable difficulty and subtitles, are robust, but the lack of controller remapping irks console players. A local co-op mode, where a second player controls a companion spirit, adds flair but lacks online support. X users noted, “The dice rolls are cool, but combat feels like a chore.” Compared to 2025’s Consume Me, Marisa’s puzzles are less inventive, but its narrative depth stands out.
A Picturesque but Patchy World Visually, Marisa of Liartop Mountain impresses with a storybook-inspired art style, running at 4K/60 FPS on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The Switch version, at 1080p/30 FPS, holds up but suffers from texture pop-in. Environments—lush forests, misty peaks—evoke classic fantasy, with vibrant colors and hand-painted textures. Marisa’s spell effects dazzle, though enemy animations lack polish. The soundtrack, with orchestral strings and mystical flutes, sets the mood but loops repetitively. PS5’s DualSense haptics add immersion, with vibrations for spell casts and environmental hazards. Performance is mostly stable, though PC players reported crashes during loading, patched post-launch. Compared to 2025’s Baby Steps, Marisa’s visuals are more detailed but less unique, fitting its traditional aesthetic.
A Nostalgic but Unpolished Gem Priced at $35, Marisa offers decent value with unlockable spells and a “Chronicles” mode for extra side quests, but its short length and lack of polish disappoint. X feedback praises the charm—“Feels like a gamebook come to life!”—but critiques the execution: “Combat and bugs drag it down.” Compared to The Witcher 3’s narrative depth, Marisa feels lightweight but accessible. Its ambition shines, but it needed more refinement to soar.
Marisa of Liartop Mountain earns its 72/100 for its charming story, nostalgic vibe, and branching choices, making it a solid pick for RPG fans. Clunky combat and pacing issues hold it back, but its heart keeps it engaging. DreamForge shows promise—here’s hoping their next adventure climbs higher.
