Mika and the Witch’s Mountain Review: A Cozy Delivery Sim That’s Short on Spells, Long on Charm

Introduction: When Ghibli Met A Short Hike (And Had a Broom Baby)

If Studio Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service and A Short Hike had a whimsical lovechild, it’d probably look a lot like Mika and the Witch’s Mountain. As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of cozy games and cel-shaded vistas (fight me, Red Dead 2 stans), I approached this indie gem with equal parts excitement and trepidation. Could developer Chibig stick the landing after their previous stumbles? The answer, much like Mika’s wobbly broom skills, is a mix of “almost” and “bless its heart.”

What Is the Game About? (Spoiler: It’s Not Uber Eats for Witches)

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain casts you as Mika, a fledgling witch yeeted off a mountain by her grumpy mentor, Olagari. With her broom in splinters and her pride in tatters, Mika crash-lands in Orilla Town, where she takes a gig at the local delivery service. Think Death Stranding with less existential dread and more seashell collecting. Your mission: Deliver packages, upgrade your broomstick, and scale the titular mountain to confront Olagari. Along the way, you’ll meet quirky villagers, uncover secrets, and dodge the occasional poorly written villain (more on that later).

Story: A Tale of Two Antagonists (And One Who Ghosted Us)

“You’ve Got Mail (But Also, a Broken Broom)”

The narrative starts strong: Mika’s expulsion from witch school is equal parts hilarious and humiliating, channeling Kiki’s coming-of-age vibes. Early interactions with Allegra (the town’s craftswoman) and Greff (the delivery boss who’d give Animal Crossing’s Tom Nook a run for his bells) hint at depth. But faster than you can say “Plot? What plot?”, the story fizzles.

Greff and an industrialist named W.Soot are set up as antagonists… only to vanish after two days. W.Soot’s factory? Never mentioned again. Greff’s penny-pinching tyranny? Resolved off-screen with a shrug. The game’s finale does deliver a clever twist involving Olagari, but it’s like getting a gourmet dessert after a microwaved meal—satisfying, yet incongruous.

Gameplay: Flight of the Bumblebee (If the Bee Was a Witch with a Part-Time Job)

“Hold My Pumpkin Spice Latte, I’m Going In!”

The core loop is simple: Grab packages, fly them to villagers, and avoid damaging them (no one wants a soggy TV). Early deliveries are relaxing, but the lack of challenge—coupled with a “reset package” button that negates stakes—can feel toothless. Need to find a recipient? The map handholds you. Need to navigate? Good luck without a compass.

Broom Mechanics: Gliding > Flying (But the Views Are Killer)

Flying is… fine. Your broom handles like a shopping cart with a wonky wheel—serviceable but hardly exhilarating. Upgrades (speed boosts, wind currents) help, but you’ll spend more time skimming the ground than soaring. That said, zipping through pastel meadows and turquoise coasts is undeniably soothing. Think The Wind Waker’s Great Sea, minus the existential dread of Cyclos judging you.

Side Quests: Collect-A-Thon for the Completionist Crowd

Optional tasks include:

Napopo Statuettes: 100 hidden figurines to trade for outfits (pro tip: snag the black cat witch costume).
Tarot Cards: Shatter giant jars for art that’s pretty but pointless.
Lost Items: Return misplaced goods with zero hints. (Who knew an ostrich egg belonged to a kid in town?)

These distractions add padding, but don’t expect Breath of the Wild-level depth.

Who Is It For? (Spoiler: Cozy Gamers, Collectophiles, and Ghibli Stans)

This game is a love letter to:

Kiki’s Delivery Service devotees who’ve always wanted to yell, “I’m flying, Jiji!”
A Short Hike fans craving another low-stakes exploration fix.

Avoid if: You crave complex mechanics, gripping narratives, or flight sims that don’t involve dodging seagulls.

Final Verdict: A Flawed but Heartwarming Brew (Buy It on Sale)

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain is the gaming equivalent of a warm hug—brief, comforting, and slightly forgettable. While its short runtime and underbaked story leave you wanting more, there’s magic in its whimsical world and earnest charm. At $19.99 / ₹880, it’s a tough sell, but catch it on sale, and you’ll find a cozy gem worth cherishing.

[This review is based on a press build of the game provided by the publisher. The Game has been reviewed on PC Platform]