Echoes of Mystralia Review: Early Access Verdict & Ratings

This Echoes of Mystralia review covers Borealys Games' action-heavy spellcrafting ARPG roguelite, which launched into Steam Early Access on August 11, 2026 for $19.99. Set in the same universe as 2017's Mages of Mystralia but telling a standalone story, it casts you as Mazarim, an apprentice Watcher defending the Cycle of Memories from a reality-threatening Rift. After extensive hands-on time across PC and Steam Deck, the game earns a confident positive verdict — with a few caveats worth knowing before you buy.

Video Highlights:

• Spellcrafting with Memories is the standout system that sets the game apart from other ARPG roguelites
• Early Access already includes 3 regions, multiple Guardian bosses, and a complete core loop
• Difficulty spikes hard once you reach the second area
• Runs at a solid 60fps on Steam Deck with settings on low
• Final verdict: a colorful roguelite that should flourish during Early Access

Here is how the launch build scores across the categories that matter most to roguelite players:

The core loop follows a familiar roguelite rhythm: equip two spells, drop into Mystralia, clear arena after arena of Shadows, collect a boon after each cleared room, choose your next path, and either defeat the area's Guardian or die and return to the temple to spend your currencies. What separates Echoes of Mystralia from the pack is how much control it hands you over both your build and your route through the world.

Spellcrafting is the headline feature. Every spell variant carries a set number of slots, and each slot accepts a Memory — damage types, buffs, or changes to how the spell is cast. Link buffs together for heavy combos or mix and match to see what strange spells you can craft. Pairing two identical Memories strengthens a single modifier, which is where RNG tension creeps in. Because you can swap modifiers at nearly any point in a run, a build never feels locked in — anything you are not vibing with can be binned immediately after a fight.

Currencies feed the long game. Lotus flowers fund the permanent skill tree, soul beads and other resources unlock spell variants, and artifacts or charms picked up in shrines must be cleansed at the temple before joining your run pool. The shrine mini-games — especially the light-beam puzzles — are a genuinely lovely change of pace from constant combat.

Mazarim serves as an apprentice Watcher on the Azimuth Temple, home of the Cycle of Memories floating above the world. When a Rift tears open and its claw-like tendrils threaten to pull the entire planet in, the dragon goddess known as the Timeless One sends you down to purge the Shadows of the Past, help the survivors, and face each realm's Guardian — none of whom are particularly chill about the whole Rift situation. There is real intrigue and plenty of dialogue, but narrative depth is not the selling point. If you play ARPG roguelites for the fast-paced loop rather than the story, the pacing suits you perfectly.

Visually, the game is a treat. Every region carries its own color scheme and theme, with the remnants of a broken world scattered across each land. Spell animations stay readable and flashy no matter how you modify them, and enemy designs — from common shadow creatures to mini-bosses and Guardians — are diverse and well animated. NPC and protagonist dialogue frames are hand-drawn with a fantasy anime or graphic-novel feel.

On PC, the game runs comfortably on modest mid-range hardware, and the recommended spec stays reasonable for an ARPG of this visual density. The standout result is Steam Deck: a solid 60fps with settings on low, and the visual downgrade is barely noticeable on the small screen — making it an excellent travel companion for commutes and train rides.

The honest comparison: if you enjoyed Hades or Hades II and want something in that mold, Echoes of Mystralia scratches the same itch while adding spellcrafting, shrine mini-games, and route selection. It is familiar — the shared DNA is undeniable — but it stands on its own two feet, and pretending otherwise would be a disservice to what Borealys has built.