Honestly, the first time you see Mika and the Witch's Mountain, you probably think you’ve seen it all before. It looks like a playable Studio Ghibli film, specifically Kiki’s Delivery Service. Little witch? Check. Flying broom? Check. Coastal town that looks like a Mediterranean postcard? Double check. But once you actually get your hands on it, you realize this isn't just a tribute act.
It’s surprisingly crunchy.
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The game, developed by Chibig and Nukefist, pulls a bit of a bait-and-switch. It starts with Mika—a slightly arrogant, "know-it-all" apprentice—getting literally kicked off the top of Mont Gaun by her mentor, Olagari. The goal? Work your way back up. It’s a classic coming-of-age setup, but it’s anchored by a delivery mechanic that cares way more about physics than you’d expect from a "cozy" game.
What Most People Get Wrong About Mika and the Witch's Mountain
A lot of people go in expecting a standard open-world adventure where you just hold "forward" to win. That’s not this. In Mika and the Witch's Mountain, your broom is kind of a piece of junk at the start. It doesn't really fly; it glides. It hops. It struggles.
You’re essentially playing a physics-based platformer that happens to be set in the sky.
The Delivery Hustle
You take a job with a delivery company called Amazing Deliveries, run by a guy named Greff. This is where the game gets its teeth. Every package you carry has its own set of "personality quirks."
- Fish and Water: Some items (like paper or electronics) will basically disintegrate the second they touch the ocean.
- The Clock: Some items, like ice cream, have a literal countdown before they melt into a sad puddle.
- The G-Force: If you slam into a cliffside or drop from too high, you’ll see the damage meter on your package spike.
If you bring a soggy, smashed box to a villager, they aren't going to give you that "green stamp" of approval. And you need those stamps to buy better brooms from Allegra, the local craftswoman.
The Secret Sauce: It’s Secretly Zelda
While the vibes are Ghibli, the DNA is pure The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. Chibig has been pretty open about this. The way the wind currents work—those white streaks in the air that boost you upward or propel you forward—is straight out of Nintendo's playbook.
It makes the island of Mont Gaun feel like a giant puzzle.
Initially, you’re restricted to the beach and the lower town. You see a ledge that looks tantalizingly close, but your basic broom just can't clear it. You have to learn to "chain" your jumps and find the specific air streams that will carry you higher. It’s satisfying in a way that "press button to fly" never is.
A World That Actually Lives
The island isn't massive. You can probably beat the main story in about 3 to 5 hours if you're rushing. But the charm is in the writing. The characters aren't just quest-givers; they’re weirdly relatable. You’ll meet a scientist who is terrified of being "too much" for people, and a painter who is drowning in debt while his kids act like spoiled royalty.
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It touches on some heavier stuff too. Labor exploitation, environmental decay—it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The game actually critiques the very delivery system you're working for.
Technical Reality Check
Look, it’s not perfect.
If you're playing on the Nintendo Switch, you might notice some frame rate chugging when you’re near the lighthouse or in the more crowded parts of the town. On PC (Steam) and the newer Xbox/PlayStation consoles, it runs much smoother, but the "Early Access" roots on Steam sometimes show through in weird hit detection.
Also, the broom controls take about thirty minutes to "click." At first, you'll feel like you're steering a shopping cart with a broken wheel. Then, suddenly, you're drifting through narrow stone arches like a pro.
Actionable Tips for New Witches
If you’re just starting your climb up the mountain, keep these things in mind to avoid a headache:
Master the "Broom Hop" Early
Don't just try to fly over obstacles. Use the jump button while on your broom to bounce off the ground or even the surface of the water. It’s the fastest way to gain a little bit of height without an airstream.
Look for the Napopo Statues
There are 100 of these little guys hidden around the island. Finding them isn't just for completionists; you can trade them for new outfits and trails for your broom. Some are hidden inside breakable jars—be the "Link" you were born to be and smash everything.
Watch the Weather
The game world changes. If it starts raining, your "water-sensitive" packages are in immediate danger. Find cover or wait it out. Same goes for high winds—they can be a shortcut or a death sentence depending on which way you're trying to go.
Don't Ignore Side Deliveries
The main missions get you the broom upgrades, but the side deliveries (often found as lost items on the ground) give you the best lore and character interactions. Plus, they help you learn the map's shortcuts.
Resetting is Free
If you absolutely botch a delivery—like dropping a TV into the ocean—don't panic. You can open your delivery card and reset the item. It sends it back to the start point so you can try for that perfect rating again without penalty.
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Mika and the Witch's Mountain is a small game with a big heart. It doesn't overstay its welcome, and it respects your time. Just don't go in expecting a mindless flight sim; you’re going to have to work for that view from the top.