Witchfire

About Witchfire

Witchfire launched on September 23, 2024, for PC via Microsoft Windows. The Astronauts made this title with their background in fast-paced shooters like Painkiller and Bulletstorm. It blends first-person shooting with adventure elements in a dark fantasy setting where the Church uses forbidden magic to create immortal hunters. You play as one of these Preyers tasked with finding a specific witch on the Black Sea. The game features multiple paths to success rather than a single linear route. It feels like a roguelite designed for people who usually dislike the genre because it rewards skill over grinding. This release brings a lot of intensity to shooters that rely heavily on movement and magic.

Gameplay

You move through levels using sprinting, jumping, and spell casting while shooting demons with powerful firearms. Combat is fast and requires constant positioning since you lack traditional health packs. Instead, you collect souls to buy upgrades between runs or spend them mid-mission for temporary buffs. The game offers a roguelite structure where death sends you back to the start, but your collected power persists. You can choose different routes through each area to find better loot or avoid tougher enemies. Controls feel tight and responsive with a heavy emphasis on strafing and quick spell usage. Sessions typically last anywhere from twenty minutes to an hour depending on how far you push before dying.

What Players Think

The PlayPile community data shows mixed feelings about this release. Critics on IGDB gave it a score of 52.8 out of 100 based on 19 ratings. Players seem to struggle with completion, as only 29.9% of the 30 available achievements unlock on average. The hardest challenge is the "Labyrinth" achievement which only 4.60% of players have earned. This low unlock rate suggests a steep difficulty curve that separates casual fans from hardcore enthusiasts. Most reviews highlight the frantic combat as a high point while criticizing the lack of polish in other areas. The mood among active players leans toward frustration mixed with satisfaction when they finally beat a tough boss.

PlayPile's Take

Witchfire costs money on PC and targets players who enjoy difficult shooters with magic systems. The 30 achievements and low completion rates indicate this is not a casual experience. If you liked the fast action of Bulletstorm, you might appreciate the gunplay despite the rough edges. The price tag reflects its current state as an early access or unfinished title rather than a polished final product. Avoid this if you need a story-driven adventure or hate dying repeatedly. You will likely spend more time failing than succeeding unless you have strong reflexes and patience for repeated attempts.

Storyline

Desperate for a chance to triumph in the deadly war against witches, the Church calls on forbidden pagan magic to turn willing sinners into immortal witch hunters called preyers. Armed with powerful spells and fearsome firearms conjured by the best Vatican sorcerers, your mission is to find the infamous witch of the Black Sea, destroy the phantom army that protects her, and retrieve a mysterious artifact that can finally turn the tide of war.