Incantation (1996). Play online

Summary

Playing Incantation feels like stepping into a pastel‑colored spellbook. You guide a young wizard through a string of side‑scrolling stages, picking up new ranged spells that differ in firing pattern and power, then unleash them on waves of goofy enemies. Certain levels turn the search into a scavenger hunt, forcing you to collect a set number of items before the gate opens, while others culminate in a fairly straightforward boss fight.

The game’s graphics pop with cartoon‑style vibrancy, a point praised by Electronic Gaming Monthly, though the soundtrack sticks to modest, repetitive tunes that some critics called forgettable. Reviewers generally agreed that the title skews toward a younger crowd – the difficulty is low, making it a breezy play session rather than a gritty challenge. Scores landed mostly in the 60‑80% bracket, with Official Nintendo Magazine giving it a solid 78/100, but even the higher marks noted that Incantation doesn’t leave a lasting impression. Despite its simplicity, I still enjoy the charming spell‑swaps and the whimsical level design when the mood calls for something light‑hearted.