Nine Parchments

Frozenbyte

Rank: #5 / 11
Released: 2017
Studio: Frozenbyte
Genre: shoot 'em up

At a glance

Nine Parchments is a shoot ’em up from Frozenbyte, released in 2017 for Windows. A group of apprentice wizards leaves the Astral Academy to find the Nine Parchments without completing the usual years of study. Players can play alone or with up to three friends, online or locally, and must account for spells that can hit nearby allies as well as enemies. Each wizard begins with three spells, and recovered parchments add more choices. Spells use different elements, while skill points can be spent on talents to strengthen the characters’ abilities. Progress also unlocks apprentice wizards, hats and staves. A separate Astral Challenges mode focuses on arena combat and can be played solo or in co-op. Set in the world of Trine, the game is listed with single-player, co-op, controller support, Steam achievements and trading cards. Its central appeal is spell-heavy combat with room for solo play or a group.

Who it is for

It suits players who enjoy elemental spell combat and want the option of solo play or co-op with up to three friends. Co-op is listed for online and local play.

What is good

Co-op supports up to four players
Online and local co-op are listed
Recovering parchments expands spell choices
Includes a separate arena mode

What to know first

Windows is the only listed platform
Spells can hit nearby wizard allies

Verdict

Nine Parchments pairs spell-based combat with wizard progression and solo or group play. Friendly fire makes positioning and spell choice relevant when playing co-op.