Folly of the Wizards Review - A magical misfire that somehow enchants you anyway

XPN Network
Nov 4
3 min read

In a genre often dominated by grim warriors and stoic spellcasters, Folly of the Wizards bursts onto the Xbox scene with a wand in one hand and a banana peel in the other. Developed by UpFox Labs and published by Numskull Games, this 2D roguelike dungeon crawler is a chaotic celebration of magical incompetence. Released in September 2025 for Xbox Series X/S, it trades precision for pandemonium, inviting players to embrace the absurdity of spellcasting gone wrong. It’s a game that doesn’t just tolerate failure, it revels in it.

The story kicks off with a classic magical mishap. You’re a rookie wizard apprentice entrusted with the realm’s most sacred spell book. Naturally, you drop it, misread a few incantations, and accidentally unleash a wave of arcane disasters across the land. Your mission is to clean up the mess by diving into cursed dungeons, battling corrupted creatures, and recovering lost pages, all while surviving your own spell-induced catastrophes. The narrative isn’t deep, but it’s delightfully self-aware. NPCs mock your magical ineptitude, ancient spirits groan at your arrival, and every new spell feels like a prank waiting to happen.

Gameplay in Folly of the Wizards is a whirlwind of randomized chaos. Each dungeon run is procedurally generated, filled with traps, loot, and enemies that range from mildly threatening to outright ridiculous. Combat is fast-paced and messy, with spells that often backfire in spectacular fashion. One moment you’re launching a fireball, the next you’ve teleported into a pit of spikes or summoned a goose that attacks you instead of your enemies. Each wizard apprentice you unlock comes with unique quirks, some are allergic to mana, others have a tendency to explode when casting too many spells. These traits add variety and unpredictability, though they can also lead to moments of pure frustration.

Progression is tied to unlocking new apprentices, discovering spell variants, and earning passive upgrades. While the randomness keeps things fresh, it can also feel punishing. Some runs are blessed with powerful combos, while others feel doomed from the start. Exploration is encouraged, with hidden rooms and environmental puzzles offering rewards for curious players. Just be prepared for the occasional trap disguised as treasure.

Visually, the game is a treat. Its cartoonish art style is vibrant and expressive, with hand-drawn sprites that ooze personality. Wizards flail dramatically, enemies explode in colourful bursts, and spell effects fill the screen with chaotic energy. The environments are varied and imaginative, from haunted libraries to mushroom-infested caverns, each with its own visual identity. However, the sheer volume of effects during combat can sometimes make it hard to track what’s actually happening.

The sound design complements the visual chaos perfectly. The soundtrack is whimsical and dynamic, shifting from jaunty dungeon tunes to dramatic orchestral swells when things go sideways. Spell effects are crunchy and satisfying, and while voice acting is minimal, the few lines delivered are dripping with sarcasm and panic. It’s a game that sounds as chaotic as it looks and that’s a compliment.

Pros

Unique, charming art style
Genuinely funny writing and self-aware humour
High replayability with varied wizard builds
Fun and expressive sound design
Delightfully unpredictable spell mechanics

Cons

Spell targeting can be frustratingly imprecise
Difficulty spikes feel unfair and RNG-heavy
Combat lacks finesse and clarity during chaos
Progression can feel grindy after repeated runs
Story is thin beyond its humorous premise

In the end, Folly of the Wizards is a lovable disaster. It’s not the most polished roguelike out there, and it certainly won’t appeal to players who crave tight combat and balanced mechanics. But for those who enjoy games that embrace absurdity, celebrate failure, and offer a fresh take on magical mayhem, this one’s worth a spin. It’s a game that turns every miscast spell into a punchline and every dungeon run into a comedy sketch. If you’ve ever wanted to play a roguelike where the biggest threat is your own spell book, Folly of the Wizards delivers in spades with its spell-slinging comedy of errors that charms more than it frustrates and leaves you laughing through the chaos.

XPN Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (SILVER)