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Nine Parchments

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 • 2017

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Quick resume

Nine Parchments is a co-operative blast'em up game of magic mayhem from Frozenbyte, creators of the Trine series!

Global score

77/100

Genres

Action, Role-playing (RPG)

Similar games

    Pros

    • Beautiful graphics and music
    • Engaging cooperative multiplayer
    • Challenging and skillful combat
    • Variety of characters and spells
    • Good replay value and progression

    Cons

    • Minimal story and narrative depth
    • Linear level design with limited exploration
    • Some technical issues with multiplayer
    • No ability to switch characters mid-run
    • Friendly fire can frustrate some players

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Status. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Story, Exploration.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      3

      "Players choose characters and spells freely, but cannot switch characters mid-run, encouraging planned choices and some freedom within runs."

    • Competence
      4

      "Challenging combat requiring skillful spell selection, positioning, and teamwork, especially on higher difficulties and hardcore mode."

    • Competition
      1

      "Some leaderboard elements in arena mode and hardcore runs, but mostly cooperative play without heavy player-vs-player competition."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Encourages multiple playthroughs to unlock characters, spells, and achievements; players report habitual replay and grinding."

    • Cooperation
      5

      "Strongly cooperative gameplay with up to 4 players, requiring teamwork, coordination, and friendly fire mechanics."

    • Creativity
      2

      "Players customize builds via talent trees and spell loadouts, but level design and progression are linear with limited environmental interaction."

    • Domination
      -3

      "Gameplay emphasizes shared team effort and mutual respect; friendly fire punishes careless dominance; no PvP mode."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Colorful fantasy world with immersive visuals and music provides strong escapism and stress relief."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for fun and social interaction; no evidence of obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Players experiment with different spell combinations and character builds; some randomness in spell acquisition encourages adaptation."

    • Exploration
      -2

      "Linear level design with limited exploration; some hidden items and collectibles encourage minor exploration."

    • Expression
      2

      "Character customization via skins, hats (cosmetic), and talent trees allows personal expression within limits."

    • Fantasy
      5

      "Set in the Trine universe with magical spells, fantasy creatures, and a fairy tale atmosphere."

    • Fellowship
      4

      "Strong community and social play focus; players enjoy shared experiences and cooperative achievements."

    • Growth
      4

      "Character leveling, talent trees, and unlocking new spells and characters provide learning and development."

    • Health
      -4

      "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; long sessions reported."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention during combat; not suitable for background or casual idle play."

    • Intimacy
      3

      "Cooperative play fosters social bonding and friendly interactions, though not deeply intimate relationships."

    • Leadership
      1

      "Some players coordinate team roles and strategies, but no formal leadership or authority roles."

    • Progression
      4

      "Strong progression through leveling, unlocking characters, spells, and cosmetic items."

    • Relaxation
      2

      "Visuals and music are relaxing, but gameplay can be tense and challenging, especially in hardcore mode."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Colorful spell effects and dynamic combat provide sensory stimulation and excitement."

    • Status
      1

      "Some recognition through achievements and unlocks, but limited social status or popularity mechanics."

    • Story
      -3

      "Minimal narrative and weak story; mostly context-free combat and progression."

    • Strategy
      4

      "Requires tactical spell selection, positioning, and team coordination to overcome enemy immunities and challenges."

    • Thrill
      3

      "Challenging combat and hardcore mode provide suspense and thrill; friendly fire adds unpredictability."

    • Value
      3

      "Good perceived value for price, especially with replayability and multiplayer fun."

    • Violence
      3

      "Combat involves magical attacks and destruction of enemies; some melee attacks; no excessive gore."

    • Survival
      3

      "Players must avoid death and manage resources; hardcore mode punishes failure severely."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026