After roughly six years in early access, Mahou Arms has officially launched version 1.0 on PC via Steam. Developed by lead dev Softmode alongside a core team of two, the project originated in 2017 with Dischan Media before evolving into a distinct third-person action game.
Quick Facts
- Platform: PC (Steam)
- Release Date: Version 1.0 launched after six years in early access
- Campaign Length: 6 to 10 hours of non-procedural gameplay with a complete beginning and end
- Steam Reception: 78% positive lifetime rating across 542 reviews
What to Expect in Version 1.0
Positioned as a character action title sharing DNA with games like Nier: Automata, Mahou Arms casts players as magical girls slicing and dicing through an alien invasion. The 1.0 update introduces a complete story beginning and end, alongside new romance side quests. Combat revolves around melee tag-team combos that build a Devil May Cry-style meter leading to an SSS-grade climax, complemented by a strategy game-style battlefield view.
The core development team kept asset creation strictly human-made. Softmode noted that the game features "not a single pixel of generated art, audio, narrative, or code."
Player Impact and Recommendations
For existing players returning to the game, the development team strongly recommends starting a completely new save file. This ensures players experience the newly added content and structural changes made to earlier levels throughout the campaign.
While the 1.0 launch has encountered some initial wobbles, the developers report that these issues are actively being addressed. The title currently holds a 78% positive lifetime rating on Steam after 542 reviews.