"Bad Magpie" Previewed as Creative and Chaotic Puzzle Adventure

A preview of "Bad Magpie," a puzzle-adventure game developed by Milktooth, has detailed its creative and chaotic gameplay elements. The game centers on a magpie that is unable to fly after being injured and separated from its flock. This magpie encounters a fallen star with an affinity for shiny objects, prompting the magpie to collect trinkets to gain its favor.

The demo presented a task to acquire a red badge for the star. This badge was held by a "dragon in the sand" who required 20 "shiny things," described as glass-like crystals, in exchange. These shiny items are integrated into the environment, often requiring puzzle-solving to access, such as a crystal on a car hood that was obtained by lighting a stick, charring the car door window, and then pecking through the cracked glass.

The magpie's actions are limited to squawking, pecking, jumping, and moving quickly. However, these basic inputs can be combined with items, such as a megaphone that turns the magpie's cry into a supersonic burst, capable of breaking glass and other obstacles. The demo's setting, an abandoned school playground, offered various interactive items including fireworks, soda cans, fruit, and a maraca.

The game's narrative context suggests that humans are either absent or have not been present in the schoolyard for some time. Instead, creatures like mice and a "long dragon" serve as companions and targets for the magpie's mischief. The game's aesthetic features a distinctive style with a notable texture, balancing a cute appearance with a moody atmosphere, complemented by its sound design.

According to IGN, the gameplay encourages players to engage in more than the minimum required collection, with much of the reward stemming from experiencing the small scenes that unfold from the magpie's interactions and meddling.