Milo and the Magpies

Milo and the Magpies is a short and relatively simple point-and-click. The difficulty of the game ascends progressively from very easy to requiring some examination and thoughtful association in a few instances. I would say that this makes it a good introduction to more complex games in the genre, for someone who is not familiar with it.

I would also say that it is very suitable for children; it is lighthearted and it has a charming and pleasant vibe all through it, with some funny moments, and it doesn't have a complex story to follow either. The game does have a goal, though, for the main character to fulfill, and it is portrayed in a coherent manner despite its tale-like elements (I liked how the structure of the neighborhood is maintained from scenery to scenery; it's the type of simple details that a lot of games neglect to tie together well).

The type of logic to solve each problem you encounter seems a little random, though; sometimes you will have to 'push' Milo -the cat- forward, sometimes you will have to 'push' other characters, sometimes you have to move and use objects as an invisible human... but although it may be confusing at first, it all serves to keep the game moving forward in a simple and entertaining way. The solutions for each circumstance are not always reasonable either, but they always have a logic to them.

The goal of the game is just getting Milo back home with his loved ones -in spite of those magpies!-. The characters themselves -although they do have distinctive personalities or vibes- are not much more than elements of that process, so don't expect a lot of depth to them..

As for the art making up the sceneries, it has a charming style which is pleasant to the eye, and the music is made of gentle acoustic string pieces (mostly piano) that suit very well with the whole aesthetic, creating a nice and relaxing ambiance.

Regarding the controls, in the PC version, the clicking/selecting areas are usually too big, extending a little too far from the object you are supposed to select, and this becomes confusing sometimes. I guess this works better in mobile, since it is harder to be precise when tapping, but in PC this is a downside, because it is not very clear to you what you're doing until you see the result.


Milo and the Magpies is a pleasant and entertaining game experience that will take you probably less than an hour to complete, if you are an adult used to this genre. All in all, it is a short and unambitious game, and it is good for what it is.