Garden of Witches, developed by Team Tapas, is a charming roguelike action game where players help Sil, the protagonist, manage her mischievous fellow witches while unraveling the secrets of "The Garden." Though the game does not yet have an official release date, its intriguing combination of a whimsical aesthetic and intense roguelike mechanics has already generated great expectations. In an exclusive interview with Watermelo, Team Tapas shared insights about the development process, challenges, and future plans for their first Steam release.

When asked about the inspiration behind Garden of Witches, Taehee Yim, the lead developer, explained: “The idea came from wanting to depict a fantasy world with unique witch characters in a lighthearted and comedic way. Instead of focusing on grand events, the story centers around daily life in 'The Garden,' a place filled with eccentric witches. By combining a cute, whimsical art style with the thrill of roguelike elements, we aimed to create a unique experience for players.”

Balancing the game’s adorable visuals with intense gameplay mechanics posed creative challenges. According to Yim, contrast was key: “We wanted to put adorable characters into dangerous scenarios and see how players reacted. To fit the witch theme, we used attributes like thread, flowers, and crows instead of traditional elements like fire or ice. This led to spells such as Summon Doll and Needle Shot, inspired by the crafting and stitching often associated with witches.”

Transitioning to Steam marks a significant milestone for Team Tapas, primarily known for mobile games. “Garden of Witches is our first game on Steam, and we hope to explore the platform’s potential. Our goal is to reach a broader audience, including PC users,” Yim shared. Expanding beyond mobile gaming allows the studio to test their creativity on new platforms and engage with diverse player communities.

Community feedback is a top priority for the studio. Yim emphasized their commitment to fostering an active relationship with players: “We want to maintain open communication to enrich the experience. Player feedback on gameplay mechanics, balance, and UI will help us enhance the game’s quality. Ultimately, we want Garden of Witches to feel like a collaborative effort between us and our players.”

As for future content, the team remains flexible. “While we don’t have specific plans for updates or DLCs right now, we hope the game performs well enough to allow for expansions. There’s so much more to explore in the universe of Garden of Witches, and we’d love to bring more of it to life,” Yim noted.

The character of Sil and her episodic journey serve as the heart of the game. “We hope players can relate to Sil as she navigates her adventures in ‘The Garden.’ Our goal is to make players feel they’re on an exciting, memorable journey alongside quirky witches,” Yim explained. The studio aspires for players to feel part of the garden’s world, finding humor and warmth in Sil’s interactions with her fellow witches.

In the long term, Team Tapas aims for Garden of Witches to become a beloved title. “We want the game to leave players with a sense of joy and connection. The whimsical events and challenges Sil and her friends face should feel humorous and heartwarming, creating a bond between players and this magical world,” Yim concluded.

As anticipation builds, Garden of Witches promises to deliver a fresh, endearing take on the roguelike genre, combining charm, danger, and unforgettable adventures in a beautifully crafted world.