Quantum Witch shows the endless possibilities of what cults, coercion, and ultimately, the right support can do

To put it simply, Quantum Witch is a heartwarming ‘plotformer’ brought about by solo developer NikkiJay and her experiences of leaving a religious cult and ultimately, finding her own way in life. Though, to put it so simply is to do Quantum Witch, and just how special it is, a major injustice.

While the initial context might make you believe Quantum Witch is a dark game primarily exploring religious trauma, it’s far from that; the final product is the outpouring of an individual’s heart, deeply personal experiences, and perhaps most importantly, the humour and love which they have used to overcome them. It’s the latter where Quantum Witch really shines, laden with on-the-nose jokes about in-game events, the LGBTQIA+ experience, and current society at large.

As I step foot into the village of Hus and begin to meet its eclectic characters (which include religious fanatics, video game icons with all-new identities, and talking fish to name a few), Quantum Witch conjures up that very same feeling that Undertale and Stardew Valley often evoke in players; it feels like coming home (and the soundtrack plays a huge part in this). Hus is an idyllic village with some kooky people to meet, and beautiful music – composed by both NikkiJay and Jerden Cooke – that accompanies your exploration and conversations.

As a plotformer, you can expect some jumping and punching here and there, but Quantum Witch is a lot more akin to a visual novel. That said, there are plenty of things to explore at any given moment and even more that you might miss (which are harder to miss in subsequent playthroughs thanks to additional hints and a checkpoint system, don’t fret).

Those who take in every nook and cranny of Quantum Witch, replaying it to see how their words can have significant consequences on the story at hand, as well as the side stories of people you meet and help, will be the ones to get the most of this game. There is a whole world – and more, literally, given the meta-narrative you’ll soon see at play – to soak in.

Even when the topic of conversation is less than jovial – be it the uncanny valley nature of some of the people you meet, or the clear sadness and exhaustion some characters face but can’t express as a result of the ‘omnipotent’ forces that govern what actions and thoughts of theirs are acceptable to have – Quantum Witch never lets you lose hope. Hope is a pretty powerful force in this world; it’s a mixture of that and everything you learn throughout your adventure – largely from the people you meet – that drive you in this game.

That doesn’t guarantee things won’t end up pear-shaped in Quantum Witch. Your dialogue decisions are at the forefront of the narrative, determining the outcomes of yourself – Ren – and characters such as Ren’s bonded one, Tyra, or the poor girl she finds tied up and alone, left for dead, Hannah. These are just a few people you can help, or ultimately condemn.

While hope is everywhere and love is prevalent in Quantum Witch, there’s no stopping you from exploring the depths of the game’s religious factions, even ascending to Godhood yourself if that’s where things take you. Not every ending is a happy one, though exploring all outcomes is fruitful. No matter where you look in Quantum Witch, there’s something to learn. Not just about the characters, but yourself, and your own experiences with religion, coercive control, and queer identities.

Regardless of what route you end up taking along The Helgrind Path and beyond, there is one saying underpinning Quantum Witch’s story (which developer NikkiJay touched upon a recent VG247 interview), regardless of which endings you experience and which side-stories you progress, and it’s that “it takes a village to raise a child”. The saying is quite literal, of course, but can be applied to anyone at any stage; humans can’t do this on their own, and we rely greatly on the love and support of one another to overcome life’s hurdles, to face our trauma, and to truly go on living to the best of our abilities.

Everything is easier with friends and an open heart, and that’s what I ultimately took away from Quantum Witch. This game – made with love, sweat, and tears in NikkiJay’s bedroom – is special, and it will no doubt steal away a piece of your heart too (or make you laugh out loud, at the very least).