Bibidi Bibidi! is a new roguelite deckbuilder that features a unique central conceit: players construct spells by combining parts of three cards from their hand. Developed by Indiana-Jonas and Daan, who previously worked on the kinetic platformer Surmount, the game aims to capture a sense of unstable, dangerous magic.
The core gameplay loop involves drawing cards, each with three distinct sections: Boon, School, and Force. The Boon section grants additional magical effects, such as granting a shield or allowing attacks on multiple enemies. The School determines the type of spell, with examples like Zap for damage, Know for drawing cards, and Bubble for creating shields. Finally, the Force indicates the numerical value, such as damage output or shield strength.
Players strategically select cards from their hand to build a desired spell. For instance, a player might combine a card for its Boon (additional shielding), another for its School (Zap for damage), and a third for its Force (the highest available number for maximum damage), effectively creating a custom spell that deals damage and provides a shield simultaneously. This system encourages complex decision-making, especially when faced with enemy attacks that can disrupt card components or inflict damage when used.
Bibidi Bibidi! presents its mechanics with a vibrant, cartoonish art style, reminiscent of a children's book that carries a slight edge. Enemy designs are characterful, and the game's presentation is further enhanced by audio cues where the on-screen wizard vocalizes incantations corresponding to the spell components used. Upon defeat, players are met with a thematic "Bibidied" message, reinforcing the game's unique flavor.
Progression in Bibidi Bibidi! involves adding new cards to the player's deck after each battle and encountering shops during runs. A playable demo is currently available on Steam, offering a glimpse into the game's innovative spellcasting system. The developers, Indiana-Jonas and Daan, are planning a PC release for the full game.