# Magium- Text adventure (CYOA) — user reviews > 220 indexed App Store user reviews of Magium by Cristian Mihailescu, rated 4.90/5 from 1,400 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magium-text-adventure-cyoa/id1229498009/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magium-text-adventure-cyoa/id1229498009.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 1,310 · 4★ 66 · 3★ 13 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 9 ## What do users think of Magium? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🚀 Amazing story - 👍 Engaging characters - 💡 Unique achievements system - 👍 Immersive interactive experience - 👍 Well-written dialogue - 👍 Compelling plot - 👍 Excellent world-building **Cons** - 🐛 Occasional grammar/spelling issues - 🐛 Inconsistent pacing - 🐛 Difficulty restoring progress - 🐛 Frequent deaths/restarts - 💡 Desire for more customization options - 💡 Wish for faster content updates **Commonly reported bugs** - Inability to restore purchases - Stat progress not carrying over between books **Most requested features** - Add dark mode option - Improve save/load system - Introduce more romance options - Increase frequency of new content releases ## Newest reviews (19 of 220) ### 4/5 — Fun but needs an editor *2024-12-24, version 2.25* Came to this game from others like A Dark Room, Device 6, and the Lifeline series. Magium is creative and Book 1 is well-paced and exciting. I’m almost done with Book 2 now and I want to know what happens but I think the writer is a bit over their head at this point. The pacing is significantly slower, the text is burdened by unnecessary details, and every other chapter falls back on deus ex machina devices to. Still a great diversion, but it could use some editing. ### 5/5 — Amazing game *2024-10-22* Rest in Peace Cris. ### 5/5 — Rest In Peace, Cristian *2024-10-09, version 2.25* I am very saddened to hear about the passing of the author. He managed to create a world so vibrant and characters so complex, that still live on in the hearts and minds of thousands of us to this day. ### 5/5 — <3 *2024-09-30* RIP Chris, you made my childhood with this ### 5/5 — RIP to the author of this amazing game *2024-09-19, version 2.25* This game is amazing, but be prepared to be tortured for the rest of your life though, the author created 3 fantastic books, but died before he released the 4th if he actually made it yet. ### 5/5 — rest in peace *2024-09-12, version 2.25* Without this game, I don't think I would've survived freshmen year. You've helped more people than you will ever know. Rest in peace, Chris. Thank you for everything. ### 5/5 — Rest in peace *2024-08-26, version 2.25* Have played this since I was 14 (I’m 19) now and have always had these characters and quotes in my head, to his family I’m sorry for your loss and I hope for success in his ideas and your lives on ### 5/5 — Love this game *2024-08-22, version 2.25* Rest in peace mate. ### 5/5 — Rest In Peace Chris *2024-08-19, version 2.25* Magium is and always will be one of the greatest CYOA game of all time. Chris and his stories will forever be in our hearts. ### 5/5 — Rest Well Chris - You Made Great Story *2024-08-12, version 2.25* I loved and still love this game and all the painstaking details that have been included in its branching narratives. I was heartbroken to hear that the author passed away recently from their brother on Reddit though. Even though we will never see the end of where this story goes, it’s still worth it to read/play though the ones that do exist. ### 5/5 — Amazing talented beautiful gorgeous *2024-07-09, version 2.25* This is honestly the best cyoa I have ever read to date. I love everything about this- the writing, the pacing, the character development, the way each action has a consequence, the fights and now you can unlock achievements to access the books. I would 100% recommend this to everyone. It’s an amazing and immersive story, and I hope it gets a bigger community soon. ### 5/5 — epic *2024-07-08, version 2.25* greatest most underrated game in history ### 5/5 — Great Fun *2024-07-08, version 2.25* Really fun CYOA, with lots of options and paths. Amazing character development and world building. Overall 5 stars, sadly chapter 1 of book 4 still has not been released :( ### 5/5 — I love it *2024-04-16, version 2.25* Very fun story game! ### 5/5 — DO NOT LISTEN TO THESE BOTS *2024-03-15, version 2.25* This is one if not the only game that I’ve ever rated and reviewed AND given a 5 star rating. I’ve read other people’s reviews and have a couple things to let you know about. Primarily, I’ve seen people give this game 1 star for “lack of consistent book releases” and “no frequent updates for content”. THE DUDE IS CURRENTLY IN AN ACTIVE WARZONE, and probably has a lot more to worry about then this amazing hobby. Other then that, the age rating is off a bit and should probably be bumped up a couple years if you have a vivid imagination. Secondly, saving is a semi frequent problem IMO because I keep forgetting to save before some decisions and have to go through an entire chapter because I’m silly. Maybe some more checkpoints? Anyways, if you read this, your writing is amazing and you are the sole reason I’ve gotten into creative writing and text style adventure games! I would LITERALLY pay you the world to finish this series and I hope you’re staying safe out there! ### 5/5 — Must play *2024-03-14, version 2.25* The best fantasy (COYA) game i've played in a very long time. thank you for creating this. ### 5/5 — I LOVE this game, but… *2024-03-13* By no means am I qualified to criticize the author. I found this on the AppStore years ago when I was in middle school and digested every route possible. This is definitely what you’d call a hidden gem. I remembered it today and decided to check up on the state it’s in now, and unfortunately I was disappointed. It was always a captivating and intriguing story, and I understand the author has his own life aside from this project. A new chapter seems to come out just once or twice a year, and I’m afraid I’ll be long gone before it’s finished without a dwarven lifespan. The author probably makes little to no money for his creativity, which saddens me because it would not only help him but also motivate him to update us more consistently. I get it’s hard to monetize something like this while keeping the fan base involved, so I’m not placing any blame on the author. I just wish there was a way man, because I want this story finished so badly. ### 5/5 — Love the game *2024-02-26, version 2.25* I love the the depth the game and all the variations of the paths and how what you do in one book or chapter affects the story later on. I do love the fact that you can complete most chapters with our using the stat points as I like to save before each major decisions and see where each path goes to take in just a bit of the game. Truly can’t wait for Book 4. ### 5/5 — Love it, great replayability *2024-02-26, version 2.25* I've been playing it off and on since book 2 was still incomplete. Even then it had enough content to have fun replaying it different ways. I like the maxed out speed and reflex Barry, he's like the flash. But hulk Barry is also really cool, maxed strength and toughness. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Bad game design *2022-08-18* This is a good read with acceptable game mechanics BUT there are 3 BIG issues with this game book. 1. The actual design of the save system. If something goes wrong with your phone/you get a new phone/your game is accidentally deleted you can NOT start from a specific book. You have to play it all over and that is a real chore if you are deep in like book 3. This happened to me. I wrote about it a long time ago and no changes. 2. It is super slooooow to come out with new chapters. So basically it’s on going and unless you read like a snail this book will be finished after you have gotten tired of waiting for it and nearly forget it. Last update was 7 months ago from time of this post. 3. No support on this game. You buy it that’s it. Other choice games you can talk to a service agent and get some help in various ways. Not with this per my experience. ### 1/5 — Unfinished and will probably never be finished *2022-05-11, version 2.12* As a matter of principal, I don’t recommend unfinished works. I started this game many years ago and barely remember any of the plot at this point. I played up to book 3 at the time, and somehow the author is still working on that same book years later. To be clear, a book is essentially a chapter of one continuous storyline. At this rate, I doubt he will finish writing the story in the next 20 years. ### 1/5 — Not worth the $$ *2022-01-06, version 2.12* I downloaded this story app at least 4 years ago and they still haven’t finished the story. I finished book 2 4 years ago. Seriously a let down because the story is amazing. ### 1/5 — Bug in the game *2021-12-10* While I’m in book 2 my observation stat from the 1st book just dissapears ### 1/5 — Can’t restore purchases!!! *2020-07-14, version 2.06* I bought chapter 2 and 3 a year or so ago and then deleted the game once the updates stopped. Now I’ve downloaded it again and I can’t restore my purchases. I click on the restore purchase button and nothing happens, it’s just highlighted. I’ve went to the Facebook page, Reddit page and COG page and I still couldn’t find an email to contact the author with. Please fix this issue. I enjoy this game and I will remove this review once the issue has been resolved. ### 2/5 — True CYOA???? *2025-04-23, version 2.25* The Cons= I don’t know if I’m doing something wrong but I Geel that my Experience was Completely Different from all, of the other Reviews for this App. Because I Really Hope that all of the Ultra Positive Reviews are Paid and or Fake. And hare’s why to start off I just Feel that I wasn’t making any Difference at all, no matter what choice I picked. The Only Difference that I could Detect was just a Change in Paragraph or a Sentence, but Every Other Line and Paragraph was the same. Which was a Big Killer for me as it just makes it Feel Like it’s Trying To Mimic a CYOA Instead of Actually Being One, which I Truly Hope that’s not the Case as it would’ve Finally Ended My Long Search for a CYOA Story App. The Perfect One may I add? But the Search Goes on at this Point. As I Feel Path ‘B’ is only just Slightly Different from Path ‘A’. Then the Next Thing that I Personally Not Happy With are The Goals, which was why I wasn’t able to ‘Beat’ the First Story and Move On. As I Feel that it was Impossible for me to Full Fill let alone All of the Goals. After Reading through the First Story Multiple Times I was only able to Full Fill One Goal Not Including the ‘State’ one. And I also wished that there was some way of Making the Background Dark. It’s also a shame that this one Website that Amateur Author could Upload their Stories did Much Better, as I Feel that those Peoples Stories was Much Authentic as far as their, CYOA Stories as Concerned Despite How I Feel about All of their GrammarI Issues on that Site. And That Should Do It For The Cons. The Pros= But on the Flip Side I Do Admit Grammar Wise it was Perfect. And I thought that the Story was Really Creative, so creative I was starting to get absorbed in to it. And That Should Do It For The Pros. Final Thoughts= It’s Really too Bad as if it wasn’t for the Goal System and the Fact that My Choices Actually Affects what sort of path I take with in the story. It would’ve been a Definite Keeper Instead of a Delete In Only Just a Few Short Days. And Remember These Are Just My Own Personal Views And Thoughts. Yours Could Be Deferent And I’m Okay With That. And that should do it for now. ### 3/5 — What can’t I load my saves from cloud *2024-01-18, version 2.25* I recently got a new phone and forgot to down this app again. I remember there being a load saved from cloud but when I get into the app there is nothing of the sort. I do in fact remember there being a button before and I remember saving my progress.Please I need help! ### 3/5 — Good at first *2019-06-14* First chapter was really good, but it get's way too drawn out and boring in the 2nd one. It's a pity - was shaping up to be a nice story. ### 3/5 — Didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did *2019-03-21* But I’m glad to be surprised! If there's any feedback to be had, it’s that there are a few stretches where the dialogue stretches a little too long and we’re left with scarce choice and lots of exposition. It's possible that this stems from the fact that there are a few too many characters. Throughout the second book, you’re essentially travelling with eight people: Kate, Daren, Flower, Illuna, Arraka, Melindra, Hadrik, and Leila. These relationships can’t be explored to great depth simply because there are so many of them. Maybe you want to consider killing some of them off? Another thing of note: out of the nine people travelling, you have 3 men and 8 women. Throw in Rose and that tips even further. It’d be nice to have a male romantic interest for your female or non-straight readers, or just some diversity in general. Someone else said this, but — let us romance Eiden. It’d provide an interesting alternative to what you probably have in store for the current plot. That all said, this is actually a good game. If you’re reading this, I’m sorry I gave out so many names — and don’t be deterred! I happen to be very particular about what I read and play (and I picked this up after withdrawal from inkle's CYOAs, which are in a league all of their own and have set my expectations abominably high). Go give it your own shot instead. ### 3/5 — Next time... *2018-12-23, version 1.631* Next you should try to release the next chapter a bit faster because I forgot most of the book already. Thanks ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Amazing Game RIP Christian *2025-03-21, version 2.25* This is an amazing game with wonderful story! Unfortunately the author passed away recently. That said the community and his family will continue the game’s next 2 books. For anyone who who’s curious you can check the reddit :) ### 5/5 — Forever One of my Favorite Stories *2025-02-24* I first started reading Magium about 5 years ago when he first started releasing the chapters of book 2. And within my first day of reading it, I fell in love. I’ve never read as much of a book consistently as I did Magium. But unfortunately in August of 2024 the author passed away just as he was coming to the conclusion of book 3. I thank you for everything you’ve done and the time you’ve put into this beautiful story Cristian. And I hope wherever you are, you can be content knowing just how much of an effect you’ve had on my life. Thank you :) -A very satisfied reader ### 5/5 — rest in peace Cristian *2025-02-22, version 2.25* 🕊️ ### 5/5 — Amazing *2025-02-03, version 2.25* Just heard about the author passing away and I wanted to give my condolences. My heart goes out to his family and friends. This game is genuinely the best story based game I’ve ever played. The story, the characters, the different options we could choose..etc, this game just had it all. Thank you Cristian for creating this masterpiece; your story will forever remain in my heart. ### 5/5 — highly recommended *2025-01-24, version 2.25* i first found this game in high school and loved it but didn’t finish, i am now in college and am enjoying it as much as i did then! i’m so sad to hear the author has passed so i am trying to take my time getting through the game now, i highly recommend :) ### 5/5 — Rest In Peace, Author. *2025-01-23, version 2.25* You were what got me into CYOA books/games. ### 5/5 — Spectacular *2024-12-06* One of the best games I’ve ever played, and I don’t mean just phone games but across every platform. The story is highly intriguing and well written and the fact that you can influence said story with your choices makes it even more immersive. Sadly the game won’t probably ever be completed as the author has tragically passed away from what I’ve learned on the internet. ### 5/5 — A Masterpiece *2024-11-30* A masterpiece of text rpg that looks for its kind, I might be nostalgic or I was just so lucky to find this masterpiece in 2016 and recognise it for what it is but as I see it kept an amazing rating in all stores my instincts didnt lie to me it is a masterpiece ### 5/5 — Very good *2024-11-19, version 2.25* Been playing this game since high school and have loved it since I can’t get enough of it 10/10 would recommend ### 5/5 — 10/10 *2024-11-11* The best cyoa that you can find in the App Store, the story is amazing --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*