Mercurial: Alchemia- Game Review

Title: Mercurial: Alchemia

Designed By: David Goh

Art By: Isaac Benjamin (Enuryn), David Goh, Jim Tan, Nadiyah Toi and Yang Shao Xuan

Published By: Hyperlixir

Released: 2025 (Coming to Kickstarter Sept 30, 2025)

Player Count: 1-4

Time to Play: 90-120 Minutes

Ages: 13+

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Overview:

Mercurial: Alchemia is a standalone game set in the enchanting world of Mercurial, and it’s bringing a magical mix of mechanics to your table. You’ll step into the shoes of skilled alchemists competing to craft the most powerful elixirs by gathering rare ingredients, growing mystical terrariums, and brewing up potent potions. The game blends deck building, worker placement, multi-use cards, and asymmetric powers, all while letting you dabble in other players’ turns through clever interaction mechanics. Whether you're going solo, with a partner, or a full table of friends, this game scales beautifully—especially for those who enjoy high player engagement.

What's purr-ty cool:

A Rulebook That Reads Your Mind

Let’s talk rulebook design—because Mercurial: Alchemia nails it. Instead of tossing solo components in a separate pamphlet or hidden appendix, the rulebook clearly marks which components are used at different player counts. Whether you’re diving in solo or learning multiplayer first, you’ll know exactly what each piece is for. Plus, there are helpful tips for first-time players that offer a starting path—perfect for a game with deep strategy and many possible actions. It’s one of the cleanest, most accessible ways we’ve seen complex content delivered.

AI That Adds More Than It Automates

In both solo and two-player games, AI players bring life to the table. The two-player variant uses one AI "opponent" to keep interaction fresh and flowing, giving you more chances to benefit from others’ actions. For solo play, the inclusion of two AI alchemists helps recreate the feel of a full table. They’re easy to manage, participate both on your turn and their own, and even shift the market so the game doesn’t stall. It’s clear the designers didn’t just tack on a solo mode—they crafted a full-bodied experience that’s just as rich and challenging.

Potion Crafting with Style (and Substance)

Mercurial: Alchemia is a table hog in the best way. This game explodes with color, shimmer, and dimension. From the 3D structure, to the modular board with swappable stores, it’s a true visual spectacle. The oversized cards showcase stunning art, the glittery shell tokens sparkle under your lights, and there’s foil punch outs too. The starting player token might actually double as a paperweight—it’s that heavy. And the wildest part? This deluxified experience comes in at just $67. I was expecting the price to be closer to $90-$100 when I saw what came in the box. I would have been super pleased if I saw it for $80, but it's only $67 and I truly have no idea how they pulled it off. Mercurial: Alchemia is absolutely worth that price. If you like deluxe games, I have not seen a better deal than this in a long time.

Friendly Competition & Shared Turns

Despite being competitive, Mercurial: Alchemia offers a refreshingly friendly vibe. You’ll often gain bonuses or take full actions during other players’ turns, meaning there’s minimal downtime and lots of rewarding moments even when it’s not your go. Planning your moves includes considering where others will go so you can ride their coattails—assuming you’ve prepared enough resources. These “bonus turns” add delightful depth without slowing the game. It’s interactive without being mean, and engaging without being overwhelming.

Deck Building Meets Push-Your-Luck

If you’re a fan of The Quacks of Quedlinburg but crave more strategy, this is your next fix. Mercurial: Alchemia swaps out the bag for a deck, but keeps that push-your-luck thrill as you chase after ideal ingredients. You’ll work to eliminate pesky Vilethorn cards that muck up your potion-making, while upgrading your deck with new multi-use cards that open new strategies. Each potion is a puzzle, with scoring bonuses for crafting specific combinations—so every decision has long-term impact. It’s a satisfying brew of tactical choices and risky gambles.

Snails, Companions, and Character Variety

Need a reason to smile between turns? The Glimmersnails are here. These cute little buddies help determine your income, and while we can’t quite explain why, they’re just... incredibly lovable. Add in a wide variety of character and companion combos, and you’ll find plenty of replay value and shifting strategies. Each game offers a new mix of powers, priorities, and personalities—just the way we like it.

The cat's meow:

"If you need me, I’ll be curled up in a terrarium pretending I’m a magical herb." - Solo the Spokescat

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Disclosure: Pudgy Cat Games was provided a copy of this game in exchange for a review, however, this review reflects the honest thoughts of the author.