Brew Review : Alchemist Academy Roguelite With Explosive Potions

If you’re looking for an indie game that blends frantic action, potion-crafting mechanics, and roguelite progression, Brew may just be your next discovery. Developed and published by the indie gamedev Snow Leaf Studios, this third-person action roguelite sets you as a student at an alchemy academy, diving into “The Tower” to pass exams by brewing potions in the midst of battle. The game launched on 6 November 2025 on Steam.

In this indie game review we’ll explore what makes Brew stand out, where it needs polish, and whether it’s a strong pick within the indie games scene.

Gameplay & Core Loop

At its core, this indie action roguelite Brew combines third-person combat with resource management and craft-based upgrades. Key gameplay pillars include:

Alchemy in the heat of battle: As you explore the Tower’s floors, you gather ingredients, craft potions mid-combat to boost yourself, throw potions to affect enemies or the environment, or even load potions into a “potion gun” to shoot modified projectiles.
Roguelite structure: You’ll attempt runs through the Tower, each time progressing further by learning new potion recipes, unlocking badges, upgrading character skills, and discovering secret rooms. Failure resets the run but retains meta-progression.
Forge your play-style: With dozens of potion upgrades, different weapons, character skills and badges, you can personalize your approach—whether you prefer explosive throwables, rapid-fire potion projectiles, or support-type alchemy.
Academy life and narrative touches: Outside the Tower you attend the Alchemy Academy, interact with classmates and professors, deepen friendships, spend your days with academy life — adding flavour beyond just running and fighting.

So the loop becomes: pick your loadout → dive into Tower floor → gather ingredients + craft potions → fight waves & a boss → get rewards/unlock recipes → reset run with upgrades → repeat with higher floors and challenges.

What Works Well

1. Unique Setting and Theme
The concept of being a student in an alchemy academy undergoing “exams” via dangerous tower runs is refreshing. It blends fantasy, rogue action and school life flavour. That thematic identity helps Brew stand out in the indie action-roguelite genre. Bravo to the nice idea from the indie gamedev Snow Leaf Studios.

2. Mix of Action + Crafting
Rather than pure action or pure craft, Brew cleverly integrates them: you don’t just fight—you brew amid the fight. That gives the action another dimension: managing resources, choosing which potions to make, deciding when to load into weapon or throw. It’s more than just run-and-gun. If you’re making indie games these days, you should try to find a good genres combination like Brew.

3. Replayability via Upgrades & Recipes
The meta unlocks (badges, potion recipes, character skills) give motivation to keep trying runs even after deaths. We Indie Games Tavern did see a lot of good reviews from players, a promising start with the first product for an indie gamedev team like Snow Leaf Studios.

4. Indie Value & Accessibility
For fans of indie titles, Brew delivers an ambitious concept without the expectations of AAA polish. If you like games that mix mechanics and experiment, this fits nicely.

Areas for Improvement & Things to Consider

1. Polish and Depth: Early-State Feel
Because the game released recently, some players may notice rough edges: balancing of weapons/potions, clarity of systems, difficulty spikes, or UI/UX roughness.

2. Variety of Floors & Content
As with many roguelites, the long-term staying power depends on how many distinct floors, enemies, bosses, potion types and weapon styles exist. If the content becomes repetitive too quickly, it may limit longevity.

3. Learning Curve & Onboarding
Because the game layers action, crafting, weapon upgrades and meta progression, some players might find the early runs overwhelming. Good tutorialization and UI clarity will help maximize accessibility.

4. Risk vs Reward & Balance
When potion crafting is mid-combat, there’s always the risk that focusing on crafting might leave you vulnerable. The game needs to balance so that both action and brewing feel meaningful and that one doesn’t overshadow the other.

Final Thoughts

Brew is an exciting indie action-roguelite that offers a strong niche experience: you play an alchemy student in a dangerous tower, brewing potions while fighting, upgrading your skills and learning new recipes. For fans of indie games who appreciate creativity in mechanics and a hybrid of action + crafting, it’s a game worth exploring.

If you enjoy fast-paced combat, resource management, and the idea of mixing your attacks with alchemical concoctions—and are comfortable with a game that may still be rounding out its content—then Brew earns a deserved place on your wishlist.

To us at Indie Games Tavern, if you’re ready to don your alchemist’s goggles, load your potion gun, and climb the tower floor by floor, Brew could deliver a memorable indie run. Just be ready for the challenge—and perhaps a few learning curves along the way.

Who Should Play It?

Players who enjoy action-packed indie roguelites with crafting/upgrade mechanics.
Gamers who like the idea of being an academy student, mastering potions and fighting in a tower environment.
Fans of indie games looking for something a bit different from the standard run-and-gun.

Who Might Wait or Skip?

Players seeking ultra-refined AAA-level systems or massive content right at launch.
Gamers who prefer very slow-paced, deep crafting sims rather than fast action.
Those wary of balanced risk/reward mechanics or early-stage polish.

Brew Review by Indie Games Tavern.

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