I love Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights. Whenever anyone mentions Hollow Knight, Salt & Sanctuary, or Blasphemous, I’m the person who always asks, “Have you played Ender Lilies? You should really play Ender Lilies.” It is one of my favorite games in the ‘Metroidvania’ genre, owing to its uniquely floaty gameplay, haunting artstyle, and incredibly deep themes present in its story.
Naturally, then, I’ve also been playing the Early Access version of Ender Lilies’ sequel, Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist. And at PAX West 2025, I had the chance to play through a never-before-seen area of the game, while I talked casually with publisher Binary Haze’s CEO & Creative Director, Hiroyuki Kobayashi (with the assistance of our interpreter, Sarah Blackwell), about both games. The experience left me curious and eager for the full release of Ender Magnolia, and I hope it will for you as well.
While I sat down and navigated the menu for Ender Magnolia, I asked Hiroyuki Kobayashi what inspired Binary Haze and developers Adglobe and Live Wire to pursue a sequel that goes in such a different direction than the first game. After all, the game takes place decades in the future, features a...