Threads of Magic is a free simulation video game wherein you work as the creator of Magical Girls, Boys, and Non-Binaries’ costumes. Developed by bkomei, Sophie Boerlage, and Sunglasses Bard, this 2D indie game is a relaxing visual novel that lets you experience the classic story of magical girl anime through a unique perspective.

Similar to Scout: An Apocalypse Story, Threads of Magic offers clear LGBT representation with its characters — and it’s all illustrated beautifully through lovely art and easy point-and-click gameplay. The simple plot isn’t too heavy but features multiple mini-stories wherein brief magical transformations can be read about.

Someone has to design these

The story of Threads of Magic features a day in the life of a Magical Girl Tailor, who has long been chosen by Magic to create personalized battle outfits for each hero that emerges to fight for love and justice. Playing as this nameable Tailor, you get to glimpse into the magical transformation of three characters from different worlds and must create their armor to give them a happy ending.

The gameplay is simple enough, as you’ll just be using your keyboard and mouse. When controlling the Tailor, you just use either the A and D keys or the left and right arrow keys to move through the side-scrolling screen. Clicking on certain objects when they're nearby will let you interact with them. Meanwhile, the cutting, sewing, and decorating minigames only require your mouse movement.

What’s great about this game is that while there’s a meter to indicate how well you did in the minigames, you actually can’t fail and ruin the outfits. You’ll only be prompted to try again until you reach past the last bar to win—thus, successfully granting the new Magical Hero their cool outfit. The only issue here is: There’s no save option and it has trouble going into fullscreen mode.

Make the heroes and heroines shine

All in all, Threads of Magic is a great little indie VN if you want heavy LGBT themes mixed with the classic magical girl trope. Not only does it provide beautiful illustrations all throughout, but it also has fun and easy minigames that you can’t really lose to. Just take note that the story contains some mild transphobia as part of its brief narrative for one of the characters.