Magic Research is an absolute masterclass in the incremental/idle genre. As a fan of games like 'A Dark Room' or 'Orb of Creation,' I was immediately hooked by its text-based depth. You start as a headmaster of a magic school with nothing but a few scraps of wood and a single spell, but the way the game unfolds is magical. Every discovery—whether it's a new school of magic or a way to automate your apprentices—feels like a massive milestone.
What sets this apart from other idle games is the combat system and the 'Retirement' mechanic. Combat isn't just a stat check; you have to actively manage your mana and cast spells to survive exploration. When things slow down, 'Retirement' allows you to reset with permanent bonuses that make the next run significantly faster. It’s incredibly deep, contains zero ads, and respects the player's time. If you enjoy seeing numbers go up while uncovering a surprisingly rich narrative, this is a must-buy.
Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod
Version 1.15.9Sun Aug 17 2025
Fix save compatibility. Will now accept saves from older versions of the game.
In Magic Research, you are the headmaster of a newly-created institution of Magic with one goal: to learn as much as possible about this power and get enough fame to be able to compete, and win, the prestigious competition of schools: the Tournament of Magic. But what will you discover along the way?
* Cast over a hundred different spells with various effects
* Research magic in various magical schools to discover new, surprising ways to use this power
* Accumulate resources and build the school campus
* Manage a team of researchers and apprentices to lead your school to fame
* Discover tons of hidden new features - when will you unlock the next one?
* Find over eight dozen secret storylines with permanent, game-altering effects
* Restart the game and make faster progress each time with retirement bonuses
* Optimized both for iPhone and iPad
* No ads!
This is the full, complete game. You can transfer save data from the demo by using the Export / Import Save feature available in both the demo and in the full game.
Requires iOS 15.6 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.In Magic Research, you are the headmaster of a newly-created institution of Magic with one goal: to learn as much as possible about this power and get enough fame to be able to compete, and win, the prestigious competition of schools: the Tournament of Magic. But what will you discover along the way?
* Cast over a hundred different spells with various effects
* Research magic in various magical schools to discover new, surprising ways to use this power
* Accumulate resources and build the school campus
* Manage a team of researchers and apprentices to lead your school to fame
* Discover tons of hidden new features - when will you unlock the next one?
* Find over eight dozen secret storylines with permanent, game-altering effects
* Restart the game and make faster progress each time with retirement bonuses
* Optimized both for iPhone and iPad
* No ads!
This is the full, complete game. You can transfer save data from the demo by using the Export / Import Save feature available in both the demo and in the full game.













Magic Research is a deep, text-based simulation/incremental game where you play as the headmaster of a newly founded institution of magic. Your goal is to research various magical schools, discover over a hundred unique spells, and build a campus capable of producing the world's greatest wizards. Beyond resource management, you'll lead exploration teams into dangerous territories, battle bosses in real-time combat, and uncover over 80 secret storylines. With a robust retirement system that rewards replayability and a complete lack of ads, it offers a pure, strategic RPG experience.
Over 100 unique spells to discover and master
Deep campus management and resource balancing
Real-time strategic combat system
80+ secret storylines with permanent effects
No ads or in-app purchases—full premium experience
Begin by gathering basic resources like wood to build your first apprentice dorms. Use your mana to cast basic spells and unlock the first school of magic.
When progress slows, use the Retirement feature. This resets your current run but grants permanent 'Fame' and bonuses that make future research much faster.
Take your researchers on explorations where you must cast spells and manage items in real-time to defeat enemies and gather rare loot.
Assign apprentices to automate resource collection and research, allowing you to focus on high-level strategy and story progression.
Apprentices will continue some work while you are away, but major research and combat require active management.