2D, side view; beautiful, VGA graphics, at least 256 colors but rather 16/24 bits, probably hand-drawn; either win3.1 or DOS
Release date: before 1999, possibly only released in Europe (if at all, I played the demo)
had a win3.1-style option dialog before starting the game, offering 1 or 2 player mode
Player character is/are wizards (iirc named after musical terms but can't remember which), able to temporarily remove a block ahead like lode runner (or cast a walkable cloud temporarily if there were no block beforehand) and move into doorways and such.
Featured rolling balls/turtle shells/whatever, ghouls/slaves usually behind doors with brightly colored locks, switches, pressure plates, some kind of water mechanic maybe.
What I tried: shuffled through abandonia's puzzle catalog; did a mobygames search for both win3.1 and dos; google images trick
What it's surely not: Lode runner, or any port, sequel, spin-off or remake thereof (as there are no chasers). Stormlord (player movement was somewhat stuck to a grid, also no block removal and ugly graphics).
2D wizard puzzle game
2D wizard puzzle game
Found it! /r/tipofmyjoystick/comments/hxrsz2/pc_90s_2d_platform_puzzle_game_1_or_2_players/
The demo did not have the menu.
The demo did not have the menu.