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The Academy: The First Riddle Review—Not Exactly the Return-to-Classroom Experience One Hopes For

759 View2021-10-08

Delving deep into the night to make plans for a catch-up with some old friends, I can’t help but recall all those good ol’ times we had back in our school days.

But now, gone were those days when we hung about the student union and giggled at any guys who caught our eyes, or even the days when we had to rush for our assignment deadlines at the school library. Sigh, those were the days.

As luck would have it, I’ve stumbled upon an indie game that has transported me back to my school life. The Academy: The First Riddle (TATFR) is a narrative adventure pastiche of video games, such as Professor Layton, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Life is Strange, and anything else that features a mysterious world with mind-boggling puzzles that will get your brain in gear.

TATFR casts you as Sam, a young chap who receives an invitation letter from a prestigious Academy for academic elites. It sure reminds you of a certain magical school, init? Hmmm... I wonder if you’ll see an owl flying somewhere?

As I progress through the game, this sense of familiarity persists as I venture through the Academy’s sprawling grounds and grandiose hallways. As strange things begin to occur, I find myself, together with two other students (CoughHermione&RonCough), playing detective and solving various Professor Layton-esque puzzles scattered throughout the game. Since there’s not much to do besides solving puzzles of a different sort, wouldn’t you agree with me that they should be polished to ensure us a good time?

Well, not all that much, it seems.

In a certain sense, I find that the crucial puzzle-solving mechanics, which consist of puzzles and riddles spanning topics from math to geography, do become quite a bore. Even though some may be challenging, the quality varies significantly from thought-provoking to simply ridiculous.

What I find most baffling about TATFR is that there seems to be a lack of repercussions and incentive regardless of whether you’ve managed to solve the puzzle correctly or not (Now, where’re my points for Slytherin?).Much like other adventures such as Life is Strange, TATFR’s fantastic art style does have you hooked on exploring the minuscule campus. What’s more, nothing beats keeping my eyes peeled for any chocolate bars that’d be lying around, IMO.

In any case, if you’re a parent looking for a puzzle to keep your kid’s brain sharp over the upcoming break or puzzle games are right up your alley, why don’t you grab your Dora the Explorer hat and check out the game here?

Mentioned games

The Academy: The First Riddle

6.8

AdventurePuzzle

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Comments

Jeff Thorsen

I have very fond memories of school. At the university, everything is much more complicated. Due to the load, I forgot what meetings with friends and rest are. Therefore, I decided to ask the experts regarding my assignments to summarize this in a short time. This is the only way I was able to unload myself. And I had time for meeting friends and hobbies.

2021-11-11

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Islanor Author

I'm glad to hear that! :D Yes, I'd agree. Everything does seem much simpler when we were younger.

2021-11-11

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The Academy: The First Riddle Gameplay Chapter 1 Part 1 Tutorial Android & iOS

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HACKon Gameplay 1K2023-03-08

Got detention but things escalated quickly!

Poor high schoolers got into detention but are faced with a new challenge - to escape the room where they had been held captive. The game is challenging because you really have to think before you can answer every riddle hidden along the campus. The developer thought this game through because the riddles are hard to solve. Hints are free in exchange for a few moments with ads.