The Academy: The First Riddle

Ci sono troppe cose che non vanno in questo gioco, l'idea è carina ma realizzata male, la storia troppo banale da risultare quasi fastidiosa, un riempitivo per i vari enigmi da risolvere man mano che si prosegue. Le animazioni fanno capire il livello di attenzione che ci hanno posto, il modo in cui si muove il protagonista fa venire il maldi mare, traduzioni sbagliate, e non sto parlando di qualche parola tradotta male, ma di parole aggiunte che fanno perdere qualsiasi minimo senso logico agli indovinelli, che già per di sè non sono il massimo, se all'inizio sembrano sensati più si va avanti e più diventano deliranti, anche quando si risolvono non danno nessuna spiegazione del perchè il ragionamento era giusto, aggiungiamoci pure qualche bug è abbiamo un disastro.

The Academy: The First Riddle is a puzzle-driven adventure that places intellectual challenge and exploration at the center of its experience, wrapping hundreds of riddles inside the walls of a mysterious academic institution. Developed by Pine Studio and published by Snapbreak, the game invites players to step into the role of Sam, a new student at Arbor Academy, a school that quickly proves to be far more than a place of learning. Beneath its elegant architecture and scholarly traditions lies a web of secrets, hidden histories, and cryptic challenges that slowly unfold as the player progresses. From the outset, the setting does much of the heavy lifting. Arbor Academy is presented as a sprawling campus filled with classrooms, libraries, dormitories, and restricted areas, all connected by a sense of quiet intrigue. The school feels deliberately designed to encourage curiosity, rewarding players who wander off the main path and examine their surroundings closely. Exploration is not merely cosmetic; it often leads to optional puzzles, hidden collectibles, or subtle story details that flesh out the academy’s past. This sense of place gives the game a strong identity, blending academic prestige with a faintly magical, conspiratorial atmosphere. The core of the experience lies in its extensive puzzle design. The game features a large variety of riddles that test logic, observation, pattern recognition, and lateral thinking. Some puzzles are straightforward and intuitive, while others demand careful reasoning or a willingness to experiment. The diversity is one of the game’s biggest strengths, as it prevents the experience from becoming monotonous despite the sheer volume of challenges. Optional bonus puzzles add an extra layer of difficulty for players who want to push themselves further, making the game appealing to both casual puzzle fans and more dedicated riddle enthusiasts. Puzzles are woven directly into the environment and narrative rather than existing as isolated mini-games. Classroom challenges, locked doors, mysterious devices, and ancient symbols all feel like natural extensions of the academy’s secretive culture. This integration helps maintain immersion, as solving puzzles feels like uncovering knowledge rather than simply completing abstract tasks. However, this approach also means that clarity can occasionally suffer; some puzzles rely on subtle visual cues or unconventional logic that may frustrate players who prefer clearer guidance. Narratively, The Academy: The First Riddle uses mystery as motivation rather than as its primary focus. The overarching story hints at a long-standing conspiracy tied to the academy’s founders and traditions, gradually revealing fragments as Sam advances through the school. While the premise is intriguing, the storytelling often takes a back seat to puzzle progression. Characters and plot developments provide context and atmosphere, but they are not deeply explored, which may leave players wanting more narrative payoff for their investigative efforts. Visually, the game adopts a polished and inviting aesthetic. The academy’s interiors and exteriors are detailed and colorful, striking a balance between realism and stylized charm. Character models are expressive enough to convey personality without dominating the screen, and the overall presentation supports long play sessions without becoming visually fatiguing. The soundtrack complements this tone well, offering gentle, whimsical music that reinforces the sense of intellectual adventure without distracting from problem-solving. Despite its many strengths, the experience is not without rough edges. Some puzzles feel uneven in quality, with difficulty spikes that can interrupt the otherwise steady progression. Interface quirks and occasional technical hiccups can also break immersion, particularly when interacting with certain puzzles or navigating menus. These issues do not define the game as a whole, but they can be noticeable during longer sessions and may test player patience. Pacing is another area where opinions may vary. With such a large number of puzzles, the game can feel lengthy, and players who prefer a tightly structured narrative arc may find the experience meandering at times. However, for those who enjoy methodical problem-solving and gradual discovery, this slower pace can be a virtue, allowing the academy’s secrets to unfold organically rather than rushing toward a conclusion. Overall, The Academy: The First Riddle is a substantial puzzle adventure that prioritizes mental challenge and exploration over action or narrative spectacle. Its strengths lie in its variety of riddles, atmospheric setting, and sense of discovery, even if its story and technical polish occasionally fall short of their potential. For players who enjoy immersive puzzle games and are willing to embrace trial, error, and patience, it offers many hours of thoughtful engagement within a mysterious academic world that rewards curiosity and persistence. Rating: 6/10

Bien que certaines énigmes soient sympas, le jeu est tellement truffé de bugs et d'approximations que ça reste une déception.

It's flawed, and rather glitchy with some illogical puzzles. But this Harry Potter meets Professor Layton hybrid is still a decent attempt.

A criminally underrated game. The story is intriguing from the very beginning, but has a light tone that makes it relaxing at the same time. Characters are interesting, and their distinct personalities lead to funny situations. Although some puzzles are indeed weird, many are fine (and all can be basically skipped by guessing one of a few possible answers in case you don't like them). It's a pity the game didn't receive traction and seemingly got abandoned. I found it only by accident, browsing other games from Pine Studio. I'd love to see a continuation with ES2-level graphics and a greater focus on exploration rather than 2D puzzles.

Total stinker. Some of the puzzles are pretty okay but everything else is a total slog to get through. It's a shame too because if they just kept things simple instead of spending time on the bs story and terrible camera it could have been pretty dece

Too boring, tried to find enjoyment of this game but meh

A bit too repetitive and *personally* wasn't worth the repetitive puzzles and such to tease the story out more. I liked the concept, but it seems a bit unbalanced.