The Academy: The First Riddle

Critic reviews

• SGSirus Gaming

  Jem Sagcal · Jun 29, 2020

  5.0

  The puzzles may be too easy, but it doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyable for others. The Academy can still be worth a try just for the curiosity of what all the puzzles look like and the pride of completing them all. The Academy has a lot of points to work on, and its gameplay may not be the most unique, but it still gets praise for art and story.

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• HPHey Poor Player

  Heather Johnson Yu · Jun 26, 2020

  6.0

  I was so, so excited for The Academy: The First Riddle, and although I feel pretty letdown by the experience, I believe there’s still something to it. It’s entirely possible that the dev team works everything out within the next few months and the flaws are ironed out, leaving only pure puzzle goodness to grace our screens. In fact, I fully intend to return to The Academy: The First Riddle in a few months and see what progress has been made. Until then, I have a hard time recommending the game in this state, although I will say that, if you have any interest whatsoever, keep it on your wishlist. It’s back to school for The Academy: The First Riddle, but, with enough studying, it’ll soon graduate with high marks.

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• AGAdventure Gamers

  Peter Mattsson · Jun 26, 2020

  6.0

  All of this adds up to a very mixed bag. Given its strong puzzle focus, The Academy: The First Riddle's scattergun approach, emphasising quantity over integration, intuitive mechanics or hands-on interactivity, may be an issue for many. However, as I watched the end credits roll, I still found myself hoping to come back next year for the following chapter in Sam's (and the Academy's) story.

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• SShacknews

  Ozzie Mejia · Jun 24, 2020

  6.0

  The Academy has the kind of premise that should make it feel more special than it is. It certainly shines with its different array of puzzles. But the game's characters and their dialogue make this feel as exciting as Algebra class. I should feel more excited about the extracurriculars, but instead, The Academy's shortcomings had me watching the clock and waiting for the bell to ring.

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• GGameSpace.com

  Ed Orr · Jun 22, 2020

  7.0

  This isn’t entirely overcome and the game suffers from this problem throughout its entirety. A solid set of puzzles and a gorgeous world are largely let down by some odd narrative decisions and middling character development that are just jarring enough to prod you out of the world that Pine Studio has worked so hard to craft.

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• PPCInvasion

  Andrew Farrell · Jun 19, 2020

  4.0

  The Academy: The First Riddle promises much more than it can deliver. With a lazy presentation, a weak story and characters, and uninspired, annoying “puzzles,” there isn’t much to recommend here. When you consider all of that along with the fact that you’re always risking being a loading screen away from having to start the game from the beginning, this is one invitation you’re likely going to want to pass up.

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