MADO MONOGATARI: Fia and the Wondrous Academy

I bought this game for one reason and one reason only.... I want more Puyo in the West. I know this isn't Sega so I'm probably barking up the wrong tree... but I've been interested in this series since 2017.. I want official ways of playing older games and I also want new games!! This is why the review is positive. I'm giving this game a chance but it's really sad that this is just game is just bastardized the entire Monogatari series. Every character in this game is just copying another character or combination of established characters from this series but gave them a different physical design. Fia, Arle/Amitie. Will, Lagnus. Leena, Klug/Raffina. Totto, Lemres. Riven, Ms. Accord. Eska, Draco/Rulue. And Carbuncle is self explanatory. So like... did you not get permission to use the actual characters? This is just weird. This feels like you gutted the entire series and put new visuals over it and discarded the entire tone and lore and gave it to us. Also one thing I do like is the Live2D models, that is cool... except for the very intentional jiggle physics. It looks very uncanny... ... I do not like that you cannot control the camera in the other rooms of the school and it snap…

I am leaving a negative review for one reason, which I already raised on the forums, this game has a basic screen tearing (almost certainly vsync) issue. My friend and I both bought the game (he on my recommendation) and when we first played, it didn't happen, it was fine. It only started when I played again a few weeks later, and I confirmed today it's also happening on his PC now, so it's not limited to just me. My guess is that the developer pushed out a patch update that introduces this problem, presumably by turning off vsync, and there is no vsync option in the settings. It's sad because I enjoyed my first couple hours with this game (not recorded on my playtime since it was on my friend's PC). Yeah maybe it's not the amazing actual Madou sequel everyone (including myself) was hoping for but I still liked what I saw on its own merits. The goofiness of Compile (Heart) is absolutely there. But screen tearing makes it unplayable. Especially for a game of this price, one would expect basic things like vsync to be done correctly.

The game is cute and the characters are fun, but the battle system is atrocious an just not fun at all. At least at the beginning of the game, there seems to be constant interruptions of the dungeon crawling for scenes (not just dialog while you are walking or fighting, but actual scenes that break up the action). In short, the battles suck and the game flow just isn't there.

I didn't know what to think before trying this game, as it looked very different from the older Madou Monogatari games I had played and I was a little disappointed from the screenshots and trailers, and the mixed reviews on steam didn't really help my weariness, but! I absolutely loved every second I have played so far. Fia and the Wondrous Academy is more of a sequel to Curse of the Curry God which it self is apparently based on Waku Waku Puyo Dungeon instead of the original Madou Monogatari games which I find a little sad, I love the first person dungeon crawler that specifically avoided the use of number stats only using visuals and words. But the gameplay loop here is very fun, it's very like Atelier Annie. This game makes a bold choice to have a mostly new cast, which sadly means the best character Draco is missing but I love the new cast a lot, they work well together and if they suddenly were put into a puyo puyo game they'd fit very very well with the current cast. I'm really happy they didn't do a Curry God thing and just made a bunch of mirrors of the original cast. there is no real huge story going on so far but the cute slice of life stuff works really well. I ador…

MADO MONOGATARI: Fia and the Wondrous Academy breathes new life into a long-running RPG franchise by combining classic dungeon exploration with an inviting school-life adventure. Developed by Idea Factory, Compile Heart, and STING, and published by Idea Factory International, the game introduces players to Fia, an energetic young girl whose dream is to become a respected mage. Her enrollment in a renowned academy of ancient magic serves as the starting point for an adventure filled with discovery, friendship, and magical challenges. Instead of relying on an overly serious narrative, the game embraces an uplifting tone that celebrates curiosity, personal growth, and the excitement of learning, making it an enjoyable experience for both longtime fans and newcomers. The academy is much more than a narrative setting, acting as the central hub that ties together nearly every gameplay system. As Fia progresses through her studies, players attend classes, interact with classmates and instructors, complete assignments, and gradually unlock new magical abilities. This educational structure gives the story a natural sense of progression, as every lesson and milestone reflects Fia's journey …

A dungeon crawling game with a comedic plot. If you're looking for a slightly grindy game with a silly story featuring silly personalities, then this game is for you.