For long-time fans of Japan’s deep-cut RPG history, MADO MONOGATARI: Fia and the Wondrous Academy feels like a homecoming – one tinged with nostalgia and packed with references to a beloved, if somewhat niche, lineage. It’s a modern revival of Compile’s cult dungeon-crawling series, given a fresh coat of paint and released globally via Idea Factory International. Yet while this PlayStation 5 version captures some of the quirky charm that made the original series so endearing, it’s a somewhat uneven adventure that doesn’t fully deliver on its potential.
The premise, at least, is inviting. You play as Fia, a bright-eyed mage-in-training who arrives at the Ancient Magic Academy with dreams of becoming a legendary sorceress. The story walks a familiar line – new student enters a magical school, uncovers strange mysteries – but its slice-of-life tone and eccentric cast give it a lighthearted appeal. Dialogue is cheerful and often humorous, if not especially deep, and Fia’s journey is less about epic destiny and more about personal growth and magical mishaps.
Structurally, the game divides its time between daily life at the academy and dungeon-crawling excursions. The school segments offer a refreshing break from combat-heavy sequences, with opportunities to cook meals, interact with classmates, check the bulletin board for side quests, and experiment with the game’s equipment synthesis systems. While the town and social mechanics are limited in scope, they inject personality into the experience and help flesh out Fia’s world.
The dungeon crawling, meanwhile, blends turn-based mechanics with real-time elements in a way that feels slightly experimental. Battles are conducted from a first-person perspective, but rather than relying on classic command selection, the game incorporates directional timing and rhythm-style cues that give encounters a more active feel. It’s not quite an action RPG, but it’s also far from traditional turn-based fare. Unfortunately, this hybrid approach doesn’t always land – controls can feel imprecise, and there’s a lack of tactical depth that can make extended combat sessions feel repetitive.
Dungeon design itself leans into the randomization trend, with procedurally generated layouts that are functional but visually bland. The repetition of similar tilesets and enemy encounters can wear thin, and though the Grimoire system – used to unlock new abilities and magic Artes – adds a layer of progression, the pace of character development can feel slow. There’s a steady stream of Learning Points to earn through quests and exploration, but unlocking powerful spells takes time, and some players may feel underpowered for too long.
Visually, Fia and the Wondrous Academy doesn’t quite take advantage of the PlayStation 5’s hardware. The character art is vibrant and expressive, but dungeon environments are sparse, and animations can feel stiff during battles. Still, there’s charm in its colorful aesthetic, especially during story scenes or when navigating the school grounds. Musically, the game delivers a cheerful and bouncy soundtrack that complements its magical school setting, though a bit more variety in the audio design would have gone a long way.
Where the game succeeds most is in its tone. Fia and the Wondrous Academy doesn’t pretend to be a high-stakes RPG epic – it’s a smaller, cozier kind of fantasy, rooted in classroom antics, potion mixing, and battling blob-like enemies with overly dramatic spell names. Longtime fans of Puyo Puyo will appreciate the nods to shared lore and character archetypes, though newcomers might be puzzled by the sometimes obscure references.
Ultimately, MADO MONOGATARI: Fia and the Wondrous Academy is an endearing but modest effort. Its ambition to blend classic dungeon crawling with modern mechanics is admirable, but inconsistent execution holds it back. For fans of the original Mado Monogatari games – or players looking for a magical school setting that doesn’t take itself too seriously – there’s fun to be had here. Just expect a few rough patches along the way.
Score: 7.2/10
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