Preview: Wizdom Academy - Managing Your School of Magic

Regardless of the well deserved controversies surrounding many of its aspects, it’s a fact that the Harry Potter franchise has changed the way we see witches and wizards. Instead of thinking of an old hunchbacked woman with a warty nose who lives in a swamp, we think of a well-dressed English lady with a bun and wire-rimmed glasses. Instead of the musty hut, we think of a very well-organized magical castle. And instead of thinking of a child who gets kidnapped and raised by the witch to be her successor in the coven, today we think of students in uniform studying in magical classes and spending the year at school.

With the success of the books, films and products inspired by the Harry Potter series, several games such as Hogwarts Legacy and Wizard101 came along and put players in the role of students and aspiring wizards, living in castles, learning spells and experiencing magical adventures. But what if you wanted to be Headmaster Albus Dumbledore instead of just another student?

What if you wanted to build and manage your own school? Choosing teachers, deciding how the building works and which classes would be taught. What if you wanted your school to graduate more combative wizards, or ones more focused on the dark arts or on alchemy? Now, you can! Wizdom Academy (Steam), allows you to do just that. A simulation and management game for magical schools, in it you take on the role of director of a magical school and you’re responsible for every administrative aspect, from building the facilities to choosing policies and recruiting teachers and students.

The game, still in early access, promises a deep strategic experience, but there's still many adjustments to be made. Let's talk about the main game mechanics, strengths, weaknesses and what we can expect in the future. If you have any questions, leave a comment.

In Wizdom Academy, the player is tasked with managing a school of magic that teaches various types of sorcery, alchemy, and mystical skills, just like the famous Hogwarts.

Unlike similar games in the genre, such as Two Point Campus and Prison Architect, the focus here isn’t only on building construction, but also on the strategic management of resources, such as mana, gold, and students. The focus is on creating an efficient school that meets the students’ needs while at the same time being profitable and successful.

Players start the game with a small school and a magical tree that is the source of “mana,” the main resource that keeps things running. They are tasked with growing this institution, ensuring that students do well in their subjects and that the school has a good reputation.

To do this, they’ll need to make difficult decisions, such as choosing which types of magic students should learn, what resources to invest in building classrooms and hallways, and, of course, keeping students motivated and happy so that they don’t drop out of school.

One of Wizdom Academy's greatest strengths is its strategic complexity. The game goes beyond simple construction and allows the player to handle several aspects of the school's administration, from choosing which courses students should take to deciding which teachers to hire. Resource management is one of the central elements, and the game requires the player to make careful decisions about how to use the limited resources to meet the growing demands of the school's students and facilities.

Building and Customization

Building magical rooms and other campus facilities is an important part of the game. Players can customize the look of their school by adding classrooms for specific magical subjects, such as spells, alchemy, or transfiguration, as well as building cafeterias, dormitories, and even recreational areas for students. Like any simulation game, construction needs to be strategically thought and planned out, because the layout of the classrooms can affect student performance and consume scarce resources at the start.

The ability to create a school the way the player wants is a great attraction, but it’s also a challenge.

There are limitations on space, which requires good organization. Also, customization options are still limited in the early access version, which may discourage some players who expected a greater level of creative freedom right away.

Resource Management

Wizdom Academy features a resource management system that requires constant attention. Mana, for example, is a vital resource for doing many of the actions in the game, such as building new rooms and casting spells. However, mana is limited, and managing how and when to use it is one of the main responsibilities of the school director.

This scarcity system is a central feature that adds a layer of strategy to the game. Depending on the difficulty, mana scarcity periods can be longer or shorter. You can have up to 60% less mana during a scarce period on higher difficulties, and they can be up to 40% more frequent.

Another interesting aspect is managing the school's budget. The player must make sure that the flow of gold is enough to cover the expenses of constructing new buildings, paying teachers, and maintaining the facilities. Over time, the game requires the player to find a balance between expansion, quality of education, and financial sustainability.

Students and Teachers

One of the most interesting mechanics of the game is the recruitment of students and teachers. The player must attract students with specific talents and resources and make sure that the school has qualified teachers to teach the different subjects.

Each student has their own skills and preferences, and you’ll need to adapt that to the courses offered by the school. Keeping students motivated is a constant challenge, as unhappy students can drop out of school or even cause problems on campus. These students also bring in important resources that’ll be essential for expanding the school.

The interaction between students and teachers also influences the overall school performance. Choosing the best teachers for certain areas is crucial to students’ academic success, and the principal's decisions can directly affect the school's results in the long term.

When it comes to visuals, Wizdom Academy has a pleasant art style, with an isometric 3D approach that, even though simple, does its job of creating a nice environment. The animations are fluid, and the campus construction is well detailed, with a good variety of elements to customize and adjust the school's layout.

The character designs are also simple, but functional. One aspect that generated criticism in the early access version was the use of AI-generated art to portray the characters. Although the art is visually coherent, some players have pointed out that it takes away some of the sense of authenticity and depth that could be achieved with illustrations made by human artists.

In terms of audio, the game has an engaging soundtrack, with songs that capture the magical school atmosphere. The sound effects, such as the sound of spells and the noise of construction, are well done, but nothing too innovative. It's a pleasant game to listen to, but it doesn't particularly stand out in this aspect.

The game still needs some important aspects that’d make it more engaging and fun: for example, the students, teachers and residents of the magical castle lack a bit of personality. People go from one class to another, walk here and there, but that's it.

There are no friendships between students, no rivalries, there’s no moment when spells are cast by accident or anything like that. Everything’s just people walking up and down, going to classes without a hint of "life".

You don't have much control over your school’s style. Among the directors who can be chosen, there’s one who looks like a dark wizard, wearing a hood and an aura of evil energy around him, but that's it. You can't create a "school of darkness". The school will always be the same. I can't define that my school, for example, will only accept girls and will be a boarding school for witches.

Maybe in the final version this detail can be improved, but for now, your school won’t be a lively and fun place. It’ll just be a “machine” that you must keep well-oiled and running to generate mana, profit and reputation, to grow, generate more profit, reputation and so on.

Pros

1. Strategic Potential: The Early Access version has a well-developed resource management system that requires strategic thinking and careful decision-making. This creates a deep and rewarding experience for those who enjoy management simulations.

2. Magical Atmosphere: The game’s setting is immersive, transporting the player to a magical school that feels alive and full of possibilities. The idea of ​​managing a magical school is fascinating and offers a unique experience within the simulation genre.

3. Commitment to the Community: The developer, Kipwak Studio, has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to the gaming community. The team is constantly listening to feedback and making improvements, which is a plus for any game in Early Access.

Cons

1. Lack of Substantial Content: Even though the early access version is functional, it still lacks substantial content. It lacks features that could improve the experience, such as more customization options and more mechanics for interaction between students.

2. Technical Issues: During the first few hours of the game, some players reported bugs and glitches, such as problems loading some scenarios or certain events not updating. These issues are common in early access games, but they’re still inconvenient.

3. AI-Generated Art: Although AI-generated art is a solution for creating quick content, many players felt that it didn’t convey the same depth and charm as more personalized artwork. The developer has already committed to improving this, but for now, it’s still a point of discomfort for some players.

4. Interface and Tutorials: The game's interface could be more intuitive. Some players have reported that the instructions aren’t very clear and that the in-game navigation system could be more user-friendly, especially for newcomers to the simulation genre.

Wizdom Academy has the potential to become one of the most entertaining management and simulation games in its category. The early access version offers a good foundation, with engaging mechanics and a unique concept of managing a school of magic. But the lack of content and some technical issues are negative points that need to be addressed before the final release.

The AI ​​art, which the developers have already promised will be replaced by human-made art, is a controversial point that raises discussions on the subject. The art is consistent with the game’s style, but there are several ethical questions around using art made by artificial intelligence.

Developer Kipwak Studio has shown serious commitment to improving the game based on community feedback, which is always a good sign for the future of a title. If you’re a fan of simulation games and are willing to try out a title that’s still in development, Wizdom Academy could be an interesting choice, especially if you like magical environments and strategic games.

However, if you're looking for a more polished and complete experience, it may be best to wait a little longer until the game receives more updates and refinements.