Reviving the Legend: A Closer Look at Mado Monogatari: Fia and the Wondrous Academy
It’s refreshing to see companies take bold steps to revive classic game franchises. Even when the new title isn’t groundbreaking, it often rekindles enthusiasm for a nostalgic property.Mado Monogatari, a beloved series originally from Compile, features characters from Sega’s Puyo Puyo universe, like Arle and Carbuncle, as they embark on exhilarating dungeon adventures. Until recently, the only localized release prior to 2025 was Sorcery Saga: Curse of the Great Curry God. However, fans can now enjoy Mado Monogatari: Fia and the Wondrous Academy, the latest installment that has made its way worldwide. While it certainly offers some entertainment, it falls short of being a standout title in the roguelike Mystery Dungeon genre.
The Premise: A Journey to Magical Excellence
The story centers on Fia, who receives her invitation to the prestigious Ancient Magic Academy, embarking on her quest to become a powerful mage alongside her companion, Carbuncle, and her grandmother’s cherished Grimoire. Despite her late arrival, the principal accommodates her entrance as part of a unique assessment. Things take a wild turn when Carbuncle’s antics embroil Fia and her classmates in a plethora of mischief, earning them the label of the “trouble” class under the watchful eye of instructor Rivan. Their challenge? To navigate their studies, explore dungeons, and demonstrate their worthiness to a more stern professor, Rosemary.
Gameplay Mechanics: A Blend of Visual Novel and Roguelike
One of the more unconventional aspects of Mado Monogatari: Fia and the Wondrous Academy lies in its gameplay approach. Rather than sticking to the traditional structure of a roguelike, the game incorporates elements of a visual novel. Players progress through various “classes, ” which include brief lessons on magical concepts and tasks that lead to dungeon exploration. Completing these tasks unlocks new Magic Artes in Fia’s Grimoire, enhancing her arsenal. Additionally, Fia can choose various mage classes, and upgrades can happen at the principal’s office where she can adjust her Role or take Promotion Exams to enhance her abilities. Beyond academics, players can engage in light crafting that includes activities like gardening, fishing, and cooking, enriching the game world.
Academy Life: A Mixed Bag
While interactions among Fia and her classmates—Eska, Leena, Totto, and Will—can lead to engaging moments, the segments set within the academy sometimes drag excessively. The pacing feels notably slow and can detract from the overall enjoyment. Rather than a cozy or methodical pace, it often feels laborious, with Fia’s sluggish movement compounding the sense of tedium. Events like contests might provide a glimpse of excitement, but often they underwhelm. Moreover, references to the Puyo series, including appearances from characters like Suketoudara and Skeleton T, add nostalgic charm, but the game could benefit from more of these connections.
Dungeon Exploration: A Missed Opportunity
When players finally venture into the dungeons, Mado Monogatari: Fia and the Wondrous Academy appears to strive for innovation. However, this ambition sometimes leads to a rudimentary experience that lacks excitement. The dungeon layouts are straightforward, lacking in the exploratory depth typically found in true Mystery Dungeon entries, as players are often led by clear directional cues, making expeditions feel brief rather than dangerous or challenging. Although players encounter occasional traps or light puzzles, these elements lack real difficulty. The absence of the classic turn-based movement where enemies respond to player movements alters the battle dynamics significantly.
Combat System: Room for Improvement
Combat in Mado Monogatari is arguably its most ambitious yet unstable feature. Players can form a party of up to three characters, including Fia, engaging enemies in real-time battles within a confined space. A timeline at the top of the screen indicates the order of actions, which is a useful addition but is hampered by repetitive enemy designs. Players are challenged to master hit ranges for their attacks and spells—physical attacks with swords are less complex, but spells require precise placement within an AOE circle, which can be frustrating, especially with constant enemy movement complicating timing and coordination for combo attacks.
Final Thoughts: A Mixed Experience
Despite its shortcomings, I found enjoyment in Mado Monogatari: Fia and the Wondrous Academy. The characters are endearing, and the roguelike format appeals to fans like myself. However, the game’s slow pace and cumbersome combat mechanics hinder the overall experience, and the dungeon exploration fails to evoke the excitement seen in other titles. If a sequel emerges, there’s potential to build upon this framework, refining gameplay, tightening narrative pacing, and enhancing the combat experience to align more with favorites like Sorcery Saga. The current offering may be too easy and cumbersome for veterans of the roguelike genre while potentially feeling too slow and awkward for newcomers.
Mado Monogatari: Fia and the Wondrous Academy is now available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.
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