Spellcaster University

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Develop a prestigious university of mages. Build rooms, train your students, fight orcs, slay the bureaucrats, manage your budget... a director's life is not a quiet one.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,115 reviews

gameplay47 positive mentions

stability27 negative mentions

Charming and addictive gameplay with a unique card-based system for building a magical school.
Offers a variety of strategies and replayability through different magical disciplines and student futures.
Lighthearted humor and whimsical art style enhance the overall experience.

Heavy reliance on RNG can lead to frustrating gameplay, as players may not get the cards they need.
Limited control over student and teacher management, including inability to fire teachers or demolish rooms.
Repetitive gameplay and lack of meaningful progression can diminish long-term engagement.

gameplay
223 mentions
21 % positive mentions
72 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of card mechanics and school management, offering a satisfying loop that encourages experimentation and strategic planning. However, many players find the mechanics can be repetitive and lack depth, with some expressing a desire for more variety and clearer tutorials to enhance understanding. While the game has its charm and can be addictive, it often feels limited in scope, leading to a sense of monotony after several playthroughs.
- “The UI is intuitive and the mechanics are both easy to grasp, and with enough complexity and interactions between them to be really cool.”
- “For a smaller game, the gameplay loop is fantastic and I can see myself playing the game for many more hours.”
- “The gameplay is engaging and can be good for satisfying your strategic game urges, especially if the RNG is bad.”
- “The gameplay there is quite shallow, to be honest.”
- “The main reason I don't recommend is because I couldn't find any fun playing this game; it has almost zero gameplay since it feels like a click simulator. The only little combat is really boring, and I think even other games that have auto combat are more fun.”
- “The gameplay itself gets repetitive quickly, but there are many ways to put restrictions on yourself or try new things to keep it interesting.”
story
115 mentions
21 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally seen as simple and linear, focusing on training students to combat an impending evil, but lacks depth and personal connection to the characters. Players appreciate the humor and charm in the quests and interactions, though many express a desire for more diverse mission objectives and richer lore. While the campaign offers engaging gameplay with a variety of quests, it can become repetitive, leading to a sense of detachment from the overarching narrative.
- “The campaign gives you missions and a time limit, which does a great job of solving what I think of as 'the Dwarf Fortress problem' - namely, what in the heck you're supposed to do once you've got a base established and there are no immediate threats remaining.”
- “While I kind of wished there were more overt story elements and that the lives of the students and staff were more pronounced, you do get enough to make a charming and different story every game.”
- “The game is presented with a cute, simple art style and a simple story that doesn't take itself all too seriously.”
- “Although you may choose a different biome to place your school, the story is linear and really doesn't change.”
- “As enjoyable as it can be and as lovely as the art and soundtrack is, unfortunately it's a very impersonal experience - it's all about building up the school and aiming for quests and certain magic combinations with the students and houses, just all about the management really and it's fun, up until you explore the whole map and endings, by which time the repetitiveness starts to show and it becomes a bit of a chore, which is so sad given the potential.”
- “The game's story is fairly iffy and lackluster.”
graphics
90 mentions
38 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as cute and charming, with a whimsical art style that enhances the overall experience. While some players appreciate the delightful animations and small details, others note that the visuals are not particularly impressive or engaging, with occasional performance issues. Overall, the aesthetic is well-received, though it may not be enough to compensate for gameplay shortcomings.
- “The graphics are utterly adorable, and the music (at first at least) is happy and bubbly.”
- “The art style is cute and the aesthetic fits the content.”
- “The art style is simple and charming, the gameplay is surprisingly deep and there's plenty of replayability.”
- “It's not interesting enough to be engaging, not colorful and cute enough to be eye-catching (the graphics are really pretty boring,) and not fun enough to make me want to keep playing past a few hours.”
- “The game has substituted cute graphics for a ledger of info dump that is needed for this kind of game, and I am not saying do away with the cuteness, but add an advanced/detailed mode that gives me some very nicely displayed data for all the info that this game truly assigns to these cute little pawns.”
- “This game is very poorly optimized and is hogging 90% of my GPU and 65% of my CPU on low graphics settings.”
replayability
79 mentions
46 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits a strong sense of replayability, with many players praising its random elements, diverse challenges, and engaging mechanics that encourage repeated playthroughs. While some reviews note that certain aspects can lead to repetitiveness, the majority highlight the game's ability to offer fresh experiences with each campaign, making it enjoyable to return to frequently. However, a few critiques mention limitations in replay value, suggesting that while the game is fun, it may not sustain long-term engagement for all players.
- “The nature of the game makes it highly replayable, and I found myself going back to it frequently to complete marathon campaigns, even if I knew the game like the back of my hand.”
- “This game is almost infinitely replayable, and I'm playing the 1.00 release.”
- “The way they make you start over on different maps, and choose buffs and curses was very clever and adds a ton of replay value to the game.”
- “I really want to love this game, but just some basic design flaws prevent it from being replayable, which it deserves to be.”
- “It's a very repetitive game, however, and the replayability is lacking as the game focuses on scenario differences that do not affect the game all too much.”
- “Con: 0 replay value, one playthrough (9h for me) and then no reason to touch it again.”
humor
53 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and quirkiness, with many players highlighting the funny animations, clever flavor texts, and whimsical scenarios that add to the overall enjoyment. While some noted that the humor can become repetitive after extended play, the light-hearted and self-aware comedic elements, along with a variety of amusing character outcomes, keep the experience engaging and entertaining. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with gameplay, making it a delightful choice for fans of light-hearted management simulations.
- “The game is full of quirky good humor.”
- “This is an amazing, adorable, and hilarious game that makes magic fun.”
- “The love and humor that went into crafting this game is evident all over the place.”
stability
30 mentions
10 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
90 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with many reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various glitches that hinder gameplay. While some players appreciate the game's potential and graphics, the overall consensus is that it remains unpolished and buggy, often feeling more like an early access title than a finished product. Regular updates and bug fixes are desperately needed to enhance the gaming experience.
- “The game overall is quite bug-free; aside from some UI issues, I haven't encountered any.”
- “Otherwise, the game runs great and has had no problems or FPS issues.”
- “I just hope that it continues getting updated until it's bug-free.”
- “This is a great game in premise, but the frequent freezes, crashes, and reboots it triggers makes it unplayable.”
- “The game freezes within several minutes of launch.”
- “I enjoy playing the game (thus the recommendation), but it’s also unpolished in some of the worst ways, characterized by random crashes and menu glitches that you’d expect in a beta, not a full release.”
optimization
24 mentions
13 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with players reporting performance issues such as lag, stuttering, and high resource usage even on powerful PCs. Many feel that the game's mechanics lack meaningful impact, leading to a sense of futility in their strategic planning. While there is potential for optimization in gameplay, the overall execution is marred by technical shortcomings that detract from the experience.
- “It's somewhere in between a puzzle game and a school simulator, and it has a lot of room for optimization for every little decision.”
- “There is a lot of room for strategy and optimization as each student who leaves your school goes on to a 'future' which either provides you instant effects (giving you resources, improving relationships, or giving you items) or permanent effects for the rest of your playthrough.”
- “The game itself is brilliant and quite cute, but it needs to be way better optimized so I'm not worried about melting my tower while playing.”
- “Overall it became a 'meh' experience for me after a few hours when I realized that no matter what, all my careful optimization or planning for a particular wizard school would amount to naught.”
- “This game is very poorly optimized and is hogging 90% of my GPU and 65% of my CPU on low graphics settings.”
- “It is also scarily unoptimized, sometimes stuttering on a high-end PC that has no problem running any new game on the highest settings (Forza Horizon, Far Cry, etc.).”
music
21 mentions
38 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its upbeat and relaxing qualities, describing it as fun and fitting for the game's atmosphere. However, some users note that the soundtrack can become repetitive over extended play sessions, leading to irritation. Overall, while the music enhances the experience for many, there are calls for more variety to prevent monotony.
- “The soundtrack is fantastic and the art style is adorable.”
- “The graphics are utterly adorable, and the music (at first at least) is happy and bubbly.”
- “Relaxing music, fun game loop, and a lot of replayability.”
- “Music isn't anything to write home about.”
- “The looping music can start to get irritating.”
- “The music can get repetitive, especially for marathon settings.”
grinding
10 mentions
0 % positive mentions
10 % neutral mentions
90 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, with many expressing that it can detract from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the urge to return to the game, the slow pace and lack of variety in gameplay can make it feel monotonous, especially during longer sessions. The navigation issues on PC further exacerbate the grindy experience, leading to frustration for some users.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It feels like it could have been something good, but it ends up getting tedious pretty quickly. I cannot see myself picking this game up to play again.”
- “Playing the whole campaign can get a bit tedious, as not a lot changes from map to map.”
atmosphere
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its charm and cozy vibe, creating an engaging environment that encourages extended play. While some players note a lack of depth in certain gameplay elements, the overall ambiance and aesthetic choices contribute positively to the experience, making it a delightful escape.
- “A terrific little game, atmospheric and charmingly brought to life.”
- “Nice game, pretty chill but good vibe and nice atmosphere.”
- “I played it for 5 hours straight and I love the atmosphere and balance of traits, versatility, and customization.”
- “I didn't feel like the patron gave me enough gold; most didn't seem useful, and the gender selection is only aesthetic/for atmosphere (in case you want a school solely for witches and whatnot).”
- “Gameplay gets a little repetitive after some hours, but I find myself occasionally coming back to this game because of its cozy atmosphere.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game compelling, as it challenges them to navigate the complexities of mentorship and responsibility in raising heroes, contrasting with the darker implications of creating emotionally scarred individuals. The experience evokes a sense of introspection and connection to iconic mentor figures, enhancing the overall emotional engagement.
- “If you ever looked at Albus Dumbledore, Professor Ozpin, or All Might and said 'I can run a school better than you,' then here you go, step up to the challenge, and see if you can raise heroes as opposed to creating a legion of child soldiers with emotional scars.”
monetization
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its engaging gameplay without the burden of microtransactions, suggesting it would thrive as a free-to-play mobile title with optional purchases or ad-watching for resources. Players appreciate the interactive experience reminiscent of idle games, enhancing its overall enjoyment.
- “It's got that idle phone game feel, but more interactive, and you don't have microtransactions. It's really fun, and I can't quite explain why.”
- “The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel intrusive, allowing me to enjoy the game without constant prompts to spend money.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers plenty of content without requiring me to spend money, making it accessible for everyone.”
- “It would probably do well as a free-to-play mobile game with the option of purchasing items or watching ads to gain money or resources.”
- “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
- “I feel like I'm constantly being pushed to spend real money just to keep up with the game.”
character development
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game suffers from poor character development, with uninspired character design and a lack of engaging visual and auditory elements, leading to a dull overall experience.
- “There is a huge lack of sound in the game as well as real visual stimulation; even the color palette is boring, as well as character design.”