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Spellcaster University

79%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
stability, optimization
79% User Score Based on 3,284 reviews

Platforms

PCPCXboxXboxXbox Series X|SXbox Series X|SPlaystation 5Playstation 5Playstation 4Playstation 4WindowsWindowsPlayStationPlayStationNintendo SwitchNintendo SwitchMac OSMac OSXbox OneXbox One

About

"Spellcaster University is a simulation game where you run a magic university in a fantasy world. Build your school, manage resources, and choose which magic to teach, with different decks offering unique powers and rooms. Deal with external threats, balance your budget, and make decisions that impact the direction and reputation of your university."

Spellcaster University screenshot
Spellcaster University screenshot
Spellcaster University screenshot
Spellcaster University screenshot
Spellcaster University screenshot
Spellcaster University screenshot
Spellcaster University screenshot
Spellcaster University screenshot
Spellcaster University screenshot
Spellcaster University screenshot
Spellcaster University screenshot
+15

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,284 reviews
gameplay164 positive mentions
stability76 negative mentions

  • Fun, quirky, and original gameplay that combines card mechanics with university management.
  • Charming art style and humorous writing that adds to the overall enjoyment.
  • High replayability due to different magical schools, student outcomes, and randomized events.
  • Gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth after a few playthroughs.
  • Limited control over room placement and inability to move or demolish rooms can lead to frustration.
  • Performance issues and bugs, especially with UI and camera controls, detract from the overall experience.
  • gameplay
    726 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Spellcaster University" is characterized by a unique blend of card-drawing mechanics and management simulation, allowing players to build and run a magical school. While the game offers a refreshing premise and engaging core mechanics, many players find the gameplay to be somewhat shallow and repetitive, with a reliance on RNG that can hinder strategic planning. Despite its charm and potential for fun, the overall experience is marred by a lack of depth and polish, leading to mixed feelings about its long-term replayability.

    • “Gameplay isn't like anything you have played before - draw cards to build a magic university with bricks, buffs only to see it destroyed a few times before you can destroy evil - and that makes this a very refreshing game to play.”
    • “The game ropes you in with fun and easy building mechanics, but the longer you play the more you start to find the deeper layers of strategy.”
    • “The gameplay itself is good and recommendable.”
    • “While gameplay is wide, it is not very deep.”
    • “The main negatives are that the formula can start getting a bit stale after you learn the mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay itself is quite simple even on the highest difficulty.”
  • story
    336 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story revolves around training students to combat an impending evil, with a campaign structured around missions that offer quests and unique challenges. While some players appreciate the humor and creativity in the narrative, many find the plot simplistic and repetitive, wishing for deeper character interactions and more engaging story elements. Overall, the campaign provides a framework for gameplay, but lacks the depth and personal connection that could enhance the experience.

    • “The story, which I first thought was a simple framing device, actually drew me in.”
    • “I love the story and characters.”
    • “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 story is, in my opinion, a bit lacking.”
    • “There isn't much of a story (that I have seen so far) but the campaign makes each university impactful and lasting on the future universities so it is much more interesting this way.”
    • “The game's story is fairly iffy and lackluster.”
  • graphics
    286 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are generally described as cute and charming, with a whimsical art style that enhances the overall aesthetic. However, many users note performance issues, including lag and graphical glitches, particularly when the game becomes more complex. While the visuals are appealing and add to the game's charm, some players feel that they lack depth and sophistication, leading to a mixed reception regarding their overall quality.

    • “The graphics are adorable.”
    • “The graphics are cute, colorful and it's a joy to zoom in on the rooms and look at the running little fellows.”
    • “The graphics are charming, the ambient music is catchy and thematic, and there's a level of charm that permeates the entire game.”
    • “The game is pretty poorly optimized; my PC, which can run stuff like Bannerlord and Detroit: Become Human on mid-high graphics at a general 30-60 fps, struggles to reach 20 fps after the first 10-30 minutes of each game even with low graphics and lower than 1920x1080 resolution.”
    • “The interface is clunky, the graphics are poor, and it's really hard to gauge your progress.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability
    216 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game exhibits a high level of replayability, with many players appreciating the randomness of card draws and the unique challenges presented in each campaign. While some reviewers noted that the gameplay can become repetitive after multiple playthroughs, many still found enough variety and charm to keep them engaged for extended periods. However, a few critiques pointed out design flaws that limit replay value, suggesting that while the potential is there, it may not be fully realized.

    • “The big bad of the land will chase you from one biome to the next, where you have to start over (and hopefully learn and grow from your mistakes)... but the replayability is pretty high because every school you build is different and in part, based on chance as you draw your resources from decks of magic cards.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “Spellcaster University is a fun idea poorly explored, resulting in quickly repetitive gameplay and very limited replayability.”
  • humor
    162 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and variety, featuring a mix of light-hearted and dark comedic elements that resonate well with players. Many reviews highlight the amusing animations, quirky character futures, and clever writing, making it a delightful experience reminiscent of titles like "West of Loathing." While some players note a degree of repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the humor significantly enhances the gameplay, providing a fun and engaging atmosphere.

    • “I love the sense of humor, and the delightful animations.”
    • “Every card comes with some funny text that gives you info on the world of the game; the factions are batshit insane, and the futures students can have are also very funny.”
    • “The game is full of quirky good humor.”
  • stability
    82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous reports of frequent crashes, freezes, and glitches that hinder gameplay. While some players find the game enjoyable and recognize its potential, many express frustration over its unpolished state and lack of updates, leading to an overall impression of it being overly buggy and unoptimized. Despite its appealing graphics and gameplay, the persistent stability issues make it challenging for players to fully engage with the game.

    • “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.”
    • “Doesn't matter what you do - start the game, stay in the main menu, mess with settings - it just freezes and has to be closed through task manager.”
  • optimization
    76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with many players reporting severe performance issues, bugs, and crashes, even on high-end systems. Users have noted that the game struggles to run smoothly, particularly as the player's school expands, leading to lag and stuttering. Overall, the lack of effective optimization detracts significantly from the gameplay experience, making it difficult for players to engage in strategic planning or enjoy the game fully.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “This game is fun but it's so poorly optimized I have to stop playing it before it kills my PC.”
    • “The performance breaks down like an old man walking up to the 6th floor when your school gets too large, dragging cards onto room slots is like trying to piss through a needle's eye, characters get stuck on walls and each other like Skyrim NPCs on skooma.”
    • “This game is very poorly optimized and is hogging 90% of my GPU and 65% of my CPU on low graphics settings.”
  • music
    74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its pleasant and whimsical nature that enhances the cozy atmosphere, while others find it repetitive and lacking diversity. Many agree that the soundtrack complements the game's charming art style, though some wish for more upbeat and varied tracks to maintain engagement over longer play sessions. Overall, the music is generally seen as enjoyable and fitting for the game's vibe, despite some criticisms regarding its repetitiveness.

    • “The chill atmosphere and whimsical music create a cozy ambiance, and the deckbuilding element adds a layer of strategy to the resource management.”
    • “The soundtrack is fantastic and the art style is adorable.”
    • “The graphics are charming, the ambient music is catchy and thematic, and there's a level of charm that permeates the entire game.”
    • “I wish there were some quality of life improvements to the gameplay, like demolishing or rearranging some of the rooms (for some manner of fee/penalty even), and the soundtrack is really bad (obviously not asking for Jeremy Soule but they didn't even remotely try with this game).”
    • “The music can get repetitive, especially for marathon settings.”
    • “If the music wasn't so irritating to listen to, looping the single piece it has over and over again, I could have easily fallen asleep playing this game.”
  • grinding
    38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while it can be enjoyable and engaging initially, it often becomes tedious and repetitive, especially with the management of numerous students and the need for meticulous organization. Many reviewers suggest limiting play sessions to avoid burnout, as the gameplay can feel samey and slow over time. Overall, the grind may deter some players, but those who appreciate the core mechanics might still find it worth their time.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The annoying elements of randomness, the inability to replace teachers, and the constant ticking clock that drives the game to tedious number work all make for an experience which is incredibly fun initially but drops off heavily as the game goes on.”
    • “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
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a cozy and whimsical ambiance, enhanced by charming music and cute visuals that create a delightful contrast to its darker themes. Players appreciate the balance of traits and customization, which contribute to the overall charm, although some find the gameplay can become repetitive over time. Despite minor criticisms, the inviting atmosphere keeps players returning for more.

    • “The chill atmosphere and whimsical music create a cozy ambiance, and the deckbuilding element adds a layer of strategy to the resource management.”
    • “A terrific little game, atmospheric and charmingly brought to life.”
    • “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
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players report a strong emotional connection to the game, likening their experience to that of a headmaster in a magical school, grappling with the weight of responsibility and existential challenges. The campaign mode is described as emotionally taxing, particularly when achieving difficult victories, while the overall experience evokes a sense of nostalgia and ambition reminiscent of iconic characters from fantasy literature.

    • “Edit: After getting a perfect game, I just want to say, winning difficult mode is the most emotionally challenging thing I have done in a long time.”
    • “This game really made me feel like I was a headmaster of a magical school whilst fighting off the existential dread of my life's work's inevitable demise.”
    • “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
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players feeling misled by advertising that doesn't accurately represent the game's content. While the absence of microtransactions is appreciated, many believe the game would benefit from a free-to-play model with optional purchases or ad views for resources, aligning better with its idle game mechanics. Overall, the monetization strategy seems to detract from the game's enjoyment for some users.

    • “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.”
    • “This part of the game is conveniently left out of the advertising, and it's easily the worst part.”
    • “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 or whatever.”
    • “I hate seeing a game get pounded in the ratings not because it's not fun, but because the advertising is bringing in the whiskey crowd when all they serve here is fruity cocktails.”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate that character development is significantly hindered by a lack of engaging visual and auditory elements, with many players finding the character design uninspired and the overall aesthetic dull. This absence of stimulation detracts from the depth and growth of the characters within the game.

    • “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.”

Buy Spellcaster University

21h Median play time
40h Average play time
9-50h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 50 analyzed playthroughs

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