PGC NEWS

Little Witch Academia, the beloved anime series, finally received its own video game adaptation with Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time. Fans eager to experience the magical world of Luna Nova firsthand had high hopes for this title. However, does Chamber of Time live up to the charm and excitement of the source material? This review delves into the game’s strengths and weaknesses to answer that very question.

Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time – Screenshot of Akko and Lotte

A Charming Narrative, True to the Source

One of Chamber of Time’s greatest strengths is its faithful adaptation of the Little Witch Academia spirit. Developed in collaboration with Studio Trigger, the game captures the vibrant personalities and distinct character designs of the anime. From the ever-enthusiastic Akko Kagari to the shy but supportive Lotte Jansson, each character feels authentic and engaging. The dialogue is witty and entertaining, adding depth and humor to even the most mundane interactions. Exploring Luna Nova and conversing with its inhabitants is a genuine pleasure, thanks to the well-written script and charming character interactions.

Gameplay: A Disappointing Dichotomy

Unfortunately, Chamber of Time’s gameplay fails to match the quality of its narrative. The game divides its gameplay into two distinct sections: exploration and combat. While promising on paper, both suffer from significant flaws.

Exploration Woes

Navigating Luna Nova Academy quickly becomes tedious due to a poorly designed map system. While the 2D map displays NPC locations, it lacks a clear indication of the player’s current position. This leads to frustrating moments of wandering aimlessly, searching for the correct room or hallway. Furthermore, the side quests, though plentiful, quickly become repetitive, often involving simple fetch quests or conversations with little variation.

Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time – Screenshot of Gameplay

Combat: Chaotic and Repetitive

The RPG-style combat system initially shows promise, with a diverse range of spells and weapons, and character customization options. Players can tailor their party’s stats and abilities to suit their preferred playstyle. However, the actual combat experience is marred by clunky controls, chaotic enemy encounters, and visually overwhelming spell effects. Battles often devolve into button-mashing exercises, lacking strategic depth or engaging mechanics. Similar to the exploration segments, combat encounters quickly become repetitive, facing similar enemies in similar environments, offering little sense of progression or challenge.

A Missed Opportunity

Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time possesses a captivating narrative and charming character interactions, staying true to the spirit of the anime. However, its deeply flawed gameplay, hampered by a confusing map system, repetitive quests, and chaotic combat, ultimately holds the game back from realizing its full potential. While fans of the series may find enjoyment in interacting with their favorite characters, the lackluster gameplay prevents Chamber of Time from being a truly magical experience.

Game Details

• Developer: BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT
• Publisher: BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT
• Genre: Role-Playing Game (RPG)
• Release Date: May 18, 2018
• Platform: PS4