Thames & Kosmos - "The Magical Academy"

Photo above is property of Thames & Kosmos

Company: Thames & Kosmos

Game: Dodo

Country: USA 🇺🇸

Language: English

Type of Game: Tabletop Games 📬

Genre: Magic

Date Played: August 14, 2024

Difficulty (based on 3 players - 1 Adult, 2 Kids): 5/10

Size of Team: 1-4 ppl

Time: Approximately 45-90 Mins.

Price: $19.99

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Studying in class at the Academy of Magical Arts, there is suddenly a large bang. Looking up from your desk, things start flying around the classroom and your teacher, Mr. Sterling yells “Polterbolds! Don’t let them escape!” As the creatures head out the classroom door, you and your classmates gather up your wands and chase after them. Using your magical skills, can you stop the Polterbolds before the academy gets destroyed.

Video above is property of Thames & Kosmos

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Removing the box lid, we found the instructions on how to play, the game book, 3 sets of cards (the solution, hint and riddle deck) and a few sheets of items that needed to be punched out.

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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How this Exit game is played, based on the instructions, is that we would begin at the start of the game book. From there, we will encounter different puzzles where each one will correspond to a symbol like a star, square, triangle, etc. Once we believe we solved the puzzle of 3 numbers, we will enter it into the solution wheel. The wheel would tell us what card to take in the solution deck and it will tell us if we are correct or not. If we are correct, there will be instructions on how to proceed.

Compared to other Exit games, this one had a linear structure to it, where we would encounter each puzzle one at a time, instead of gaining access to a lot of things all at once. This one had more of a story behind it as well as each puzzle gave us more narrative as we moved to different areas of the school.

Exit game components are typically meant to be destroyed to solve puzzles and this one was no different. We found that for some, if you didn’t want to destroy it, you could photocopy pieces of the game and avoid writing on it but there were a couple of puzzles that absolutely need to be destroyed to complete. As someone who sometimes hates to wreck components, we would encourage you though to embrace the destruction and play the game to its full potential, which allows for some very satisfying puzzle solving.

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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Each puzzle was different and was creative in the way that Exit games are. All were done great with thought out flavor text. For anyone who has trouble with color, there was one puzzle where we had a lot of trouble working with the different colors presented. The last puzzle though was satisfying once we got it. The puzzles ramped up well with easier ones at the start and getting us to a well-earned ending. The puzzles were a little on the easier side with their easier rating for this game, which was perfect for the kids.

How the hint system works for Exit games is that there is a designated hint deck. Each puzzle has a designated shape. If you need a hint, find the 4 cards with that shape on it. The first 3 cards will give you gradual hints while the 4th card will explain the answer to you.

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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"The Magical Academy" was a smooth experience with the straight forward game play. This is the perfect game to introduce new puzzlers to Exit games. The puzzles were at a beginner level but had all the qualities that make Exit games stand out. We played with 3 players which was a good number. There were items for 4 people. Any wizard lovers, Exit fans or people who like clever puzzles would enjoy this game. This one was a spell-tacular and charm-ing game experience.

Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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Check out our interview with the creators to understand more on the development side of the game:

Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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(If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!)

Disclosure: We thank Thames & Kosmos for providing us with samples of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.

#MatthewLui #AtHomeGames #TabletopGames #PuzzlesByMail #OneOffs #Magic #ThamesandKosmos #USA