Kraken Academy!!

Looking for something new to play in 2021? Then you might want to keep an eye out for late 2021 release Kraken Academy!!

With a hilarious name like this, you might wonder what you are getting yourself into. Happy Broccoli Games, though, appear to have caught lightning in a bottle with a very intriguing gaming premise. You play as the new addition to a school, who comes with one very interesting quirk: they can travel back and forward in time via the help of a magical kraken.

Ready for something very abstract and outside the box, then? Keep an eye out for Kraken Academy!! when it will release on the 10th September.

School with a time traveling twist

The premise to Kraken Academy!! is one that should instantly have people interested in abstract video game plots sitting up to take notice. You’ll need to use your time traveling powers to understand the tells and the methods of the other people that you meet. As you essentially live out a Groundhog Day style existence, you will need to understand how to best change the fates of the people whom you meet as you make your way back and forth through the same day.

You’ll meet people, make friends, and even head out on dates with the other students whom you meet. Over time, you’ll build up a catalogue of cosmetic changes and improvements that you can make to your room. Buy grandiose furniture, and even get yourself involved in a host of different activities. The whole process is set to be one of trial and error, learning about others, and a whole lot patience!

While the games story and relationship elements will make it feel something akin to a Stardew Valley or even a Boyfriend Dungeon, the gameplay loop is fresh enough to ensure you can focus on the gameplay as much as the set-piece dressing.

An intriguing idea, will it pay off?

With a release just around the corner, fans of Kraken Academy!! should be pretty excited to see how it actually plays out. You’ll need to spend your time trying to crack the mystery of Kraken University, whilst helping to derail a plot of potential destruction and doom for everyone involved.

You’ll do this in various ways, mostly spent conversing with others and learning the lore. Go back and forward in time, learn about what happens next, and ensure that you understand the madness that is to come. The dark mysteries of Kraken University are there to be explored, and you’ll be able to find out a whole lot about the school from simply replaying the game.

The main question we have about Kraken Academy!!, then, comes down to longevity. Is there going to be enough here to keep people coming back?

Pros:

• Great concept, unique idea, interesting style
• Impressive writing style and use of gameplay loops
• Addictive style, very easy to experiment with

Cons:

• Potentially lacks enough replayability