Kraken Academy!! is one of many of the LudoNarraCon demos I’ve gotten a chance to play. However, it is by far the most hectically brilliant one I’ve played. With an off-the-walls narrative, hilarious dialogue and gorgeous character art, Kraken Academy!! has definitely become one of my most anticipated indie games of 2021.
“While the Kraken Academy!! demo gives you just a morsel of what’s to come, what is showcased is incredibly intriguing.”
Kraken Academy!! is certainly not what I expected. It is perhaps one of the most outrageously funny games I’ve played in a long time, with almost every interaction offering up some form of a laugh-out-loud joke. This isn’t just your hilariously self-aware narrative with quirky characters. Although that is certainly a part of Kraken Academy!!, it sets itself apart by weaving a genuinely interesting narrative and setting alongside its eccentric sense of humour.
While the demo gives you just a morsel of what’s to come, what is showcased is incredibly intriguing. For one, the Persona-esque setting with the various clubs and social systems is absolutely up my alley. Not to mention the fact that the narrative, which focuses on resetting the balance in various students and helping resolve their problems, is perplexingly perfect. With its laid-back, quirky tone, Kraken Academy!! is able to take elements of the all-too-serious plot of Persona 5, and shift it into something special.
“This quirky title goes beyond just being a humour-filled romp. It’s a title filled with intrigue, depth and complexity, as well as all the seam-bursting laughter that comes with it.”
Outside of its outlandishly funny dialogue and plot, Kraken Academy!! is a strikingly beautiful game. While the pixel art world is something to behold, it is the wonderfully designed and illustrated character portraits that drew me in. From broccoli girls to an unenthused goth-girl teacher, each character is meticulously brought to life through their expressive and emotive character portraits. It helps solidify an already incredible experience and adds a much appreciated additional layer of polish.
While there isn’t an awful lot to Kraken Academy!!’s demo, what is displayed is enough to keep me hooked and tantalised. I want to explore its lavishly designed world and uncover its engrossing narrative. The world of Kraken Academy is an extremely enthralling one and one I had plenty of fun exploring. This quirky title goes beyond just being a humour-filled romp. It’s a title filled with intrigue, depth and complexity, as well as all the seam-bursting laughter that comes with it. I cannot wait to play more of it when it launches later this year.
Be sure to head on over to Kraken Academy!!’s Steam store page to try the demo out for yourself. You can also wishlist it on Steam to be notified of any future updates.