Academy of Magic: Lair of the Beast

In the fantasy-themed match-3 puzzle game Academy of Magic: Lair of the Beast, players follow wizard-in-training Dennis Griffin as he embarks on a magical adventure to save his best friend Elera’s kidnapped brother from a monstrous beast. Despite the Academy’s rules forbidding students from leaving, Dennis must navigate 72 challenging match-3 levels across five chapters, experience 20 cinematic scenes, and reunite with allies to defeat a new enemy in this turn-based tile-matching journey.

Academy of Magic: Lair of the Beast: Review

Introduction

In the sprawling, often formulaic landscape of casual puzzle games, Academy of Magic: Lair of the Beast (2021) emerges as a meticulously crafted, if derivative, entry in the venerable match-3 genre. As the third installment in e-FunSoft Games’ Academy of Magic series, it follows young wizard Dennis Griffin—a protagonist who has already vanquished a dark curse—into a new crisis: the kidnapping of his friend Elera’s brother by a monstrous beast. While its premise is familiar, the game distinguishes itself through its robust puzzle design, narrative ambition, and polished presentation. This review dissects its place within the series, its technical execution, and its resonance in the crowded casual market, arguing that Lair of the Beast exemplifies the genre’s strengths as a reliable, if evolutionarily cautious, experience.

Development History & Context

e-FunSoft Games, a studio with a catalog of 50+ titles (mostly match-3 and hidden-object games), developed Lair of the Beast under the direction of designer Laksmana Wijaya and project manager Agung Wijaya. Their vision was clear: to refine the series’ signature blend of tile-matching puzzles with a cohesive fantasy narrative, leveraging the accessibility of the match-3 framework to attract a broad audience. Technologically, the game operates within modest constraints, utilizing a fixed/flip-screen visual style and turn-based pacing—standard for the genre but effective for low-spec hardware.

Released on January 12, 2021 (Windows) via portals like Big Fish Games and HH Games, and later on Steam (March 6, 2021), it arrived amid a saturated market dominated by mobile-inspired casual titles. The 2021 gaming landscape saw PC players increasingly embracing “cozy” games—relaxing, accessible experiences—and Lair of the Beast capitalized on this trend with its $5.99 price point. However, it faced stiff competition from established franchises like Jewel Quest and Bejeweled, forcing it to rely on its series loyalty and polished production values.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

The narrative, penned by Letisia Putri Ekarini and Samantha Lienhard, prioritizes character-driven stakes over grand world-building. Set after the events of The Great Dark Wizard’s Curse (2020), it centers on Dennis’s quiet academy life disrupted by Elera’s brother’s abduction. The beast—named only as a “monstrous entity”—serves as a classic antagonist, embodying primal fear and chaos. Dialogue is functional yet earnest, with cutscenes (20 in total) advancing the plot through static illustrations rather than full animation. Thematically, the game explores friendship as a catalyst for courage and the tension between institutional authority (the Academy’s isolationist rules) and moral imperatives (Dennis’s decision to defy them). Elera’s desperation humanizes the quest, while Dennis’s growth from a student to a protector reinforces the series’ focus on responsibility. Though the plot lacks surprises, its emotional core is surprisingly effective for a puzzle game.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Lair of the Beast’s core is a traditional tile-matching puzzle, presented across 72 levels divided into 5 chapters. The loop is straightforward: swap adjacent tiles (magic gems, runes, or spellbooks) to form lines of three or more, clearing them to meet objectives (e.g., collecting specific items, clearing obstacles). Special tiles—such as lightning-igniting runes or explosive tomes—add strategic depth, requiring players to chain combos for maximum efficiency. The pacing is deliberate, with turn-based mechanics ensuring accessibility over reflex-based challenge.

Character progression is minimal but serviceable: players earn stars based on performance (1–3 per level), unlocking subsequent chapters. Power-ups (e.g., time-freezing clocks or tile-shattering hammers) are purchasable with in-game currency, though their use is optional. The UI, designed for point-and-click simplicity, features intuitive menus but suffers from occasional clutter during level transitions. Innovative touches include environmental puzzles (e.g., matching tiles to unlock doors), but these are rare. Ultimately, the gameplay is solid but unoriginal—safe for genre veterans but unlikely to thrill newcomers.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The Academy of Magic serves as a vibrant, if underexplored, setting. Environments—classrooms, libraries, and wilderness areas—are rendered in a warm, painterly style by artists Ryan Wisnu Ardhie, Francisca Dian Palupi, and Yohanes Dony Wicaksana. Color palettes shift from the Academy’s gold-and-emerald elegance to the beast’s lair’s shadowy blues and purples, reinforcing mood. Character designs are charmingly generic but expressive, with Dennis’s earnestness and Elera’s worry conveyed through static art.

Sound design, helmed by Staffan Melin, excels in its subtlety. Ambient noises (crackling fires, spell incantations) and a whimsical, orchestral score (composed by Hits Lab, TimBeek Music, and others) create an immersive atmosphere. Voice acting, present only in English, is competent but unremarkable, with German and French subtitles offering localization. While the world-building lacks depth, the art and sound collectively elevate the experience, transforming repetitive puzzles into a cohesive fantasy journey.

Reception & Legacy

Lair of the Beast launched to modest commercial success and mixed-to-positive reception. On Steam, it earned a 78% “Mostly Positive” rating (18 reviews), with players praising its polished presentation and engaging puzzles. Critics noted its adherence to genre conventions but welcomed its “cozy” tone. Financially, it generated $1,541 in revenue from 286 units sold, reflecting its niche appeal.

Legacy-wise, the game solidified the Academy of Magic series as a reliable mid-tier franchise. Its influence is limited—few developers innovated on its formula—but it demonstrated the viability of narrative-driven match-3 games on PC. Subsequent series entries like Dark Possession (2021) adopted its structure, while user comparisons to Magic Academy (2007) highlighted its role in sustaining the “school of magic” subgenre.

Conclusion

Academy of Magic: Lair of the Beast is a testament to the match-3 genre’s enduring appeal. It lacks groundbreaking innovation but delivers a polished, emotionally resonant experience that honors its series legacy. The gameplay, while formulaic, is satisfyingly tight, and the artistry elevates its fantasy setting beyond typical casual fare. For $5.99, it offers value to genre enthusiasts or fans of lighthearted wizarding tales. Yet, its derivative nature and modest ambition prevent it from transcending its niche.

Verdict: A competent, charming, and well-crafted match-3 adventure that fulfills its promise without reinventing the wheel. It earns a 7.5/10—a solid entry in the Academy of Magic canon and a recommendable, if unessential, journey for puzzle-game connoisseurs.