Preview

Little Witch Academia: The Chamber of Time – 5 minutes of spellbinding gameplay

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Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time, or as I like to call it ‘Anime Potter: Groundhog Day', is a spellcastin' RPG based on the popular anime series of the same name. Never heard of Little Witch Academia before? I sure hadn't. What's the story here? Atsuko (Akko), of Luna Nova Magical Academy, has discovered the Chamber of Horologium via a secret room in the library. Containing forbidden time manipulating magic, Akko and co become trapped in a time loop; they must relive the same day over and over again, in order to escape and solve the Academy's mysteries…

Not sure this is the sort of thing that tickles your fancy? We played roughly five minutes of Little Witch Academia's 2.5D, sidescrolling action to help you decide.

This beat ‘em up has plenty to offer in the way of available spells in your arsenal, and there is some sheer spectacle when it comes to Akko's finisher moves – Shiny Arc, much?! The cel-shaded art style beautifully reflects the anime and we're sure fans of the series will lap this one right up. In this early playthrough, some of the navigation felt a little clunky and rigid. Regardless of this, Little Witch Academia wasn't particularly challenging from the offset, so that clunkiness wasn't detrimental at this stage of the game. After entering the chamber with Sucy and Lotte, Little Witch Academia places itself as one to ‘watch', as we find out more…over ‘time'. Get it? Don't worry, I've finished now.

The Ni No Kuni II release date is set for November 10, 2017 and Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time aims to cast a spell over Europe early 2018, for the PlayStation 4 and PC.