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Ikenfell

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch • 2020

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Quick resume

A turn-based tactical RPG about a group of troublesome magic students. Use timing mechanics to power your spells and block attacks, explore the twisted halls of a vast magic school, fight challenging monsters and bosses, and uncover dark secrets never meant to be found.

Global score

91/100

Genres

Indie, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Turn-based strategy (TBS)

Similar games

    Pros

    • Strong lgbtq+ representation and diverse characters
    • Engaging and unique timing-based tactical combat
    • Well-written story with emotional depth
    • Excellent soundtrack and pixel art
    • Robust accessibility options including battle skipping

    Cons

    • Some repetition and pacing issues in mid/late game
    • Combat difficulty spikes and damage scaling frustrations
    • Story can feel linear and occasionally cheesy
    • Limited exploration and backtracking
    • Minor ui and control customization limitations

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Cooperation.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      3

      "Players can choose party members, customize battle tactics, and adjust difficulty and timing options, allowing personal control over gameplay experience."

    • Competence
      4

      "Combat requires skillful timing and strategic positioning; difficulty can be adjusted but default mode offers meaningful challenge and feedback."

    • Competition
      -3

      "Focus is on personal progression and story; no evidence of ranked or player-vs-player competition."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Players invest 20-30 hours with some replay value; some find mid/late game repetitive but overall engagement is sustained."

    • Cooperation
      -4

      "Gameplay centers on individual player controlling a small party; no multiplayer or cooperative play mentioned."

    • Creativity
      2

      "Players experiment with party composition and tactics; limited world modification or building."

    • Domination
      -5

      "Interactions emphasize mutual respect and character development; no evidence of dominance or power over others."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Game offers immersive fantasy setting with emotional story and diverse characters, providing strong real-life escape."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and story; no indication of obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Players try different party members and tactics; some repetition but options to adjust gameplay encourage experimentation."

    • Exploration
      1

      "Players explore a linear but varied magical school environment with some secrets and collectibles."

    • Expression
      1

      "Some character customization via party selection and equipment; no extensive avatar personalization."

    • Fantasy
      5

      "Strong fantasy theme with magic school, witches, ghosts, and imaginative story elements."

    • Fellowship
      3

      "Players experience a close-knit party and community atmosphere through story and character interactions."

    • Growth
      4

      "Players develop skills in timing and strategy; characters grow emotionally through story arcs."

    • Health
      -5

      "Game is sedentary with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention on timing and strategy; not designed for passive or background play."

    • Intimacy
      4

      "Strong emotional connections and character development foster feelings of closeness and empathy."

    • Leadership
      2

      "Player directs party members and tactics, but no evidence of leading others beyond own group."

    • Progression
      4

      "Players level up characters, acquire new abilities and equipment, and unlock story content."

    • Relaxation
      2

      "Generally a balanced challenge with options for easier play; some tension in boss fights but overall enjoyable flow."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Appealing pixel art, animations, and a highly praised soundtrack provide sensory enjoyment."

    • Status
      -4

      "No social ranking or recognition systems; focus is on personal experience."

    • Story
      5

      "Narrative-driven game with strong character development, plot twists, and emotional engagement."

    • Strategy
      4

      "Combat requires tactical positioning, timing, and planning; some players find depth in party composition."

    • Thrill
      2

      "Some suspense and challenge in boss fights and timing mechanics, but overall moderate emotional tension."

    • Value
      4

      "Players report good value for time and money with 20-30 hours of content and replayability."

    • Violence
      3

      "Combat involves magical attacks and defeating enemies; violence is stylized and fantasy-based."

    • Survival
      1

      "Players manage health and positioning to avoid defeat; no extreme survival mechanics or resource scarcity."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026