As I have alluded to in some of my other recent RPG reviews, while the major developers in the genre have been pushing the graphical boundaries of their experiences, the independent “indie” development scene have been crafting rewarding experiences of their own through a mix of unique concepts, old-school approaches to design, and sometimes just being an all-around enjoyable digital adventure to embark on. Today, we are taking a look at Grifford Academy, a strategic turn-based RPG that seeks to balance its approachable combat system with a rich narrative and a distinct aesthetic style. Although currently only available as part of Steam Early Access, with plans to offer the whole experience in three to six months, this narrative-driven RPG adventure certainly has the foundations of being one of those gems that more will hopefully get the opportunity to experience.
From the outset, Grifford Academy endeavours to ground its high-fantasy escapades in the relatable turmoil of adolescence. Dialogue exchanges unfold much like a stage play, with expressive character portraits and branching choices that determine each teen’s evolving personality traits. The writing team at LandShark Games have succeeded in making every line of text and dialogue, at least those we see in the Early Access content available so far, feel purposeful rather than superficial. While the stakes never quite reach world-ending proportions, the richness and tighter focus on friendship, identity, and the search for Erika’s brother, Ernest, ensure the tale carries itself through a 10-15 hour runtime.
While many RPGs nowadays seek to blur the line between anime and photorealism, Grifford Academy instead favours a charming yet distinct storybook aesthetic, with the game cleanly presenting dialogue through 3D character models and a style reminiscent of visual novels. Character models slip on‑ and off‑screen with the confidence of seasoned theatre performers, lending each dialogue scene a deliberate sense of staging. The user interface is also clean, with key information in combat delivered through intuitive iconography and tooltips, meaning you spend less time wrestling with menus and more time strategising. That said, a limited enemy roster and some recycled guard models remind players that this remains a small-team production, albeit one that is overflowing with personality.
Backing the visuals of Grifford Academy is an orchestral soundtrack, which is a delight to the senses. The central combat theme, in particular, injects a welcome jolt of adrenaline into encounters without overpowering the on‑screen action. Sound effects land with satisfying heft. Voice acting is currently absent, but we hope the development team will find a way to incorporate it into the game in a future update. I appreciate that they are a small development team, but with them pushing quality in other departments, it would be a shame not to see their characters voiced.
At first glance, Grifford Academy’s battles appear pleasantly old‑school, a fixed party of three heroes facing a line of monsters in classic turn order. However, a deeper layer of complexity emerges during gameplay. Affinity points (Physique, Intellect, Spirit) turn the trio into personalised builds, with free respecs and buy-back options inviting constant tinkering rather than committing to a single “correct” spec. Encounters become small tactical puzzles: do you put a Night Scryer to sleep, risk waking it with an area spell, or bank on a retaliate stance to punish its next strike? The two difficulty settings further provide flexibility, with a story mode welcoming players who may want to go along for the ride, and a strategy mode that balances the experience with a bit of challenge.
Progression, meanwhile, is tied to narrative milestones instead of traditional XP grinds, so the pace rarely sags. Essence, the single currency, buys everything from upgrades to spell-inbued rings, and the catch is that over‑levelled gear incurs accuracy penalties, gently forcing you to refresh your arsenal and experiment with newly unlocked toys. Story nodes, side‑quests, and optional skirmishes are selected from a tidy world map rather than free‑roam dungeons, making each chapter feel focused if a tad prescribed. In its Early Access form, combat remains the clear highlight: brisk, readable, and surprisingly malleable. Should the planned Roguelite mode and crafting system land without upsetting that balance, Grifford Academy could stand as one of the most approachable yet rewarding indie tactics titles in recent memory.
Ultimately, Grifford Academy exemplifies why the independent RPG scene continues to thrive alongside its blockbuster cousins. Its Early Access build already delivers a heartfelt narrative, a theatre‑inspired visual identity, an evocative soundtrack, and a combat system that rewards curiosity and following the narrative over grinding. Yes, the enemy variety is lean, and some systems haven’t been implemented yet, but that is the life of many an Early Access game. Grifford Academy is worth checking out in its current state and has the potential to become one of 2025’s RPG gems.
Final Score for Grifford Academy
This review was conducted on a PC (Steam) version of Grifford Academy, with a review code provided by LandShark Games to facilitate this review.
Grifford Academy is now available to purchase for PC via Steam as an Early Access Title.
