Not just Ho-cus Po-cus!
by Thomas Mysliwiec

Greetings Wizards and witches! Its time to embark on your studies at Abra Academy. You play the role of Wanda?s assistant and help her manage four years of witchcraft and wizardry all with a few clicks of a mouse button. Like many games before it, Abra Academy is another hidden-object game where you sort through the clutter of item filled rooms in the hope to find only the objects necessary for your lessons at the school. What helps set Abra Academy apart from the competition (Hidden Expedition Titanic, Hide and Secret, or the Mystery Case Files series) is its obvious inspiration drawn from the magical side of things.

The entry point to play is very simple and digestible. You?ll begin by selecting a location from within the school, such as the garden, music hall or other and begin your item searching! If you need a break or have some trouble with an item listed on your scroll you have the ability to release a trapped fairy to illuminate the object hidden before your eyes. Or if you?d like you can travel to another area of the school and explore more object filled rooms ? It?s your choice.

Abra Academy does little to penalize a player who takes their time probing around school. Clicking on objects that don?t match your list is often acceptable and does little to hinder your progress through the game. In fact, clicking too many times will result in a winged-gargoyle swooping in to douse the flames that brews your cauldron (but he?s never really a threat). If the fire does manage to go out you can continue the game by finding one of several hidden matches to spark it aflame. It?s this type of relaxed play that brings the focus of finding objects to the forefront without the frantic worries of clearing a room before time runs out.

There?s a wealth of magic filled levels to enjoy in Abra Academy spread over the course of your stay within the institution. Throw in a few word-matching mini games to round out the mix and you?ve got an enjoyable game that holds its own among a growing hidden-object genre. Ready to start collecting wands, keys, crossbows and more, Abra Academy can settle that urge.