Games that let you attend wizarding school that aren't Harry Potter

Many children (and adults) have spent an hour or two daydreaming about the idea of ​​going to wizarding school. There's something fascinating about the idea of ​​entering another world, learning to cast spells and craft potions, and going into battle against magical creatures and deadly enemies.

If players want to visit an academy filled with magic, wands and mystery, then there are alternatives to Hogwarts. Whether players are looking for a cozy indie game with beautiful pixel art, or want to take on the role of managing a wizarding university, here are some alternatives Harry Potter games you should try.

Magical schools qualify as well, so a game doesn't need to label its academy as “magical” to be considered.

The Sims 4: Realm of Magic

Welcome to Glimmerbrook!

The Sims has a rich history of magical creatures: from werewolves to mermaids to ghosts, fantasy elements are a popular choice for Simmers. The Sims 4: Realm of Magic is a Game Pack, so it's not part of the vanilla content, nor is it a full expansion pack. Still, it has more content than a Stuff Pack, which usually consists of CAS and Build/Buy Items.

The Sims 4: Realm of Magic represents the district of Glimmerbrook. Sims can read classics and be tutored by experts, allowing them to become wizards. This can have a significant impact on gameplay, as Sims can use their new skills to get themselves up to all sorts of mischief (falling in love with Sims, turning other Sims into objects, or even causing random fights between neighbors). They can even learn to summon their own familiars, protecting them from damage. It's a fun change from the normal career progression/family/buying a bigger home cycle of playing the Sims!

Head to the College Of Winterhold to study magical arts

Skyrim is the kind of game where players can get lost forever, but if they want to experience a magical school, they have to head to Winterhold. Located in the north, it is (unsurprisingly) a cold and snowy city with the famous College of Winterhold. Players must pass a test to join the College by performing a spell.

Once inside, players can learn spells from the Hall of Countenance. Teachers have their own specific interests, so players can choose the kind of spells they want to learn (more spells become available as the player levels up). The trip to Winterhold is worth it.

Mana Khemia (both games)

Apply to the alchemy school

Offshoot Atelier, Mana Khemia and its sequel are two cult classics from the PS2 era and definitely worth checking out if you're mostly familiar with the main series. These games revolve specifically around alchemy, a unique discipline that is relatively different from most other video game schools of magic. The concept almost straddles the line between magic and science, but creating alchemical potions isn't all that different from creating and using spells.

Mana Khemia goes about his school life and players can attend classes, take exams and complete tasks. While these games are not entirely devoid of higher stakes, they also rely on slice-of-life elements, as well as Atelier games.

Academagia: The Making Of Mages

Live (and read) your magical dream life

Academagia: The Making of Mages is an RPG set in the Academy of Magic. As new students, players will have the opportunity to learn new skills and get to know other characters (there are over 80 students to interact with!). They will attend classes, participate in competitions and encounter random events. It's the kind of game where the player's choices can have a tangible impact on the outcome of the story, and it's loaded with content: you can play over 100 adventures.

Academia is a great example of great world building. There is a rich tradition to uncover here, making exploring the Academy of Magic an exciting prospect. The user interface is beautifully retro, but will require some note-taking (and a lot of reading). If players love adventure stories and visual novels of their choice, chances are they'll enjoy getting lost in this world for a while.

For all its positives, there are a few things that do Academia hard sell. First, the game is very text intensive and takes a long time to get going, with a pretty steep learning curve. Second, the campaign currently only covers the first year, and the second (and third/fourth/fifth) is just about to debut.

Little Witch Academia: Chamber Of Time

Harry Potter isn't the only famous wizarding school video game franchise

Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time (based on the anime franchise by Yoh Yoshinari) features Luna Nova Magic Academy, a prestigious school for witches. In the anime, students learn various magical skills, including astrology, numerology, alchemy, and broomstick flying.

Chamber of Time is a side-scrolling action game with RPG elements. Players can uncover hidden secrets in the Academy while fighting their way through a series of dungeons, finding treasure and powering up along the way. It's pretty wholesome and a nice environment for anime fans to explore.

Chamber of Time it's not a great game by any stretch of the imagination, and you probably have to be a fan A small wizarding academy to get something out of it.

Ikenfell

A cute turn-based RPG All about students of magic

Ikenfell is an adorable game about a group of students learning magic. Players join a wizarding school and the possibilities for exploration are endless: there are hundreds of artifacts and secrets to discover. It's a turn-based tactical RPG with some interesting timing mechanics and each spell has its own timing that you have to learn. It takes a lot of practice, but it's super satisfying to defeat enemies with expertly timed spells.

It has a retro pixel-art style, an excellent soundtrack and some interesting characters to get to know. If players enjoyed games such as Earth/Mother series a Undertalethey would probably enjoy this. And a bonus fact: Ikenfell has many LGBTQ+ characters that are portrayed sensitively.

Spellcaster University

Run your own magic school

Spellcaster University is an interesting item as it allows players to not enter a wizarding school but instead run it. As the principal, the player's job is to manage the budget, find the best teachers, and set the tone for the university. Players can train druids and shamans if they want a peaceful life, or they can go into demonology and necromancy to train students in dark magic.

Players will use magic packs to create their school. Available decks will depend on the direction players take (for example, the Nature deck will give players access to magical creatures, while the Light deck will unlock useful healing cards). Managing a magical university is a fun task Spellcaster University will appeal to Two points players.

Two Point Campus – Spiffinmoore

Yes, of course, Two Point Campus also has a magic school

Speaking of Two pointsthe franchise's school entry unsurprisingly allows players to take over the leadership of a wizarding school if they earn it. Spiffinmoore is the fifth campus unlocked Two point campusand it's a magic school. To unlock Spiffinmoore, you'll need to get a one-star rating in the first four campuses, and this school is probably one of the hardest. As always, the players need to improve the level of the campus while making money and keeping the students happy, which is easier said than done.

Spiffinmoore is very clearly inspired Harry Potterwith British design that screams Hogwarts. Although this level is a relatively small part of the overall package, Two point campus is such an all-around great game that it can be recommended to almost anyone.

Final Fantasy 8

Balamb Garden is not Hogwarts, but it teaches magic

Okay, so technically it's not just a wizarding school, but Balamb Garden deserves a place here. Technically a training academy for SeeD wannabes, students learn the arts of combat and magic, including how to summon GF (Guardian Forces). It's a very cool place to hang out, although quite dangerous at times.

Balamb Garden is a fun place to explore, hone your wizarding skills and engage others in a casual card game. Later in the game, players will discover much more to Balamb Garden than meets the eye. Although FFVIII it's 24 years old, it holds and it's worth playing.

Special mention for Fire Emblem: Three Houseswhich is also set in a military school that could pass for a wizarding academy.

Upcoming Game: Witchbrook

Soon you will (hopefully) enroll in a new wizarding academy

The much awaited indie RPG Witchbrook it's been in the works for quite some time now, but a release seems to be on the horizon and could finally arrive in 2026. However, many players are excited, and for good reason! Witchbrook is the perfect game Stardew Valley and Starbound fans: it will have beautiful pixel art, sweet story and interesting characters that you can get to know.

IN Witchbrookplayers will move to Witchbrook College in the seaside town of Mossport. Players can learn spells, brew potions, fly on broomsticks, forage for ingredients, and generally learn how to practice magical arts. They can also befriend the locals and settle in Mossport. It looks like a cozy, magical experience and one worth keeping an eye on this year.