Alisa's Grimoire

About Alisa's Grimoire

Alisa's Grimoire is a narrative-driven RPG from indie developer Circle Kurasuke Warehouse, released on PC in November 2025. Set in a magical academy that hides sinister experiments, the game follows Alisa, a student who stumbles upon a cursed book binding a powerful sorcerer’s soul. By absorbing the grimoire’s power, she transforms into a sorceress and uncovers the academy’s dark secrets. The story blends school life with high-stakes sorcery as Alisa fights rival mages to protect her friends. With hand-drawn visuals and a focus on spellcasting progression, it’s a cozy yet eerie journey through mystery and magic.

Gameplay

The game mixes exploration, puzzle-solving, and turn-based combat. You navigate academy hallways, classrooms, and hidden labs, using spells from the grimoire to interact with objects and enemies. Battles pop up during story segments, where you’ll cast elemental magic, buff allies, or exploit enemy weaknesses. Progression centers on unlocking new spells and upgrading abilities tied to the grimoire’s lore. Sessions often involve backtracking to older areas with new powers, uncovering dialogue choices, and piecing together the academy’s experiments through environmental clues. Controls are standard keyboard/mouse, with light stealth sections and optional side quests. The story unfolds through scripted scenes and environmental storytelling, with combat breaking up exploration.

What Players Think

PlayPile users rate it 4.3/5, with 82% completing the base story. Average playtime is 15, 20 hours, though 32% of players report grinding in late-game boss fights. Community moods skew positive: 68% call the story “engaging,” while 25% gripe about “slow combat pacing.” Critics praise its “atmospheric worldbuilding” but note “shallow character customization.” Achievements include 45% completion on average, with “Grimoire Master” unlocking after mastering all 20 spells. One review says, “The magic system feels fresh, but battles drag.” Another warns, “Skip if you hate menu-heavy RPGs.” The game’s 92% critic score highlights its “creepy campus design” but admits it “caters to niche audiences.”

PlayPile's Take

Alisa’s Grimoire is a modest $29.99 pick for fans of slow-burn RPGs with occult themes. It shines in its eerie setting and spellcasting depth but may frustrate those seeking fast action. With 45+ achievements and a branching story, it rewards patience and lore-hunters. Skip if combat feels outdated or you prefer open worlds. For $30, it’s a solid midweek play, especially if you enjoy figuring out magical conspiracies in a school full of secrets.

Storyline

Alisa, the protagonist attending a certain academy, comes across a Grimoire that seals the soul of a powerful sorcerer by chance. Through its power, Alisa becomes a sorcerer herself and learns that the academy she attends is actually a laboratory for magical experiments. To save her loved ones from danger and to strengthen her own abilities, Alisa takes on a battle against sorcerers.