Pondering on the concept of school often triggers distinct mental pictures for many: the piercing sound of a classroom bell, anxiety about approaching tests, a bustling structure teeming with students from the same academic year, all striving towards the end point.
In video games, this aesthetic is no exception.
It’s fascinating how certain school settings in video games can resonate so strongly with players, often making these fictional institutions more cherished than their real-life counterparts that players once attended.
Interestingly enough, even after leaving school, you discover comfort within a game – and then, unexpectedly, you’re back at school within the game itself. It feels somewhat like juggling work shifts in the realm of video games.
As a devoted gamer, I can’t help but marvel at the legendary status some of these schools hold within our gaming world. Whether they truly foster learning or not is a topic for another day, but their iconic presence in gaming is undeniable.
10. Ape Escape Academy
Ape Escape Academy
If you haven’t come across Ape Escape Academy before, don’t be alarmed if you’re familiar with the Ape Escape series – that’s because it was exclusive to the PlayStation Portable (PSP). However, it did have a spinoff for mobile devices, which adapted several mini-games and other features from Ape Escape 2, offering a fun-packed, condensed gaming experience.
Apart from the fact that I’ve known Ape Escape Academy since my childhood, what makes it stand out is its genuine difficulty level. As you advance in the game, it becomes increasingly challenging.
In each mini-game, you earn an ‘O’ for success and a ‘X’ for failure, both of which are shown on a Tic-Tac-Toe grid. If you win multiple games but fail to win the overall Tic-Tac-Toe game against the professor, you must repeat the entire course, a scenario that has often resulted in the PSP being tossed (and then retrieved).
Regardless of the obstacles, the game remains incredibly amusing and a blast to play. It’s accessible through PS Plus along with other Ape Escape titles. Once you get it, you can join the Ape Escape Academy and officially choose your major as Monkey Shenanigans.
9. Guild of Heroes
Fable
Upon your initial introduction to the guild known as the Heroes’ Guild or the Guild of Heroes within the game Fable, you find yourself as a child who has recently witnessed the brutal killing of your father and the kidnapping of both your mother and sister.
At the Hero’s Academy, where you’ve enrolled for your heroic education, is the place Maze, an old hero, brought you. He plays a significant role in guiding your training process. Consequently, when it’s time for your journey to start and you’re prepared to rescue your remaining family, remember that this academy has equipped you with all the knowledge you possess.
Initially, the Fable series debuted on Xbox, which subsequently blossomed into a highly acclaimed role-playing game (RPG). Notably, its ethereal background music is also worth mentioning.
Despite limited information about the forthcoming Fable Reboot, fans are undeniably eager to revisit the Hero’s Guild, now fully realized with maps and details that were once left to our imagination in the original game.
8. Academy of Raya Lucaria
Elden Ring
Although mastering the Academy of Raya Lucaria isn’t essential for winning Elden Ring, it provides remarkable benefits due to being classified as a Legacy Dungeon.
Opening the academy is quite an adventure on its own, as players must search for the two pieces of the Glintstone Key. These parts are protected, with each one being under the control of a boss. Overcoming these bosses is essential if players wish to acquire the items needed to unlock the gates.
Upon entering, players will discover that the Academy of Raya Lucaria is not overly challenging, given it’s merely the second Legacy Dungeon they’ll encounter. Its layout is primarily straightforward, offering just a handful of unexpected twists and turns along the way.
To ensure an optimal gaming experience when taking on the Legacy Dungeon, it’s advisable for players to be around levels 50 to 60.
7. Blackwell Academy
Life is Strange
Adolescence can be tough – and having an adolescent in one’s life certainly presents fresh hurdles, particularly for educators. Not many video games capture this theme as effectively as Life is Strange does.
At the renowned Blackwell Academy, you find yourself stepping into the shoes of Max Caulfield, a senior student with a focus on both science and art. This prestigious institution is your new academic home.
The captivating aspect of this school lies in its subtle incorporation of symbolism related to Arcadia Bay, the setting of the game.
Reflecting on the symbolism behind wells as sources of good fortune and abundance, and the often ominous associations with the color black, the term “Black Well” can be simply understood as “a deceptive source of danger masked as prosperity.
This situation perfectly applies when we think about the school’s suspicious activities and its murky past. Pretending to offer a fresh chance for seniors, it conceals something far more ominous – and this is another hint towards the difficult decision you’ll be forced to make at the end of the game.
Regardless of your choice, Blackwell Academy offers an authentic American experience, and Arcadia Bay provides that overall ambiance.
6. Greenwood High School
Detention
It has a strange, eerie feel to it, but that’s precisely the kind of fear that the movie “Detention” capitalizes on and focuses upon – exploring school settings when everyone else is gone.
Originating from Red Candle Games, an unfortunately overlooked studio, the game titled “Detention” unfolds in the backdrop of Greenwood High School during the 1950s era of the White Terror in Taiwan. This title isn’t just historically significant but also shines as a chilling gem within the indie horror genre.
This game draws significantly from ancient Taiwanese and Chinese folklore, providing insightful commentary along the way. It stands out as one of the most distinctive experiences in the realm of 2D horror games.
As a dedicated admirer, I can confidently say that after sneaking a peek into Greenwood High School’s hallowed halls past sundown, it comes as no shock that its thriving success led to a Netflix adaptation of the series.
5. Here School
Baldi’s Basics in Education and Learning
A contemporary trend in video gaming involves recreating the aesthetic and atmosphere reminiscent of past titles, like recreating the horror games originally found on the PlayStation 1.
In essence, Baldi’s Basics in Education and Learning, often referred to as just Baldi’s Basics, mimics the style of educational games popular during the 1990s, mainly focusing on computer-based games.
In this independent horror game, the action unfolds within a school known as Here School or The Schoolhouse, where Baldi serves as the principal figurehead.
Aside from the main point, let me clarify that in an educational setting, instead of using the term “head teachers,” we refer to them as “department chairs” or “heads.” This title is assigned based on the subject they teach, particularly in high schools.
In this game, the school serves as the backdrop, acting both as a stage and a confinement. At the outset of play, when you tackle simple arithmetic problems, everything seems ordinary.
Yet, if you stumble upon the doomed bugged question, your response will be incorrect, and all of a sudden, Baldi, brandishing his staff, pursues you.
Next, keep running around the school, solving math problems, as missing an answer causes Baldi to speed up. Be cautious too, because annoying characters may pop up unexpectedly.
Experiencing freedom from Here School adds an extra layer of sweetness, transforming childhood delight into a sense of personal liberation.
4. College of Winterhold
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
allow me to share a personal observation that might spark some conversation – I find the College of Winterhold to be the least engaging side quest in Skyrim. However, it’s important to note that it has an undeniable iconic quality about it.
Across the vast expanse of Skyrim, tales of the Winterhold College for mages echo through every settlement, be it a bustling city, a quaint town, or even a remote farmstead nestled between fields.
The storyline initially unfolds as a straightforward lesson in school, but eventually transforms into an investigation revealing that the Eye of Magnus and Ancano pose a threat. Upon overcoming these obstacles, The Dragonborn ascends to the position of Arch-Mage.
The school is captivating, though it’s unfortunate that the storyline doesn’t delve deeper into this aspect. Ideally, I would love for it to explore more about attending a magic school.
3. Shujin Academy
Persona 5
The initial experience of playing Persona 5, particularly for those unfamiliar with the series, begins by assuming the role of a high school student, who is merely attempting to maintain a low profile following a brush with the legal system.
You join Shujin Academy as a means to regain control over your life and fulfill your obligations, even with the recent addition of a criminal record.
Everyone seems to take every opportunity to belittle you, reminding you of past mistakes and warning you if you act up – not just your caretaker or your principal, but also strangers, classmates, and occasionally your own teacher as well.
A side remark: It’s interesting how numerous tales portray teachers as cold-hearted or indifferent. Let me assure you, our affection for your children runs deep.
An aside: It seems that many stories depict teachers as uncaring and cruel. Rest assured, we deeply care about the well-being of your kids.
Regardless, once you accept your fresh role as a thief within this JRPG, it becomes considerably more freeing – transforming Shujin Academy into both your playground and recruitment grounds. To add to that, it serves as the main backdrop for many aspects of your daily life, making an indelible mark on you (and perhaps, gaming history).
2. Midwich Elementary School
Silent Hill
In my childhood, I used to traverse the corridors of Midwich Elementary School, frequently revisiting the chilling world of Silent Hill multiple times. Even today, no other elementary school in the horror video game genre can match the eerie impact that Midwich has on its players.
In the initial installment of the Silent Hill series, Midwich Elementary School is the primary destination for players as they endeavor to trace their missing daughter. Unbeknownst to you, this journey also leads to the revelation about your own child – specifically, Alessa Gillespie – and her heart-wrenching story.
Throughout the brief and sorrowful span of her life, Midwich served as Alessa’s educational institution. In your frantic search for your child, you unfortunately bear witness to the mistreatment this unfortunate girl endured within these walls.
It turns out that the school is managed by an enigmatic group, often referred to as The Order, whose presence seems to pervade every nook and cranny of this town.
Midwich holds such significance in horror gaming that it was transformed into a level on its own within “Dead by Daylight.” Regrettably, it seems that this might be the closest we’ll come to an authentic remake of “Silent Hill” (Bloober Team, I implore you).
It’s quite amusing that amidst all the horror, the designers of Midwich drew inspiration for the school from the movie “Kindergarten Cop.
1. Bullworth Academy
Bully
Without a doubt, one of the most recognized schools within the realm of video games, often the first to pop into gamers’ heads, is none other than the Bullworth Academy from the game Bully.
In this game, you assume the role of Jimmy Hopkins, who is transferred to Bullworth Academy, a prestigious boarding school that serves as the central location throughout the entire game, despite the gradual expansion of the game world.
The school has firmly established itself as an icon of gaming, boasting such a devoted fanbase that they have rebuilt it using the Unreal Engine.
It appears that if Rockstar intends to maintain the halt on the franchise, they must have taken active steps to realize their vision by taking control themselves.
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2025-02-05 18:40