Keepsake is the latest overseas import from The Adventure Company. In the game, you take on the role of a young initiate named Lydia. It's your first day at the Dragonvale Academy, where the land's mages go to learn their craft, but when you arrive at the front gate, nobody is there to meet you.

Keepsake is the first adventure game title developed by Wicked Studios, a small independent game development studio from Montreal, Canada. The story of Keepsake takes place in an elaborate and beautifully rendered fantasy setting called Dragonvale Academy.

One might think that it's a little late to hop on the ‘student in an academy of magic' wagon that everyone seemed to be jumping on a couple of years ago, when a certain first movie in a series came out in the theaters. Well, it is, so at this point you have to hitch your own wagon.

Keepsake has been in development at Montreal based Wicked Studios for some time now (we did an interview with them about the game back in the fall of last year). Thanks to The Adventure Company, North American gamers everywhere can get their hands on the title, and it was well worth the wait.

Genre: Adventure Publisher: The Adventure Company Developer: Wicked Games Release Date: March 31, 2006 There used to be a time when all adventure games were more or less like this: set in far off fantasy worlds with themes of wizardry, dragons, mages guilds, and an ever-lingering sense of journey.

Every so often this happens. I'm talking with a publisher lining up games for our staff to review when I'll notice one, ask about it and be told, "That came out six months ago." Oops. Such is the case here with TAC's Keepsake . I'd heard of it, but never heard of it coming out.

A winsome medieval tune surrounds Lydia as she makes her way over the shady path through the verdant forest. As she crests the hill, the Academy of Magic appears before her in all its castle-like fortification, with purple domed turrets and stone parapets reaching into the sky.

Become a student in a world surrounded by magic and mystery.

Keepsake has plenty to recommend, but it really isn't for everyone. Those whose idea of a good adventure involves inventory puzzles and plenty of characters to talk to may be put off by the emphasis on solitary exploration and puzzle solving, particularly given the game's surface resemblance to...

Graphics & Sound: Keepsake 's gorgeous locations are just one of the many features that help to make this game your typical adventure title. Most of the game takes place in Dragonvale Academy and the surrounding grounds. Each pre-rendered location is a stunning piece of artwork.