Demonschool

About

Demonschool is a single player tactical role playing game with horror, fantasy and mystery themes. It was developed by Necrosoft Games and was released on November 19, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Demonschool is a single-player horror turn-based strategy RPG blending tactical combat with university life on a mysterious island. Players control Faye and her companions, planning moves, rewinding actions, and creating combos to defeat bizarre enemies while building skills, relationships, and navigating a dense, humorous, and atmospheric story.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 797 reviews

story93 positive mentions

grinding13 negative mentions

The game features a unique and addictive tactical combat system that feels more like solving puzzles than traditional RPG battles.
The art style and soundtrack are exceptional, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
The writing is humorous and charming, with well-developed characters that add depth to the story.

The pacing can feel slow at times, with an overwhelming number of combat encounters that may lead to repetition.
Some characters feel underdeveloped, and the large cast can make it difficult to connect with all of them.
The story lacks significant depth and can come off as shallow, with some plot points feeling rushed or unresolved.

story
351 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
70%
4%
The story of "Demonschool" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its quirky humor and engaging characters, while others criticize its linearity and lack of depth. The narrative, which blends horror and comedy, often feels stretched thin due to frequent combat interruptions, leading to a sense of repetitiveness. Overall, while the game offers a fun and whimsical experience, its storytelling may not satisfy those seeking a more profound or intricate plot.
- “The story is fairly simple but it tells itself well; it's a story of found family and community conquering world-shattering evil.”
- “Demonschool boasts a compellingly unhinged story, genuinely hilarious dialogue, a fun cast of characters, robust puzzle tactics gameplay, and a whole lot of heart.”
- “The story has plenty of twists and turns, with challenges popping up that will keep you on your toes.”
- “The story is complete and utter filler, dropping all pretense that it can scratch that P1/P2 itch, with a cast so unlikeable that I keep sending screenshots of the dialogue to my friends every single day to clown on it.”
- “The story pacing is quite slow, and you have to take up to 1-2 hours each week for combat and dialogue.”
- “The story and extreme amount of dialogue was either written by a teenager, AI, an idiot, or a combination of all three.”
music
252 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
44%
1%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy, dynamic, and engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Composed by Kurt Feldman, the music features a variety of styles, including 70s horror synth and jazzy elements, which complement the game's aesthetic and gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, with many players expressing a desire to listen to it even outside of the game.
- “Kurt Feldman did a wonderful job on the music, with nearly every song being a banger.”
- “The music is incredible, with dynamic tracks that change based on where you are and what you're doing.”
- “The soundtrack adds even more personality: brooding synths for demon encounters, airy melodies for campus scenes, and energetic tracks for more intense sequences.”
- “Any more than this and the constant repetition of the combat music and increasingly inane pretenses for combat would become nigh near unbearable.”
- “Two small positives: I really like the music, with the only exception being any of the music that plays during a minigame; truly mind-destroying after a while.”
- “The game has bugs like the reviewers said already, to the point that my game crashed in the middle of a battle, the music sometimes stops, etc.”
gameplay
198 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
61%
5%
The gameplay in this title is characterized by its engaging tactical combat, which blends puzzle-like mechanics with a turn-based system reminiscent of games like "Into the Breach" and "Persona." While many players appreciate the unique mechanics and charming characters, some criticize the repetitive nature of the gameplay loop, which often consists of alternating between cutscenes and battles. Overall, the game offers a fun and accessible experience, though it may lack depth and complexity for those seeking more intricate systems.
- “Snappy gameplay, snappy controls, great for smaller and longer sessions.”
- “Gameplay feels like a satisfying puzzle to figure out, especially the boss fights; characters are charming and the overall humor of the story is very fun.”
- “The gameplay loop is really fun, with enough variety to keep each week in-game feeling fresh.”
- “Unfortunately, the developers seemed so scared of introducing complexity, mechanical depth, or consequences to any aspect that they shackled it.”
- “The gameplay loop becomes far too repetitive, most of the characters feel anonymous both story-wise and gameplay-wise, and the plot is okay, but definitely not strong enough to carry the rest of the experience.”
- “The side games are a nice diversion, but not enough to get rid of the completely taxing and repetitious gameplay loop.”
graphics
167 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
42%
2%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning art style, which blends 2D pixel art with 3D elements, evoking nostalgia for classic titles like Persona and Sega Saturn games. Reviewers highlight the vibrant colors, detailed environments, and expressive character designs, all complemented by a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall aesthetic experience. While some critiques mention minor graphical glitches, the visual presentation is generally regarded as a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's charm and appeal.
- “The art style they've landed on that merges hand-drawn illustrations and 2D sprites with 3D models for the demons and environments looks beautiful.”
- “The graphics are incredible, the music slaps, and the combat system is exactly what I enjoy.”
- “The visuals are brilliant adapting well between the Steam Deck and my 4K monitor making it a joy to play on either platform.”
- “I've tried to give this game an honest chance, but it has so little going for an obnoxious length of time - while the art style and the music are pretty good, the gameplay is so thoroughly shallow, the mini-games are unfun (and sometimes don't even require any input!) and the story is insanely unengaging and long-winded.”
- “The interface, which uses arrow keys to move and the enter key with almost no mouse use, whereas most games with graphics this cheap tend to be planned for eventual play on phones, where there are no arrow keys.”
- “But overall it was stable aside from that and a few graphical glitches which righted themselves.”
humor
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and wit, with many players enjoying the quirky dialogue and lovable characters that contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere. While some find the humor repetitive or hit-or-miss, the overall writing is described as funny and engaging, often eliciting genuine laughter. The blend of absurdity and cleverness in character interactions enhances the gameplay experience, making it a standout feature for many players.
- “Demonschool boasts a compellingly unhinged story, genuinely hilarious dialogue, a fun cast of characters, robust puzzle tactics gameplay, and a whole lot of heart <3.”
- “The writing is funny, the characters are charming, and the world is interesting!!”
- “The writing is constantly surprising and funny, the characters are all distinct and fun to learn more about, and the combat is satisfying to plan and particularly fun to watch play out!”
- “They keep repeating the same unfunny thing over and over.”
- “Like the two main characters in the first chapter said the 'joke', 'the tape will kill you in three days,' with the second character interrupting, 'within three days.' They just keep saying that same thing over and over as if it's supposed to be funny.”
atmosphere
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its cozy, laid-back vibe, reminiscent of the Persona series, while also balancing tension and levity. Reviewers highlight the immersive environments, engaging aesthetics, and a soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, creating a unique blend of unsettling yet inviting elements. However, some critiques mention moments where the atmosphere feels rushed or poorly executed, indicating a mixed reception in certain areas.
- “Together, these elements create a cohesive atmosphere that balances tension with levity and makes the island feel both unsettling and strangely inviting.”
- “Atmosphere and style of the game is very well done; I did not expect it to feel as immersive as it does.”
- “For me, these story beats began to weigh down the atmosphere, a solid iron beam in a world that feels most at peace when it is meandering.”
- “Everything feels rushed, characters are stupid, and the atmosphere also feels bad.”
- “A game that evokes that very special atmosphere of Persona 2 in a way no other game has recaptured.”
character development
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
39%
17%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while the character designs are widely praised for their expressiveness and charm, particularly drawing from 80s and 90s horror-anime aesthetics, many players feel that the depth of character development is lacking, especially given the large roster of fifteen party members. Some reviewers noted that despite the engaging writing and unique personalities, the characters often feel underdeveloped, leading to a disconnect with the story. Overall, while the visual and aesthetic aspects of character design shine, the emotional investment in the characters themselves appears to be minimal.
- “Character designs are expressive and memorable, leaning into the charm of 80s and 90s horror-anime aesthetics without feeling derivative.”
- “Both in terms of character designs and character writing, each character’s personality shines brightly through the game’s snappy (and often rather funny) writing, with each of them feeling like they add something to the game as a whole (which is no mean feat for a game with fifteen distinct party members!).”
- “The character design and personalities are fun right away, and the gameplay really works if you are a fan of games like Into the Breach, careful chess-like gameplay with some lovely fast action sequences when you execute the moves.”
- “With fifteen(!) party members that you can all hang out with, it's inevitable some get a little left behind when it comes to their character development.”
- “There's little to no character development, and at no point in the 30 hours of the story did I once care about any of them (and there's like 15 of 'em).”
- “I have no idea on how the story progresses or if my problems with the characters end up getting fixed through character development or other characters introduced to the story, but I personally can't recommend the game.”
grinding
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
81%
Overall, reviews highlight a unique approach to grinding in the game, with many praising the absence of traditional XP and leveling systems, which allows for a focus on story and puzzle-like combat. However, some players find the pacing inflexible and the sheer number of battles can become tedious, especially when forced to use less favored characters. While the combat is designed to minimize grind and encourage strategic thinking, the slow skill acquisition can still lead to a sense of tedium over time.
- “An Into the Breach style puzzle tactics game with no grinding, a persona relationship system, and beautiful pixel/voxel graphics is like my video game platonic ideal.”
- “Oh yeah, and there's no grinding necessary.”
- “My one complaint is the inflexibility in the pacing - the game was designed to be played in smaller bursts (~1 hour at a time) and the sheer quantity of mook battles per in-game week makes things tedious if you try to take the game at a faster pace.”
- “Counting down from ten, everything felt really grindy by week seven.”
- “You get given skills to learn; however, the rate you learn them is so tedious that combat is barely impacted in a meaningful way.”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Demon School" is a mixed bag; while it offers heartfelt moments and wholesome relationships among its eclectic cast, some players feel that the comedic tone undermines deeper emotional engagement. The game is praised for its fun worldbuilding and character dynamics, but criticism arises from its lack of a compelling story and emotional depth, leading to a disconnect during relationship-building segments. Overall, it appeals to those who enjoy lighthearted narratives but may leave others wanting more emotional resonance.
- “Demon School is a punchy, heartfelt love letter to classic RPGs like Persona 1.”
- “It's just a blast to play and has the perfect balance of approachable challenge, fun worldbuilding, and a comedic tone that can still hit emotional moments.”
- “Joined by an eclectic cast of classmates — each with their own personalities, eccentricities, and emotional arcs — she is drawn into a secret fight to uncover the truth behind a string of mysterious disappearances and supernatural disturbances.”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
The optimization aspect of the game is heavily emphasized, likening combat to a puzzle that rewards strategic thinking, similar to titles like "Into the Breach." While players may find the focus on achieving optimal solutions both engaging and occasionally frustrating, reports of technical issues and performance inconsistencies exist across platforms, though they do not significantly detract from the overall experience.
- “I've never really played a lot of tactics games, but the battles always feel like fun optimization puzzles, tightly designed to challenge but be possible to ace with a little thought.”
- “You don't have to ace each fight, but it feels like you're missing something if you don't spend as much time as possible pressing the puzzle for the most optimized solution, and that can make this frustrating and exhausting.”
- “A few technical issues and performance inconsistencies have been reported as well, depending on platform and settings, though none fundamentally undermine the experience.”
- “Combat is very focused around optimization, and feels in line with games like Into the Breach.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game's replayability is highly dependent on the player's mindset; those who enjoy meticulous planning and strategizing for each combat scenario may find it infinitely replayable, while others may feel it lacks replay value since most content can be completed in a single playthrough.
- “The variety of enemies, each with unique vulnerabilities and formations, requires meticulous planning for every fight, making the game infinitely replayable. The challenge of achieving the best outcome in each scenario keeps you coming back for more.”
- “With countless combat scenarios to confront, the need to strategize and adapt your approach ensures that no two playthroughs are the same, enhancing the game's replayability.”
- “The game's design encourages players to experiment with different strategies and team compositions, allowing for a fresh experience each time you play, which significantly boosts its replay value.”
- “There isn't much replayability since you can do everything in a single playthrough.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play again.”
- “The lack of different endings or choices makes replaying the game feel unnecessary.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is not directly addressed in the reviews, but players express a desire for clearer communication regarding gameplay mechanics, such as combat strategies, in promotional materials. This suggests that while the game may be enjoyable, the marketing could better align with player expectations.
- “The monetization model feels overly aggressive and detracts from the overall experience.”
- “I find it frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending extra money.”
- “The constant push for in-game purchases disrupts the flow of gameplay and makes it feel more like a cash grab than a genuine gaming experience.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with most users reporting smooth performance and only minor graphical glitches. However, a significant issue arises during the TV boss fight, where the game can freeze, preventing progress.
- “Runs great on my Ubuntu laptop, combat is well done, lots of amusing little dialog tidbits... really, no complaints.”
- “In the TV boss fight, the game freezes at roughly the halfway point, causing my character to become stuck and unable to continue.”
- “But overall it was stable aside from that and a few graphical glitches which righted themselves.”