New RPG With ‘Very Positive’ Reviews Channels Classic Persona Games

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The tactics RPG Demonschool, inspired by the Persona series, has launched on PC and consoles. The game takes place on a strange island where you’ll juggle college life with the challenge of hunting demons – a core element that clearly shows the influence of Persona.

Developed by Necrosoft Games in Oakland, California, Demonschool is a new tactical RPG where every move matters. The game focuses on quick, efficient combat, challenging players to finish battles in as few turns as possible. You play as Faye and a group of college students who balance fighting demons in other dimensions with the everyday challenges of university life. Many fans of the Persona series have expressed a desire for a game like this, featuring adult characters, and Demonschool delivers on that concept.

Demonschool Arrives on PC and Consoles with a Launch Discount

The strategy RPG Demonschool had its release date pushed back from September 3 due to the anticipation surrounding Hollow Knight: Silksong, similar to what happened with other independent games. It finally launched on November 19 for PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One & Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Normally priced at $24.99, Demonschool is currently 10% off for a limited time, making it $22.49. This discount is available on all platforms except the PlayStation Store, which requires a PS Plus membership to get the reduced price. The sale will end in early December 2025, with the specific date differing depending on where you purchase the game.

Early Demonschool Reviews Are Encouraging

Early reviews for Demonschool are mostly positive, giving it a “Strong” rating on OpenCritic with an average score of 75, and a recommendation from two-thirds of critics. Reviewers particularly like the game’s unique atmosphere, which mixes spooky horror with playful moments for a memorable experience. The way the game combines school life, demon hunting, and building relationships is also a hit, especially with fans of games like Persona that use similar systems. The art style, inspired by 70s Italian horror, is getting a lot of praise for its striking combination of 2D characters, 3D environments, and bright neon colors.

Demonschool’s Unique SRPG Combat Throws Stats and Grinding Out the Window

A key point of contention in Demonschool is its battle system. While it looks similar to Revelations: Persona with its overhead grid, the resemblance is mostly cosmetic. Developer Necrosoft made a deliberate choice to downplay character stats – everyone has low health, and damage is calculated simply. This means you won’t need to spend hours leveling up; winning depends on clever positioning, effective combos, and using status effects strategically. Some reviewers liked this because it makes the game easy to pick up and could attract more people to strategy RPGs. However, others felt it sometimes made Demonschool feel more like a puzzle game than a traditional tactics RPG. This is similar to criticism some reviewers had with Persona 5 Tactica in 2023.

Initial reactions to the game Demonschool match the positive reviews it’s been getting. On Steam, players have given it a “Very Positive” rating with over 500 reviews. The PlayStation 4 and 5 versions are also popular, earning a 4.72-star rating on the PlayStation Store. While there aren’t many reviews yet on the Xbox Store, the single review currently available gives the game a perfect 5-star rating as of November 30th.

With Atlus still keeping details about Persona 6 secret, Demonschool is a great example of how smaller studios can successfully capture the spirit of the Persona series. Developed by Necrosoft, the game combines the familiar elements of school life, social interactions, and JRPG battles, but with a focus on tactical combat and some bold design choices that simplify the experience.

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2025-12-01 06:04