Demonschool is a school-life tactical RPG with devilish vibes coming next year

School life as a demon hunter

Fans of both Shin Megami Tensei and its sister series Persona get to see the two combine in a new indie project. Necrosoft Games’ Demonschool mixes school life, tactical RPGs, and horror cinema into a devilish blend coming next year.

Announced during today’s PC Gaming Show, Necrosoft’s new RPG is coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch alongside the PC and Steam Deck.

Demonschool follows freshman Faye, the last in a line of demon hunters. During her time at school, she’ll have to juggle socializing with fighting possessed students and preventing summoning rituals. You know, an average school day at the college for supernatural investigators.

In battles, Faye and her crew can tackle the undead in tactical combat. And outside the brawls, you can forge and strengthen relationships, building bonds that can carry back around. Sprinkle in some visual influence from classic Italian horror films, and you’ve got Demonschool.

Demon school’s out for summer

As someone that loves tactical RPGs, social links, and Shin Megami Tensei, this is incredibly up my alley. For years I’ve been hoping for a successor to Atlus’ Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor series, and Demonschool seems prepared to deliver it.

Not to simply heap the hopes and expectations of SMT comparisons on this project, though. Demonschool seems like it’s doing its own thing as much as it’s drawing from others. Encounters use a system where movement equals action and decisions can be rewound. One fighter can throw foes into another’s dash, causing a damaging one-two punch of collision. And outside the fights, you can study, acquire allies, and uncover romance, intrigue, and even multiple endings.

The visual layer adds that wonderful finishing touch of classic horror. In a press release, Necrosoft says Demonschool “worships at the altar” of classic Italian horror films from the ’60s and ’70s. Visually, that means pixel art with monstrous 3D ghoulies and a spooky atmosphere.

It’s a really compelling pitch that’s quickly launched Demonschool to the top of my to-watch list from this summer of video game showcases. Demonschool will launch for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC in 2023.