Demonschool set to release later this year

I think it is polite when I say, I’ve not had the nicest relationship with JRPGs. In the past, I saw them as insufferable tosh with characters so flowery and useless I’d sooner be defeating god myself than with the power of friendship. The limited number of JRPG/JRPG-inspired games I’ve played can probably be counted on one hand, but that doesn’t mean some don’t excite me. Just look at Sea of Stars, but the latest one to really interest me has been Necrosoft Games and Ysbryd Games’ Demonschool, a “school-life tactics RPG with hints of Persona, Shin Megami Tensei, and Italian horror cinema.“

Well, Demonschool was part of the Galaxies Gaming Showcase late last week, which was about as advertised as a cropduster fart in a lift (“elevator” for the Americans). During the showcase, we finally got a note on a release window for this strange little tactics RPG that I’m oddly excited about. This is what the press release had to say:

“Demonschool, the school-life tactics RPG with hints of Persona, Shin Megami Tensei, and Italian horror cinema from developer Necrosoft Games and publisher Ysbryd Games (WORLD OF HORROR, VA-11 HALL-A), kicks off the first day of class on PlayStation 5|4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows PC via Steam and Epic Games Store [in] Q3 2025, as seen during [Thursday]’s Galaxies Gaming Showcase.” So is that both Switches or just the original? We don’t really know, I’d assume the first Switch with the possibility of being backwards compatible later.

The press release goes on to list buzzwords, one after another all to make you excited about the release, “Outlast the horrors of a semester at a haunted island university as bold freshman Faye, the last practicing demon hunter from a legendary family. Encounter the supernatural in investigations alongside newfound allies, battle-possessed humans, demons, and other creeps in grid-based battles, and seal the monsters away before the human world is lost forever.

Hunt gruesome devils and bosses inspired by ‘60s and ’70s Italian horror cinema and Japanese horror manga as 2D and 3D realms clash, washed in the fluorescent hues of JRPG giants like Shin Megami Tensei and Persona. Master a chess-like tactical board inspired by Into the Breach and form strategies to take down Hell’s deadliest creatures.” So what you’re saying is, this could have been done in bullet points? It’s just the buzzword,s then a couple of explanations/comparisons. In contrast, the Galaxies Gaming Showcase trailer focused on minigames that weren’t mentioned.

Eventually, there is something actually useful, as it goes on to explain how the combat will work. “Map out moves in the Planning phase, utilizing classmates’ strengths to position them for success. Rewind and redo actions to perfect the turn, then move on to the Action phase to set all attacks, heals, and special powers off simultaneously,” which could be interesting if pulled off right, or slow and a little tiresome if not.

However, I think this will be the bit that gets the Persona people happy: “Create captivating combos when characters collide as bonds grow between the battle party. Befriend, romance, and recruit 15 different playable characters, each with distinct abilities to strengthen the team. Debuff and stun enemies with Namako’s quick dashes, and deal heavy damage with Ti’s rock attacks. Boost the party’s skills by balancing class schedules, training, extracurriculars, side quests, and more, all while maintaining a stellar GPA.“

Creative Director at Necrosoft Games, Brandon Sheffield, said of the announcement: “After a few delays, we have finally shaped Demonschool into the game we set out to create. We’d like to thank our audience for supporting us through the development process and can’t wait for them to fish out every little detail the island has to offer.“

I think it was during my angry “The PC Gaming Show (2022) needs to change” editorial that I first noted an interest in the striking style of Demonschool. Maybe not in as many words, but from the start, I’ve certainly been intrigued by Demonschool‘s art direction and premise. While obviously having those comparisons to draw on, I think there is at least something unique and exciting about it.

The trailer notes of a “Summer 2025” release, with the aforementioned press release notes that Demonschool will be releasing in Q3 2025. That’s July-September, which could be a good time to release ahead of October and Halloween for the horror themes. Demonschool will be released on PlayStation 5 and 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, with support for English, French, Spanish, Japanese, and simplified Chinese.