Demonschool Review: Is This the Best Strategy RPG of the Year?!

College. It's a time of discovery, late-night study sessions, questionable ramen choices, and… fighting demons? At least, that's the curriculum at Demonschool, Necrosoft Games' unique tactical RPG that throws you into a whirlwind of supernatural studies and end-of-the-world anxieties. I recently sunk a good chunk of time into the PC version, and let me tell you, it’s an experience unlike anything I’ve played this year.

Demonschool Review: Is This the Best Strategy RPG ...

Hemsk Island, the setting for Demonschool, is a wonderfully realized college town dripping with Y2K-era vibes. Think CRT monitors, chunky tech, and a general sense of impending digital doom – all wrapped up in a vibrant, slightly unsettling package. The sheer number of activities is almost overwhelming: you can fish, cook, read tea leaves, even try your luck at repairing broken arcade machines. But let's be honest, the real draw is the tactical demon disposal. While some of the side activities feel a little shallow, it's the core combat, coupled with a striking visual and auditory style and a charming found-family narrative, that truly elevates Demonschool.

You play as Faye, a freshman with a lineage of demon hunters. She arrives on Hemsk Island just in time to learn that a prophecy predicts the world's end in a matter of weeks. Naturally, it's up to her (and you) to prevent it. The gameplay loop involves assembling a quirky team of classmates, tackling weekly assignments (both academic and demon-slaying), and piecing together the mystery behind the sudden surge in demonic activity. It's a surprisingly compelling mix of slice-of-life college sim and strategic combat.

The character roster is a major highlight. Each student brings a unique skillset and personality to the table. Aina, the tough-as-nails daughter of a crime lord, quickly became one of my go-to party members. But others, like Mercy, who commands beasts on the battlefield, or Henk, who literally throws desks at enemies (yes, you read that right!), offer equally compelling options. Building relationships with these characters between missions adds a rewarding social layer to the gameplay, too. I genuinely cared about these digital weirdos.

Now, I’ll be honest, Demonschool does have a bit of a slow burn. The first few weeks can feel a little grindy as you slowly build up your party and unlock new abilities. You spend a fair amount of time fighting and interacting with the same few characters early on, which can be a tad repetitive. But trust me, stick with it. Once the game finds its rhythm, the tactical combat really shines. It might seem intimidating at first, but once you grasp the nuances of movement and attack chaining, it becomes incredibly rewarding.

The tactical battles are all about planning and execution. You enter a planning phase where you strategically position your team, chaining attacks and movements together to maximize damage and control the battlefield. The goal is to eliminate enough demons to fill a meter, allowing you to seal them away before they break through the barrier into our world. The rules for movement, side-stepping, and attacks require thoughtful consideration, making Demonschool a surprisingly demanding tactical experience. But when you successfully navigate a horde of demons, unleashing devastating manga-style combos, it's an electrifying feeling. Demonschool provides you with the tools you need to find interesting solutions. It's a great game.