Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 76 | 144 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 92% | 86 | 538 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 59 | 16 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 86% | 80 | 84 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (May 23, 2026) · 84 reviews sampled · 78 total reviews in window · weighted 53.9 up / 8.8 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (82)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“The tactical RPG Demonschool was certainly worth the wait after numerous delays on the Nintendo Switch. The game's puzzle-based combat and comedic tones distinguish it from the retro influences it honors with a loving wink, and it never wears out its welcome.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“Overall, I did enjoy my time with Demonschool. Its vibrant cast of characters and fun take on the Killing School Life genre helped elevate the journey, but the needless amount of combat, lack of meaningful variety or rewards, and bugs soured the experience somewhat. While Demonschool is a worthy addition to the genre, I am more excited to see what comes next.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Demonschool has been on my list of most anticipated games since I first saw it at PAX East a few years ago. The game didn’t disappoint. The battle mechanic is definitely the strongest aspect of the game, with this strategy-like implementation that feels like playing chess. But one doesn’t have to be an expert in strategy games to enjoy Demonschool, as the rewind ability allows me to think through my moves before committing to them. Pair this mechanic with a fun story and an interesting progression system, and it’s the making of a stellar game.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“The Necrosoft Games title mixes absurd humor with horror in an experience where tactical planning and demons coexist on a university campus. Demonschool offers something different, but not too far removed from other well-known titles in the genre, such as the Persona series. However, I find it much more accessible, leaving aside the complexity of the battles and the density of the extracurricular activities.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“You might wonder if Demonschool is winking at us, aware of how it contorts itself to pack Faye’s calendar and conjures the illusion of freedom. Shortly after Faye arrives at Hemsk College, she squares up to deadlift a barbell. A dialogue tree presents you with two choices: lift the weight, or put it back down. “I told you it was nuanced,” Faye tells her recently minted best friend. Demonschool, like the exercise bit, is fun and funny. But nuanced? I’m not so sure.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Demonschool is a surprisingly rich game for anyone who enjoys isometric RPGs with turn-based combat and a retro pixel art style. It features plenty of dialogue and battles, and it certainly doesn’t rush you through anything. Look forward to an above-average playtime, and you’ll also encounter some horror elements. If you want to take a break from the main storyline while playing, there are plenty of side activities, as well as sometimes absurd dark humor. Last but not least, the game is peppered with all sorts of pop culture references that connoisseurs are sure to appreciate. If you’re looking for something like Persona or Into the Breach and you love pixel art, you’ve come to the right place.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Demonschool is a lot of fun and provides a challenging, yet accessible strategic landscape. The mild horror elements pair well with the relaxed and somewhat goofy tone of the story, and the art style is well-suited to the late '90s setting.On the whole, Demonschool feels well-polished and thoughtfully constructed: a huge relief after the game's multiple delays!”
read full review ↗ - 80
“With a charming battle system that focuses on strategic positioning and keeps players thinking, there’s a lot to like in this wonderful indie title, with only the occasional pacing issue due to a meticulous adherence to its calendar system holding it back at all.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Demonschool is a game for those who love nuance, antics, and those who like to embrace a sense of individuality. A game for those who have no problem accepting individuals for what they are.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Demonschool is stylish and irreverent. Grotesque foes are contrasted by the bright hues and neon stylings akin to a retrowave album cover, and the shifting electronic soundscape enhances the mood in any given scene. There are some minor pitfalls in terms of battle difficulty, but there’s enough depth and visual flair to keep things interesting. Demonschool is positively bursting with heart and energy.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“I can’t say enough good things about Demonschool. From story to graphics to mechanics, the game is absolutely riveting. The more I played it, the more I liked it, and the more I thought about it the more I liked it, too. I’m glad the game got delayed because I hate to think of it launching and getting buried by another very good game… but launching now, you have a chance to get into it after you’ve already played the other big indie titles released this year.”
read full review ↗ - 42
“I kept waiting for Demonschool to really impress me, especially in its writing. I wanted to fall for its demon-hunting crew and find myself entranced by its take on demonology. I wanted to study up on devils and ghouls alongside them, perform cool rituals, and maybe even learn awesome new slaying techniques. I wanted, maybe even expected, it to sweep me off my feet with a rich and constantly evolving fiction. Instead, what I got often felt like pastiche, well-intentioned, and lovingly handcrafted, but misshapen and hollow all the same.”
read full review ↗
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Patch history
- The Steam-specific update, and Summer Sale!Jun 25, 2026
- The BIG free updateMay 23, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Last day of Spring sale, and update soon!?Mar 24, 2026
- Demonschool's third big rollup patchDec 20, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Demonschool's second big post release patchNov 29, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Demonschool's first big post release patchNov 22, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Demonschool Demo: Its patch time!Jun 14, 2024
- We've updated our demo for TactiCon!May 11, 2023