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Video games set in a school environment have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering players a chance to relive the joys and challenges of adolescence in a virtual setting.
From RPGs to visual novels to horror games, a wide variety of school-based games are available to players of all ages and interests. This list contains the best video games set in a school, each presenting a unique perspective on the school environment.
Whether you’re looking to attend a magical school of witchcraft and wizardry, solve a murder mystery in a twisted high school, or simply navigate the challenges of high school life, there’s a game on this list for you.
Persona 4 Golden (2012)
Persona 4 Golden is a critically acclaimed RPG that takes place in a high school setting in the rural town of Inaba. The player takes on the role of a transfer student involved in a murder investigation after a string of bizarre deaths occurs in the town.
The game’s unique blend of dungeon-crawling, social simulation, and turn-based combat makes it a standout title. The game has a cast of memorable characters, including the player’s classmates and other people they meet throughout the game. With a vibrant art style, an unforgettable soundtrack, and a deep and engaging story, Persona 4 Golden is a must-play for fans of RPGs and school-based games.
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc (2010)
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc is a visual novel in a high school where the player and their classmates are trapped and forced to participate in a deadly game of murder and deception. The game’s story is full of twists and turns, as the player tries to uncover the truth behind the murders and escape the school. The game’s unique cast of characters, each with their own motivations and secrets, makes it a standout title. With a blend of mystery, humor, and horror, Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc is a must-play for fans of visual novels and school-based games.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses (2019)
Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a strategy RPG that takes place in a school for warriors called the Officers Academy. The player character serves as a teacher and must guide their students as they prepare for battle against a looming threat. The game features a rich cast of characters, each with their own unique personalities and backgrounds, and a branching story that changes depending on the player’s choices. With engaging tactical gameplay, deep character development, and a compelling story, Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a must-play for fans of strategy RPGs and school-based games.
Bully (2006)
Bully is an action-adventure game that has players take on the role of a teenage boy named Jimmy as he attends a rough boarding school called Bullworth Academy. The game is known for its open-world gameplay and humorous take on school life. The player must navigate the school’s social hierarchy, attend classes, and complete missions while dealing with bullies, teachers, and other students.
With a unique setting, engaging gameplay, and a fun sense of humor, Bully is a must-play for fans of open-world games and school-based games.
The Sims 4 Discover University (2019)
The Sims 4: Discover University is an expansion pack for The Sims 4 that allows players to send their sims to college. The pack introduces new gameplay elements such as attending lectures, studying for exams, and joining campus organizations. Players can choose between two universities, each with their own unique features, and guide their sims through the challenges of college life.
With deep simulation gameplay and a variety of new features, The Sims 4: Discover University is a must-play for fans of simulation games and school-based games.
Hogwarts Legacy (2022)
Hogwarts Legacy is an action RPG set in the wizarding world of Harry Potter, specifically at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Players create their own wizard and attend classes, learn spells, and explore the magical world around them.
The game has a deep and engaging story, with the player’s choices affecting certain aspects of the game. Hogwarts Legacy is a great school-based game with an immersive world, compelling gameplay, and the beloved Harry Potter franchise as a backdrop.
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Life is Strange (2015)
Life is Strange is an episodic adventure game that follows a teenage girl named Max who discovers she has the power to rewind time. The game is set in a high school in Oregon, and the story revolves around Max’s attempts to save her town from destruction.
The game’s narrative is a mix of mystery, drama, and sci-fi elements, as the player navigates Max’s relationships with her friends and uncovers the dark secrets hidden beneath the surface of the town. With a unique time-traveling mechanic, beautiful art style, and an emotional story, Life is Strange is a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games and school-based games.
Doki Doki Literature Club! (2017)
Doki Doki Literature Club! is a psychological horror game disguised as a dating sim. The player takes on the role of a high school student who joins the school’s literature club and interacts with its members. The game’s narrative is full of unexpected twists and turns, and the player’s choices have real consequences on the story.
The game’s unique style, which combines cutesy anime visuals with disturbing horror elements, makes it a standout title in the genre. Overall, Doki Doki Literature Club is a must-play for fans of psychological horror and games that subvert expectations.
Monster Prom (2018)
Monster Prom is a multiplayer dating sim that has players attend a monster high school and try to win the affection of one of six potential romantic partners. The game has a lighthearted, humorous tone and features over-the-top characters such as a demon, a vampire, and a ghost.
The game’s multiplayer mode allows players to compete against each other for the attention of their chosen monster. With its unique premise, colorful art style, and quirky characters, Monster Prom is a must-play for fans of dating sims and school-based games.
Kindergarten (2017)
Kindergarten is an adventure game that has players take on the role of a child in a dysfunctional school. The player must navigate the school’s bizarre rules and try solving puzzles to progress through the game. The game has a dark humor, with the player’s actions often having unintended consequences. With its offbeat style and challenging puzzles, Kindergarten is a must-play for fans of indie puzzle games and school-based games.
High School Musical: Sing It! (2007)
High School Musical: Sing It! is a music game based on the popular Disney Channel movie franchise. Players can sing along to songs from the movies, as well as compete against friends in multiplayer modes.
The game has a colorful, upbeat style that captures the spirit of the movies. With its catchy tunes and fun gameplay, High School Musical: Sing It! is a must-play for fans of music games and school-based games.
Corpse Party (1996)
Corpse Party is a horror game set in a haunted high school in Japan. The game has a unique visual style and is known for its gruesome deaths and atmospheric tension. The player takes on the role of a group of students trapped in the school after performing a ritual.
The game’s narrative is divided into chapters, with the player trying to uncover the dark secrets behind the school and survive its horrors. With its intense horror elements and engaging story, Corpse Party is a must-play for fans of horror games and school-based games.
Final Fantasy VIII (1999)
Final Fantasy VIII is a classic RPG that features a school setting where the player characters attend a military academy—at least, that’s how it starts. The game’s story revolves around a conflict between two nations and the revelation of hidden secrets. The game’s combat system uses a unique Junction system, where players can equip magic spells to boost their stats.
The game has a memorable cast of characters, including the player’s classmates and other people they meet throughout the game. With its engaging combat, epic story, and memorable characters, Final Fantasy VIII is a must-play for fans of RPGs and school-based games.
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Yandere School (2014)
Yandere School is a stealth game with players taking on the role of a schoolgirl secretly obsessed with a classmate. The player must eliminate other potential love interests and avoid getting caught by teachers and other students. The game has a unique visual style and dark humor to it, with the player’s actions often resulting in comically over-the-top deaths. With its unique premise and challenging gameplay, Yandere School is a must-play for fans of stealth games and school-based games.
Blue Reflection (2017)
Blue Reflection is an RPG that follows a group of high school girls who gain magical powers and must fight off monsters. The game has a strong emphasis on character development and personal growth as the girls navigate the challenges of both high school life and their new magical responsibilities.
The game’s combat system uses a unique emotional power system, where the characters’ emotional states affect their abilities in battle. With its engaging story, beautiful visuals, and emphasis on personal growth, Blue Reflection is a must-play for fans of RPGs and school-based games.
Little Nightmares II (2021)
Little Nightmares II is a horror platformer that has players take on the role of a young boy named Mono as he navigates a creepy school filled with dangerous traps and grotesque monsters. This is at least where it starts.
The game’s art style and atmospheric tension are its standout features, with the player constantly feeling on edge as they explore the dark and foreboding environments.
The game’s story is mysterious and open to interpretation, with players piecing together clues and unraveling the game’s dark secrets as they progress. With its unique blend of horror and platforming gameplay, Little Nightmares II is a must-play for fans of atmospheric games and school-based games.