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Dead or School
Dead or School often intrigues in appearance, but never quite capitalises on the unique blend of the mundane. Technical issues bog down the core experience, and the lack of restriction or respect for the rest of the content sours what could have been a thoroughly enjoyable romp through the underground.
Dead or School is an interesting and ambitious RPG with hack and slash elements that features a surprisingly interesting plot and a good, sharp, fun combat system. The game's limitations are obvious, however, and the game's performance isn't always the sharpest but fans of RPGs will appreciate this effort.
Dead or School’s combat can be fun in (very) short bursts, but it all ultimately falls flat hard and fast. It has the pacing of a freemium mobile game that’s dragging itself thin, begging you to spend money to speed it up. Except you can’t even do that to shorten your own suffering. With a larger budget and community feedback, I’m sure this team can deliver an excellent experience, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find that here.
7
ket
Dead or School has a lot of fun elements about it but om Switch at least it is marred by an incredible amount of jank including falling through solid objects and Hisako's automatic "hop up" animation causing real problems if near gaps, resulting in her endlessly "hopping" to her death if shes knocked down near an edge without you managing to double jump yourself out of trouble. The default control scheme is horrible and levels become labyrinth's of annoyance due to the jank and over intricate platforming for what is meant to be a run and gun/hack n slash, and what can be extreme difficulty spikes with some mini games where you become frustrated not by genuine, fair, difficulty but cheap artificial difficulty done just to annoy not challenge. On top of these things is a clumsy, downright poor UI making the skill tree difficult to see and weapons/add-ons for weapons a nightmare to manage. Don't pay the £40+ this costs new physically, or the £25+ for it second hand or digitally, its not deserving of that due to the lack of polish. If you can find it for £10 or so, sure, otherwise think very carefully before purchasing.
10
jorotaar
Lo disfruté, es buen juego,es mentira que es mal juego, que aburre, jueguenlo. le van a gustar
9
mdarthur
Dead or School is a hidden gem that delivers a surprisingly engaging experience, blending action, platforming, and RPG elements with a generous dose of humor and sensuality. Fluid and Fun Gameplay - The game's greatest strength lies in its fluid gameplay, especially the combat. The variety of weapons, with the sword standing out, offers dynamic and exciting action that keeps players hooked. Platforming: The Weak Link - On the downside, the platforming sections are somewhat tedious. While they don’t ruin the overall experience, they could have been more refined, particularly in level design. Story: Cliché but Captivating - The narrative of Dead or School doesn’t break new ground. Yes, it’s a post-apocalyptic cliché, but if you set aside preconceived notions and allow yourself to immerse in the story, it becomes an epic and deeply captivating experience. The game’s exploration of morality, showing that there’s no absolute good or evil but rather different perspectives, is reminiscent of classics like The Walking Dead and Terminator. This depth is unexpected, given the game’s otherwise lighthearted tone. Humor and Sensuality - The humor is well-timed and serves as a welcome break from the chaos, effectively balancing the apocalyptic setting. Additionally, the game doesn’t shy away from exploring the sensuality of its female characters. While divisive, this aspect feels deliberate and unashamed, contributing to the game’s unique identity. Real-World References - Another notable aspect is the inclusion of iconic Tokyo landmarks, such as Tokyo Tower and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. These references create a tangible connection to the setting, making exploration even more enjoyable. Replayability and Trophies - After completing the story, the game falls short in terms of post-game content. There isn’t much to do beyond revisiting areas or perfecting your combat skills. However, earning the platinum trophy is incredibly satisfying, as most trophies come naturally and there are no missable ones—a relief for completionists. Final Verdict: Overall, Dead or School offers an excellent experience. Despite some flaws in the platforming sections and a story that initially feels cliché, the game redeems itself with its dynamic combat, charismatic characters, engaging narrative, and a world that blends fantasy with reality. It’s a journey worth taking, especially for those seeking something off the beaten path.

Dead or School

Released On: 
Mar 13, 2020
Metascore
65
User score
Generally Favorable
7.7
My Score
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Metascore
33% Positive
3 Reviews
44% Mixed
4 Reviews
22% Negative
2 Reviews
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
Mar 13, 2020
80
Nintendo Life
For some, the technical jank may be enough to put them off engaging with Dead or School fully. That’d be a real shame, though; allow yourself to get wrapped up in the narrative, the mechanics, the piles of loot, the beautifully designed stages and the game’s wonderful sense of style, and there’s something truly special to enjoy here; an honest-to-goodness hidden gem if ever there was one.
Mar 15, 2020
79
Hobby Consolas
Dead or School is a game with limited budget, and that sings from afar: animations, videos, repetitive backgrounds... lots of things could be better. But the important, its metroidvania gameplay it's fun and systems like the weapon upgrade are deep and works better. Add a craziness layer, and you've got a simple but enjoyable game.
User score
Generally Favorable
63% Positive
12 Ratings
26% Mixed
5 Ratings
11% Negative
2 Ratings
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
Feb 13, 2025
10
jorotaar
Lo disfruté, es buen juego,es mentira que es mal juego, que aburre, jueguenlo. le van a gustar
Nov 21, 2023
10
LockAqua
It's clunky at times, and the premise is certainly odd and stereotypically anime-y, but it's generally a super fun action platformer.
Mar 18, 2020
73
SpazioGames
Dead or School is a bit of a hidden and unpolished gem on the Nintendo Switch, but we found that its pros (battle system, level design and loads of contents) far outweigh the cons.
Apr 30, 2020
70
FNintendo
Dead or School is an interesting and ambitious RPG with hack and slash elements that features a surprisingly interesting plot and a good, sharp, fun combat system. The game's limitations are obvious, however, and the game's performance isn't always the sharpest but fans of RPGs will appreciate this effort.
Mar 15, 2020
65
God is a Geek
If you enjoy gameplay focused experiences and can tolerate some jank, Dead or School will be worth getting when it drops in price.
Apr 2, 2020
45
Noisy Pixel
Dead or School’s combat can be fun in (very) short bursts, but it all ultimately falls flat hard and fast. It has the pacing of a freemium mobile game that’s dragging itself thin, begging you to spend money to speed it up. Except you can’t even do that to shorten your own suffering. With a larger budget and community feedback, I’m sure this team can deliver an excellent experience, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find that here.
May 18, 2020
30
Switch Player
Dead or School often intrigues in appearance, but never quite capitalises on the unique blend of the mundane. Technical issues bog down the core experience, and the lack of restriction or respect for the rest of the content sours what could have been a thoroughly enjoyable romp through the underground.
See All 9 Critic Reviews
Jan 5, 2025
9
mdarthur
Dead or School is a hidden gem that delivers a surprisingly engaging experience, blending action, platforming, and RPG elements with a generous dose of humor and sensuality. Fluid and Fun Gameplay - The game's greatest strength lies in its fluid gameplay, especially the combat. The variety of weapons, with the sword standing out, offers dynamic and exciting action that keeps players hooked. Platforming: The Weak Link - On the downside, the platforming sections are somewhat tedious. While they don’t ruin the overall experience, they could have been more refined, particularly in level design. Story: Cliché but Captivating - The narrative of Dead or School doesn’t break new ground. Yes, it’s a post-apocalyptic cliché, but if you set aside preconceived notions and allow yourself to immerse in the story, it becomes an epic and deeply captivating experience. The game’s exploration of morality, showing that there’s no absolute good or evil but rather different perspectives, is reminiscent of classics like The Walking Dead and Terminator. This depth is unexpected, given the game’s otherwise lighthearted tone. Humor and Sensuality - The humor is well-timed and serves as a welcome break from the chaos, effectively balancing the apocalyptic setting. Additionally, the game doesn’t shy away from exploring the sensuality of its female characters. While divisive, this aspect feels deliberate and unashamed, contributing to the game’s unique identity. Real-World References - Another notable aspect is the inclusion of iconic Tokyo landmarks, such as Tokyo Tower and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. These references create a tangible connection to the setting, making exploration even more enjoyable. Replayability and Trophies - After completing the story, the game falls short in terms of post-game content. There isn’t much to do beyond revisiting areas or perfecting your combat skills. However, earning the platinum trophy is incredibly satisfying, as most trophies come naturally and there are no missable ones—a relief for completionists. Final Verdict: Overall, Dead or School offers an excellent experience. Despite some flaws in the platforming sections and a story that initially feels cliché, the game redeems itself with its dynamic combat, charismatic characters, engaging narrative, and a world that blends fantasy with reality. It’s a journey worth taking, especially for those seeking something off the beaten path.
Jul 2, 2021
9
Meeuwke84
Addictive game, its funny, has pretty cool artwork and is a overall fun experience. If you like rpgs and hack & slash than this is a game for you.
Jan 19, 2024
7
ket
Dead or School has a lot of fun elements about it but om Switch at least it is marred by an incredible amount of jank including falling through solid objects and Hisako's automatic "hop up" animation causing real problems if near gaps, resulting in her endlessly "hopping" to her death if shes knocked down near an edge without you managing to double jump yourself out of trouble. The default control scheme is horrible and levels become labyrinth's of annoyance due to the jank and over intricate platforming for what is meant to be a run and gun/hack n slash, and what can be extreme difficulty spikes with some mini games where you become frustrated not by genuine, fair, difficulty but cheap artificial difficulty done just to annoy not challenge. On top of these things is a clumsy, downright poor UI making the skill tree difficult to see and weapons/add-ons for weapons a nightmare to manage. Don't pay the £40+ this costs new physically, or the £25+ for it second hand or digitally, its not deserving of that due to the lack of polish. If you can find it for £10 or so, sure, otherwise think very carefully before purchasing.
Jun 9, 2022
3
Dreamscanner
La historia es bastante buena pero el juego en si se vuelve muy tedioso, dura demasiado sinceramente, hay muchas peleas que sobran y relleno de por medio, el apartado artístico es malo, se ve que el juego no contó con suficiente presupuesto, las físicas tampoco son algo destacable, las voces están bien pero que lastima, les hubiera quedado un juego muy bueno sin tanto relleno innecesario.
See All 6 User Reviews
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Summary Underground dwelling girl Hisako is aiming for the surface in a zombie infested Tokyo. Hack and slash RPG! Obtain weapons and gear from enemies, and customize your skill tree to create your own unique and powerful a character.
Rated Mfor Mature
  • PC
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PlayStation 4
Mar 13, 2020
  • Studio Nanafushi
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