10 Best School RPGs (2025)

Whether it’s a traditional school setting in the role playing games (RPGs), like a high school, college, or magical academy, or a social context where there’s some sort of school life, RPGs abound with all sorts of ideas. School RPGs are, indeed, prominent for experimenting with social dynamics, adolescence, and relationship challenges. 

School RPGs can be competitive among the students, in a contest, for instance, or even explore the pathway to growth and self-discovery. Better still, you can color outside the lines of the norm and explore supernatural concepts, including fighting monsters and secret societies. 

In any case, we’ve compiled the best school RPGs below that are either set in a traditional school or can be adapted for a school setting. 

10. Hogwarts Legacy

Ever wonder what Hogwarts looked like in the 1800s? Pretty much the same, as it turns out in Hogwarts Legacy. It’s an open-world action RPG that’s arguably the best way to enjoy the Harry Potter universe. Not to mention that you’ll be unraveling a brand-new story while still exploring familiar territory and characters. 

It takes place at Hogwarts, a fantasy wizarding school, where you’re a student with the key to an ancient secret that could potentially destroy the entire wizarding world. At its core, Hogwarts Legacy delivers, truly feeling like a wizard wielding your magical wand and destroying trolls, goblins, dark wizards, and all foes alike.

9. Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Just like Hogwarts Legacy, Fire Emblem: Three Houses may not be your usual school RPG. But it sure does school dynamics to a T. You have three competing houses at the prestigious Officer’s Academy. Each house has its unique personality and skills. 

As the professor, it’s up to you to determine which house you’ll choose, training and leading them to victory in intense turn-based RPG battles against one another. 

8. Bubblegumshoe

When compiling the best school RPGs, you’d be remiss to skip out on Bubblegumshoe. It features high school students who, through their extracurricular activities solving mysteries, mature into respectable adults. 

It’s almost like reliving the old high school days, when there were no cellphones and adventure lay over the horizon. Whatever haunted mansion you stumbled into or forest you got lost in, you somehow knew you’d make it through because of the best friends at your side.

7. Blue Reflection

Blue Reflection, on the other hand, may be a little far-fetched, but ultimately, a blast. Hinako Shirai, the protagonist, is a seemingly normal schoolgirl at Hoshinomiya Girls’ High School. She was recently in a tragic accident and is recovering from a leg injury. 

However, the magical sisters Yuzu and Lime come along and grant you a special power where you transform into a magical Reflector and protect the world from harm.

6. Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a unique take on the list of the best school RPGs. That’s because it’s not entirely a school RPG. However, you can definitely adapt it to a school setting, where you and your friends can embark on an adventure, and some of you choose to be students and the others teachers. 

You can make it a magical school because of all the fantasy creatures you’ll meet and the spells you can pull off. Plus, you’ll be unraveling lots of secrets, choosing the path of good versus evil as you tag along on the adventure.

5. Monster of the Week

Monster of the Week is another potentially fun school RPG with a unique twist. It has you taking a break from homework to hunt down the monsters haunting your high school. Even though other people believe monsters don’t exist, you take it upon yourself, your friends in tow, to keep all the high school beasties at bay. 

4. Alma Mater

Alma Mater may feel way past its time. But the 1982 RPG remains a treasure among fans of the genre. Plus, you can always port it to modern consoles for a more contemporary gaming experience. 

With several updates, this two-to-four-player game has you taking the role of headmasters of universities looking to make a name for themselves. It’s the 15th century, though. And so, the way you recruit students and staff, and interact with other schools, may be different from (and offer extra challenge) what you’re used to.

3. The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel

Next on the best school RPGs is The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel. It takes place at Thors Military Academy, where you can study liberal arts, sure, but also the art of war. 

Your character, Rean Schwarzer, while still in the first year, ends up in the controversial Class VII. Torn away from your classmates, you’re forced to adjust to a tougher syllabus, dealing with warfare, but also a political quagmire threatening the stability of the Erebonian Empire. 

2. Tokyo Xanadu eX+

Alternatively, check out Tokyo Xanadu eX+. It starts off with a high school student called Kou Tokisaka, whose worldview is changed when he discovers the nightmare realm called the Eclipse. Once again, potentially reliving potential school fantasies, Tokyo Xanadu eX+ presents a unique scenario of juggling between class and the magical world.

Suddenly, you’re given reprieve from completing assignments and meeting deadlines to explore the majestic Morimiya City, where you battle nightmarish monsters and train in dungeons to take on even more formidable beasts. But your adventure will be filled with so much more, including socializing with NPCs and forging alliances that may be your last line of defense against the Eclipse.

1. Persona 5 Royal

Lastly, we have Persona 5 Royal. It passes the vibe check for teenage drama and complex social dynamics. The setting and story, too, are pretty interesting, giving you a mask to don and become a Phantom Thief. When class is in session, you’re an ordinary student. But outside of class, you become a master thief, orchestrating the most daring heists. 

But you’re also a hero, investigating the morally corrupt, while enjoying some downtime building friendships and romancing the exciting NPCs you meet along the way.