DEAD OR SCHOOL Thumbnail

DEAD OR SCHOOL similar games & best alternatives

DEAD OR SCHOOL

PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2019

Related articles

Quick resume

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!

Global score

84/100

Genres

Action, Indie, Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up

Pros

  • Engaging combat with weapon variety
  • Interesting skill and upgrade systems
  • Long playtime and exploration
  • Charming anime art style
  • Immersive post-apocalyptic story

Cons

  • Some bugs and glitches reported
  • Camera zoom and platforming issues
  • Translation quality inconsistent
  • Combat can be janky at times
  • Story is predictable and corny

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    3

    "Players can customize weapons, skill trees, and playstyles, but progression and map access are somewhat linear."

  • Competence
    4

    "Combat requires skillful dodging and weapon management; bosses provide challenging tests of player ability."

  • Competition
    -3

    "Focus is on single-player progression and personal skill development without multiplayer or leaderboards."

  • Continuation
    3

    "Players report long playtime (~20-30 hours), grinding for upgrades, and replaying bosses, indicating sustained engagement."

  • Cooperation
    -5

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative multiplayer or team-based mechanics."

  • Creativity
    3

    "Players can customize weapons with mods and skill trees, experimenting with different builds and loadouts."

  • Domination
    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; gameplay is solo and focused on personal challenge."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Post-apocalyptic setting and anime story provide immersive distraction and fantasy escape from reality."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment; no indication of obligation or external pressure to play."

  • Experimenting
    3

    "Varied weapons, mods, and skill trees encourage players to try new combinations and strategies."

  • Exploration
    3

    "Metroidvania-style maps with collectibles, puzzles, and secrets encourage discovery and backtracking."

  • Expression
    2

    "Some character and weapon customization, but limited cosmetic personalization beyond loadouts."

  • Fantasy
    4

    "Anime-inspired post-apocalyptic fiction with exaggerated characters and improbable scenarios."

  • Fellowship
    -4

    "Minimal social interaction; game is focused on solo play and individual objectives."

  • Growth
    4

    "Skill trees, weapon upgrades, and character progression provide learning and development opportunities."

  • Health
    -4

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires focused attention during combat and platforming; not designed for casual or background play."

  • Intimacy
    -4

    "No close social relationships or emotional sharing; interactions limited to NPC dialogue."

  • Leadership
    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles; gameplay is individual and self-directed."

  • Progression
    4

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating weapons, upgrades, and skill points to enhance power."

  • Relaxation
    1

    "Gameplay can be tense and challenging but also rewarding; some players find it relaxing after mastering controls."

  • Sensation
    3

    "Visual and auditory stimuli from anime art style, music, and combat effects provide sensory engagement."

  • Status
    -4

    "No social status or recognition systems; achievements are personal and not publicly ranked."

  • Story
    3

    "Narrative with characters and plot provides engagement beyond isolated gameplay actions."

  • Strategy
    3

    "Players plan skill builds, weapon loadouts, and combat tactics to overcome challenges."

  • Thrill
    3

    "Boss fights and combat encounters provide suspense and excitement through difficulty spikes."

  • Value
    3

    "Players report good value especially on sale, with long playtime and content for price."

  • Violence
    4

    "Combat involves fighting and destroying mutant enemies with various weapons."

  • Survival
    3

    "Players manage resources like ammo and weapon durability, and avoid death to progress."

Similar games

    Last update: 06/03/2026