Let's School

Lore & Background

Let's School was developed by Pathea Games, the studio best known for My Time at Portia. The game began as a passion project for a single team member, and the studio later moved members of the Portia team to assist in its development. The game offers two primary modes: a career mode that guides players toward objectives, and a sandbox mode that allows building with little to no limitation.

In the game, the player assumes control of a school principal who must build the campus from scratch, design the curriculum for each form, recruit teachers, and manage crises. The gameplay is a blend of simulation and strategy, focusing on the administrative and logistical aspects of running a school.

According to Metacritic, Let's School received "mixed or average" reviews. Critics noted that while the game has fun and cute ideas, its implementation can be rough, and its charm may not last long before becoming monotonous. Some reviewers felt the game treats school life as purely transactional, missing the humanity of the setting, while others described it as a deep and engaging but somewhat soulless simulator.

Reader's Guide

Let's School occupies a niche within the campus management simulation genre, offering a detailed administrative experience that emphasizes building, curriculum design, and crisis management. Its release on multiple platforms in 2024 expanded its accessibility beyond the initial PC launch. The game's reception, described as "mixed or average" by Metacritic, reflects a divide between its engaging structural depth and a perceived lack of emotional warmth. Critics such as Stephanie Liu noted that the game's charm can fade into monotonous routine, while Jade Sayers criticized its treatment of school life as purely transactional, stripping away individuality. Trent Cannon characterized it as a deep but soulless simulator. Despite these critiques, the game's sandbox mode and career mode provide flexibility for players who enjoy strategic management without narrative constraints. Its development as a passion project within Pathea Games, supported by the studio's experience from My Time at Portia, underscores its origin as a labor of love that nonetheless struggled to sustain its initial appeal. The game's legacy lies in its attempt to balance simulation depth with the unique setting of a school, a challenge that critics felt was only partially successful.

Did You Know?

• The game started as a passion project for a single member of Pathea Games.
• It was released for PC in July 2023 and for consoles on July 16, 2024.
• The game features both a career mode and a sandbox mode.