Whether you’ve been out of the education system for years or are still diligently returning each year, September has undeniable back to school vibes.
We’ve got the itch to return to some hallowed halls, but in an infinitely more fun way. We’ve had an ask around the Overclockers UK office and gathered five of our favourite games set in and around schools. (School gameplay not mandatory!)
The Sims 4 High School Years
Of course, we have to start with the ultimate simulation of school life courtesy of The Sims 4. The High School Years Expansion Pack lets us live out our teenage dreams, from sneaking out at night to dominating the school halls. Explore an almost overwhelming amount of new furniture, fashion, and decorations, whilst your teen Sim procrastinates about their homework.
This expansion pack offers incredible new gameplay too, letting you attend class in person (in Sim?), hang out in the cafeteria, and even decorate your locker. Plus, with lifetime milestones like prom and graduation, your teen Sim will have plenty to do and work for.
The Sims 4 High School Years Official Specifications
What is the course load for The Sims 4 High School Years? Here are the official specifications:
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 / 8.1* / 8 / 7 64-bit | Windows 10 / 8.1* / 8 / 7 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8GHz AMD Athlon 64 Dual-Core 4000+ | Intel Core i5 AMD Athlon X4 |
| Processors with Integrated Graphics | Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-62 2.0GHz | |
| Memory | 4GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce 6600 ATI Radeon X1300 Intel GMA X4500 128MB VRAM Pixel Shader 3.0 | NVIDIA GeForce 650 |
| DirectX | Version 9.0 | Version 9.0 |
| Network | Broadband Internet connection | Broadband Internet connection |
| Storage | 17GB available space | 18GB available space |
Like to know more about this expansion pack? Check out our dedicated article!
Two Point Campus
Perhaps your teenage dreams are already achieved, and you would rather play out a more administrative role. Two Point Campus is a management simulation where you build a university, but with a twist. From Two Point Studios, you know this game is going to have some bonkers content and punny one liners.
Add classes for Knight School, Gastronomy, and more delightfully absurd topics to your curriculum. But university isn’t all about the course load, you have to provide libraries, world-class academic staff, and, of course, the extra-curriculars. You can build clubs, societies, and music venues so your students are both learning and living their best lives.
Two Point Campus Official Specifications
Does your gaming PC meet the grade requirements to play Two Point Campus? Here are the official specifications:
| Component | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 7 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel Core i3 6100 AMD FX-4350 | Intel Core i5 6600 AMD Ryzen 1600x |
| Memory | 4GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 2GB Legacy: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 AMD RX550 2GB Legacy: AMD Radeon HD 6850 Integrated: Intel HD Graphics 630 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB Legacy: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 4GB AMD RX 580 4GB Legacy: AMD R9 290X 4GB |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 6GB available space | 6GB available space |
We love indie gaming and Two Point Studios. Our first Indie Showcase covers both! Watch as we shine a light on Two Point Hospital.
Monster Prom
Getting a date to the school dance is a rite of passage. In Monster Prom, you have three weeks to win the heart of your monster hottie in this comedic dating sim. There are four playable characters, six eligible bachelor/ettes, and over a thousand events to unlock – providing near endless replayability!
Every conversation and event offers a selection of answers, each with their own outcome. The right answer will have your sweetie swooning but the wrong one will give them the ick. You need to find out what makes this diverse collection of characters tick if you are going to win their hearts before prom. What’s more, the object of your affection is not restricted by gender or sexual orientation, monsters like monsters. Pick who vibes with you best!
Monster Prom Official Specifications
Is your gaming PC swoon-worthy or a walking red flag? Here are the official specifications:
| Component | Minimum Specs |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Window 7 |
| Processor | Anything from the last 5 years (Game launched in 2018) |
| Memory | 4GB RAM |
| Storage | 1GB available space |
Looking for more LGBTQ+ inclusive content? We got you, boo.
Persona 5 Royal
Moving onto our school-adjacent picks, we have Persona 5 Royal. Our protagonist is a high schooler, forced to transfer to a new school in Tokyo. But after a strange dream, he must save others from distorted desires. How? By donning the mask of a Phantom Thief. Conducting a casual heist between homework and studying is a must for every teen.
In this thrilling JRPG, you stage grand heists and try to infiltrate the minds of the corrupt in order to make them change their ways. Explore Tokyo and unlock Personas, whilst customising your own personal Thieves Den. What’s more, there are over forty items of downloadable content and alternate endings to discover. Persona 5 Royal will keep you gaming until your morning alarm!
Persona 5 Royal Official Specifications
Is your gaming PC ready to don the mask? Here are the official specifications:
| Component | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-4790 3.4GHz AMD Ryzen 5 1500X 3.5GHz | Intel Core i7-4790 3.4GHz AMD Ryzen 5 1500X 3.5GHz |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti 2GB AMD Radeon R7 360 2GB | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 2GB AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 41GB available space | 41GB available space |
| Additional Notes | Low 720p @ 60 FPS Requires a CPU which supports the AVX and SSE4.2 instruction set. | High 1080p @ 60 FPS |
Heist gameplay is always fun. That’s why we’re hyped for the latest instalment of the Payday Series!
Digimon Survive
Our final pick is Digimon Survive. A blend of visual novel and tactical RPG, this 2022 addition to the franchise is rife with mystery and dangerous monsters. You play as Takuma Momozuka, a kid who got lost on a school trip. He and his friends find themselves transported to a world inhabited by friend and foe, alike. There are Digimon to recruit, a unique cast of characters to befriend, and many secrets to uncover.
How you play will affect the outcome of your adventure. Who you befriend, you Digimon’s evolution, and the choices you make – it’s honestly the perfect excuse to keep replaying to see how different each playthrough is!
Digimon Survive Official Specifications
Can your gaming PC go toe to toe with Digimon? Here are the official specifications:
| Component | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-6300 AMD FX-4350 | Intel Core i7-6700K AMD Ryzen 3 |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 AMD Radeon HD 7850 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT |
| Storage | 15GB available space | 15GB available space |
| Additional Notes | Setting: Low | Setting: High |
If you’d like to learn more about Digimon Survive, our resident Digimon fanatic did a write up!
Back to School
For those of you who are heading back to school, be sure to check out all our helpful guides. We have gaming PCs, laptops, chairs, and peripherals that are perfect for your academic journey.
Refract Gaming Jade Pre-Built PC
Need a taster before you commit? The Refract Gaming Jade is one of our pre-built gaming PCs that have been crafted for 1080p and 1440p gaming. But, thanks to its 1TB SSD, this is the perfect gaming PC to handle all your classwork, too. The AMD Ryzen 7 7700 CPU utilises Zen 4 architecture and intelligent 32GB L3 cache, allowing you to write that paper, listen to some banging tunes, and have your research open all at the same time. It can also effortlessly handle your gaming needs when on your downtime, too.
What’s more, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti GPU will bring all these classic school-themed games to life, as well as all your other AAA favourites. With AI-enhanced DLSS and real time ray tracing, you can enjoy photorealistic graphics and immersive gameplay. Plus, with NVIDIA’s suite of software like Ansel and NVIDIA Studio, creative types can enjoy an optimised workflow, too!
Even better, the Refract Jade comes with a three years parts and labour warranty, to see you through college or university. Any unexpected repairs are covered, and you just have to worry about getting to class on time.
What’s more, we have some great deals for you to peruse!
Pack Up Your Pencils
Which is your favourite game to play for back to school vibes? Let us know in the comments below!
PC specs are subject to change.
- 8 min read
Emily Haylock
Author
Emily is a board and cosy gamer, keyboard obsessive, and content copywriter for Overclockers UK. She has been with Overclockers UK since 2020, writing about everything from noblechairs to 8Pack PCs. She writes from within her desk nest with a foster pup at her feet. (What, a desk duvet is a totally normal thing!) In her downtime, she likes to play board games, farming sims, and old-school Final Fantasy. IX to be specific. It is the best, and that is a hill she will die on.
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