Compile Heart Preps School RPG by Megami Tensei Co-Creator Okada

Compile Heart, a Japanese game developer known for its RPG titles, plans to fully reveal a new school RPG on January 29. The project comes from Kouji Okada, who co-created the Megami Tensei and Persona series at Atlus. He leads the team as project producer. A teaser site went live recently, building excitement ahead of the announcement.

Background

Kouji Okada helped shape some of Japan's most famous role-playing games. He worked at Atlus as a co-founder and played a key role in starting the Megami Tensei series back in the early 1990s. That series grew into a huge franchise with spin-offs like Persona, which mixed school life stories with demons and tough choices. Okada left Atlus years ago but stayed active in game development. Now at age 61, he returns with this new project at Compile Heart, the studio behind the Neptunia games. Those games often play with RPG tropes in fun ways, set in worlds full of game consoles and characters.

The teaser calls this game Okada's 'final message to the next generation.' It hints at a school setting with deeper themes. Compile Heart launched the teaser website this week, complete with a short trailer. The video shows quick cuts of school scenes mixed with strange effects like glitches and flashes of red. People in the clips look scared, and there are hints of mutation or dark creatures. No platforms or release dates have been shared yet, but eyes turn to PlayStation 5 and others given the studio's history.

Okada's past work set standards for story-driven RPGs. Megami Tensei games put players in end-of-world scenarios where they summon demons to fight. Persona took that idea to high schools, blending teen drama with battles. Fans still talk about those games for their music, art, and plots that make you think about life and death.

Key Details

The team mixes old hands from Atlus with fresh talent. Okada produces the game. Tadashi Satomi writes the scenario. He handled stories for Persona Revelations and the first two Persona 2 games, known for their personal tales and twists. Tsukasa Masuko composes the sound. He scored the early Megami Tensei titles, including the first Shin Megami Tensei games, with tracks that mix rock and eerie tones.

Art and Visuals

Ilya Kuvshinov designs the characters. The Russian artist gained fame online for clean, expressive illustrations used in games and anime. His style fits a school RPG, with sharp lines and emotional faces. This marks a big team-up between his modern look and the classic Atlus crew.

The trailer runs under a minute. It opens with school hallways and students. Then glitches kick in. Screams echo, bodies twist, and a close-up shows what looks like a creature in someone's eye. Sci-fi vibes mix with horror, all in a sterile school feel. No gameplay footage yet, just atmosphere to hook viewers.

"This is Kouji Okada's final message to the next generation." – Teaser site description

Compile Heart shared the teaser on social media, including Twitter. They urge fans to follow for updates. The site has a countdown to January 29. No word on gameplay mechanics, but 'school RPG' points to daily life mixed with adventures, like in Persona.

What This Means

This project could bridge old and new in Japanese RPGs. Okada's involvement draws fans of classic Megami Tensei. Younger players know him through Persona remakes and spin-offs. Compile Heart steps up with a high-profile team, moving beyond Neptunia-style humor to something serious.

A school setting opens doors for stories about youth, friends, and big threats. The horror hints suggest demons or mutants in class. Masuko's music could bring back nostalgic sounds. Satomi's writing means deep character arcs. Kuvshinov's art might attract global eyes, especially after his work in other media.

For Compile Heart, success here boosts their rep. They focus on PlayStation but expand to PC and Switch. Atlus alumni joining signals trust in the studio. If it lands on PS5, it fits their pattern. Release might follow later in 2026 or 2027, based on past titles.

Fans wait for gameplay reveals. Will it have turn-based fights like Megami Tensei? Social links like Persona? The announcement on January 29 should answer some questions. It comes two weeks from now, giving time for buzz to build. Okada's 'final message' tag adds weight, as if passing the torch after decades in games.

The gaming world watches closely. RPG fans hope for a return to roots with fresh twists. Compile Heart positions this as a big deal, teaming legends with rising stars. Details on plot, heroes, and battles will shape expectations. Until then, the teaser fuels talk across forums and social feeds.