Ars Technica (Sam Machkovech, 18 Apr 2022). "when you solve DQ85's puzzles, the results are hilarious and memorable. But if rigid puzzle requirements aren't your bag, DQ85 won't change your mind."
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/04/all-24-of-playdates-included-games-reviewed/Games / Season One / Demon Quest '85
OverviewSeason One
Demon Quest '85
RPGCrank: noneSeason One (included)
1 · official Catalog screenshot
2 · official Catalog screenshot
3 · official Catalog screenshot1 · official Catalog screenshot2 · official Catalog screenshot3 · official Catalog screenshotOverview. Not yet reviewed. No score. Checked 12 Oct 2026. Built from official and press sources.
What it is
In Demon Quest '85 you play "an ordinary, everyday kid with ordinary, everyday problems", who happens to own a magical book for summoning demons "from the lowest circles of Hell" to make you more popular at school. Each summoning is a logic puzzle. You read the demon's clues, then set up the séance with the right food, the right song on the stereo and the right three classmates picked from a yearbook of 15, each with a backstory. Getting it right unlocks the next chapter of a comic 1985 high-school story. It uses only the D-pad and buttons.
It's by Crooked Park (Alex Ashby, Lawrence Bishop, Duncan Fyfe, Belinda Leung and Jared Emerson-Johnson), and it unlocked in Week 6 of Season One alongside Omaze, free with the console. The content note warns of "moderate use of profanity and mature themes".
Who made it
What others are saying
Gabriel Toschi (blog, undated). "An interesting idea, with a cool execution and some great 1-bit art. One of my favorites!"
https://www.gabtoschi.com/blog/playdate-full-review/Callout (?): No review yet. We haven't reviewed Demon Quest '85 yet. This page is an overview built from official and press sources.
Sources
Checked 12 Oct 2026.
- Official Catalog page (description, credits, size, dates, content/AI/accessibility notes). https://play.date/games/demon-quest-85/
- Season One page. https://play.date/games/season-one/
- Ars Technica, Sam Machkovech, 18 Apr 2022. https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/04/all-24-of-playdates-included-games-reviewed/
- Gabriel Toschi (undated). https://www.gabtoschi.com/blog/playdate-full-review/
- Playdate Podcast transcript: research/gamepages/sources/demon-quest-85/podcast.txt.
OverviewNo score
Overview
Not yet reviewed.
No score. This page is built from official and press sources.
On the card
An ordinary kid, an ordinary high school, and a book for summoning demons from Hell. Match the right food, music and classmates to each demon.
From the sources
