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BURIED STARS

Buried Stars is an intricately woven visual novel with a lot of cool concepts. An interesting and varied cast keep you on your toes, while a plot filled with twists and mystery makes Buried Stars a must for fans of the genre.
BURIED STARS Game Cover
78%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, replayability
77% User Score Based on 179 reviews
Critic Score 78%Based on 5 reviews

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BURIED STARS Game Cover

About

BURIED STARS is a single player survival puzzle game with drama, mystery and thriller themes. It was developed by LINE Games Corporation and was released on November 29, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"Buried Stars" is a rhythm action game where players step into the shoes of a rising idol. Perform on stage, navigate the ups and downs of fame, and uncover the secrets of a mysterious world in this narrative-driven experience. With a variety of songs, characters, and story paths to explore, every performance could be your last chance to shine.

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BURIED STARS screenshot
BURIED STARS screenshot
BURIED STARS screenshot
BURIED STARS screenshot
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77%
Audience ScoreBased on 179 reviews
story58 positive mentions
grinding14 negative mentions
  • Engaging mystery with a compelling story that keeps players guessing.
  • Well-developed characters with complex backstories that enhance the narrative.
  • High production value with beautiful visuals and strong voice acting.
  • Poor English translation that can lead to confusion in dialogue choices.
  • Lack of quality of life features, such as the inability to skip already read text.
  • Forced bad ending on the first playthrough, which can be frustrating for players.
  • story
    166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Buried Stars" is a complex and engaging visual novel that revolves around a group of contestants trapped after a reality show stage collapse, exploring themes of social media, morality, and personal secrets. While many players appreciate the character development and emotional depth, some criticize the pacing and execution, noting that the gameplay can detract from the narrative experience. Overall, the game is praised for its intriguing plot and multiple endings, though it may not appeal to those seeking action-oriented gameplay or a more straightforward storytelling approach.

    • “The story begins with the live finale of a popular reality show, where five remaining contestants—each harboring personal secrets and burdens—are trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed stage.”
    • “Each playthrough reveals new information, subtle character developments, and alternative resolutions, giving the player a fuller understanding of the story’s complex web.”
    • “In conclusion, Buried Stars is an exceptional visual novel that succeeds in delivering a suspenseful, emotionally resonant, and socially relevant story.”
    • “The storyline failed to captivate me, often feeling uninteresting and lackluster.”
    • “There was some real material to work with these characters and it's just a shame the story didn't utilize them that well.”
    • “The story will happen and all you can do is watch it then replay for a second ending at the very very very very very few branches in the plot.”
  • gameplay
    84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Buried Stars" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and slow, particularly due to excessive dialogue and repetitive mechanics that detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the narrative depth and character interactions, others criticize the lack of engaging gameplay elements and the necessity for multiple playthroughs to uncover the full story. Overall, the game is seen as a visual novel that prioritizes storytelling over traditional gameplay, which may not appeal to all players.

    • “Trust becomes a central mechanic, as alliances shift and suspicions grow, mirroring the real-world toxicity of fame and the impact of public scrutiny.”
    • “Gameplay in Buried Stars revolves around decision-making, dialogue investigations, and managing the social dynamics of the group.”
    • “The mechanics are pretty straightforward and easy to grasp, and I really enjoyed navigating talking to your companions and putting together clues.”
    • “Some events are extremely missable, and to get many of them, you have to replay the game an excessive amount, which really sucks considering it possibly has the slowest gameplay I've ever seen in the detective genre.”
    • “As many people have already pointed out in their reviews, the story is really good, but it's being actively dragged down by one of the most tedious, mind-numbing forms of gameplay that I have ever seen.”
    • “Unfortunately, the English translation results in pretty stilted dialogue, but otherwise, it's a well-written adventure visual novel. However, the gameplay is far too simple and boring.”
  • graphics
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of this visual novel are widely praised for their high production value, featuring beautiful, detailed artwork and smooth animations that enhance the overall experience. The character designs and vibrant aesthetic contribute to a visually striking presentation, although some secondary artwork may not match the quality of the main visuals. Overall, the game is noted for its impressive graphics that elevate it above many others in the genre.

    • “The graphics are undoubtedly a standout, offering a visually pleasing experience.”
    • “One of the best graphical visual novels I've played so far.”
    • “The main artwork is bright, detailed, and painstakingly animated, bringing life to one of the prettiest casts I've seen in a visual novel (some of the secondary artwork isn't as good, but it's nowhere near, say, original Higurashi levels of visual trash).”
    • “Beyond this, the aesthetic is pretty classic for a visual novel, as many of them have an anime style.”
    • “The art style, 3D backgrounds, the lighting and shadows reflected and cast onto the 2D sprites of the characters bring immersion to the game, making everything seem more real.”
  • music
    27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, with a haunting soundtrack that complements the eerie and melancholic tone of the narrative. Players appreciate the strong voice acting, particularly in Korean, which adds emotional depth to the experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered top-notch, effectively immersing players in the game's dramatic and mysterious ambiance.

    • “The atmosphere is further elevated by a haunting soundtrack and strong voice acting (available in Korean with subtitles), which lend authenticity and emotional depth to the unfolding drama.”
    • “The music especially plays a crucial role in establishing the tone—eerie, tense, and at times melancholic.”
    • “Additionally, the music and cinematic scenes help immerse you in the game and story.”
    • “The music, often reminiscent of Danganronpa's soundtrack, always enhances the mood, and the Korean voice acting is top notch.”
    • “Matching the somber tone of the plot, many of the songs are fairly dreary and moody, helping to set the right atmosphere.”
    • “- not a single K-pop song in the game about K-pop stars.”
  • emotional
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Buried Stars" is highlighted by its complex narrative and character development, which create a deeply immersive experience that resonates with players. The haunting soundtrack and powerful voice acting enhance the emotional depth, making the game not just a murder mystery but a poignant exploration of human nature and social issues. Players report a significant emotional impact, with many expressing that the game's themes and character arcs leave a lasting impression.

    • “Developed by Line Games and Studio Largo, this Korean-developed title breaks away from the typical expectations of the genre by intertwining an emotionally complex narrative with a compelling murder mystery, layered character development, and a branching system that makes every choice feel significant.”
    • “The game rewards careful observation and emotional intelligence, making it feel like more than just a whodunit—it becomes a meditation on human nature under pressure.”
    • “In conclusion, Buried Stars is an exceptional visual novel that succeeds in delivering a suspenseful, emotionally resonant, and socially relevant story.”
  • grinding
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, with many describing the gameplay as a chore filled with unnecessary padding and slow pacing. While the story and themes are praised, the repetitive nature of conversations and the need to follow walkthroughs to progress detract significantly from the experience. Despite some redeeming qualities, the tedious gameplay often leads to frustration and breaks in immersion.

    • “As many people have already pointed out in their reviews, the story is really good, but it's being actively dragged down by one of the most tedious, mind-numbing forms of gameplay that I have ever seen.”
    • “However, the actual gameplay of having to talk to everyone to gain clues rapidly becomes a tedious chore and I resorted to just following a step-by-step walkthrough to get to the end.”
    • “This becomes an absolute tedium well before you even hit the halfway point, and I found myself repeatedly taking breaks and stepping away from the game because the pacing was ruined by this tedious and slow gameplay.”
  • atmosphere
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its haunting soundtrack, strong voice acting, and engaging art, which together create a moody and immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the emotional depth and tension that permeate the narrative, enhancing the overall mystery and drama. The combination of dreary music and well-crafted characters contributes to a chilling yet captivating ambiance that keeps players invested throughout.

    • “The story is engaging and the atmosphere is nice and gloomy, maintaining a certain amount of tension even when just talking with the characters (which you will be doing 80% of the game).”
    • “Good characters, great atmosphere and tension, and a fantastic, well-crafted mystery.”
    • “The atmosphere is further elevated by a haunting soundtrack and strong voice acting (available in Korean with subtitles), which lend authenticity and emotional depth to the unfolding drama.”
    • “Matching the somber tone of the plot, many of the songs are fairly dreary and moody, helping to set the right atmosphere.”
    • “- chilly atmosphere”
  • character development
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The character development in this Korean-developed title is highly praised for its emotional complexity and psychological realism, effectively intertwining with a compelling murder mystery. Players experience layered character growth through a branching narrative that makes choices feel impactful, revealing new insights and resolutions with each playthrough. Overall, the game stands out for its top-notch character development, making it a strong recommendation for fans of the genre.

    • “Developed by Line Games and Studio Largo, this Korean-developed title breaks away from the typical expectations of the genre by intertwining an emotionally complex narrative with a compelling murder mystery, layered character development, and a branching system that makes every choice feel significant.”
    • “Each playthrough reveals new information, subtle character developments, and alternative resolutions, giving the player a fuller understanding of the story’s complex web.”
    • “What Buried Stars does best, and better than most other visual novels I've read, is the character development.”
    • “Highly recommended for mystery fans who value strong character development!”
  • replayability
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Buried Stars offers a notable level of replayability through its multiple endings and character epilogues, providing players with a substantial incentive to replay the game for a richer experience. However, the linear structure and lengthy communication sequences may deter some players, making a guide almost essential for those seeking to explore all outcomes efficiently. While it has replay value, it lacks some user-friendly features found in other high-end visual novels that could enhance the experience.

    • “The different routes and endings offer much replayability.”
    • “A handful of endings and cutscenes to collect makes it worth the replay value.”
    • “Replay value can be up or down for some: if you don't particularly enjoy replaying the long communication sequences repeatedly to get different results, a guide is almost essential.”
    • “Most high-end Japanese visual novels are better at replayability because they've mastered user-friendly devices like the plot tree or 'skip all read dialogue/jump to next decision'; however, Buried Stars does not do this and I still feel it could have been better done.”
    • “Despite its relatively linear structure compared to more open-ended mystery games, Buried Stars offers a high degree of replayability.”
  • optimization
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed feedback; while the voice acting in both Korean and Japanese is praised, players have reported performance issues in the later stages, though no crashes or bugs were encountered. Additionally, the English translation is considered subpar, affecting the overall experience.

    • “Voice dub is available for Korean and Japanese, with both giving stellar performances.”
    • “This is the first time I've played a Korean visual novel (or one with Korean voice acting), and the actors' performances really blew me away!”
    • “Also, I had performance issues in the later part of the game, but no crashes or bugs.”
    • “The translation is... passable, but rather poorly optimized for English.”
  • humor
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is highlighted by a funny bonus ending in Route C, which cleverly references Korean horror, adding an enjoyable layer for players.

    • “Route C was a funny bonus ending and a nod to Korean horror that I appreciated.”
  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers suggest that the game's monetization could benefit from increased international advertising to reach a broader audience and enhance revenue potential.

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78%Critics’ scoreBased on 5 critic reviews
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49h Median play time
49h Average play time
49-49h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

BURIED STARS is a survival puzzle game with drama, mystery and thriller themes.

BURIED STARS is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 49 hours playing BURIED STARS.

BURIED STARS was released on November 29, 2021.

BURIED STARS was developed by LINE Games Corporation.

BURIED STARS has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

BURIED STARS is a single player game.

Similar games include The Council, The Letter, Solstice, Zero Escape: The Nonary Games, 428: Shibuya Scramble and others.