Bustafellows

73%
Game Brain Score Based on 309 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • humor
Bustafellows Game Cover
An overall great otome experience that will absolutely stick with you, even if there are parts you wish you could forget and move on from.
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"Bustafellows" is a single-player Mystery Role Playing game with a stunning story and sensational visuals. As a journalist with the ability to leap in the past, you attempt to save a murdered lawyer by going back in time and warning him. The game features puzzle-solving, multiple endings, and the chance to romance five characters with unlockable side stories. With gorgeous visuals, polished animations, and a complete Japanese voice cast, "Bustafellows" offers a unique and immersive gaming experience.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

73%
Audience ScoreBased on 309 reviews
story106 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • Gorgeous art and animation, with well-drawn character sprites and backgrounds that enhance the immersive experience.
  • Engaging story with a mix of crime, mystery, and romance, featuring well-developed characters and their unique routes.
  • The main character, Teuta, is relatable and proactive, breaking the mold of typical otome heroines.
  • The PC port has clunky controls and lacks intuitive keybindings, making navigation difficult.
  • Some dialogue and cutscenes are not translated, leaving players without crucial context during key moments.
  • The pacing can feel uneven, with some routes being shorter and less satisfying than others, particularly in terms of romance.
  • story335 mentions

    The game's story has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its engaging plot and character development, particularly in the context of romance and crime themes. While some found the narrative compelling and emotionally impactful, others criticized it for being convoluted or lacking coherence, especially in the final chapters. Overall, the story is seen as a strong point of the game, with a rich tapestry of character arcs and a blend of humor and darker themes, though it may not satisfy those seeking a purely romance-driven experience.

    • “The story evokes true and very strong emotions within me, and I believe I will never forget the love I have for the story and the characters in it.”
    • “Great visuals, a well thought out story, as well as an interesting and dynamic cast of characters makes Bustafellows the complete otome package.”
    • “The story is extremely well developed and had me on the edge of my seat with the many mysteries and drama creeping in from the different stories.”
    • “The story is mostly focused on the plot itself, but the romance is fleshed out really well on top of that.”
    • “The plot is wrapped up in a hurry, with plenty of reveals and truth bombs just casually dropped on the player's head one after another, the central organization which is at the core of the whole game is explained away with Scooby-Doo level writing and final villains.”
    • “The story consists mostly of fillers, which you can skip without missing anything.”
  • graphics35 mentions

    The graphics in Bustafellows are widely praised for their stunning art style, intricate character designs, and aesthetically pleasing backgrounds, often likened to anime quality. While some users noted occasional blurriness, the overall visual presentation, complemented by high-quality voice acting, contributes to an engaging and immersive experience. Many reviewers highlight the detailed artwork and minor animations that enhance the game's environments, making it a standout in the romance visual novel genre.

    • “Bustafellows boasts stunning graphics, dashing characters, and a unique plot delving into the criminal underworld, making it a potential gem in the otome game realm.”
    • “Speaking of the artwork, it is stunning, especially considering the fact that plenty of things in the background are actually animated and give more life to the environments.”
    • “Bustafellows features high quality artwork, from character designs to the background environment!”
    • “And what's up with the blurry graphics?”
    • “At the start of the game, the graphics and audio quality was iffy to me, but after adjusting I fell in love with the game.”
    • “Sometimes the visuals are crystal clear, and then suddenly, they are a little blurred.”
  • humor34 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing and engaging character interactions, often eliciting genuine laughter from players. Characters are described as funny and relatable, with well-crafted dynamics that enhance the comedic elements of the story. The balance between humor and darker themes is noted as a strong point, making the overall experience both entertaining and thought-provoking.

    • “The story was great: thrilling, funny, touching, etc.”
    • “I seriously have never laughed more while playing an 'otome' game; the main group of guys is sincerely funny and built upon excellent chemistry.”
    • “To their credit, the writers were very good at balancing humor and serious subject matters, which is definitely something they should be commended for.”
  • emotional33 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players expressing deep attachment to the characters and their stories, often leading to significant emotional responses, including tears and heartache. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to balance thrilling and touching moments, creating a rich narrative that resonates with players on a personal level. While some routes are noted as more impactful than others, the overall consensus is that the game effectively explores themes of love, trauma, and healthy relationships, leaving players feeling both emotionally wrecked and fulfilled.

    • “I didn't expect to experience so much emotional damage while playing this, but I very much enjoyed every bit of the story this game provided.”
    • “Yes, you will be emotionally eviscerated, but it's so good and so worth it.”
    • “Mozu's route is the most emotional one in the game, and is by far the best written.”
  • music18 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the mood and atmosphere, with many reviewers noting that it effectively complements the narrative and character development. The inclusion of a music player for replaying tracks is a popular feature, and while some may find the music not to their personal taste, it is generally regarded as well-composed and fitting for the game's various scenes. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's immersive experience.

    • “The backgrounds were really detailed and the music switched with the mood, location, and ending.”
    • “I love the fact that they included a music player where you can listen to all the songs once more.”
    • “The music is wonderful and sets the tone well.”
    • “Music is decent, with outros being above average.”
    • “Cgs and music are alright, not too bright, but not bad either.”
    • “Beautiful art with bold animations, combined with fitting pieces of music, the game is very worth the price in my opinion.”
  • character development16 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while the character designs are praised for their quality and appeal, particularly in the context of anime aesthetics, many reviewers feel that the depth of character development is lacking. Some appreciate the moments of vulnerability shown by characters, but overall, there is a sentiment that the individual story arcs do not significantly enhance character growth, leaving players wanting more impactful narratives.

    • “This visual novel has a ton going for it: likable characters, gorgeous art, interesting plot (each branching route was interesting as well! Lots of great character development!) the UI is gorgeous, and there's a great skip option between choices so you don't have to wait for the text to skip through.”
    • “Bustafellows serves as an enthralling experience for crime genre enthusiasts, delivering an intriguing story complemented by appealing character designs and artwork.”
    • “Character designs are without a doubt top-tier works, but the stories fleshing out those characters lack impact.”
    • “During the individual character routes, as mentioned, the plot just freezes to give you time to appreciate character development and the actual 'otome' part of the content, which up until that point was quite lacking.”
    • “I didn’t feel like the characters had major character development though.”
  • gameplay9 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a mix of intriguing story elements and challenging mechanics, which can lead to surprising outcomes as players navigate through different character paths. However, some users find the gameplay to be somewhat unoriginal, with clunky mechanics and a complicated user interface that may hinder the experience. Despite these issues, the engaging narrative and overall gameplay experience remain appealing to many players.

    • “Once I finished the story for my first character, I quickly figured out the mechanics for getting to the others, but it was still a challenge, and I ended up surprised with the path I went down.”
    • “And the story is so interesting; I was really intrigued and curious about it for most of the gameplay.”
    • “Also, there are some localization issues in this game, but it didn't really ruin the gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is not really unique; that's an overstatement in the game description.”
    • “Yes, I will admit the game mechanics were clunky, and the game was in lower resolution because I played it on PC, but you won't usually notice it unless you are watching the OP.”
    • “Yes, I know, the controller and some of the mechanical systems are janky as heck.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    The optimization of Bustafellows for PC has received mixed reviews; while some users praise its smooth performance and good visuals, others criticize the port for lacking necessary adjustments from its original handheld design, leading to technical difficulties. Overall, the game performs well on certain systems but may not be fully optimized for all PC platforms.

    • “Technical performance = extremely good”
    • “Good visual performance”
    • “The game runs smoothly on my laptop without any issues.”
    • “The PC adaptation of Bustafellows poses certain technical difficulties, primarily due to its original design not being suitably optimized for PC platforms.”
    • “The PC port basically took a copy-paste of a handheld game but without the necessary optimization to play on a computer.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is praised for its engaging visuals and sound, creating a "feel good" adventure experience, though some inconsistencies in crime scenes detract from the overall immersion. Reviewers appreciate the tense atmosphere and the mature handling of complex themes, contributing to a compelling and atmospheric gameplay experience.

    • “I genuinely liked the atmosphere of the game along with the visuals and sound.”
    • “Overall, I'd absolutely give this game an 11/10, not only for spooking me with its tense atmosphere, but for how maturely it handles difficult topics such as social class and cosmetic surgery.”
    • “They're also animated and atmospheric.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to the lack of variation in the early chapters and the repetitive nature of the questionnaire needed to unlock desired characters. This leads to a frustrating experience, as the love interests' routes feel disproportionately short compared to the effort required to access them.

    • “First off, there is no variation for the first four chapters. You may get a different line, cat name, and bikini, but that's about it. The replay factor made it very tedious because you have to go back and do that damn questionnaire to get the character you want. Thank you, walkthroughs, because I wouldn't have had the patience.”
    • “It got rather tedious force-skipping through it, especially because the actual love interests' routes felt fairly short in comparison.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is commendable, with users reporting no significant bugs or glitches. However, there are moments where the plot pauses to enhance character development, which some may find disrupts the flow of the narrative.

    • “During the individual character routes, the plot just freezes to give you time to appreciate character development and the actual 'otome' part of the content, which up until that point was quite lacking.”
    • “Despite the technical issues mentioned above, I did not encounter any bugs or glitches in the game.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players find the game's individual routes and overarching storyline engaging, contributing to its strong replayability.

    • “The individual routes and overarching storyline are interesting and have great replay value.”
    • “Each playthrough offers new choices and experiences, making it hard to put down.”
    • “The variety of character paths and endings encourages multiple runs to fully explore the game.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for not aligning with its promotional content, leading to disappointment among players. Additionally, the portrayal of the protagonist as childish compared to the suitors may detract from the overall experience, suggesting that the monetization strategy could be more effectively integrated with character development.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

68% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
5-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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