Class of '09

About

In "Class of '09," players navigate high school as a popular girl with significant social power, making choices that influence the story's outcome. The game boasts a large cast of voice actors, including Elsie Lovelock and Kira Buckland, and offers 15 different endings. The visual novel features auto-progression and real-time clothing changes, with bonus lore available upon completion. All characters are over 18 years old.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,850 reviews

humor1.3k positive mentions

atmosphere2 negative mentions

humor
1,293 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Class of '09" is predominantly characterized by its dark, edgy, and often absurd comedic style, resonating well with players who appreciate irreverent and satirical takes on serious topics. Many reviews highlight the game's sharp dialogue and voice acting, which enhance its comedic impact, while others note that the humor can be polarizing, with some finding it repetitive or overly reliant on shock value. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to blend humor with poignant social commentary, making it a memorable experience for those with a taste for unconventional comedy.
- “This game is genuinely so fucking funny, I wish I could experience it again for the first time.”
- “The writing is sharp, over the top, and consistently funny from start to finish in just about every route you can find while also offering an interesting insight into how a person's social status can burn them no matter which side of the popularity line they land on.”
- “Hilarious game-play and incredibly horrible characters that make the game so fun to play.”
- “The pedophilia and rape jokes in here are a lot and it becomes unfunny just because you heard the joke many times.”
- “I appreciate the visuals and the voice acting but literally most of the jokes are just unfunny rape jokes and assuming random teachers are pedophiles.”
- “If it's humor then it's simply not funny.”
story
281 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
62%
4%
The story of "Class of '09" is a darkly humorous and satirical exploration of high school life, focusing on the experiences of a flawed protagonist, Nicole, as she navigates a world filled with predatory figures and societal pressures. While some players appreciate its engaging dialogue and multiple endings, others criticize it for lacking depth and coherence, often feeling overwhelmed by its edgy humor and shock value. Overall, the narrative is polarizing, with many finding it entertaining and relatable, while others deem it superficial and repetitive.
- “As the game progresses, players will make choices at various hinge points in the story, and those choices can end your high school journey as soon as day one of class or see you as far as graduation.”
- “The story feels real and relatable, with well-written dialogue that lets you make choices that impact the direction of the narrative.”
- “Beneath all the satirical humor, the game depicts a competent story with a cast of characters so flawed and often times vile that in contrast, it humanizes the game's sociopathic protagonist, Nicole.”
- “Dog shit story, god awful dialogue, even worse characters, refund won't be granted.”
- “There was no decent story or character to be found, the story didn't feel like it was going anywhere other than just surviving until the end, and maybe that was the point or its edge.”
- “While I can appreciate the fact that this story is supposed to be a brutal satire of some of the worst aspects of the high school experience, I found that its depiction of this through comedy was so exaggerated and over-the-top that I just stopped caring and it quickly got tiring.”
emotional
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is a complex blend of humor and heartache, with many players experiencing a wide range of feelings from laughter to deep sadness. While some found the narrative manipulative or emotionally jarring, others praised its ability to evoke genuine connections and reflections on personal experiences. Overall, the game is recognized for its emotional depth, with impactful moments that linger long after gameplay, making it a memorable experience for those who appreciate character-driven stories.
- “If you're a fan of narrative-driven games with emotional depth, Class of '09 is definitely worth checking out.”
- “The art and music are also noteworthy, creating an atmosphere that enhances the emotional weight of the story.”
- “It's not just a game; it's a journey, an adventure, and a heartfelt ode to the transformative power of storytelling.”
graphics
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
57%
10%
The graphics of the game are a mixed bag, with many praising the unique late 2000s anime-inspired art style and character designs, while others find the visuals average and lacking in detail. The artwork is often described as cute and captivating, enhancing the comedic and satirical elements of the game, though some critiques point to a perceived laziness in character design. Overall, the visuals complement the engaging voice acting and humor, making for an entertaining experience, despite some technical shortcomings.
- “The art style is stunning, the soundtrack is perfectly curated, and the pacing is spot on, ensuring there's never a dull moment.”
- “Stunning visuals mixed with amazing dialogue make this game one of the most fun I've ever played.”
- “The game's late 2000s aesthetic serves as both a nostalgic throwback and a deliberate stylistic choice that enhances its comedic and satirical elements.”
- “The graphics in 'Class of '09' are pretty average for a visual novel.”
- “My only complaint is that the visuals are kind of lackluster compared to everything else.”
- “By far the worst part of the artwork is the sheer laziness of the design of the female characters.”
gameplay
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
69%
8%
The gameplay of "Class of '09" is primarily choice-based, typical of visual novels, with limited mechanics and a focus on branching storylines that lead to different endings. While some players appreciate the humor and engaging narrative, many criticize the gameplay for being simplistic and repetitive, often suggesting that watching gameplay online may be more enjoyable than playing. Overall, the game is seen as lacking depth in gameplay, but it compensates with its comedic writing and social commentary.
- “The gameplay is pretty simple, just some choices to make that branch to different endings, as in lots of other visual novels, but it shines in its humor and writing.”
- “Through its earnest comedy and late 2000s aesthetic, 'Class of '09' delivers an entertaining and thought-provoking gameplay experience.”
- “What sets 'Class of '09' apart is its ability to blend nostalgia with modern gaming mechanics seamlessly.”
- “The gameplay was grating, and I feel like playing it is like dragging my balls over a sandpaper treadmill.”
- “Gameplay is absolutely lacking compared to many other visual novels.”
- “After the shock value wears off, you're left with a boring game that has little to no replay value and poor gameplay mechanics.”
music
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
69%
9%
The music in the game is minimal, primarily featuring a calming piano track in the main menu and some basic sound effects during gameplay, which some players found effective in enhancing the emotional atmosphere. While the soundtrack is subtle and not particularly memorable, it complements the narrative and evokes nostalgia for certain time periods. Overall, the lack of a robust musical score is noted, but the existing elements contribute to the game's contemplative tone.
- “The art and music are also noteworthy, creating an atmosphere that enhances the emotional weight of the story.”
- “The soundtrack, while subtle, does a great job of setting the mood and highlighting key moments in the narrative.”
- “I also like the piano music in the main menu: deceptively calming and the perfect song to contemplate after each ending.”
- “You'll only find some simple piano music in the main menu and intro, and some basic background noise or sound effects during scenes.”
- “The music isn't anything special, especially for the visual novel medium.”
- “There is minimal sound effects and almost no music throughout the entire game.”
replayability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it boasts multiple endings and routes that encourage exploration, some players feel that once the novelty wears off, the gameplay lacks depth and variety. Many appreciate the humor and character development, but others find the overall experience short and not compelling enough for multiple playthroughs. Ultimately, the replay value largely hinges on the player's desire to uncover all endings versus the game's limited mechanics.
- “Due to the many endings, this game has a lot of replay value.”
- “Fully voice acted and 15 different endings, so there's lots of replayability!”
- “The replay value mostly lies within trying to achieve every ending, as well as the after ending.”
- “It's funny for a short 1-2 hours, then it just lacks replayability.”
- “After the shock value wears off, you're left with a boring game that has little to no replay value and poor gameplay mechanics.”
- “At the time of writing this, I've 100%'d it and played through everything it has to offer, and I will say the playtime is pretty short, only being 4-5 hours, and there isn't a whole lot of replay value.”
optimization
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users noting no performance issues on their systems, while others rated the graphics quality and overall performance as average (5/10). However, the standout aspect is the exceptional voice acting, which significantly enhances the game's writing and humor, showcasing the talent and commitment of the voice actors.
- “I experienced no performance issues playing this on my desktop.”
- “The dubbing continues to draw out quality performances, partially because the dialogue is natural, but the talent and direction weigh in too.”
- “The voice actors also recognize this, each giving solid performances throughout.”
- “The game is carried by its writing and the voice performances.”
- “The voice actors are not helped by the writing, but nonetheless they crush their performances in ways most visual novel voice actors fail to do.”
- “[h1] [b] graphics (quality/art style/animations/ui/performance) – [5/10] [/b] [/h1]”
character development
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
11%
33%
Character development in the game is generally well-received, with players praising the excellent voice acting and appealing character designs, including multiple outfits that enhance individuality. While some feel it doesn't reach the heights of previous titles, many appreciate the depth available through exploration of different paths. However, a few critiques note a lack of traditional story elements, suggesting that character development may not be the game's primary focus.
- “The voice acting is excellent, and I like the character designs and personalities.”
- “Great character design and good voice acting.”
- “The character development in this game isn't as good as the re-up, but it's still amazing.”
- “I don't mind too much though; you get plenty of character development for all characters by exploring different paths.”
- “Its character designs and overall style are not only visually pleasing but also accurate to the timeframe.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its impactful art and music, which enhance the emotional depth of the story. Reviewers highlight the exceptional voice acting that effectively conveys the chaotic essence of American high schools, while also capturing the nostalgic feel of middle-class suburban life. Overall, the game's atmosphere immerses players in a unique and engaging experience, making it a standout feature.
- “The art and music are also noteworthy, creating an atmosphere that enhances the emotional weight of the story.”
- “Voice acting is phenomenal and it really captures the chaotic atmosphere of American high schools.”
- “I graduated in 2007 and this really captures the 'middle class white suburban kids high school' atmosphere of the era pretty well.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game experiences notable stability issues, including various glitches in graphics and audio, particularly when skipping scenes. While these bugs can detract from the experience, some players find them amusing and in line with the game's comedic tone. Overall, the stability is considered subpar but not entirely detrimental to enjoyment.
- “The game is really buggy.”
- “There are some graphics and audio glitches when you skip scenes, so be aware of that. It's all on auto play, but it's needed for the comedic timing.”
- “It really does feel that way, and the menu glitches added to it.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly when trying to unlock all endings and explore various choices, which can feel like a slog rather than an enjoyable experience.
- “The first few organic playthroughs were fun, but getting all the endings was an annoying, tedious slog.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “But my one big problem with this game is how tedious it is to explore all the different choices.”