Class of '09

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,644 reviews
  • humor
  • story
  • emotional
Class of '09 Game Cover
Starting at €8.19Buy now
Get on Steam

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.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,644 reviews
humor1,009 positive mentions
optimization3 negative mentions
  • humor1,023 mentions

    The humor in "Class of '09" is widely praised for its dark, edgy, and often absurd nature, resonating with players who appreciate satirical takes on high school life and societal issues. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to balance genuinely funny moments with uncomfortable themes, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking. However, some players find the humor hit-or-miss, with certain jokes crossing the line into unfunny territory, indicating that the game's comedic style may not appeal to everyone.

    • “I adore this game's humor and voice acting.”
    • “Class of '09 appeals to me because the dialogue is very funny and it reminds me a bit of the film Heathers.”
    • “This game is so funny, I laughed.”
    • “The jokes are either as painfully unfunny as a punch from Mike Tyson in a clown costume or enough to make you suffocate from laughter, and mostly the latter so that's good.”
    • “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.”
    • “Not even in an entertaining way, like classic Always Sunny, just unlikable and unfunny.”
  • story224 mentions

    The game's story is a mix of dark humor and shocking themes, often revolving around sensitive topics like pedophilia and sexual harassment, which some players found engaging while others deemed excessive or poorly handled. While the multiple endings and branching paths offer variety, many reviewers noted that the plotlines can feel repetitive and lack depth, leading to a sense of superficiality in character development. Overall, the narrative is described as both entertaining and controversial, with strong voice acting and a unique perspective on high school experiences, though it may not resonate with everyone due to its heavy reliance on shock value.

    • “Great game, love how the storylines can throw you into any direction and how you can get lost on some of the paths.”
    • “The story was consistently surprising (and often surprisingly horrible for everyone involved), and bolstered by phenomenal voice acting.”
    • “It's not just a game; it's a journey, an adventure, and a heartfelt ode to the transformative power of storytelling.”
    • “However, while the 15 different endings may sound like a lot, many plot lines are recurring, which somehow made the game feel short and lacking in content.”
    • “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.”
    • “The characters are mostly surface-level, the story is so absurd that it can't deliver any meaningful commentary, and the presentation screams low-budget indie title.”
  • emotional70 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a complex blend of humor and heartache, eliciting a wide range of feelings from players, including laughter, tears, and discomfort. Many reviewers noted its ability to tackle serious themes, such as emotional manipulation and the struggles faced by women, while still delivering moments of levity and warmth. Overall, players found the experience to be an emotional rollercoaster, with some endings leaving a lasting impact that resonated deeply.

    • “I have never played something more touching in my life.”
    • “It's not just a game; it's a journey, an adventure, and a heartfelt ode to the transformative power of storytelling.”
    • “Best game ever made, gave me emotional whiplash and was crying while laughing my ass off.”
  • graphics48 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the unique late 2000s aesthetic and stunning art style that enhances the overall experience. While some players appreciate the character designs and multiple outfits, others criticize the lack of variety in artwork and the perceived laziness in the design of female characters. Overall, the visuals are seen as a strong point, contributing to the game's charm, though some players feel they could be improved further.

    • “Stunning visuals mixed with amazing dialogue make this game one of the most fun I've ever played.”
    • “The art style is stunning, the soundtrack is perfectly curated, and the pacing is spot on, ensuring there's never a dull moment.”
    • “Solid art style and sprite work really put you in the scenes along with the voice acting.”
    • “The artwork was rather mixed.”
    • “By far the worst part of the artwork is the sheer laziness of the design of the female characters.”
    • “My only complaint is that the visuals are kinda lackluster compared to everything else.”
  • gameplay45 mentions

    The gameplay of "Class of '09" is primarily choice-based, typical of visual novels, allowing players to navigate through a narrative filled with shock humor and social commentary. While some players appreciate the humor and writing, many criticize the limited gameplay mechanics and repetitive jokes, suggesting that the experience may not justify the price for its short duration. Overall, it offers a mix of enjoyment and frustration, with a strong emphasis on storytelling over traditional gameplay elements.

    • “What sets 'Class of '09' apart is its ability to blend nostalgia with modern gaming mechanics seamlessly.”
    • “It captures the essence of high school life, with all its drama, excitement, and challenges, while also incorporating innovative gameplay elements that keep it fresh and exciting.”
    • “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.”
    • “Only complaint is 10 bucks for like 3 hours of gameplay is a little steep.”
    • “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.”
  • music20 mentions

    The game's music has received mixed reviews, with some players noting a lack of notable tracks and minimal background music outside of the menu and opening cutscene. While the absence of a traditional soundtrack allows for a focus on dialogue and storytelling, many feel that the game would benefit from a more curated musical experience to enhance emotional moments. Overall, the music is described as sparse but effective in maintaining engagement without overshadowing the narrative.

    • “The art style is stunning, the soundtrack is perfectly curated, and the pacing is spot on, ensuring there's never a dull moment.”
    • “I finished the game in 2 hours but stayed for the menu music.”
    • “It doesn't have an OST, but that's a non-issue because there is a subtle piano theme in the menu which makes up for it in my opinion.”
    • “The music isn't anything special, especially for the visual novel medium.”
    • “The game lacks music outside of its menus, but it's also fully voice acted, and the game is permanently set to auto, so it's not really something you notice, unless you're going back to sweep up endings on similar routes.”
    • “Music is scarce outside of the menu and opening cutscene, though constant dialogue prevents dead air.”
  • replayability11 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it offers multiple endings and routes that encourage exploration, many players feel that once the initial novelty wears off, the gameplay lacks depth and variety. Some users appreciate the challenge of unlocking all endings, while others find the overall experience too short and repetitive for multiple playthroughs. Ultimately, the humor and character development may entice players for a single run, but the long-term replay value is debated.

    • “Fully voice acted and 15 different endings, so there's lots of replayability!”
    • “Some endings feel harder to get than others, which allows for a lot of replayability.”
    • “There are so many routes and endings, making it very replayable (most of the routes are literally insane).”
    • “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.”
  • character development10 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while the character designs and voice acting are praised for their quality and nostalgic appeal, many reviewers note a lack of meaningful growth or traditional storytelling elements. Some appreciate the exploration of different paths for character development, but others criticize the game's cynical tone and reliance on vulgar humor, which detracts from deeper character engagement. Overall, the visual and auditory aspects are well-received, but the depth of character development leaves much to be desired.

    • “The voice acting is excellent, and I like the character designs and personalities.”
    • “I don't mind too much though; you get plenty of character development for all characters by exploring different paths.”
    • “Great character design and good voice acting.”
    • “There's no character development; it's overly cynical and nihilistic. It tries to be funny by having vulgar language and sex 'jokes' in every monologue and dialogue.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    The optimization of the game is notably enhanced by the exceptional voice acting, which adds depth and humor to the experience. Players appreciate the natural dialogue and the talent of the voice actors, who deliver consistent and engaging performances that elevate the overall quality of the game.

    • “The voice acting performance adds to the humor, and I found myself laughing every time I started a new route.”
    • “The voice actors all did amazing too and deserve plenty of praise for their performance.”
    • “The game is carried by its writing and the voice performances.”
    • “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.”
  • stability4 mentions

    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 timing. Overall, the stability is considered subpar.

    • “The game is really buggy.”
    • “There's 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.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive and chaotic depiction of American high school life, effectively capturing the essence of the "middle class white suburban kids" experience. The exceptional voice acting enhances this feeling, making players feel as if they are genuinely navigating the complexities of teenage interactions and mind games. Overall, the atmosphere contributes significantly to the game's appeal, despite its relatively short playtime.

    • “I graduated in 2007 and this really captures the 'middle class white suburban kids high school' atmosphere of the era pretty well.”
    • “Voice acting is phenomenal and it really captures the chaotic atmosphere of American high schools.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, often requiring a significant time investment to explore all available choices, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Class of '09

Play time

4hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
3-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 11 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News