Class of '09: The Re-Up
- June 1, 2023
- SBN3
- 13h median play time
Get on Steam"Class of '09: The Re-Up" is a spin-off of the critically acclaimed game, featuring the return of the original voiceover cast and real-life inspired events. Players once again control protagonist Nicole in a socially realistic setting with dark humor, navigating through multiple endings in a late 2000's atmosphere. This game boasts of being a comedic masterpiece with culturally accurate dialogue.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- humor914 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Class of '09: The Re-Up" is widely praised for its dark, edgy, and often absurd comedic style, with many players finding it even funnier than the original game. Reviewers highlight the clever writing, relatable characters, and the ability to balance humor with serious themes, making it a standout experience for fans of dark comedy. However, some note that the humor can be polarizing, as it often delves into controversial and sensitive topics, which may not appeal to everyone.
“This game made me laugh so hard.”
“The dialogue is both hilarious and thought-provoking, making you laugh while also forcing you to confront some harsh realities about the world we live in.”
“It's consistently laugh out loud funny and is probably the only game where you can sell crack for your community service credits in high school.”
“95% of the game is awful and boring to push through, and the other 5% of social commentary and witty writing doesn't make up for the 95% of eyerolls and just unfunny content.”
- story289 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Class of '09: The Re-Up" is widely praised for its engaging and humorous narrative, featuring complex characters and multiple endings that enhance replayability. Players appreciate the deeper character development and the balance of dark humor with emotional depth, although some note that the branching paths can be confusing and that the game has fewer choices compared to its predecessor. Overall, the storytelling is described as immersive and entertaining, making it a standout in the visual novel genre.
“Not only that, but they go deeper into the characters and really up the storytelling to a new level.”
“But class of '09 is more than just a love story; it's a kaleidoscope of emotions, a tapestry woven from the threads of identity, acceptance, and the tumultuous journey of adolescence.”
“Through its evocative storytelling and unforgettable characters, it reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope, and that sometimes all it takes is the courage to follow our hearts, wherever they may lead.”
“The story mostly made me feel miserable.”
“The characters were a bit bland and the story didn't grab me.”
“I wrote a review not recommending class of '09 due to its poor use of mature content and lack of consequence in the story, its numerous routes railroading you into the same scenes over and over, and complete avoidance of aughts culture (in a game placed specifically in the aughts).”
- emotional74 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is described as a complex blend of heartwarming and heartbreaking experiences, with players noting its ability to resonate deeply through relatable themes such as loneliness, emotional abuse, and nostalgia. While some find it less emotionally charged than other visual novels, many appreciate the depth of character development and the impactful storytelling that evokes strong feelings, ranging from joy to sorrow. Overall, the game is seen as both entertaining and emotionally powerful, leaving a lasting impression on players.
“I'm not usually into visual novels, but 'Class of '09,' the original and the re-up have helped me through some things. It can be heartbreaking, dark, but also funny. Timing that flip-side was announced after I completed the games; can't wait for it!”
“This game made me feel understood.”
“The narrative is a compelling force in 'Class of '09,' immersing players in a heartfelt and nostalgic storyline that resonates with the experiences of the era.”
- gameplay51 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews highlight a mix of experiences, with some players enjoying the engaging story and humor, while others criticize the simplistic mechanics and limited content. Many find the gameplay akin to an interactive movie, with a focus on dialogue choices rather than complex mechanics, leading to a desire for more content and a "skip" feature for repeated scenes. Overall, while some titles are praised for innovative gameplay, others are seen as lacking depth and replay value.
“It had such long and actually interesting gameplay that every ending took a decent amount of time to get, giving you really good story in between.”
“The attention to detail extends to the game's mechanics and level design, offering a perfect balance between challenging puzzles, intense combat sequences, and heartwarming moments that capture the spirit of the late 2000s.”
“If you're a fan of gaming history, immersive storytelling, and innovative gameplay, 'class of '09' is an absolute must-play.”
“Other than the story, the gameplay was simple and had only one objective which was to continue Nicole's unrealistic story.”
“I’m going to lump the controls/mechanics and difficulty into one sentence: bad.”
“There are no mechanics, just click through dialog and see the outcomes of your choices.”
- graphics38 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed feedback, with some praising the beautiful art style, detailed cutscenes, and a nostalgic late 2000s aesthetic that blends pixel art with modern effects. However, criticisms include a lack of animations and a need for improved backgrounds and button formats. Overall, while the visuals are appealing and the character designs are well-received, there is room for enhancement in graphical quality and user interface.
“The graphics are a delightful blend of pixel art and modern visual effects, creating a visually stunning tapestry that pays homage to the games that defined a generation.”
“From the moment you launch 'Class of '09,' you are transported to a meticulously crafted virtual world that mirrors the iconic aesthetics of the late 2000s.”
“The art style and quality of this game is great and everything looks nice.”
“Quality: no animations, and the game has anime style graphics.”
“Well it's a novel and it has visuals but it's almost not a visual novel.”
“This game can improve more if they changed the format of the buttons slightly, and if they upgraded the graphics and background of the game.”
- music31 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 81 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the emotional depth provided by an eclectic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, while others criticize the limited music presence, noting that it mainly consists of menu music and lacks options for adjusting voice and sound levels. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a highlight for its nostalgic and immersive qualities, despite the game's sparse musical offerings.
“The soundtrack, featuring an eclectic mix of iconic tracks from the time, elevates the emotional resonance of the game, creating an immersive atmosphere that tugs at the heartstrings.”
“I like the menu music.”
“High school musical if Quentin Tarantino directed it.”
“Music: none aside from the title menu.”
“No option to turn voices down/off without removing the music.”
“-still not a lot of music”
- replayability8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is mixed; while it offers multiple endings and a more structured story that enhances character development, many players feel that once all endings are explored, the game lacks further content, leading to diminished replay value. Some find it entertaining and humorous, but the linearity makes it less appealing for repeated playthroughs compared to its predecessor.
“Literally sooo funny, sooo replayable and entertaining.”
“It's way better in terms of story than the first game as it's better structured and you get to know the characters a lot more. I also like the replay value it provides in terms of its 7 different endings.”
“If the first game was an extremely enjoyable and replayable 9/10, this one is a decent 7/10 that'll be enjoyable until you see all endings and then realize it's got nothing more to offer.”
“There's really little replay value, and you can get the whole game basically for free just by watching a playthrough because of how linear the game is.”
“The game is much better in terms of story than the first one, as it's better structured and you get to know the characters a lot more. However, the replay value is limited despite having 7 different endings.”
- optimization8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is generally well-received, with users reporting no performance issues on desktop PCs. The combination of high-quality graphics and immersive storytelling contributes to a compelling gaming experience, enhancing the overall realism.
“The insight that the writing gives on what it's like to be a teenager in 2008, on top of the S-tier performance made by the cast, really sold it.”
“Everyone overall was brilliant in their performances; it had me feeling like I was about to fall into this game world because it felt so real.”
“Graphics (quality/ui/performance) – 4/10”
“Performance: no issues found on my desktop PC.”
“The insight that the writing gives on what it's like to be a teenager in 2008 on top of the S-tier performance made by the cast really sold it.”
- character development4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Character development in the sequel builds on the writing style of the first game, focusing more on the growth and depth of characters rather than solely on the protagonist's final outcome. This shift allows for a richer exploration of character arcs and relationships.
“If you played the first game, the writing is much the same, only this time it's more geared towards character development instead of Nicole's ultimate outcome.”
“Character development”
“Character development”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players note that grinding in the game is extensive, often requiring significant time investment, likening it to needing a "second life." However, the experience is somewhat mitigated by improved writing quality and a greater variety of jokes, which help maintain engagement despite the lengthy grind.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Clip farming.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by its boundary-pushing elements that blend comedy and emotional depth, enhanced by a diverse soundtrack of iconic tracks that create an immersive experience. This combination effectively resonates with players, evoking strong emotional responses.
“The soundtrack, featuring an eclectic mix of iconic tracks from the time, elevates the emotional resonance of the game, creating an immersive atmosphere that tugs at the heartstrings.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is highlighted by users as being effectively promoted through compelling advertisements, suggesting that the marketing strategy successfully captures interest and engages potential players.
