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In "Little Busters!", Riki Naoe, once lonely, finds joy with friends who call themselves the Little Busters. Together, they attend school and participate in youthful shenanigans. The 2007 visual novel release later got an Ecstasy edition, adding new heroines and expanding the story. The game encourages players to experience a heartwarming journey filled with camaraderie and personal growth.

Little Busters! screenshot
Little Busters! screenshot
Little Busters! screenshot
Little Busters! screenshot
Little Busters! screenshot
Little Busters! screenshot
Little Busters! screenshot
Little Busters! screenshot
Little Busters! screenshot
Little Busters! screenshot
Little Busters! screenshot
+12

99%
Audience ScoreBased on 967 reviews
story232 positive mentions
grinding14 negative mentions

  • Little Busters! is a beautifully crafted visual novel that explores themes of friendship, growth, and overcoming adversity, making it a deeply emotional experience.
  • The characters are well-developed and relatable, with each route offering unique insights into their backgrounds and personalities, leading to a strong emotional connection.
  • The game features a fantastic soundtrack and engaging mini-games that enhance the overall experience, providing both fun and depth to the narrative.
  • The common route can feel lengthy and repetitive, which may deter some players from fully engaging with the story.
  • Some character routes are less satisfying than others, with pacing issues and rushed conclusions that can leave players wanting more.
  • The translation has minor errors and inconsistencies that can disrupt immersion, though they do not significantly detract from the overall experience.
  • story
    694 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Little Busters!" is a deeply emotional and engaging narrative centered around themes of friendship, personal growth, and the challenges of adolescence. Players experience a rich tapestry of character-driven arcs that evolve over time, culminating in a powerful main storyline that ties together the various character routes. With its blend of humor, heartwarming moments, and poignant themes, the game offers a lengthy and rewarding journey that resonates with many players, making it a standout visual novel in its genre.

    • “Everything about this story was a rollercoaster of emotions.”
    • “Little Busters is a heartwarming and ambitious story, constantly evolving as you play through the game, adding extra scenes, nuances & callbacks, and new perspectives as you uncover more about each character.”
    • “Little Busters to me is a tremendous story that celebrates the beauty of life with a colorful and wonderful cast who broke my heart, mended it and broke it all over again in a story that I would call nothing less than a masterpiece of the medium.”
    • “There were many times the plot felt really forced and cheesy and with no lewds to back it up.”
    • “Some of the routes do drag on too long and if you think too hard about the premise of the main storyline, it doesn't really hold together that well.”
    • “The need that 'little busters!' had to change the reader's experience every time the reader enjoyed the vn is an interesting concept that creates for tedious storytelling.”
  • music
    274 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in this visual novel is widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the storytelling experience, with many users highlighting standout tracks and the overall quality of the original soundtrack. Composed by notable artists, the music complements various scenes perfectly, creating a cozy and immersive atmosphere that resonates with players. While some feel it may not reach the heights of previous works like "Clannad," the soundtrack is still considered a significant strength of the game, contributing to its memorable and engaging narrative.

    • “Wow, the soundtrack is an absolute masterpiece.”
    • “The soundtrack goes hard too, whether it be the perfectly fitting character themes, the boppin' everyday activity themes, or the tear-jerking melodies that will capture one's heart and hold it tight.”
    • “The music complements very well with the scenes in the visual novel and the layering when switching to the different tracks is perfect.”
    • “Some of the flashback was too long and just showed a goddamn cloud for almost 20 minutes without changing music or scene.”
    • “Perhaps the OST isn't as memorable as its elder sibling Clannad, but it makes up for it in other elements.”
    • “The slice-of-life music that plays during scenes set in a normal school day is really relaxing and soothing, while the music that plays during more dramatic scenes becomes more sad; really good and fitting music.”
  • emotional
    256 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Little Busters!" is overwhelmingly praised, with players reporting a profound connection to the characters and their stories, leading to frequent tears and laughter throughout the experience. The game masterfully blends humor with heart-wrenching moments, creating an emotional rollercoaster that resonates deeply with players, often leaving them feeling empty yet fulfilled after completion. Many reviewers highlight the impactful character development and the powerful emotional payoff, particularly in the final routes, making it a must-play for fans of emotionally charged visual novels.

    • “Well good things come to those who wait, and it's really hard to explain what makes Little Busters 1000% worth it in the end without spoilers, but just rest assured that all of the character development, world building, and silly antics are worth it, and add up to an extremely emotional and satisfying conclusion that had me giggling, crying, and smiling all at once as those final credits scrolled by.”
    • “This game made me feel every emotion under the sun. From laughing at the shenanigans the Little Busters get up to, to bawling my eyes out during the emotional scenes.”
    • “The emotional payoff in the Refrain route is easily worth the 60 or so hours it took to get to that point.”
  • humor
    118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in this visual novel is widely praised for its balance between lighthearted comedy and emotional depth, often eliciting both laughter and tears from players. Many reviewers highlight the well-crafted comedic moments, engaging character interactions, and entertaining mini-games that contribute to a fun and immersive experience. Overall, the humor is described as charming, relatable, and integral to the storytelling, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “It's extremely funny and extremely sad.”
    • “The writing was funny, the minigames enjoyable, and the music, while not something I'd want as an OST, is still fantastic and can make every moment feel even more impactful.”
    • “It's hilarious and heartwarming watching their circle grow and the scale of the shenanigans increase, it takes me back to an idyllic representation of youth, where I could just laugh with my friends every day without a care.”
  • gameplay
    44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is generally well-received, featuring a mix of unique RNG mechanics, optional mini-games, and a "choose-your-adventure" style that enhances replayability and character exploration. While some players find the mini-games enjoyable and integral to the story, others feel they can become repetitive and detract from the narrative flow, especially in the early stages. Overall, the game offers a refreshing experience for a visual novel, with a substantial amount of content that can exceed 100 hours of gameplay.

    • “This occurs in no small part due to the unique integration of RNG mechanics through the game's fighting tournament ranking system and optional minigames, which allows each subsequent route or playthrough to always have something new and interesting, even in the sections common to all routes (such as when the weakest character defeats the strongest character in combat, the absurdity of which will actually be recognized by the game)! ”
    • “I really like the 'choose-your-adventure' gameplay because one choice a player makes can change the course of the story, and as a result, it presents new dialogues to read which helps me understand the characters' backstories and personalities better.”
    • “There’s also the gameplay, in the form of several quick mini-games which range from baseball practice to a fighting tournament, from hunting down mysterious creatures (which give a pretty hilarious insight on the character of Kyousuke) to serving in a cafeteria.”
    • “The existence of mini-games is okay, but its gameplay can be boring after a few times.”
    • “I feel a lack of story progression at early gameplay, but after being able to leisurely skip texts, progression becomes much better.”
    • “The routes slowly become a chore to play, even with gameplay elements like a dungeon crawler during Saya's route.”
  • graphics
    40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the visual novel are widely praised for their expressive artwork and high-quality character sprites, typical of the renowned Key studio. While the game features 720p resolution in a 16:9 aspect ratio, which some may find limiting, the visuals are described as vibrant and engaging, effectively complementing the overall atmosphere and storytelling. Despite minimal animation, the artwork, backgrounds, and character designs are considered top-notch, contributing significantly to the game's charm and emotional impact.

    • “Beyond the interactions though, the artwork and CGs are all wildly expressive, having the characters positively brimming with vivacity and vigor, masterfully accentuated with a soundtrack that never fails to capture the vibe of any given situation.”
    • “Amazing visuals, amazing music, amazing story, everything about this visual novel is fantastic.”
    • “Artwork, backgrounds, and CGs: with the developer having a name as VisualArts, it appears fitting given that all the character sprites, background art, CGs, opening and ending themes, Steam trading cards, badges, emoticons, and profile backgrounds in this game are top-notch.”
    • “The graphics are 16:9 720p, which isn't ideal, but still more than sufficient.”
    • “There were no visuals for it either.”
    • “Mostly because of art style.”
  • character development
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in "Little Busters!" is highly praised, with players noting that the well-crafted backstories and emotional arcs make the characters feel like real friends. The game effectively blends comedy and heartfelt moments, culminating in a satisfying and emotional conclusion that resonates deeply with players. While some feel certain characters could have benefited from more drastic development, the overall consensus is that the character growth is a standout feature that enhances the narrative experience.

    • “Well good things come to those who wait, and it's really hard to explain what makes Little Busters 1000% worth it in the end without spoilers, but just rest assured that all of the character development, world building, and silly antics are worth it, and add up to an extremely emotional and satisfying conclusion that had me giggling, crying, and smiling all at once as those final credits scrolled by.”
    • “A heartwarming story that handles its themes exceptionally well and is full of great character development and genuinely funny writing; it's a long read but worth every minute of it.”
    • “Personally, I think some characters would have benefited from a more drastic character development, but maybe I'm slightly spoiled by Muv Luv Alternative.”
    • “Character development - this is definitely the most important part of any video game for me (even when I play non-visual novel games), and 'Little Busters' absolutely delivers.”
    • “It still offers a highly emotional story, a higher quality OST, better comedy, and better character development.”
  • atmosphere
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive storytelling, engaging character interactions, and seamless integration of music that enhances emotional depth. Reviewers highlight the lively and friendly ambiance, particularly in the context of friendships and romantic routes, while noting that specific ambient tracks effectively signal shifts in tone and tension. Overall, the combination of visuals, humor, and a captivating soundtrack creates a memorable and enchanting experience.

    • “This visual novel really just nails everything: the story, the music, the characters, the atmosphere, the humor, the mini games, and even the visuals.”
    • “But damn, some of the ambient tracks just seamlessly blend in with the atmosphere of certain scenes that almost made me feel like I was reading a fantasy story.”
    • “Will always be one of my favorite visual novels - nothing creates such a lively atmosphere of friends, and each of the romances are their own.”
    • “After that particular event, the whole atmosphere of her route completely changes and it's something you need to experience for yourself in order to understand what I mean.”
    • “They really help create an atmosphere; you know something bad is happening when you hear 'lamplight' or 'parhelion' start playing. The ending songs for the routes are also great as well; an especially memorable one is 'Song for Friends' 10/10.”
    • “It clicks, it resonates, it's creating a calm atmosphere.”
  • replayability
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The visual novel offers significant replayability, with players enjoying the humor and emotional depth that encourages multiple playthroughs. Many reviewers highlight the richness of content and the changes that occur as the story progresses, making each replay feel fresh and engaging. Overall, the desire to explore different routes and uncover more about the world enhances the game's replay value.

    • “One thing I like is how enjoyable routes are to replay once you've played through Refrain and know the answer to the mystery of the world; it adds nice replay value.”
    • “This was another great visual novel with more depth and replayability than most.”
    • “Some people would say replayability, but it would be a bit of a misconception.”
    • “Replayability comes from the desire of a player/reader to explore more and to know more about the world (s)he dives in.”
    • “A ridiculous amount of content to do, with so much replayability that encourages you to pay attention for changes as the game progresses.”
  • grinding
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is largely criticized for its repetitiveness and tedium, with many mini-games described as mind-numbingly boring and uninteresting. While some players may find enjoyment in grinding for pointless stats, the overall experience is often seen as tedious, especially when navigating choices without a guide leads to frustrating backtracking. Despite the option to skip mini-games later on, the repetitive nature of the activities detracts from the overall enjoyment for many players.

    • “Finally, going through the game without a guide is just tedious at times, as getting a choice incorrect on the common route means having to skip through it all over again on top of already having to do so every time a route is completed.”
    • “Mind-numbingly boring slice of life: the game consists of tedious, uninteresting activities such as watching cats, observing fish, preparing food, moving furniture, practicing baseball, and feeding people at the cafeteria.”
    • “But...that is really more tedious than enjoyable...at least it was for me.”
  • optimization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is generally well-received, with users appreciating the variety of minigames that enhance gameplay through reaction-based and RPG mechanics. However, some performances, particularly that of the character Komari, have drawn mixed reactions, indicating a subjective experience in terms of character portrayal. Overall, the integration of features like the busterpedia adds depth to the game's cultural context.

    • “The game also has a Busterpedia which explains various Japanese terms adapted into English, several arcade minigames consisting of 3 reaction-based/point-and-click action minigames and 2 minigames that feature RPG mechanics, relying on luck, strategy, and performance in an action minigame to award additional achievements.”
    • “The game also has a busterpedia which explains various Japanese terms adapted into English, several arcade minigames which consist of 3 reaction-based/point and click action minigames, and 2 minigames which have RPG mechanics and depend on luck, strategy, and performance at an action minigame which awards additional achievements.”

Buy Little Busters!

100h Median play time
85h Average play time
4-150h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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