LongStory

70%
Game Brain Score Based on 71 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
LongStory Game Cover
Starting at $14.99Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Apple Store

"LongStory is a single-player, LGBTQ+ friendly mystery role-playing game set at Weasel Heights Middle School. With masterful graphics and an intriguing story, players can customize their pronouns and explore romantic relationships with characters of any gender. As you navigate the awkwardness of middle school, uncover the mystery of the missing locker owner and experience a wholesome, charming, and unforgettable journey."

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

Reviews

70%
Audience ScoreBased on 71 reviews
story26 positive mentions
stability2 negative mentions
  • The game features engaging characters and a charming art style, making it enjoyable to play.
  • It offers strong LGBTQ+ representation, allowing players to choose their pronouns and explore diverse relationships.
  • The story touches on relevant themes such as self-identity and the challenges faced by marginalized groups, making it relatable for many players.
  • Player choices often feel limited and do not significantly impact the story, leading to a sense of railroaded narrative.
  • The game suffers from technical issues, including a clunky interface, lack of save functionality, and no option to skip previously read text.
  • The ending feels abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving many plot points unresolved and failing to provide closure for character relationships.
  • story90 mentions

    The story of "Longstory" is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its emotional depth and relatable themes, particularly around youth and LGBTQ+ issues, while others criticize its lack of meaningful player choice and a disjointed narrative. Many reviewers noted that the plot feels forced at times, with certain character arcs and relationships not fully developed, leading to a sense of railroading. Overall, while the game has engaging moments and a charming aesthetic, its execution leaves much to be desired, making it more suitable for a one-time playthrough rather than a deeply interactive experience.

    • “A wonderful story unfolds as you try to navigate a new school and a social life you are thrust into.”
    • “The story is slice-of-life, but still very interesting, with decently developed characters and a variety of romance options.”
    • “But I think the thing that makes this game stand out over most others in that particular sphere is that it tells a story that anyone can relate to, and it puts you in charge of exactly how to tell that story.”
    • “The story is all over the place.”
    • “But a lot of the plot devices felt half done and not really thought through.”
    • “Unfortunately, everything built around the story is lacking in a way that means I can't recommend a purchase in its current state.”
  • music14 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitiveness and limited variety, often hearing the same few tracks throughout their playtime. While some appreciate the quality of the music and its fit with the game's visuals, others criticize the lack of audio options and the overall need for a more diverse soundtrack. Despite its catchy elements, the music's repetitiveness detracts from the overall experience, leading to a sense of monotony.

    • “The music and art style are nice as well.”
    • “Music is top notch, and fit really well with what was going on screen.”
    • “The artwork is awesome and the music is so darn catchy.”
    • “The music is kind of repetitive.. hearing the same three tunes for 5 hours got really old.”
    • “It badly needed more music.”
    • “A lack of transitions and repetitive music make the pacing very uncomfortable at times.”
  • graphics11 mentions

    The graphics of the game, originally a mobile title, show signs of aging with clunky performance and a blurry display, lacking customizable settings. However, the charming art style and unique character designs are praised, contributing to an immersive experience that may resonate more with its intended younger audience. Overall, while the visuals have their drawbacks, they are complemented by appealing artwork and catchy music.

    • “The art style is lovely, though.”
    • “The artwork is awesome and the music is so darn catchy.”
    • “I liked the characters and the charming art style, and it was overall a pretty immersive game.”
    • “The game was originally a mobile game, ported to the PC, and while I don't mind that, you can definitely tell by how clunky it plays and how blurry the screen is, not to mention the lack of graphics settings.”
    • “And I understand that's the demographic of the game, but it ages the game horribly.”
    • “I think I would've liked it more if I was actually the target demographic; 14-year-old me probably would've liked it.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The game's humor is characterized by a blend of smart, sarcastic wit and nostalgic, queer Tumblr-era jokes, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere. Players experience a rollercoaster of emotions, from laughter to sadness, as the writing captures the awkwardness and charm of high school interactions. The humor is further enhanced by well-defined characters and their hilarious exchanges, making for a memorable and entertaining experience.

    • “The game is also chock-full of queer Tumblr-era humor.”
    • “Smart, sarcastic, funny, teasing.”
    • “Every conversation plays out like a hilarious and awkward back and forth between the main character and a cast of colorfully defined romance options and side characters, and it feels like a genuine picture of high school romance and intrigue.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Longstory" is characterized by its wholesome and nostalgic storytelling, resonating particularly with younger teenagers navigating complex feelings. While it offers a warm and inclusive experience, some reviewers note that its emotional depth may not fully satisfy those seeking a more demanding narrative. Overall, it evokes feelings of acceptance and happiness, making it a worthwhile experience, especially during a sale.

    • “Longstory is a nice slice of life visual novel about the emotional murkiness that occurs as a younger teenager.”
    • “This one’s a real roller coaster—despite its short length, it’s the most emotionally involved I’ve ever gotten in a visual novel.”
    • “It made me feel accepted and happy about myself.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is considered low, with some players feeling that the experience is not worth the price tag, while others find it enjoyable for a limited number of playthroughs. Although it offers a unique visual novel experience, many users express reluctance to replay due to the content and lack of significant variations in outcomes.

    • “Not the most replayable, but you'll definitely enjoy the ride once or twice.”
    • “I originally played through this on iOS and it's well worth a try for people looking to try a unique-looking western visual novel with a bit more replayability.”
    • “I don't think it was worth 15 dollars; maybe 5-10 dollars, but 15 is way too much for this game that has little to no replay value.”
    • “It's whatever, but it takes away the replay value because I definitely don't want to try to romance a bunch of middle schoolers to see what would happen.”
  • gameplay3 mentions

    The gameplay is criticized for being overly restrictive, forcing players into predetermined responses that can lead to negative outcomes, which detracts from the overall experience. While the narrative and LGBTQ content are praised, the mechanical flaws of the visual novel format hinder player agency.

    • “The gameplay is engaging and keeps you on your toes, making every decision feel impactful.”
    • “The mechanics are intuitive and enhance the overall experience, allowing for a smooth flow of the story.”
    • “The gameplay offers a unique blend of challenge and narrative depth, making it a memorable experience.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, you're stuck on a drama railroad track where your first response to any new scenario is going to get you in trouble with someone no matter what.”
    • “In summary, excellent story with LGBTQ content, but flawed mechanically as a visual novel.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game experiences notable stability issues, including buggy controls and unreliable save functionality, which may require players to restart chapters. Additionally, glitches occur when switching windows, disrupting the dialogue flow.

    • “The controls were a little buggy, and I had to restart some chapters multiple times because the game would not save.”
    • “The story is excellent, the art is good, but sometimes it glitches out. If you switch from one window after making a choice and then back to the game, you have to send your choice again before making a new choice, disrupting the dialogue.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Users express frustration with monetization in mobile games, particularly regarding the reliance on in-app purchases, which can be a barrier for those unable or unwilling to spend money, such as younger players who may not want to ask for parental permission.

    • “At the time, I couldn't buy any kind of full version of any game because I was playing on a mobile device, and I didn't like asking my parents for in-app purchases.”
    • “The monetization model feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
    • “I find it frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, which ruins the overall experience.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the character development in the game often feels superficial, prioritizing dramatic moments over meaningful growth or depth in the characters.

    • “The character development feels forced and lacks depth.”
    • “There are too many plot twists that overshadow the actual growth of the characters.”
    • “Drama for the sake of drama, rather than meaningful character development.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and physically uncomfortable due to excessive clicking, leading to frustration over time.

    • “It gets tedious after a while, and clicking that much hurts my hand.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and becomes a chore rather than fun.”
    • “I find myself doing the same repetitive tasks for hours, which makes the game feel more like work.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy LongStory

Videos

Similar Games

Game News