Visual novels usually follow a pretty predictable path. You meet some cute characters, you navigate some light social anxiety, and maybe you pick a romance option. Class of '09: The Re-Up isn't doing any of that. In fact, it’s basically the antithesis of the genre. Developed by SBN3, this sequel—or "re-up"—to the original anti-visual novel takes the cynicism of the first game and cranks it up until the knob breaks off. It is mean, it is funny in a way that makes you feel slightly bad for laughing, and it captures a very specific brand of late-2000s American nihilism that most media is too scared to touch.
Honestly, if you grew up during the MySpace-to-Facebook transition era, playing this feels like a fever dream. You remember those hallways. You remember the specific brand of aggressive apathy that defined high school culture in 2009.
The game follows Nicole, a protagonist who isn't just "edgy"—she’s genuinely, calculatedly cold. She’s moved schools more times than she can count, her dad is out of the picture in the grimmest way possible, and her mom is... well, a lot. The Re-Up isn't about "fixing" Nicole or helping her find the power of friendship. It’s about surviving a landscape of predatory teachers, braindead classmates, and a socio-economic void using nothing but razor-sharp sarcasm and a total lack of empathy.
The Chaos of Class of 09 The Re Up and Why It Works
Most sequels try to broaden the scope. They add new mechanics or try to make the stakes global. SBN3 did the opposite. They stayed in the same claustrophobic suburban hellscape but doubled down on the writing. Class of 09 The Re Up works because it understands that the horror of high school isn't just about bullies; it's about the institutional incompetence.
The voice acting is what really carries it. You’ve got professional talent like Elsie Lovelock (Nicole) and Kayli Mills (Jeannie) delivering lines that would make a sailor blush, but they do it with such "I’m over this" energy that it feels authentic. It doesn't sound like actors reading a script. It sounds like a recording of a girl who’s been stuck in a guidance counselor’s office for three hours and has finally snapped.
It’s Not Just a Meme Game
There’s this misconception that because the game is famous on TikTok and YouTube for its "out of context" clips, it’s just a joke. It’s not. Underneath the insults and the shocking dialogue, there is a very real, very bitter critique of how the American education system treats young women.
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Nicole is a villain, sure. But she’s a villain created by her environment. Every time she ruins a teacher’s life, you’re reminded that the teacher was likely a predator or a creep to begin with. The game forces you to choose between different shades of "terrible," and seeing the butterfly effect of a single sarcastic comment lead to a literal SWAT team raid is part of the dark magic.
Navigating the Choices: Life or Ruin
In the original game, you had a decent amount of paths. Class of 09 The Re Up feels more expansive yet more punishing. One wrong move doesn't just give you a "Game Over" screen; it gives you a bleak, three-minute monologue about how Nicole's life spiraled into nothingness.
The branching paths in this game are chaotic. One minute you’re trying to figure out how to skip gym class, and the next you’re accidentally starting a drug ring or getting involved in a kidnapping plot. It escalates fast.
- The "Good" Endings: They don't really exist. The best you can hope for is Nicole getting out of a situation with her dignity somewhat intact.
- The Dark Humor: It’s the backbone of the experience. If you can’t handle jokes about very sensitive topics—suicide, substance abuse, sexual harassment—this is not the game for you.
- The Aesthetic: It uses real-world photography for backgrounds, blurred and filtered to look like a lo-fi memory. It’s a 4:3 aspect ratio vibe that screams 2009.
People often ask if they need to play the first one. Kinda. You’ll appreciate the character dynamics more, especially the "friendship" with Jeannie and the absolute loathing Nicole has for Ari. But the Re-Up stands on its own as a masterpiece of voice-acted tragicomedy.
Realism vs. Absurdity
Is the game realistic? Yes and no. The dialogue is hyper-stylized. Nobody is actually that quick-witted in high school. But the feeling is real. The feeling of being trapped in a town where the most exciting thing is a trip to the mall or a CVS parking lot is captured perfectly.
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The developers took a risk by making Nicole so unlikable to traditional standards. She’s manipulative. She’s mean to people who don't deserve it. But in a gaming landscape filled with "chosen ones" and "heroes," playing as someone who just wants to watch the world burn because the world started the fire first is refreshing.
Why 2009?
Why not 2024? Or 1995? 2009 was a specific tipping point. It was the end of the "old world" before smartphones completely colonized our brains. People still had Flip phones and Sidekicks. The economy was a wreck. The music was a weird mix of emo-pop and early EDM. Class of 09 The Re Up leans into this era-specific dread. It’s a time capsule of a generation that was promised the world and handed a foreclosure notice instead.
How to Get All Endings Without Losing Your Mind
If you're jumping into the game now, you'll notice the UI is simple, but the logic isn't. You can't just pick the "nice" option and expect a win. In fact, being nice often gets Nicole into more trouble.
- Save Constantly: Use the save slots. Every time a choice pops up, drop a save. The paths diverge in ways that aren't always logical.
- Pay Attention to the Teachers: Most of the major plot shifts involve how Nicole interacts with the faculty. If you want the more "intense" endings, you usually have to lean into the more manipulative dialogue options.
- Check the Gallery: The game tracks your endings. If you’re missing one, look at the flow chart in your head. Did you stay at school or go home? Did you help Jeannie or ignore her?
The Re-Up is shorter than your average RPG, but the density of the content is high. There are no "filler" scenes. Every line of dialogue is either a punchline or a plot point.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Series
A lot of critics dismissed the game as "shock value." That’s a lazy take. If it were just for shock, it wouldn't have the cult following it does. People stay for the characterization.
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Take Ari, for example. In any other game, she’d be the "bullied girl" you're supposed to save. In Class of '09, your relationship with her is toxic, complicated, and deeply uncomfortable. The game doesn't give you the moral high ground. It forces you to sit in the mud with these characters. It’s an honest look at how trauma can make people act like monsters.
Technical Performance and Platforms
You can find the game on Steam, and it runs on basically anything. It’s a visual novel; your toaster could probably handle it. That’s the beauty of the genre—the focus is entirely on the art, the sound, and the script. The soundtrack deserves a shoutout too. It’s all original, lo-fi, and moody, perfectly matching the "walking through a rainy parking lot" vibe of the story.
The Impact of SBN3
The creator, SBN3, has a background in music and internet comedy, which explains why the pacing is so snappy. Most visual novels suffer from "internal monologue syndrome" where you read three pages of a character's thoughts about a sandwich. Not here. The dialogue moves like a sitcom on speed. It’s aggressive. It’s fast. It’s Class of 09.
Practical Steps for New Players
If you're ready to dive into this mess, here is how to handle it:
- Adjust Your Expectations: Do not look for a hero. Everyone in this game is flawed, and most are irredeemable.
- Listen, Don't Just Read: The voice acting is 90% of the experience. The timing of the deliveries is where the humor actually lives.
- Explore the "Wrong" Choices: Some of the best writing in the game is hidden in the paths that lead to immediate disaster. Don't be afraid to fail.
- Check the Content Warnings: Seriously. The game covers everything from drug overdoses to grooming. If you have triggers, read the Steam tags before buying.
Ultimately, Class of 09 The Re Up is a rare piece of media that feels like it shouldn't exist. It’s too cynical for mainstream publishers and too polished for a typical indie project. It sits in this weird, uncomfortable middle ground that perfectly mirrors the lives of the teenagers it depicts. It’s a grim, hilarious, and deeply honest look at the end of the 2000s, and it’s easily one of the most memorable gaming experiences of the last few years.
To get the most out of your playthrough, start by aiming for the "Principal's Office" branch first. It sets the tone for the rest of the game and introduces the main cast in the most chaotic way possible. Once you've cleared a few endings, go back and try to find the "White Nationalist" or "Video Store" subplots—they're some of the most surreal moments in the entire franchise.