PQube is partnering with developer Nippon Cultural Broadcasting Extend Inc to bring BUSTAFELLOWS to the west. The “urban noir” otome game is coming to Switch and Steam in 2021, following its Japanese release in 2019.
In BUSTAFELLOWS, players take on the role of Teuta, a journalist with the unique ability to briefly revisit the past through other people’s bodies. An investigation into the murder of a crooked lawyer sees he get caught up in the shady business of New Sieg’s underbelly, alongside some dangerous—but handsome—men.
From the press release:
Romance, mystery, dangerous relationships and the power to leap back in time, BUSTAFELLOWS follows the role of our heroine protagonist as she becomes embroiled in a thrilling plot about love and murder. Using your notepad to record clues and key pieces of information, you will solve crucial puzzles and navigate complex relationships as you journey into this sizzling interactive mystery and find love!
Introducing brand new time sensitive gameplay mechanics, BUSTAFELLOWS challenges players to use intuition to choose wisely as they are confronted with difficult choices – make a decision or wisely skip as your choices are critical when building intimacy with your love interests in this exciting, steamy otome novel!
5 Romance Options
Develop a romantic relationship with Limbo, Shu, Helvetica, Mozu and Scarecrow; five dangerous fellows who may very well fall in love with you. Choose your route and build your affection with each ikemen through an interactive system.
Multiple Endings
Explore different routes and endings reflected by your choices made during the story. Shape your story through the choices you make, and unlock special side stories to learn all about each character and their true feelings!
Nippon Cultural Broadcasting Extend Inc also announced plans for a BUSTAFELLOWS Season 2. It will tell a new story, rather than being a direct sequel to the first game, but production is only just getting underway so there’s no news yet about a release window or any localisation plans.
2021 is shaping up to be a big year for otome games on Switch. BUSTAFELLOWS joins Code: Realize ~Wintertide Miracles~, Olympia Soirée, Dairoku: Ayakashimori, and Variable Barricade from Aksys Games and Steam Prison from HuneX in games already announced for next year.