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Buried Stars

Review · Adventure · PC · PlayStation 4 · PS Vita

Buried Stars

Reviewed: 30 Apr 2026

PC · PlayStation 4 · PS Vita · Nintendo Switch

LINE Games · 2020

Ludograph rating

B

Good

61 /100

Automated review

Buried Stars is an adventure game that builds problem solving, critical thinking, and reading skills through a murder mystery, containing mature content.

06010030Benefit →Low risk →B 45 · R 4
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

45

Risk (RIS)

4

Daily limit

–

Age guidance

17+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.58
B2Social-emotional
0.50
B3Motor
0.05

Buried Stars offers a rich narrative experience that heavily relies on critical thinking, problem-solving, and reading comprehension as players piece together clues to solve a murder mystery. The branching dialogue and multiple endings encourage replayability and deeper engagement with the story and characters.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.00
R2Monetization
0.00
R3Social risk
0.17

The primary risks in Buried Stars are related to its mature content, including significant violence, references to death, and potentially unsettling themes given the murder mystery premise. While there are social media elements, the game explicitly states no stranger chat, mitigating direct social risks. The game does not feature manipulative monetization or dopamine-driving mechanics.

Content (not in risk score)

R4.1Violence Level
1.00
R4.2Sexual Content
0.00
R4.3Language
0.33
R4.4Substance References
0.00
R4.5Fear / Horror
0.67

Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.

Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: meets criteria·GDPR-K — Not yet assessed·ODDS — Assessed: meets criteria

  • DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. No dark pattern or child-targeting concerns found.
  • GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.
  • ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.

These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.

Avg playtime~5 hReviewedApr 2026Report a data error →How scores are calculated →

Parents ask…

Is Buried Stars safe for kids?

Ludograph gives Buried Stars a rating of 61/100, recommended for ages 17 and up. It offers solid benefits but needs parental guidance on the risks.

What age is Buried Stars appropriate for?

Ludograph's rubric recommends a minimum age of 17+ for Buried Stars, based on benefits, risks, and content review. That is stricter than ESRB T, because our assessment weighs behavioral design risks, not just content.

How long should kids play Buried Stars?

We don't publish a daily session budget for Buried Stars: its design-risk score sits in our highest band, where limiting time alone doesn't address the risks. For children we suggest choosing an alternative instead.

What are the main risks of Buried Stars?

The primary risks in Buried Stars are related to its mature content, including significant violence, references to death, and potentially unsettling themes given the murder mystery premise. While there are social media elements, the game explicitly states no stranger chat, mitigating direct social risks. The game does not feature manipulative monetization or dopamine-driving mechanics.