Blue Reflection

 PlayStation 4
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 57 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 57
  3. Negative: 11 out of 57
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  1. NexusTsunami
    Oct 3, 2017
    9
    __1. Story:
    Blue Reflection erzählt mal eine etwas andere Geschichte. Hinako Shirai (unsere Protagonistin) ist nach einem schweren Unfall nicht mehr in der Lage ihrer Leidenschaft nachzugehen: dem Ballet. Als sie sich entschließt gebrochen und ohne Lebenssinn wieder die Schule zu besuchen, nehmen die Dinge ihren Lauf. Es erwartet einen eine emotionale und berührende Geschichte von    __1. Story:
    Blue Reflection erzählt mal eine etwas andere Geschichte. Hinako Shirai (unsere Protagonistin) ist nach einem schweren Unfall nicht mehr in der Lage ihrer Leidenschaft nachzugehen: dem Ballet. Als sie sich entschließt gebrochen und ohne Lebenssinn wieder die Schule zu besuchen, nehmen die Dinge ihren Lauf. Es erwartet einen eine emotionale und berührende Geschichte von Freundschaft und der Selbstreflektion welche gerade zum Ende hin ganz großes Kino ist.

    __2. Gameplay - Spielmechaniken:
    Hier verpasst das Spiel meiner Meinung nach den "Meisterwerk" Titel. Das Spiel ist vorab, sehr textlastig. Circa 70% des Spiels sind Dialoge im gut verständlichen Englisch... dies ist natürlich kein Kritikpunkt. Allerdings die Art und Weise wie diese aufgebaut sind - nähmlich repetiv! Im ersten Viertel des Spiels ist es durchaus kurzweilig und mal was anderes. Man erlebt den Schulalltag Japans aus der Sicht Hinako's... man lernt, nimmt am Schwimmuntericht teil, plant das Kulturfestival und redet mit seinen Schulkammeradinen (Mädchenschule ;-)). Vorallem letzteres ist das Zweischneidige Schwert... dieses Spiel besitzt ein erfrischendes und inovatives Charaktersystem - man levelt nicht durch Kämpfe, sondern durch Bonding (Aufbauen von Beziehungen)!! Und so neuartig mir dieses System vorkam, so repetiv wird es in den letzten 75% des Spiels! Damit meine ich nicht die Cutscenes mit den Kammeradinen, die erste Sahne umgesetzt sind, sondern dass eigentliche Prinzip dahinter. Beispiel: Eine neue Kammeradin "schließt" sich an. Diese hat wie jede andere im Cast eine Skala die durch "Unternehmungen" (Kinobesuch etc.) oder durch das Beantworten von Fragen (die besagten Cutscenes) steigt. Und gerade diese Unternehmungen wurden bei mir mehr zur Fleißaufgabe als zum Genuss. Man besucht immer die gleichen Locations (vll 9 unterschiedliche), man geht immer das gleiche Prozedere durch... auch wenn die Dialoge natürlich von Person zu Person unterschiedlich ausfallen, so waren diese für mich sehr Langatmig gestaltet. Man nehme dies nun mal 12 und man findet sich in der Repetivkanone wieder.

    Das Charaktersystem ist wie gesagt innovativ. Man bekommt im Laufe des Spiels Fragmente die unterschiedliche Effekte aufweisen und sich grob in drei Kategorien unterteilen (Angriff, Verteidigung/Support und Sonstige). Jeder Skill den man im Spiel erlernt hat eine unterschiedliche Anzahl an Slots. Man kann diese Fragmente nun in den gewünschten Skillslot einfügen und überträgt somit den Effekt auf die Fähigkeit... Damit ergeben sich eine schier endlose Variationsmöglichkeit und das tüfteln macht Laune.

    __3. Gameplay - Kampfsystem:
    Das Kampfsystem ist absolut genial! Der Kampf läuft Rundenbasiert ab, wobei man an einer Leiste am oberen Bildschirmrand (ähnlich einen ATB System aus FF) die Züge ermitteln kann. Auch die Skills sind schön bis teilweise bombastisch anzusehen... von Single bis Multitarget... von Heilung, Buff bis Debuff... von Delay bis Damagebasiert ist alles dabei was in ein gutes JRPG gehört. Und eines hat mich am Kampfsystem wirklich gefesselt... Sobald es zu den Kämpfen mit den Sephira (den Bossen) kam, blieb mir teilweise der Atem weg. Diese Kämpfe gegen teilweise Hochhaus hohe Monster, sind für mich neben der Charakterdarstellung und der Story das Highlight des Spiels gewesen.

    __4. Charaktere:
    Eine große Stärke des Spiels sind seine Charaktere... und obwohl es eigentlich nur drei Protagonisten gibt (welche direkt an den Kämpfen teilnehmen) so besteht der Cast der Nebencharaktere aus 12 Schülerinnen welche bei Bosskämpfen indirekt zum Einsatz kommen. Nun verkommen diese 12 aber nicht zu seelenlosen NPC's mit denen man nur aus Spielgründen Kontakt aufnimmt (Leveling) sondern hinter ihnen verbergen sich richtig gut geschriebene Charaktere. Ganz großes Lob an die Regie... ALLE Charaktere sind sympatisch, tiefgründig und liebenswert..

    __5. Sound:
    Eigentlich bin ich kein Fan von Elektro... aber dieses Spiel schafft es tatsächlich damit kleine Meisterwerke zu erschaffen. Natürlich ist nicht alles darauf getrimmt aber diese Lieder sind durchaus nett anzuhören. Vorherrschend ist klar das Klavier und die Violine. Auch die BGE sind passend und wirken der Immersion zu gute... vom Geschreie aus Richtung Sportplatz bis zum Schulhofgeflüstere.

    __6. Grafik
    Auf visueller Ebene kann das Spiel absolut überzeugen. Es gibt wenige JRPG's die bisher den Sprung auf Next Gen geschafft haben (wobei mir das persönlich gar nicht so wichtig ist - aber dennoch nice to have :-)). Blue Reflection gehört definitv dazu! Von den Charaktermodellen bis zur Umgebungsgrafik ist alles in einem Hochaufgelösten und wunderschönen Animelook dargestellt!

    __7. Fazit:
    Wäre da nicht das Zweischneidige Schwert von Innovation so vorherrschend. Ich MUSS die Bonding Skala nach oben treiben sonst levele ich nicht... Wenn man davon absieht, ist dieses Spiel für mich ein kleines Highlight.    … Expand
  2. sololeocr
    Oct 24, 2017
    8
    The game is good, I like the characters all the girls are very cute, the game have a lot of fanservice but very regular nothing like others games to shows more things. The title is a normal RPG with some elements of farm for crafting materials for enchancing items, for level up is different to others games, for this game we gain points for complete misions not for kills tons of enemiesThe game is good, I like the characters all the girls are very cute, the game have a lot of fanservice but very regular nothing like others games to shows more things. The title is a normal RPG with some elements of farm for crafting materials for enchancing items, for level up is different to others games, for this game we gain points for complete misions not for kills tons of enemies and with that points we can modify the stats of ours characters for me is a good point, the battles don't have a very complicated mechanics or strategy the most important is check the vitality and spend wisely the MP points for special attacks.

    There are some events there're influenced by our acts on the school and for some activities on home like studying , relax, talk by phone, or take a bath. There are too some minor activities like play a game very similar to Tamaguichi, the main character can chat with some friends into the game by cellphone, or change the background and choose the background music.    … Expand
  3. Vadrael
    Apr 7, 2018
    8
    Amazing graphics and a good JRPG to calm you down but the Story could have been better and i hoped for more Mahou Shoujo in this game.
  4. whatagoodguy
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    Gorgeous game. It's like a mix between Sailor Moon, a dungeon crawler and a 90's anime. I specially like the stylized art. The story is interesting, the leveling up system is practical and rewarding. Recommended if you're into anime girls and emotional stories.
  5. umichuu
    Dec 20, 2017
    10
    Probably the most gorgeous game I've experienced to date. The design factor is stunning.
    The story is rather "slice-of-life". If that isn't your cup of tea, you may find this game boring. Otherwise, it is a beautiful, enthralling experience.
  6. chronofantasy
    Jun 16, 2018
    10
    I'm on chapter 9 and can get onto chapter 10 any time now, but I'm focusing on maxing out all the bonds for the girls to get trophies. The game is quite stunning in its visuals which had quite the appeal for me when I first saw trailers for this game and made me want to pick it up. The music is really amazing too. There's a whole depth to this game as it gets behind the emotions of all theI'm on chapter 9 and can get onto chapter 10 any time now, but I'm focusing on maxing out all the bonds for the girls to get trophies. The game is quite stunning in its visuals which had quite the appeal for me when I first saw trailers for this game and made me want to pick it up. The music is really amazing too. There's a whole depth to this game as it gets behind the emotions of all the characters and deals with real life emotions in our daily lives. It's certainly a slice of life all girls high school settings, with cute high school girls, dressed or undressed in appealing manners for those with that fetish.

    But even for a teen target audience and perhaps some females, they can relate a lot with these characters. There's magical girls, something like aliens from an alternate dimension or almost coming from the subconscious realm called the common. There the girls fights, gain items to strengthen their fragments and craft items. The battle system, despite slow a bit is rather interesting and fun. You can speed up the wait time or do things later on inbetween the turns for you or the monsters.

    It is full of a lot of cutscenes but this is usually what JRPG fans tend to love. If moe' anime style high school JRPGs with a bonding system and magical girls is your thing, then definitely get this game.

    I probably wouldn't give it a 10/10 in all honesty, maybe a 9/10 or 8.5/10, but I feel I have to balance out that 0 score since reading the review looks a rather unfair assessment even if it is their opinion. From what I got out of it there was a tiny bit of enjoyment they got even to give it 1/10, so this score is making up for that. I also still have yet to beat it, so I'm certain it can only get better than worse by the time I get to the ending, because so far I think it's a fine piece of art.    … Expand
  7. MysteriousUser
    Oct 12, 2018
    10
    Ein rundum gelungenes Spiel mit schöner Grafik, einer etwas anderen Story und gutem Game play, welches mich schon von Anfang an begeisterte. Die Story hätte etwas besser sein können (z. B. ein bisschen detaillierter und umfangreicher) , dennoch würde ich mich sehr über eine Fortsetzung freuen.
  8. Kai82
    Nov 10, 2021
    8
    I would describe this RPG as a mixture of Persona with magical girls and Grandia. It might not be one of the best RPGs of all times but won me over in the end. Be warned the game is no AAA production but the developer Gust has put a lot of efforts in the game. I will go into details later in the review. It is the story of the teenager Hinako Shirai. She was a great ballerina but had anI would describe this RPG as a mixture of Persona with magical girls and Grandia. It might not be one of the best RPGs of all times but won me over in the end. Be warned the game is no AAA production but the developer Gust has put a lot of efforts in the game. I will go into details later in the review. It is the story of the teenager Hinako Shirai. She was a great ballerina but had an accident approx a year before the events of the game that injured her leg. She recovered enough to live a normal life but cant do ballet anymore as her leg cant sustain the strain. As she goes to the Hoshinomiya Girls High School as any other day she meets the sisters Yuzuki and Lime who told her that she is more than it seems and has the power of a Reflector. This means saving the world from a menace normal people do not know exists or can see and balancing the emotions of the people. I end it here with the set up. The story is enjoyable. It may start a bit slower but you get more interesting characters, their interactions, developments, and at the end it gets intense and emotional (The good way). I like the cast. Be it the main characters Hinako, Yuzuki and Lime who work great together or the side characters like Yuri, Mao, Kei, Ako, Rin, Sanae, Sarasa, Rika, Kaori, Chihiro, Fumio and Shihori. All are enjoyably and have their own personality, problems, development and story arc. Might be a bit to cliche at some times but they work well and I was invested in them. I must mention that they do use fan service in some scenes but it is not that explicit and not a reason I liked the game. I am not sure if this is a trope with magical girl related media and with that on a to do list. The gameplay is divided in RPG and daily life parts like the Persona games but on a smaller level. You can chose on a limited level who to spend time with, which quest to solve, what answers to give and some other things like how to end your day. It is a bit slice of life in an all girls school while protecting the world. You meet new characters, solve issues and problems while the main plot advances. The game focus on emotions, bonds strengthen your characters and strong emotions create fragments you can use for benefits. The battles follow a Grandia like battle system. You have a bar that shows all characters (left your party and right the enemies). When someone reaches the middle it is their turn. This has some depth as some attacks push back, some abilities let you advance or hasten your progress and there are paralyzing abilities. Also heavier attacks let you start further behind on the bar for your next turn as regular attacks would do. The level up is different from other RPGs. Enemies don't give experience. You level up by forming bonds and solving special quests. There you get an ability point that can be spend on the attack, defense, support or tech branch. Each one has different level up bonuses and abilities. Don't be worried as each branch levels up all stats but in different amounts. For example attack gets more attack power than defense but less MP than support or tech. It is always displayed for comparison. At intervals you get new abilities (Also displayed and mostly each 5 levels of a branch) and some are unlocked automatically. Be warned that it is a game where you won be able to learn everything. There are of cause mini games like a Tamagotchi style add on, chats and a crafting system. Also you unlock new things as you progress through the story some by sidequests by the way. Overall I enjoyed the battle system and gameplay but it will not end on my top 10 RPG games of all times list. Now to the presentation. The graphic except the art style is not that good. Especially the dungeons look like a former generation game. Because it is not AA developer I will not rant or blame then. The soundtrack is really nice and I enjoyed a lot of tracks. I have some negatives too. The gameplay can be a bit repetitive, the dungeons are really small and the loading times are for PS4 standards a bit to long. To clarify: I noticed them to be longer in comparison to many games but must never wait for minutes. My main complain would be the battle against normal enemies. Those took often longer than needed. It took me until chapter 6 until I had abilities that can wipe out weaker standard enemies in one strike. Again to clarify: Don't confuse this with too difficult. I mean that it took too long without being challenged or facing defeat. In total I will say these will not decrease my experience that much. Overall it was a nice game and enjoyable. I will definitely buy the sequel. Might not be the best RPG of all time but worth my time.… Expand
  9. pichuscute
    Mar 15, 2021
    10
    Conclusion from my larger, full review:

    Blue Reflection is the most heart I've seen from a video game. It's gorgeous in every way a video game can be and deeply personally impacted me. The combat was engaging and fun, the characters were a joy to meet and grow with, the world was awe-inspiring to explore, and the OST melted my heart while I listened. If it at all looks interesting to    Conclusion from my larger, full review:

    Blue Reflection is the most heart I've seen from a video game. It's gorgeous in every way a video game can be and deeply personally impacted me. The combat was engaging and fun, the characters were a joy to meet and grow with, the world was awe-inspiring to explore, and the OST melted my heart while I listened. If it at all looks interesting to you (if you're a fan of slice-of-life anime, Sailor Moon, emotional experiences in games, turn-based JRPGS, etc.), I strongly recommend giving it a try. This game doesn't deserve to fall on deaf ears for no reason other than because no one was willing to listen.

    I can safely say after playing it to 100% completion that its solidified itself as not only a great JRPG and not only as a deeply emotional experience, but also as a close contender for my favorite video game and a modern masterpiece.    … Expand
  10. system11
    Apr 26, 2021
    9
    A game with issues around pacing and repetition, but the story is fantastic and very moving. Graphics are vivid and solid 60fps on a PS5, music deserves a special mention. I felt emotionally exhausted at the end, it really does hit you further in.
  11. Steyraus
    Oct 31, 2021
    9
    I never thought I would like a game like this, but the music enticing visuals and beautiful art really drew me in..Unlike similar jrpg , social sims Blue Reflections is paced really well..There isn't 2 hrs of reading or cut scenes to 15 mind of game play, interactions are meaningful and brief. There also clear and present tactics in the combat, so you will do more than press attack in aI never thought I would like a game like this, but the music enticing visuals and beautiful art really drew me in..Unlike similar jrpg , social sims Blue Reflections is paced really well..There isn't 2 hrs of reading or cut scenes to 15 mind of game play, interactions are meaningful and brief. There also clear and present tactics in the combat, so you will do more than press attack in a menu 1000 times to win.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 35
  3. Negative: 2 out of 35
  1. PLAY! Zine
    Dec 28, 2017
    60
    Blue Reflection is but a mere reflection of what Gust is capable of. But, though flaws are many, there are some cool things you can enjoy here, especially if you are a hardcore JRPG fan. If not, and you are not into browsing through cute anime girls while listening to badass OST, skip this game like a YouTube ad - as soon as possible.
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  2. SpazioGames
    Nov 17, 2017
    60
    Blue Reflection is certainly not a title for every gamer: the fans of this genre might find something worth their time, while the hardcore gamers should probably look somewhere else.
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  3. Cubed3
    Nov 14, 2017
    70
    A number of issues with Blue Reflection quickly present themselves, such as some screen-tearing witnessed in the visual stakes and a questionable focus on the level of fan service wedged into the adventure, yet underneath these opinion-splitting matters there is an extremely enjoyable, memorable, and rather uncommon Japanese RPG adventure that will certainly leave an impression for the duration of the journey, as well as for a while after playing it.
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