Bloomtown: A Different Story

Bloomtown: A Different Story is a turn-based JRPG where bartering your soul with Satan is the least of your worries. The games’ quirky characters and unconventional story are a highlight and pull you in instantly. Sadly, the inquisitiveness and allure drop rather quickly due to an overabundance of mechanics and inconvenient design making Bloomtown wilt away.

81%Game Brain Score

story, music

grinding, stability

87% User Score Based on 608 reviews

Critic Score 52%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

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About

"Bloomtown: A Different Story" is a narrative-driven game that explores the life of a young adult, Mia, in the town of Bloomtown. Players will navigate Mia's relationships, make choices that affect her story, and uncover the town's hidden secrets. Through stunning visuals and branching dialogue options, the game invites players to experience a heartfelt and immersive adventure.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+15

Skip User Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 608 reviews

story135 positive mentions

grinding45 negative mentions

The story and atmosphere are captivating, blending elements of nostalgia with darker themes.
The pixel art and animations are stunning, showcasing a high level of detail and creativity.
The soundtrack is fantastic, with catchy battle music that enhances the overall experience.

The combat system can feel tedious, with a high miss rate and a lack of strategic depth, especially against bosses.
There are numerous bugs and design flaws, including a confusing UI and a lack of manual save options.
Some quests and mechanics are poorly explained, leading to frustration and a feeling of being lost in the game.

story
408 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
65%
2%
The story of "Bloomtown: A Different Story" is a blend of cozy charm and darker themes, drawing comparisons to series like "Stranger Things" and "Gravity Falls." While many players appreciate its engaging characters and humor, some criticize the narrative for being simplistic or lacking depth, with certain quests feeling disjointed or poorly explained. Overall, the game offers a captivating experience with a mix of lighthearted and serious storytelling, though it may not satisfy those seeking a complex plot.
- “The story is engaging, quirky, fun, and honestly a great example of capturing the beauty of being a kid.”
- “The storyline is captivating, with twists and turns.”
- “The story centers on a group of children navigating big, often tragic problems, yet the writing captures their perspectives with authenticity and care.”
- “The bad reviews were right, this game has pretty much no substance; it is an extremely degraded version of Persona 5 Royal, even the music tries to mimic it, but the story falls so short it just comes up to that, a terrible copycat.”
- “My immediate reaction to finishing the game was 'that's it?' and while I don't expect an indie title like this to have a Game of the Year script, what started off as a decent Persona-esque story feels like it quickly devolves from being 'inspired by' that series to something that plays more like the writing was an afterthought used to fill the necessity of needing a plot in order to make a game with similar mechanics.”
- “The story feels... phoned in.”
music
257 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
47%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy and energetic soundtrack, particularly during battles, which evokes comparisons to the Persona series. While some players noted that the limited number of tracks can lead to repetition, the overall quality and appeal of the music have left a lasting impression, prompting many to seek out the soundtrack outside of the game. However, a few critiques mention that certain battle themes may not resonate with everyone, highlighting a mix of subjective opinions on specific tracks.
- “The soundtrack is an absolute banger.”
- “The music is fantastic, the turn-based fighting is great, the art style is top tier, and the music is absolutely amazing.”
- “The music during battles, in particular, is epic and really pumps you up, adding a lot of excitement to the fights.”
- “The bad reviews were right, this game has pretty much no substance, it is an extremely degraded version of Persona 5 Royal, even the music tries to mimic it, but the story falls so short it just comes up to that, a terrible copy-cat.”
- “My only significant complaint so far is that the town music got tiring very quickly.”
- “Only downside was the music got a little repetitive in combat after a while.”
gameplay
182 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
71%
6%
The gameplay of the game is a blend of traditional turn-based mechanics and life-sim elements, drawing heavily from the Persona series, but often lacking the depth and polish found in those titles. While many players appreciate the charming aesthetics and engaging story, they note that the mechanics can feel repetitive and underdeveloped, with some systems poorly explained or implemented. Overall, the gameplay is enjoyable for fans of the genre, but it may not satisfy those seeking a more intricate RPG experience.
- “I like the overall mechanics of the game; the underlying RPG system feels somewhere between a CRPG and a JRPG.”
- “The gameplay is simple, with traditional turn-based mechanics, not particularly deep but still enjoyable.”
- “The gameplay loop is really fun.”
- “The systems and the gameplay were not very good.”
- “But combat and general gameplay feel boring and repetitive.”
- “The overall gameplay just feels half-baked.”
graphics
136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
38%
2%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful pixel art style, charming animations, and attention to detail, creating an inviting and nostalgic atmosphere. Many reviewers highlight the art's ability to balance cuteness with darker themes, while the overall aesthetic is often compared favorably to beloved titles like Persona and Earthbound. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the visuals remain a standout feature that enhances the overall experience.
- “The game has a beautiful art style; it's super chill when you're wandering around town, but it also manages the creepiness of the underlying mystery pretty well.”
- “The graphics are amazing and very polished, and it is one of the best-looking pixel games I have played recently.”
- “The art style is absolutely gorgeous and the attention to detail is phenomenal.”
- “The game has an 'indie pixel' appeal aesthetic towards it, but lacked in proper game design optimization.”
- “There are so many interesting things to look at but you can't interact with most of them, so I'm unsure whether the game is unfinished, had issues with scope, or the things are just there for aesthetics.”
- “I really wanted to like this game; if the game felt finished and didn't have these massive problems, I would have really loved it because it has everything else down: the combat (pretty average), the exploration, art style, atmosphere, the music, but they all feel like fractions of a whole.”
grinding
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the combat and resource collection repetitive and tedious, particularly due to long animations and unnecessary farming mechanics. While some appreciate the blend of farming and RPG elements, others feel these features are superfluous and detract from the overall experience, leading to a sense of padding rather than meaningful gameplay. Overall, the game offers a mix of enjoyable story and mechanics, but the grind can become a significant drawback for players seeking a more streamlined experience.
- “The second significant flaw of that game is that many of the side quests boil down to either collecting things (e.g., records) or completing tedious minigames (e.g., fishing).”
- “Combat becomes a grind, the resource farming becomes a grind... it starts to feel like a Kickstarter was run to add in systems and mini-games like cooking and fishing, that just get really repetitious very quickly, without any sense of balance to them - but a ton of time watching the same animations over and over again.”
- “I know others will enjoy it and I'm glad they will, but I cannot recommend this game when it fell apart and became tedious as jarringly as it did.”
humor
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, dark undertones, and engaging character interactions, often eliciting genuine laughter from players. While some dialogues may come off as cringe-worthy at times, the overall comedic tone is described as charming and witty, effectively balancing lighthearted moments with deeper themes. Players appreciate the blend of humor with the game's narrative and aesthetics, making for an enjoyable and immersive experience.
- “This game has such great characters and humor, wrapped in a cozy, fun, engaging gaming experience.”
- “The dialogue is hilarious and witty, and the story is not afraid to get serious and explore some darker themes.”
- “The characters are funny and adorable.”
atmosphere
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
38%
10%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and nostalgic qualities, drawing comparisons to beloved titles like "Stranger Things" and "Stand By Me." Players appreciate the exquisite pixel art, detailed animations, and a captivating soundtrack that enhance the quirky and sometimes spooky environment. Overall, the game successfully blends humor, emotional depth, and a compelling narrative, creating a memorable and engaging atmosphere that resonates with players.
- “Great music that complements every scene and creates an amazing atmosphere.”
- “Bloomtown's true strength, however, resides in the presentation; exquisite pixel art paired with highly detailed animations and a pleasant and atmospheric soundtrack.”
- “The art style is so detailed and unique, the slight political aspect is grounding and humanizing, the nostalgic atmosphere is homey and uncomfortable in ways.”
- “The environments are beautifully crafted, full of details, animations are well done, there is a lot of humor in the way some characters are shown, and it contributes beautifully to this 'summer spent in a decrepit mysterious town' atmosphere.”
- “I really wanted to like this game; if the game felt finished and didn't have these massive problems, I would have really loved it because it has everything else down: the combat (pretty average), the exploration, art style, atmosphere, the music, but they all feel like fractions of a whole.”
emotional
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartwarming stories, nostalgic themes, and touching character relationships, evoking a sense of childhood summers and genuine connection. While some reviewers noted a lack of depth compared to other titles, many found the game to be a wholesome experience filled with laughter and poignant moments, despite some criticisms regarding its pacing and emotional engagement. Overall, it is celebrated as a heartfelt indie gem that balances charm with deeper themes of friendship, loss, and hope.
- “This game is the first game that made me emotional in years.”
- “There is an emotional depth and twist in the last part of the story that was beautiful and touching.”
- “A very sweet and well put together RPG with a heartwarming story of friendship, coming of age, moving through loss and hope.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
83%
The game's stability is notably inconsistent, with players reporting various glitches and bugs, particularly related to quest progression and visual elements. Issues such as problematic save functionality and occasional fast travel errors contribute to a frustrating experience, suggesting that the game feels unfinished in this regard.
- “Runs great off the deck.”
- “The game maintains a smooth performance without any noticeable lag.”
- “I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs, which makes for a stable gaming experience.”
- “Connected to the game being unfinished, there are also a number of glitches that were extremely frustrating.”
- “Ran into a lot of bugs, especially when it came to accidentally sequence-breaking parts of the game, quest markers or info that is not helpful for progression, visual glitches, and lack of collision in certain areas.”
- “Fast traveling is a little buggy sometimes.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development in the game is highlighted by a mix of dark humor and engaging writing, complemented by unique character designs and animations. While some players find the character designs somewhat bland, the deep character development system and challenging combat contribute to an overall enjoyable experience. The game's art and character design are particularly praised, enhancing the overall appeal.
- “I'm recommending this game because of its soundtrack, character design, level design, and especially its writing.”
- “Challenging fights and a deep character development system.”
- “A ton of dark humor so far, and I love the character designs.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression.”
- “I was disappointed by the lack of depth in the character arcs; they felt one-dimensional.”
- “The characters don't evolve in a way that feels rewarding or engaging.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
Overall, the game's replayability is viewed as high due to the anticipation of a prequel/sequel and the introduction of diverse playable characters, which enhances the experience. However, some users feel that the lack of additional content limits replayability.
- “A prequel/sequel is much anticipated yet highly replayable.”
- “More playable characters - Preston became one of my favorites after the little quest with him.”
- “Not much replayability.”
- “Which... increases replayability, I guess?”
- “I know I would if it were playable!”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The game features an appealing indie pixel aesthetic but suffers from significant optimization issues, including stuttering due to off-screen asset loading and rough performance in certain areas, particularly the forest. Improvements in animation fluidity and weapon art visibility are also suggested to enhance the overall experience.
- “It would be nice to see the art for the different weapons, just to add more flavor, and some optimizations of animations to make combat flow more smoothly.”
- “Performance was a bit rough in some parts, especially in the forest, but I managed to push through that.”
- “The game has an 'indie pixel' appeal aesthetic, but it lacks proper game design optimization.”
- “I assume the game is stuttering because it's loading assets off-screen as you approach them.”
- “Performance was a bit rough in some parts, especially in the forest; I had to tough it out.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users feeling it resembles a cash grab that relies on appealing art and similarities to more successful titles, while others believe it suffers from inadequate advertising. Overall, the perception is that the game's financial strategy detracts from its potential.
- “This honestly feels like a cash grab trying to use nice art and a resemblance to better games to rope players in.”