Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 411 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King Game Cover
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Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King is a top-down action-adventure game with pixelated graphics. Players take on the role of Lily, a skilled knight, on a quest to save her uncle, the king, from a deep sleep. The game features various biomes, enemies, and puzzles, offering an engaging and nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic action-adventure games.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 411 reviews
story36 positive mentions
grinding22 negative mentions
  • Charming storytelling with a unique framing device of a grandfather narrating to his grandchildren.
  • Engaging gameplay that captures the essence of classic Zelda games with fun puzzles and exploration.
  • Beautiful pixel art and a catchy soundtrack that enhance the nostalgic feel of the game.
  • Repetitive puzzles and mechanics that can become tedious over time, particularly the Simon Says-style memory puzzles.
  • Some gameplay elements, like the movement speed and hit detection, can feel clunky and frustrating.
  • The game lacks depth in its story and character development, making it feel less impactful than its inspirations.
  • story225 mentions

    The story of "Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King" is framed as a whimsical bedtime tale narrated by a grandfather to his grandchildren, which adds a unique charm to the gameplay. While the narrative is straightforward and somewhat clichéd, revolving around a young knight named Lily on a quest to save her king, the interactive storytelling elements and the children's interruptions provide a lighthearted and engaging experience. However, many players noted that the simplicity of the plot and the frequent narrative interruptions can detract from immersion, making the overall story feel basic and derivative of classic Zelda games.

    • “The story comes alive by the way it is told, being narrated by a grandfather as he tells a bedtime tale to his two grandkids.”
    • “The game is beautiful, and the world is super charming with a stellar framing device of a grandfather telling his grandkids a story.”
    • “The story is told through the words of a grandfather telling a bedtime story to his grandchildren, which makes for some humorous and endearing dialogue, with a few references for retro game fans.”
    • “The story is anemic and lacks any compelling reason to focus on our character besides 'just because'.”
    • “The story is fairly linear, and there are plenty of open-world side quests that can be done in order to increase maximum health or energy, or gain money, etc. none of these side-quests are necessary, but they serve their purpose in rewarding the player who takes the time to do them, by effectively reducing the difficulty of the main dungeons after the powerups are obtained.”
    • “The actual story of the game is just the same basic story that the beginning of 'A Link to the Past' does, except you save the king and not the princess.”
  • gameplay105 mentions

    The gameplay is heavily inspired by classic top-down Zelda titles, featuring familiar mechanics such as exploration, puzzles, and combat, which many players find enjoyable and nostalgic. However, some reviews highlight issues with balance, repetitiveness, and awkward design choices that detract from the overall experience. While it offers solid mechanics and a charming aesthetic, the game may feel like a derivative "clone" for those seeking innovation beyond the established formula.

    • “If you have that itch for some top-view, classic Zelda gameplay, then look no further and give this a shot.”
    • “The gameplay is very tight with constant things to do and places to go.”
    • “The gameplay is quite fun and it's easy to tell it was heavily inspired by the developers' love for the 16-bit era and Zelda games.”
    • “Puzzles and usage of the new mechanics were lacking in the first dungeon, which is where I stopped.”
    • “If it were more mechanically intensive, the design might have worked, but as it is, it just feels like a meaningless slog.”
    • “Waiting for your stamina to recharge so you can use the bow, bombs, or boomerang really takes you out of the gameplay, and there's no balance to how much stamina each item uses, making the boomerang a useless offensive item.”
  • music85 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising it as catchy and fitting, particularly highlighting standout tracks like "Blossom Town" and "Frost Zone." However, many critics find the overall soundtrack to be generic, uninspired, or forgettable, often comparing it unfavorably to classic titles like "The Legend of Zelda." While some players appreciate the nostalgic chiptune style, others feel it lacks the depth and memorability of its inspirations.

    • “The music is great, upbeat, and fitting the tone.”
    • “The soundtrack is one of the best I've ever heard in any game; huge praise be to Visager.”
    • “The pixel art and music deserve high praise, and the dungeons are pretty good design-wise.”
    • “For cons, I’d say that the music is pretty forgettable and sometimes annoying (ice temple).”
    • “The music is also bare minimum, with some tracks so generic and uninspired that I'd rather listen to music on YouTube while playing, and others being mere remixes of the Zelda games.”
    • “The music, composition-wise, is pretty boring and generic.”
  • graphics70 mentions

    The graphics of the game are a mix of charming pixel art and a nostalgic 16-bit aesthetic, reminiscent of classic Zelda titles, which many players appreciate for its colorful and cheerful design. However, some critics argue that the graphics lack detail and originality, with certain effects clashing with the pixelated style, leading to a perception of it being a lesser imitation of its inspirations. Overall, while the visuals evoke a sense of nostalgia and charm, opinions vary on their execution and quality.

    • “It's charming, it doesn't demand much commitment from the player, it has great music (especially Blossom Town, holy crap that song is amazing), and the art direction and graphics are great.”
    • “The graphics and visuals are incredibly well done, the music is great and the story fun and very well told (especially the ironic beginning as a self-reference as a Zelda clone).”
    • “Graphically it has a colorful 16-bit theme and support for high resolutions; I was playing in 1080p, so I can say that one works for sure.”
    • “My only original complaint was that Lily uses pixel graphics instead of looking like she does on the box art.”
    • “A cheap knock-off that has worse gameplay, worse music, worse art direction, and worse graphics than the game it rips off, sorry 'pays homage to'... The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, which was made 32 years ago.”
    • “It looks very bad, but what really makes the graphics truly awful is the tweening, scaling, and 'rixels'.”
  • grinding25 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is characterized by tedious and uninspired puzzles, overly long dungeons, and frustrating mechanics that detract from the overall experience. Players frequently express that the gameplay feels repetitive and lacks engagement, with some side quests appearing grindy but manageable if players defeat most enemies. Overall, the game suffers from a lack of excitement and a slow pace that makes exploration feel laborious.

    • “Some grinding can be enjoyable if done in moderation.”
    • “It can feel a bit grindy at times, but it adds to the overall experience.”
    • “There's a lot of grinding involved, but it helps in character progression.”
    • “The game's puzzles are seriously tedious and uninspired.”
    • “Maybe the game gets better after a few hours, but I asked myself, 'Did I play any 2D Zelda game where the first hour was extremely boring and tedious?' I haven't played 'A Link Between Worlds', but I can say that none of the 2D Zelda games that I have played ever made me not want to play them.”
    • “Tedious, overlong repetition puzzles aren't engaging.”
  • humor25 mentions

    The game features a blend of charming, light-hearted humor, often employing fourth-wall breaks and playful writing that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, particularly the interactions between the grandfather and his grandchildren, which add a unique and endearing touch. While some humor may come off as a bit childish, it effectively complements the Zelda-inspired gameplay, making for an enjoyable adventure filled with funny characters and clever references.

    • “The game has some good humor, most of which is of the third-wall breaking variety.”
    • “There's a large overworld with charming towns, funny characters, and plenty of secrets to discover.”
    • “The story is told through the words of a grandfather telling a bedtime story to his grandchildren, which makes for some humorous and endearing dialogue, with a few references for retro game fans.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is considered limited, with some players noting that while there are choices that affect enemy types and strategies, these elements do not significantly enhance the overall experience. The consensus suggests that despite a few options for variation, the game lacks depth and additional content to encourage multiple playthroughs.

    • “There are moments where you'll be given options to lay out what kind of enemies and obstacles you'll face in the coming areas (ninjas or pirates, etc.), which adds to the replay value to some degree.”
    • “In the end, a very nice game, lovely music, cute story, but not much replayability.”
    • “I expected more things like that to happen—give more replay value and depth to the game... but the game doesn't really deliver.”
    • “The game gives you a choice, which adds a bit of replay value as the enemies may require different strategies for dealing with them.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by its vibrant lighting and retro aesthetic, creating a charming and whimsical environment that balances cuteness with depth. While it features a playful, childlike vibe, the design effectively conveys a range of moods, from the bright and sunny to the darker, more mysterious settings like dungeons and swamps. Overall, the atmosphere is engaging and enhances the gameplay experience.

    • “Lighting is another key feature of this game that gives off the glow of touches and sunbeams; even the gloomy atmosphere of the dungeons and swamp area is nice.”
    • “A very fun Zelda clone, with an overall great retro look. Aside from the main character being a little bit too squished, it really has great atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is more cute and less grim and serious, but not in a bad way - it's childlike, rather than childish.”
    • “Don't let the youthful atmosphere fool you, though.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is significantly enhanced by its exceptional soundtrack, particularly in areas like "frost zone" and "frostroot dungeon," which deeply resonate with players and elevate the storytelling experience. While the gameplay includes straightforward puzzles, it is the evocative music that leaves a lasting emotional impact.

    • “I need to mention the soundtrack of the game; it is amazing and works well with the storytelling. 'Frost Zone' and 'Frostroot Dungeon' create a perfect mood for the environment and always touch my heart when I hear them.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game demonstrates excellent stability, running smoothly on the Steam Deck without significant battery drain, and users report no bugs or glitches, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience.

    • “Runs great on Steam Deck without being a battery hog.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy for the game effectively captured user interest, leading some players to invest in specific hardware, like a Super Nintendo, to access it.

  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in this game is criticized for being unremarkable, with users suggesting that it lacks depth and originality compared to alternatives like the Link to the Past randomizer, which offers a more engaging experience.

    • “If you're interested in this game, get a link to the past randomizer instead; you'll get the same effect, only better, since the character design is unremarkable and all the songs are shallow versions of LoZ music.”
    • “The character development feels rushed and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with anyone in the story.”
    • “I found the characters to be one-dimensional and their arcs predictable, which really detracted from my overall enjoyment of the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

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Play time

15hMedian play time
29hAverage play time
11-62hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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