BLUE REFLECTION

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 926 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
BLUE REFLECTION Game Cover
Blue Reflection has minor issues here and there but it tells its story well with likable characters, well-integrated mechanics, solid combat and a unique magical girl style.
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In Blue Reflection, Hinako Shirai, a high school girl who regained her strength after an accident, becomes a "Reflector" with magical powers. She protects the world from destructive forces and works to fulfill her own dream. The game consists of two main parts: school life, where you advance the story and deepen relationships with classmates, and the Common, where you complete missions, battle enemies, and resolve student problems.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 926 reviews
story221 positive mentions
optimization35 negative mentions
  • Beautiful graphics and character designs, creating an immersive atmosphere.
  • Outstanding soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Engaging story focused on friendship and emotional growth, with relatable characters.
  • Repetitive gameplay and side quests that can feel tedious.
  • Poor optimization and technical issues, including frame rate drops and crashes.
  • Translation errors and typos that detract from the narrative experience.
  • story916 mentions

    The story of "Blue Reflection" is characterized as a blend of emotional depth and predictability, focusing on themes of friendship and personal growth within a magical girl framework. While the narrative starts slowly and can feel repetitive due to side quests, it ultimately builds to a touching conclusion that resonates with players, particularly in its exploration of human connections. However, some reviewers noted issues with pacing, character development, and localization, which detracted from the overall experience.

    • “The story starts slower and builds up to what I found to be a very emotional and precious ending.”
    • “The story is not something I want to spoil here but, overall, I'll say that I really appreciated the sense of 'reality' that pervades it, even though there obviously are a lot of fantastical elements... the various characters each have their own struggles, they are often conflicted about their actions, they grow to understand each other even if they don't always end up completely accepting each other, they are varied in personalities and ultimately, you find yourself rooting for the main trio with all your heart.”
    • “The story is where the game truly shines, the plot is melancholic yet uplifting and the light, almost watercolor, color scheme really helps set the feeling of it all.”
    • “The story is quite boring to be honest and does not make much sense.”
    • “I've played through the entirety of the story at the time of this review and I felt bored through 85% of the game, the gameplay is way too repetitive and the story isn't very interesting.”
    • “The story falls a little short as well and there's not much character development going on.”
  • music413 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its exceptional quality and emotional depth. The soundtrack, composed by Hayato Asano, features a diverse range of styles, from soothing piano melodies to intense battle themes, enhancing the overall experience and atmosphere of the game. While some noted that the music may not reach the heights of other titles in the genre, it remains a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “The music in this game is absolutely incredible and the story is surprisingly pretty decent even though the story’s twists and turns are mostly back-loaded, that’s not necessarily a problem if you enjoy the everyday school life theme, and you really do come to care for the characters.”
    • “I really cannot overstate how unbelievably exceptional it is: the upbeat character/conversation tracks, the more pensive/relaxing pieces and the melancholic opening/ending songs by Sayonara Ponytail are all a huge pleasure to the ears.”
    • “The soundtrack alone makes this game worth it if you ask me.”
    • “Music is okay but it seriously lacks variety.”
    • “Music: 5/10 it starts off nice... gets repetitive real quick.”
    • “The only drawback of the music is that some people might not be into highly static, digital, metal, even experimental music when facing boss fights, but nevertheless each music played is a work of art.”
  • gameplay304 mentions

    The gameplay of Blue Reflection has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it simple and repetitive, often lacking depth and challenge, even on higher difficulty settings. While some appreciate the easy-to-understand mechanics and the blend of visual novel elements with turn-based RPG gameplay, others criticize it for feeling unpolished and uninspired, leading to a lack of engagement during combat and exploration. Overall, the game is seen as more focused on story and character development than on delivering a robust gameplay experience, making it a niche title that may not appeal to everyone.

    • “The gameplay is interesting enough to keep you engaged.”
    • “Gathering materials and crafting items is a satisfying process, and upgrading facilities at school provides useful benefits that enhance gameplay.”
    • “The mechanics and battle systems were really well made, and they were introduced slowly enough that I never felt overwhelmed.”
    • “The gameplay is extremely boring.”
    • “Sadly, overall gameplay and combat is repetitive and boring.”
    • “Blue Reflection has a lot of interesting ideas, from its plot to the core gameplay, so it’s unfortunate that these ideas are left to fester in a pool of mediocrity and drowned in an adventure that feels boring and stale before it’s even really begun.”
  • graphics297 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally praised for their beautiful art style and character designs, with many reviewers highlighting the stunning visuals and atmospheric settings. However, there are notable criticisms regarding graphical issues such as poor optimization, lack of in-game settings, and occasional bugs, which detract from the overall experience. While the aesthetic is appealing, some players feel that the graphical quality does not fully meet modern standards, especially when compared to other titles.

    • “The graphics are awesome, and it's fun to play.”
    • “Blue Reflection is a story-focused, turn-based JRPG, with pretty amazing graphics that is probably the best I've ever seen in a game like this to date.”
    • “Beautiful graphic quality, with a lot of care put into the details of the world.”
    • “Graphic issues - ambient occlusion seems to be partially broken, with leg-shaped shadows hanging off the sides of characters.”
    • “But sadly, the PC port of this game is so bad; keyboard control is annoying and inconvenient, with very blurry graphics.”
    • “Poor optimization makes it impossible to run the game at a stable framerate even at the lowest resolution; graphical effects and options are broken or just don't work.”
  • emotional86 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its focus on human connections, personal struggles, and the themes of loss and letting go, culminating in a touching and memorable narrative. Players appreciate the blend of lighthearted and darker moments, with a strong emphasis on character development and emotional healing, particularly through the protagonist's interactions with others. While some found the emotional impact diminished by language barriers, the overall experience is described as heartwarming, supported by a beautiful soundtrack and charming visuals.

    • “The themes of 'losing your purpose', 'bonds' and 'letting go' make for a highly effective and emotionally charged tale that I am unlikely to forget any time soon.”
    • “However, the emotional moments and character development make it worthwhile for those who appreciate slice-of-life storytelling.”
    • “The characters, their emotional struggles and friendships are very touchingly explored and portrayed, giving the player a real sense of wanting to play and help them.”
  • character development86 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some main characters like Hinako receive decent growth, many supporting characters are underdeveloped, often feeling like they are sidelined in favor of the main storyline. The emotional moments and slice-of-life elements resonate well with some players, but others feel that the overall character development is uninspired and could benefit from a more focused approach. The beautiful character designs and art style, particularly by Mel Kishida, are frequently praised, yet they do not fully compensate for the lack of depth in character arcs.

    • “However, the emotional moments and character development make it worthwhile for those who appreciate slice-of-life storytelling.”
    • “Character development is really good too; Hinako isn't your typical JRPG main character who's either a viewer surrogate or a divine chosen one.”
    • “A fair bit of side content that adds to character development; text conversations, real conversations, and a silly little mini game!”
    • “It would have been way better if they cut the supporting cast in half or even 2/3 so that each chapter helps develop each character further rather than you having to revisit these characters for the social sim aspect of the game and get only a glimpse of the character development they could have gotten had they continued to remain in the main storyline.”
    • “The story falls a little short as well and there's not much character development going on.”
    • “Earlier chapter characters get far less character development than they should (excluding the main characters). Sanae, for example, gets completely shafted after chapter 3.”
  • optimization79 mentions

    The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including low frame rates, stuttering, and high hardware demands that seem unjustified for its graphical quality. While some users have managed to run the game smoothly, the overall consensus is that it suffers from poor optimization across all platforms, leading to a frustrating experience that detracts from its potential. Despite these shortcomings, there are hopes for future patches to improve performance.

    • “Idk what people are saying with optimization because I can run this game and stream at the same time no problem.”
    • “The overall performance of the game is also quite good.”
    • “The game runs smoothly at 60 fps, this seems to be higher than the PS4, though that may just be an issue of referencing from YouTube rather than the actual console.”
    • “Dialogue has typos, and the game is far from optimized, pushing even high-end graphics cards to high usage.”
    • “Poor optimization makes it impossible to run the game at a stable framerate even at the lowest resolution; graphical effects and options are broken or just don't work, and the localization work is at times very poor.”
    • “It definitely does have performance problems though, and it isn't just this PC version, since the PS4 version has those problems too.”
  • grinding70 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and sometimes frustrating, particularly in relation to side quests and bond leveling. While some appreciate the lack of traditional experience grinding, opting instead for story progression, others feel that the optional grinding can become monotonous and detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game offers a casual pace that may appeal to completionists but can be tiresome for those seeking a more dynamic gameplay experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The grindy aspect of it is really tiresome since it doesn't add onto the story and is kind of lame.”
    • “Only about 1/3 of the game is actual story, the rest is just grinding out tedious sidequests to reach enough points to advance the story.”
    • “I'm no connoisseur of endless grinding, especially when that grind feels about as fulfilling as chasing your own shadow.”
  • atmosphere55 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, dreamy pastel environments, and captivating character designs, creating a relaxing yet engaging experience. The combination of a serene, melancholic ambiance with upbeat battle sequences adds charm, while the excellent music and voice acting further enhance the overall atmosphere. However, some players noted that certain elements, such as the intentional male gaze, detracted from their enjoyment of the otherwise rich and immersive setting.

    • “The dreamy, pastel-colored environments and the beautifully designed characters create an ethereal atmosphere that is both relaxing and captivating.”
    • “The contrast of serene, peaceful, and melancholic atmosphere with the upbeat and energetic battles has a lot of charm that goes a long way in making a heartwarming and memorable experience.”
    • “Overall, this is an excellent game and one where the atmosphere has stuck with me for quite some time after playing it, encouraging me to come back.”
    • “The cutscenes are just less expressive to describe the atmosphere.”
    • “This game will most likely stay in my favorites and serve me a respite for when I just want to relax and get lost in the atmosphere of a quiet Japanese high school.”
    • “Even at the menu, a gentle yet slightly emotional music wraps around the room, giving off a soothing atmosphere.”
  • humor24 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of cute and entertaining characters, particularly the protagonist Hinako, whose antics elicit both laughter and emotional responses. While some moments are described as awkward rather than outright funny, the self-aware humor regarding fan service and the absurdity of certain situations contribute to an overall lighthearted tone. Although not as comedic as other titles like the Neptunia series, the game still offers a blend of humor that resonates with players, including amusing animations and quirky interactions.

    • “Hinako is a hilarious protagonist, and I got obsessed with all the other characters too; I found them really cute and entertaining.”
    • “It's funny they have a moment of self-awareness in the game when it comes to the fan service.”
    • “Certain moves combined lead to hilariously broken delays that can prevent enemies from even attacking.”
  • stability15 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with some players noting improvements over the PS4 version, such as fewer freezes and crashes on the PS5. However, many users report significant bugs, graphical glitches, and performance issues, including lag and low framerates, which detract from the overall experience. Despite its fun elements, the game's technical shortcomings have led to frustration among players.

    • “No freezes, frame drops, or crashes.”
    • “No freezes, frame drops, or crashes.”
    • “No freezes, frame drops, or crashes.”
    • “Very slow burn... the game itself is kind of bad in terms of the port and overall quality, a bit buggy too.”
    • “Feel like I've wasted money buying this, as the game is buggy, lags a lot, and the framerate is awful.”
    • “It's just a buggy mess; can't run it full screen, can't change the default anti-aliasing, assets locked to 720p. This is really sad because the game is fun and has a great soundtrack.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    The replayability of Blue Reflection is generally considered low, primarily due to its broken PC port and limited gameplay variety, with a typical playtime of around 20 hours. However, perfectionists may find some value in replaying the game to complete all entries in the database.

    • “Replayability is not bad, especially if you're a perfectionist and want to fill all entries in the database section.”
    • “But since it clocks in at about 20 hours playtime, with a low replay value, that does have to be a consideration.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

66% average critic score

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Play time

20hMedian play time
20hAverage play time
20-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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