BLUE REFLECTION

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.

Starting at $54.38Buy now

Get on Steam

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 453 reviews

story106 positive mentions

optimization17 negative mentions

Beautiful graphics and character designs, creating an immersive atmosphere.
Engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
Unique story focusing on friendship and emotional growth, with relatable characters.

Repetitive gameplay and side quests that can become tedious.
Poor optimization leading to performance issues, especially during cutscenes.
Translation errors and typos that detract from the overall narrative experience.

story
452 mentions
23 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a blend of typical magical girl themes and slice-of-life elements, focusing on friendship, emotional growth, and personal struggles. While the narrative starts slowly and can feel predictable, it builds to an emotional climax that resonates with players, particularly in the latter chapters. However, many reviewers noted that the pacing is uneven, with repetitive side quests detracting from the overall experience, and some found the character development lacking despite the engaging premise.
- “The story starts slower and builds up to what I found to be a very emotional and precious ending.”
- “The story is quite beautiful and the soundtrack soothes me.”
- “The story hit in places I never expected and the writing was pretty genuine for the most part.”
- “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.”
music
205 mentions
61 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its exceptional quality and emotional depth, often describing it as the standout feature. The soundtrack features a diverse mix of genres, including soothing piano, upbeat character themes, and intense battle music, which enhances the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. While some noted that certain tracks could become repetitive, the majority agree that the music significantly elevates the game's charm and emotional impact.
- “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.”
- “The soundtrack is by far the best aspect of the game.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
gameplay
148 mentions
18 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it simple and repetitive, often describing it as lacking depth and polish. While some appreciate the easy-to-understand mechanics and the blend of visual novel and turn-based RPG elements, others criticize it for being boring and unengaging, particularly in combat. Overall, the game seems to cater more to those who prioritize story and character development over complex gameplay mechanics.
- “The gameplay is fairly simple (even on hard mode), which I believe some find boring, but personally I enjoyed that I didn't have to stress too much during battles yet still had fun.”
- “The gameplay is interesting enough to keep you engaged.”
- “The combat has some unique mechanics which the game teaches in a measured manner; it's easy to understand and not too complex.”
- “The gameplay is extremely boring.”
- “Unfortunately, the gameplay feels like an unfinished tech demo, so if depth is what you're looking for, it's not here.”
- “Sadly, overall gameplay and combat is repetitive and boring.”
graphics
145 mentions
45 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
3 % negative 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 environments. 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 incredible well done, the female characters are great and cute. I absolutely enjoyed the game; it’s really cool.”
- “Blue Reflection is a story-focused, turn-based JRPG, with pretty amazing graphics that is probably the best I have 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, and the graphics are very blurry.”
- “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.”
emotional
43 mentions
98 % positive mentions
-5 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its exploration of human connections, personal struggles, and themes of loss and healing, creating a heartfelt narrative that resonates with players. While the story features a mix of light and dark moods, the emotional depth is particularly impactful in the latter half, enhanced by a beautiful soundtrack. Despite some criticisms regarding predictability and language barriers, many players find the emotional journey and character development to be memorable and rewarding, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of slice-of-life storytelling and magical girl themes.
- “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.”
- “The game tries to be heart touching, but it falls flat and feels forced.”
- “I expected an emotional journey, but instead, I felt disconnected from the characters.”
- “While the game aims for emotional depth, it often comes off as superficial and unconvincing.”
character development
42 mentions
45 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the growth of main characters like Hinako, while others feel that supporting characters are underdeveloped and often sidelined. The beautiful character designs and art style are frequently praised, but many reviewers express disappointment in the overall depth of character arcs, suggesting that the narrative could benefit from a more focused approach to character exploration. Overall, while the aesthetic elements shine, the emotional and developmental aspects of the characters leave room for improvement.
- “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!”
- “The story falls a little short as well and there's not much character development going on.”
- “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.”
- “Now if you like the idea of a magical girl JRPG that doesn't take itself seriously with plot and character development then you will be right at home with this title, but if you are expecting an engaging story and character growth then turn around now.”
optimization
39 mentions
21 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
44 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received widespread criticism, with many players reporting poor performance, including low frame rates and stuttering, even on high-end hardware. Issues such as demanding system requirements, broken graphical options, and inadequate localization further detract from the experience. While some users have managed to run the game smoothly, the overall consensus is that it suffers from significant optimization flaws across all platforms.
- “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.”
- “Performance was horrible: frame rates often in the 20s and sometimes worse when I can easily run similar looking games at 60fps.”
- “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.”
grinding
35 mentions
3 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a mixed reception regarding grinding in the game. While some players appreciate the absence of traditional experience grinding, opting instead for story progression and optional side quests, others find the side quests and bond grinding tedious and time-consuming. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a double-edged sword, offering depth for completionists but potentially leading to boredom for those seeking a more streamlined 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.”
atmosphere
27 mentions
56 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, dreamy pastel environments, and captivating character designs, creating a relaxing yet emotionally resonant experience. The combination of beautiful art, excellent music, and engaging character interactions enhances the overall ambiance, making it a memorable and enjoyable journey. However, some players noted that certain elements, such as the intentional male gaze, detracted from their enjoyment of the otherwise rich and immersive atmosphere.
- “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.”
- “Even at the menu, a gentle yet slightly emotional music wraps around the room, giving off a soothing atmosphere.”
- “Now that I've gotten the motivation and general atmosphere of combat out of the way, let's talk about systems.”
humor
12 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of quirky, awkward moments and self-aware jokes, particularly surrounding its characters and fan service. Players find the protagonist and supporting cast to be entertaining and cute, with some moments eliciting genuine laughter, while others evoke a blend of humor and emotional depth. Overall, the humor is appreciated, though it may not reach the heights of other comedic titles like the Neptunia series.
- “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.”
stability
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
-29 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
Overall, the stability of the game has received mixed reviews. While some players note improvements on the PS5 compared to the PS4 version, many report significant bugs, lag, and graphical issues, leading to a frustrating experience. The game is described as a "buggy mess," with problems such as frame drops, glitches, and limitations on display settings.
- “No freezes, frame drops, or crashes.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any interruptions.”
- “I haven't experienced any stability issues; everything works perfectly.”
- “Very slow burn... the game itself is kind of bad in terms of the port and overall quality; it's a bit buggy too.”
- “I 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; I can't run it full screen, can't change the default anti-aliasing, and assets are locked to 720p. This is really sad because the game is fun and has a great soundtrack.”
replayability
3 mentions
33 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The replayability of Blue Reflection is generally low, with a playtime of about 20 hours, but it may appeal to perfectionists seeking to complete all database entries. However, the game's significant technical issues detract from the overall experience, making it less enticing for repeated playthroughs.
- “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 of playtime, with a low replay value, that does have to be a consideration.”
- “This game lacks the depth and variety needed to encourage multiple playthroughs, making it feel more like a one-time experience.”
- “Once you've completed the main story, there isn't much incentive to return, as the side content feels repetitive and uninspired.”