Bloomtown: A Different Story

Bloomtown is a good jrpg for a relatively decent price. It's got fantastic music and surprisingly deep combat mechanics, as well as a cast of lovable characters. The story looks soft and happy on the surface, but is extremely dark underneath. The downside is it goes way too quickly back to happy after seeing some truly vile scenes. It's got a 13 hour day system, but the calendar is unlimited; you could have as many days as you want to to complete the game in it's entirety. There are some bugs with some questlines not properly finishing, some items mislabeled in the end game, and the music can occasionally stop looping, however none of it stops any of the game play, all the quests are fully completable still, and none of the achievements can bug out (some can still be missed however). All in all I think it is worth it, especially if you can snag it for a 25%-50% off.

A 5/10 game with more than a few flaws that make it potentially worth getting for ~$10 but certainly not $25. Aesthetically the game is solid. Combat is visually appealing, the monster designs are unique, the environments are full of detail, and both the soundtrack and art feel very high quality. Some animations can become a bit tedious (I found myself making constant use of the "fast forward" feature solely to brute force past needlessly lengthy animations that are peppered throughout various activities) but overall the artistic design is one of the game's stronger highlights. Unfortunately, that quality does not feel like it translates to the writing. From a purely technical point of view there are quite a few blatant errors (mostly misspellings during dialogue, but also including at least one store's hours being wrong and some items missing proper names.) From a creative point of view, there are multiple instances where the plot seems to forget itself or the dialogue feels disjointed. Characters will randomly shift in personality for a single conversation or say things that make you go "wait, did I miss something?" as if they are responding to cut content. This becomes more and more prominent the farther the game progresses, and you get a sense that the devs ran out of time or budget with 90% of their effort being put into 40% of the game. This is especially jarring because it's not exactly a long game to begin with. 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 GOTY 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. Speaking of those mechanics, a lot of systems feel like they were shoehorned in. Farming is essentially pointless. Money is not that difficult to come by (especially with the lack of time limit on progressing) so there is no reason to go through the tedium of tending the garden over and over for days when you can just spend a single shift at your job and then buy everything you would have planted. I never used a single consumable, so cooking also felt completely ignorable. Both of these systems felt like they were only there to give the game a more unique label as a life sim/JRPG hybrid, when it's really not. 85% of the town activities were something I did once to try them out but never returned to and could have completely skipped without consequence (maxing social skills was trivially easy by engaging with maybe 25% of the town's activities, and then almost everything becomes completely pointless to visit.) Combat is...decent, but the system is heavily status effect-based while also making those status effects feel annoying to play around. Every action you take has a chance of applying an effect (including your regular melee attack) but applying an effect overrides any previous effect. Since all your characters always move one right after the other, this can lead to wasted turns applying an effect only to have it be forcibly replaced by your next party member without the initial effect ever actually triggering. This can be partially countered by just not focus-firing on any one creature, but that can still lead to frustratingly un-optimal choices that you feel forced into making depending on what spell elements your party members have access to vs enemy weaknesses/resistances. Additionally, boss/elite monsters have your typical JRPG resistance to everything, making the most important fights of the game turn into slugfests where you just try and outheal their 2 or 3 in-a-row moves and then repeatedly return fire with raw attack damage. The "creature collecting" is also fairly bare bones and I didn't find myself engaging with it at all until the last few hours of the game when I could reliably inflict damaging weakness hits for every element (many spells - especially early on - apply effects without damage, which doesn't count for triggering a weakness hit. And by the time I had enough spells that both did damage and covered all the elements it was unnecessary anyway because I was already in the final dungeon and too strong to need to do any collecting.) Despite all the complaints listed above, I did still obviously continue to play enough to finish the game. Some of my hours at the time of review were spent afk, so I'd say I beat the main story and most side content (but chose not to 100% the achievements) in about 20 hours. Having bought the game at 50% off, that equates to basically 60 cents per hour of entertainment. That's a better deal than some things these days (movie ticket prices being what they are) but I still feel the need to give this game a Not Recommended because at it's base price of $25 I do not think the game holds enough value in the face of all its myriad issues, and I don't see myself ever wanting to replay it again in the future.

This game is just fantastic. Really had fun playing this one. If you're a fan of RPGs, slice of life stories, and/or the paranormal, this one is right up your alley.

[h1]Bloomtown is a charming but weird little game.[/h1] It tries a little too hard to be "everything" – it's mostly a story-driven turn-based RPG with multiple dialogue choices and luck-based interactions... but it also has farming, cooking, crafting and fishing mechanics, math-based puzzles, pop and science trivia questions, monster-catching and leveling mechanics, etc. Most of these aspects feel a bit undercooked, and the lack of focus is especially evident in the combat system - often trivial and simplistic, lacking real substance or strategy beyond the usual rock-paper-scissors weakness trope. Another downside, as far as I'm concerned, is the sometimes unbearable amount of text and dialogue that accompanies the player throughout the whole game: dialogue is a bit too invasive, and the overall pacing suffers because of it. You have the option to fast-forward almost everything, including dialogue, but I wouldn't recommend it if you want to immerse yourself in the story (which is admittedly charming, sometimes dark - [i]very dark[/i] - and full of humor) Bloomtown's true strenght, however, resides in the presentation; exquisite pixel art paired with highly detailed animations and a pleasant and atmospheric soundtrack. The art direction is, for the most part, stellar. If you’ve got a "Stranger Things" itch to scratch, Bloomtown's tone and atmosphere will likely appeal to you. It's also a "cozy RPG" for all cozy gamers to enjoy. If you don’t have the patience to get invested in the story and the game's many half-baked mechanics, or if you're looking for a deep RPG, then Bloomtown probably isn’t for you. It's also worth mentioning that the game has a couple of annoying bugs, most notably one that prevents some completed quests from disappearing from the questlog, giving the impression that the quests are still active.

The game is beautiful, the pixel art and animations are fantastic. The dialogues are humorous and the story intriguing. If you like RPG and turn-based combat, this game will enchant you.

This game is art. Small indie studio made game with such details. Firstly, it's JRPG aspect - overall fine. Need some tuning, cuz you become overpowered very easy. Secondly, world - maaaan, it's have so much detail to everything. Lore? - decent, not so memorable but fine. Conclusion: game is worth the money, maybe wait for sale. Totally recomend!

Bloomtown is a charming little love letter to Persona 5, with some Stardew Valley elements to it. I'm recommending this game because of it's soundtrack, character design, level design, and especially its writing. Every sidequest was fun (though I'm not the type of participate in collectathons). The townsfolk were all engaging. I have a few minor complaints, but nothing that would warrant a thumbs down: - Certain mysteries went unsolved that I thought would be solved. Doors I never was able to open (like the basement of Grandpa's house), the lighthouse being an interesting but unused set piece, Norman's whole deal. - I would have been fine if this game had absolutely no romantic subtext, but I'm disappointed in that our heroine didn't get to experience her first kiss this summer, or even a proper confession. Maybe it exists in the game, but I never properly triggered the right events. - The transition between chapters is jarringly quick, but the pacing within the chapters is good. - My biggest complaint is that we have this massive cast of incredibly designed, incredibly written characters, but so many of them we hardly get real opportunities to grow closer to. I was expecting so many characters to have quest lines like Ruth did. The neighbors, the rich girl, the city district kids, baseball kid. -I would have liked to recruit some of the other kids as playable party members, and see battle sprites for them, and what their guardians would manifest as. - It would also be nice to rearrange the order/placement of my party, so I can choose who moves in what sequence. I know that seems like a large list of grievances, but they all stem from how quickly the game absorbed me into it, and how delighted I was by the game in general. This is a positive review.

this game is super charming and has great battle music! i haven't played too much of it, but about a few hours or so in and i'm loving it. i do wish it was more heavy on the battles, but maybe i'm just not that far into it. great pixel art too! def recommend!

This is a very atmospheric, immersive little game. I really enjoyed all the characters, the story and the gameplay. It's not too difficult, but also not too easy. Some features like gardening I skipped, but just because I was a little lazy. It's not really necessary, but it could be helpful. There's a lot to do and to see. Also, the story really surprised me with its depth. The characters are fleshed out and really grow on you. It's all from a child's perspective, but it touches on some really dark and mature topics while still managing to feel warm and kinda light. Really loved this game.

maybe it’s because i just played persona 5 but it kind of feels like they copy/pasted the combat from that game lol. gameplay is similar to the persona series, but feels like more of a “cozy game”. dialogue is a little cringe sometimes, not enough to really bother me though. anyway, i mostly bought this game bc i saw it was made by the same studio as graveyard keeper & i loved graveyard keeper. so if you think a game with graveyard keeper esque farming/art style plus persona style rpg elements sounds interesting, I’d recommend trying this. It also works well on my phone with steam link so i can play it without getting out of bed to sit at my desk, which is always a plus.

i just got done binging the entire game in a couple days (and boy are my thumbs tired! hurhur) and i had to write a review to negate all the negative comments about how it "doesnt know what kind of game it trying to be". i put off buying it for a long time bc of those comments but it really isnt true. the gardening and cooking and whatnot is all really there so you can make your own health stuff instead of buying it, so its def not trying to be that kind of game. its cute and social with lots of fun sidequests but basically its a demon slaying game. youre fighting the presence of demonic forces in town and can even collect the demons you capture and fuse them together to make them more powerful and they will help you in battles, but you dont HAVE to collect demons, so it isnt trying to be that kind of game either. i enjoy having multiple things to do on the side to flesh out your play time. i love cute horror turn based rpgs like Omori (which nothing will ever live up to imo), so i really enjoyed it. i never really got too attached to the characters but thats fine. i mean i didnt get attached to earthbound ones either and thats one of my favorites. id def recommend this, especially when its on sale.

this game is super fun, very persona flavored with a cozy vibe.

The cute style and comparison to Persona got me to try this game out. I found the game to be pretty fun overall, maybe a bit on the easy side so if you want a challenge I might recommend playing on the higher difficulty, I just went with normal for my run. The story isn't the most unique or complex, but I still found it fun to play, enjoyed the social links and found the side quests mostly rewarding (though I did not do all of them). If you like turn based rpgs like Persona you'll probably find something to like about this game too. Also I love the music, the battle songs are catchy and I'm planning on buying the soundtrack.

I really don't understand any negative reviews here. Without a doubt, this is one of my top indie games form this year! Let's go over some pros: -The pixel art is pure beauty. I'm talking a big chef's kiss for this masterclass in pixel art! -The story is engaging, quirky, fun, and honestly a great example of capturing the beauty of being a kid. -Characters are quirky, witty, and for the most part well-written. I enjoyed everyone I encountered, and they all had some sort of back story. Some more than others, but still. -The side-quests & companion quests are truly the heart of this game as it makes it all worthwhile. You get to understand who they are, why they are who they are, and even help them grow in the end. -Empathy is a major factor, as you don't always have to use violence to resolve conflict. I love this feature in any game brave enough to chance it. -The mini games & side activities are genuinely enjoyable and I never felt like they were a slog -The world itself feels alive with so many things going on all the time in the background. Add in a map that has so many biomes and it's just pure joy to explore -The game is all about being a kid, but also about growing up, so there are a lot of dark, adult themes at play here, and they are executed quite well. -The soundtrack is PHENOMENAL! I'll definitely be playing quite a few songs from the game on Spotify Cons: -The combat is very meh, but it gets the job done, especially once you fully grasp it. Without a doubt though, it is the weakest part of the game. Sometimes it was a slog to get through, but you do. -Capturing demons is not explained well, and until you get monster catching items it's annoying to learn. Basically, eliminate all opponent's in a battle until the only one left is the one you want to capture. Then, use a spell that has "weak" next to it & it will subdue to the demon for capturing. -The writing is sometimes hit or miss, and that may be due to language localization. Still, I figured it needed to be said. Overall score for me is a 8.5/10 The game just has so much heart, and so much love & passion was poured into developing it. I genuinely loved Bloomtown, and it really reminds me of the Persona series along with Gravity Falls. Definitely give it a shot!

What a great little game to stumble upon. I enjoyed the overall vibe most of all. Kind of a traditional RPG but through the eyes of a kid. The dialogue matched that energy and brought some laughs. All around good game. I want to see what this team does next.

This game was so much fun and had so much heart! I got absorbed into the world so fast! Oh and such amazing level visuals!!! sooo cool!

The game is fun. I love the graphics and story. It does feel like some life skills progression are way easier than others, but I'm not complaining since I just want a chill game.

i cant recommend this game enough. game play is great, theres a great sense of humor, and the combat is hard enough to make things interesting 10/10 in my book

Great game. Had tons of fun playing it because it was refreshing and unique to me. There was no real learning curve to it, minus that I never really understood the fusing of demons. All in all, I had a lot of fun with this game. I hope there's a sequel. Battle music was amazing and I looked forward to battles solely for the music. Battle animation was amazing. Would recommend to people.

This a better version of persona at 1/3 the price and 10x the pacing

Extremely charming and the dialogue is excellent.

Reminds me of a fun mix of Persona and Chrono Trigger. A strong recommendation to any fan of RPGs.

I'm honestly not sure. I haven't played all that long, and haven't really gotten into combat. One thing IS certain. The game looks great. The animation is also great. As for the writing? Not very good. Your a small little girl in the 60's. People have been going missing. Lucifer comes to you in a dream telling you of the danger that is to come. The little 10 year old seems to handle this a bit too well. (This is obviously our Egor). After that, you leave go to bed thinking you were just screwed up in the head. Ok. I can use suspension of disbelief that a child would probably over circuit their poor tiny brain and chalk it up to a dream. You find some kids trying to find one of their friends. Entering a tree house, you end up entering a demon world. You find an otherworldly dimension. You find a satanic ritual occurring. Panicked, you run away. Determined to save the little girl, you find some way to open a portal to enter. And you bring your friends along. Their reactions? "Oh this is cool." "I've prepared my entire life for this." A talking dog? "Woah, did that dog just talk? Well I'm not surprised." WTF are you talking about? You kids are like, 10 years old. "Oh cool, suddenly we have guardian spirits." "Yeah, must be the contract I signed with Lucifer applies to all my friends." Wtf? Granted, Persona took almost about 2 hours developing story before anything of interest happens. But.. I don't know. Just rubs me the wrong way. It feels like the developer just didn't know how to make real characters and just wanted to get to the game aspect. I might update once I get further. It's like somebody was inspired by the Persona series, and then just decided to make a game close to it without any of the convincing story line. I guess if you are 12 years old, the games story is ok. But video games are usually made by adults. I'm not saying story needs to be shakesphere, but you at least should TRY. Another tidbit that annoys me is that while you are scrolling through text press A, suddenly a choice pops up immediatly, and something you just press A out of instinct. Instant dialogue choice chosen. Still, if story isn't a main concern for you, it's an ok RPG. I give it a meh.

It’s “legally-distinct totally not Persona”. I love this game.

Cool monsters, chaotic children. If you like persona, you will like this!

It will take you around 24 hours to finish in completionist without a guide. EXCELENT music, amazing game. 10/10

Say no moreeeee. This game so byutifulllll ❤️ Music goes brrrrr 🧎

Its plays a like a pixel persona3 and I love it.

very good

It was very fun to play.

Hidden gem