Blue Reflection: Second Light Reviews
BLUE REFLECTION: Second Light is an excellent JRPG that although doesn’t hit every right note to become an instant classic or part of the hall of fame in the genre.
Blue Reflection: Second Light is a solid distraction from the real world, but it doesn't really make you want to get back there.
Review in German | Read full review
BLUE REFLECTION: Second Light is as many a J-RPG as a dating simulator. In it we will have to help our companions to recover their memories, while we fight against monsters and demons, and to consolidate our relationships with them. Visually it is a beautiful game full of details that enrich the gameplay, while on sound topic provides a perfect calm for those who especially need to disconnect.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Blue Reflection: Second Light is another good quality RPG from Gust and Koei Tecmo. Exploring the personal journeys of a group of magical girls, the game offers several ways to get to know their perspectives and realities better. With its many well-executed mechanics, except for the occasional stealth moments, the gameplay manages to convey the concept of mahou shoujo and slice of life in a way that should really amuse fans of the genres.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Blue Reflection: Second Light is a solid second step for a new series. It is visually charming throughout and turns out to have an intriguing story with engaging exploration and a simple yet fun battle system.
Even when the story is about something serious or surprisingly dark, the endearing relationships between the girls and the whimsical environment they explore throughout the game do everything they can to chill you out.
While the gameplay in Blue Reflection: Second Light is a treat, the story is why it’s worth your time. I was left guessing up to the bitter end and blindsided by twists – to the point of audible obscenities. It’s so damn intriguing and had me extending my bedtime. I had to see how scenarios would unfold. Sure, the humour is an acquired taste, but even in those instances, the characters are bloody endearing. I couldn’t help but smile like an absolute dork.
Even though it's not a game that appeals to all audiences, Blue Reflection: Second Light will appeal to JRPG fans with a focus on narrative and emotional relationships, attributes that are crowned here by a beautiful artistic-visual presentation and a pulsating combat mechanic. Among the wide range of options from the Atelier franchise already available on Switch, it's worth checking out a game less dedicated to collecting and manufacturing items and objects and devoting itself to a story with mysteries, twists, feelings and, above all, girls.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
It really feels like Gust took the criticism of the original to heart here. We’ve gone from a massive stumble of a game with some good ideas to an incredibly solid JRPG that does just about everything it sets out to do correctly. From the character writing to the speedy gameplay, the world design to the excellent soundtrack, this is a game worth taking a look at.
Blue Reflection: Second Light is a light JRPG, with many girls, and with a certain fan service. It will not reach the masses, but the target it is aimed at will enjoy it. Now, if you are not a fan of the so-called "Japanese", stay away, because the Japanese character is very marked in the game.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Overall, if you were a fan of the original Blue Reflection I would suggest checking out its sequel, however fans of JRPGs in general should find plenty to love here. Various cast of characters each with their own quirks, multiple locations to explore and an interactive battle system will make the hours easily pass on by as Blue Reflection: Second Light is an enjoyable adventure taking the series into a new direction from the original Blue Reflection.
Blue Reflection: Second Light is an entertaining JRPG, and its craftsmanship shines with an elegant interface, sweeping tunes, and environments that feel simultaneously ordinary and bizarre.
Blue Reflection: Second Light does a good job of building on what worked in the first adventure. It’s cute, the characters are charming, with deep enough mechanics to make gameplay engaging. It might not be perfect like stealth sections are fairly pointless, but fans of the previous or this style of RPG will enjoy it. Even if it’s only over the delightful visuals.
I had a lot of fun during my time with Blue Reflection: Second Light. A colorful world filled with interesting characters and some of my favorite JRPG combat in a long time makes for a consistently entertaining play. I just wish the main story ever really became interesting. As a slice of life RPG, Second Light succeeds. As an apocalyptic epic, though, it falls short. This leaves a total package that lies somewhere in the middle.
I have to say, Blue Reflection: Second Light not only meets my expectations, but exceeds them. I spent right around 40 hours with this one and fell in love with all the characters. The stories told here are not only very emotional, but relatable to all of us on a certain level, and that’s something I find very rare in gaming. The graphics and sound design just really drove home how emotional and wonderful this story is. I had a great time with the crafting system, obtaining new items and building facilities to unlock more events with the girls. Gust should really look hard at the combat system they used here. It takes everything I loved about Ryza’s combat and makes it better. Anyone that loved the anime or the previous game should snag this up as soon as possible at the $59.99 price tag. There is a lot here you’re gonna love. If you have never played or experienced anything from this amazing franchise, there is no better time to start than right now. There is nothing else quite like it.
I had looked forward to playing BLUE REFLECTION: Second Light and I can say it doesn’t disappoint. All the elements that make for a satisfying JRPG/simulation are here, and I can see Gust incorporated a lot of what makes Atelier Ryza a great game. Forming friendships, crafting things, making facilities, use of the FreeSpace app, exploring the Heartscapes, fighting….all merges quite satisfyingly. This also means that you must be in for the entire package. Focussing on the battles alone won’t let you progress, focussing on the simulation part won’t do the trick either. Follow Ao and her friends while they explore the Heartscapes and turn them into the best Reflectors they can be. BLUE REFLECTION: Second Light is a great game for Atelier fans, and I’m guessing it will be a hit with JRPG fans as well!
While I had my issues with the ending of Blue Reflection: Second Light and didn’t feel the overarching plot was amazing, it easily won me over with its strong focus on the characters and their relationships. All those little moments stood out far more than uncovering the mystery of what happened to them. Supported by a particularly solid set of gameplay systems for a JRPG, it’s worth the purchase.