Blue Reflection: Second Light Reviews
Blue Reflection: Second Light is a fresh and emotionally engaging entry into the JRPG genre that shows a lot of promise but doesn’t quite manage to deliver. Gust proves that a game can juggle action, emotion, and story, but that’s not necessarily what Second Light manages to achieve. There are flashes of hope and excitement, and the game does manage to feel distinct in its genre, but it will take a little more polish for it to stand out from the rest.
It's a shame that Blue Reflection: Second Light couldn't live up to the expectations it set for itself. Though the story and characters development is good, the game is held back by overly complicated combat mechanics that seem to make encounters harder and longer when they didn't need to be. With the franchise now two games deep, I have to wonder if a third entry will ever get the light of day and if so, will GUST Studios finally be able to get the formula right.
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
OK, a very quick admission here that I don't know much about the world of anime and that can make "getting" games like this one more of a challenge I think...
When compared to the original, Blue Reflection: Second Light undoubtedly represents a big step forward for the guys at Gust, who once again have synthesized a compelling and frenetic playful formula. However, the progress made on the gameplay front and the unexpected introduction of a more traditional growth system are again counterbalanced by an uninspiring story, soporific and repetitive secondary activities, and a technical system dated even by the standards of the last generation of consoles.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Blue Reflection: Second Light is a narrative-driven role-playing game where a group of schoolgirls get transferred into an unknown world and must fight demons. Was this otherworldly experience truly out of this world? Find out in this Rapid Review.
lue Reflection: Second Light, which is essentially Blue Reflection 2, is a game of many mysteries. Why did Ao and a number of other girls wake up to find themselves in a deserted school? Where are they? What caused them to lose their memories? How is it that some young women can turn into magical girls called Reflectors? While the players possess as little insight as them (unless they played or watched previous Blue Reflection stories), Gust’s latest is good at doling things out in a surprisingly relaxed way.
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.
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
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.
With Blue Reflection: Second Light, Gust has chosen to expand and to revolutionize the good features of the first chapter, showing to strongly believe in this franchise.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Blue Reflection: Second Light might not break any molds when it comes to JRPGs, but it does a solid job blending different gameplay mechanics with an emotional tale of reconnecting to old friends and making peace with the past. Players who enjoyed the social interactions and teen drama of modern Persona games should feel right at home here, as Blue Reflection: Second Light has all the ingredients of a decent anime-style high school adventure.
Blue Reflection: Second Light is a pretty comfy game about friendship, that tells its story through the lense of well written female characters. You can also count on a fun battle system with many different tactics and party members.
Review in Russian | Read full review
With Blue Reflection: Second Light, Gust offers us a sequel that is still perfectible but surpasses its predecessor. It still suffers from movements that lack fluidity and too many repetitive fights, but its anime aspect is really successful with varied graphics and a bestiary that knows how to renew itself regularly. Its gameplay constantly brings new elements but unfortunately sometimes lacks a little rhythm, while addressing topics specific to adolescence that can have trouble to excite.
Review in French | Read full review
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.
Although it falls just short of the similar (but more intricate) Atelier games, those who enjoyed them will be entertained by Blue Reflection: Second Light. The fun characters, moving story, and familiar (albeit lighter) crafting / battle systems typical of Gust games are a great way to fill the time while we await the release of Atelier Sophie 2.
Blue Reflection Second Light achieves what the past episode couldn't: telling an intriguing story with a cast of compelling characters. Its light RPG mechanics leave more space for character development, toning down fan service in favour of a plot that pushes forward reconnecting all the past entries, between videogames and animated series. A sugar coated coming of age story dedicated to anime girls and fans of the "majokko" narrative.
Review in Italian | Read full review
I'm thoroughly impressed at how much better of a game Blue Reflection: Second Light is when you compare it to the first game. In fact, it's so good that I kind of feel mean for disliking the original as much as I did. Here's hoping for a Third Light!
Blue Reflection: Second Light is a marvelous JRPG experience that draws parallels with Gust’s major works and which brings its players a captivating plot, a fantastic soundtrack, a wide cast of characters and an addictive combat system. Thanks to the way every element fits together, Second Light does a stellar job at holding plot and characters together, and fans of JRPGs will find a wealth of content to explore.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review