Developer – Lazy Bear Games, Different Sense Games

Publisher – Twin Sails Interactive

Platforms – PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 (reviewed)

Review copy given by publisher

Indie games are a dime a dozen, so it’s rare for one to catch my eye these days. But one that sparked my interest is none other than Bloomtown: A Different Story, a cozy looking, narrative driven JRPG that immerses you in a seemingly idyllic 1960s American town with a dark underside. If I were to describe it in just a few words, then I’d say think Persona combined with Earthbound and you’ll have a good idea of what this title has to offer. Get ready to dive into addictive turn-based combat, social links, monster taming, and a splash of life sim!

So what the heck is Bloomtown about? The narrative follows twelve-year-old Emily and her younger brother Chester as they spend their summer in the seemingly mundane Bloomtown with their grandfather. However, the peaceful facade quickly crumbles as the two siblings uncover a sinister undercurrent of child disappearances and supernatural occurrences. The story itself draws inspiration from popular media like Gravity Falls and Stranger Things, creating an engaging blend of small-town charm and otherworldly mystery. Accompanying the siblings is Ramona and the cutest talking Corgi ever named ABC.

When it comes to gameplay, you can expect a multifaceted mix of turn-based combat, demon taming, and social interactions. The combat system plays like a Persona title, giving you the option to melee attack, guard, or use a demon ability at the cost of mana. Chaining together different elemental spells can trigger combos and deal tons of damage. Every character levels up upon defeating enemies and can equip various weapons and gear to make them stronger in battle. Most of the combat takes place in the Underside, the demonic version of Bloomtown, and is often filled with treasures and treacherous monsters. Level design is brilliant, often tasking you with areas you can’t yet enter until later on.

There’s even a demon fusion system that adds depth to the monster-taming aspect, and provides countless combinations for you to experiment with. Of course you need to weaken them before even attempting to capture them. Visit the Velvet room equivalent in this game to do all your fusion needs. Every party member has an innate Guardian demon they start off with, but you can then attach an additional demon on top of them and inherit their skills and abilities.

Then there’s the social simulation elements, also reminiscent of the Persona series, allowing you to build relationships with various characters and improve Emily’s personality traits, such as Charm and Guts, which in turn affect dialogue options and their success rates. These are presented with a dice roll, like what you would expect from a Dungeons and Dragons game. When you’re not too busy dungeon crawling in the dangerous Underside, you spend your time in sunny Bloomtown doing life-sim related activities, such as working a job to earn money, farming crops, hitting the gym, and even fishing! Exploring Bloomtown is super fun, and definitely gives that small town vibe, so take your time getting to know its inhabitants.

Visually speaking, the game impresses with its sharp pixel art graphics that effectively contrast the peaceful town with the ominous Underside. This art style not only captures the essence of classic JRPGs but also heightens the juxtaposition between the cozy surface and the lurking supernatural threats. The audio design complements the visuals, with a bombastic soundtrack that is clearly inspired by the Persona series. I literally sat in a battle for minutes just to listen to the music. For JRPG fans, the music alone should be enough of a selling factor. The energetic and rhythmic compositions incorporate a mix of orchestral and electronic elements, providing a modern twist to the classic JRPG battle music formula!

In terms of technical performance, Bloomtown performs spectacularly on the PlayStation 5. Coming in at a tiny 712.7 MB, it takes a mere 4-5 seconds to load in from the main menu. There are no performance modes but the game runs at a flawless 60 frames per second at all times. Unfortunately there are no manual saves, which is a bummer, but the auto saves are more than generous as the game saves each time you enter a different room. You can change between Normal and Hard difficulty in the settings at any time and there are a total of 9 text languages to choose from. No voice acting in an indie game of this budget!

That being said, I would like to see some quality of life features added in future updates. Currently you cannot escape or run from a battle if you enter one, nor can you fast forward the combat. After time, menial battles become monotonous and dragged out, so adding either feature can greatly increase the enjoyment of the game. Secondly, adding a teleport option between areas would be nice, as running around town can get quite a bit tedious as well. Don’t be discouraged by these critiques here as this is a fantastic experience that breathes some fresh air into the indie scene. There’s even a free demo out on Steam if you’re on the fence, so go check it out!

Different Sense Games and Lazy Bear Games have created a captivating indie JRPG experience that wears its influences proudly on its sleeves. If you’re into cozy pixel art titles with an engaging narrative, an addicting soundtrack, and strategic combat, then Bloomtown: A Different Story should definitely be your next to play title.