BLUE REFLECTION: Second Light – Spotlight
It’s disappointing when a game you enjoy doesn’t perform as well as expected. If sales and reviews are any indication, this game won’t be getting a sequel. Despite these obstacles, it is possible that a game you enjoy will receive the follow-up you hoped for. Rarer still is the case when a game gets a mobile game and an anime spin-off, indicating that the developer is attempting to launch a media franchise with the title. You might be surprised to learn that this is the case with Blue Reflection: Second Light, the follow-up to a game released in 2017 but barely discussed.
Gust and Koei Tecmo developed and published Blue Reflection: Second Light, a JRPG. In this storey, a group of classic anime magic girl characters are trapped in an otherworldly school, with no memory of how they got there. By unlocking their memories, the girls are able to discover what they’re doing and how to get home from the strange place they’re in.
Blue Reflection: Second Light is a completely new experience for anyone who has ever played the original version of the game. The first game was fantastic, but it fell back on the same old classic JRPG tropes. As you level up, you can allocate points to various areas, and the game is turn-based and has a classic health and mana system. For anyone who has played a JRPG, this will sound very familiar.
Blue Reflection: Second Light, on the other hand, takes a slightly different tack. A more dynamic battle system is present, with timers running down until each character’s and the enemy’s turn, and only stopping when you’re in an attack menu. In addition, you do not have a traditional mana system in place. Even your most basic attacks cost ether points. In most cases, you begin with 0 EP, but once you’ve amassed a sufficient number of points, you can use an ability. Be aware that some abilities are more expensive, and you can even stack up more than one attack at a time, so you must choose between speed and strength.
Second Light’s gameplay is a bit more interesting than your typical JRPG because of this unique system. You must carefully consider when and if it is worth delaying the casting of a more powerful ability, especially if your attacks disrupt powerful foes. It also has a gear system that increases your attacks’ power the longer you’re engaged in a battle. It’s more important than ever to choose between quick and powerful attacks because you need to use abilities to raise your gear level.
Because you don’t start a battle in your magical girl form, this gear system is crucial. Third gear is required before you can unleash your full arsenal of abilities. Since almost all of your abilities become significantly stronger as you progress through a battle, the initial stages are often more difficult than those that last a long time. However, this is a novel approach to fighting that is rarely seen in JRPGs. You’re unlikely to lose most fights unless they end in defeat right away, on the other hand.
In general, balancing is a little strange. It’s not too difficult to take on the enemies in the majority of the game. A game over occurred only once during my entire playthrough, and it was against an optional enemy. There are a few enemies that appear to be impossible to kill when surrounded by a large group of squishy enemies. Even if you’re looking for a punishing challenge, you won’t feel like you’ve sailed through this game because of how fast-paced the combat is.
It’s good to know that combat isn’t the only aspect of Blue Reflection: Second Light, as there’s also a social element to contend with. It’s necessary to walk around your school and talk to other students when you’re not exploring a dungeon. To make them happy, you can go on ‘dates,’ do them favours, or even construct new facilities. It’s a great way to learn about the characters as well as gain new abilities and stat boosts, as you progress through the game.
Actually, the social system in this game is handled better than most JRPGs do, even in the first game. This is a place where you meet the girls and get to know them in person, rather than through text chains or side-questions. For the most part, you learn things about them as individuals that give them distinct personalities. Incredibly, the initial four-strong cast soon grows into a horde of high school girls with superpowers.
It is also free of fanservice, which may annoy those who don’t like the game. Some of the other girls will let you flirt a little bit, but it’s usually harmless. Most of the relationships between characters are more like a game of chase rather than a perversion. Even the numerous chances to show characters in their underwear are avoided, apart from a few instances where it’s less about the characters and more about the social context. Even if you don’t want to, you can always dress your character in a bikini. It just doesn’t feel right.
Apart from gameplay, there’s a lot to enjoy in the storey, graphics, and music of this game, as well. In addition to the interesting characters, the storey has a few heartbreaking and engrossing relationships and plot points.. The memories you’re helping these characters reclaim may not always be pleasant ones, but that’s what you’re doing for them. There are some heartbreaking revelations, especially if they involve characters you’ve known since the beginning.
In places, the visuals resemble those of the original game. Relaxing is achieved by using a lot of pastels and vibrant colours. It’s even better that the environments are varied, but still feel like they belong to the same consistent world, which the previous game couldn’t quite achieve. The soundtrack also helps, with a mix of electronica, classical piano, and lo-fi styles for a blend of calming tunes and pumping beats depending on the situation. The music is also helpful.
If you’re looking for a fresh take on the JRPG genre, check out Blue Reflection: Second Light. It’s familiar enough to JRPG fans that you can jump right in, but there are enough twists and turns on the old formulas to keep you engaged throughout the game. Because of this, the characters are a big part of the appeal, even if the sight-balancing issues can leave challenge-seeking players behind.
