You might not have heard of Blue Reflection: Second Light, and in truth, I hadn’t until I played it either. I’m not usually one for JRPGs, particularly those that don’t have English voiceover, but for this game, I made an exception. The original was extremely well received and seems to have become somewhat of a cult classic, making me think that this game, whether it’s a sequel or a remake, could be even better. Honestly, it took me right back to being a kid and playing Final Fantasy, because the level of depth and sheer volume of stuff to do is both overwhelming and cosy at the same time.
This game is about a bunch of school girls who are all transported to a weird dimension and lose their memories in the process. Over the course of the game, you explore new worlds that have been built from their emotions, and must help them conquer past traumas to remember who they are. It’s not a super dark game, but there are elements of it that will resonate with those who didn’t have the best childhood in school. I love it for this reason, and I could have done with the game when I was going through some stuff a very long time ago.
If you’re a JRPG fan, this is very much for you. It’s got a complex but easy to master combat system, loads of intricate mechanics that interlink, and social missions. For those who don’t usually play JRPGs, I can only tell you that I am just like you, yet I still love this game. I’ve had a blast working through it, and will be playing it more and more over time. It’s not that it’s particularly well written or has the best story and gameplay, it’s that it captures the Final Fantasy 13 era of JRPGs, and that’s the era I really got into them. I love the music, the battle timing, working through levels, upgrading stuff, and having a good time while doing it all. There are dozens of hours to waste in this game, and I recommend you do if you’ve got them to spare.
