Bloomtown: A Different Story review - "A stunningly dark RPG"

• A deep immersive narrative
• battle demons in engaging turn-based combat
• Perfect blend of RPG and life sim

Bloomtown: A Different Story is a new mobile RPG in which you must balance the responsibilities of a girl on the cusp of teenhood with demon slaying in an alternate realm. You play as Emily, a 12-year-old girl who, along with her brother Chester, is sent to live with a grandfather she's never met for the summer after her parents' separation. At first, Bloomtown seems like an unassuming, quaint small town.

Make a Deal with the Devil in Bloomtown: A Different Story

However, Satan communes with Emily in her sleep and tasks her with thwarting rogue demons plaguing the town. Luckily, Emily doesn't have to fight alone. Her brother Chester, new friend Ramona, and Hugo the talking dog are more than happy to join the fight.

Don't be fooled by the adorable graphics. Bloomtown isn't afraid to explore heavy themes like child abuse and murder. Somehow, the vibrant pixelated world makes the deeper moments of the narrative hit harder. Playing as a kid and traversing the moral and Underside realm definitely gives off Stranger Things vibes.

When you're not in the Underside, you'll have to pool your weight at Grandpa Cooper's. This means cleaning your room, gardening, and cooking. You can also explore the town, where you can borrow books from the library, go fishing, or earn money by picking up shifts at the grocery store among other activities.

Live Your Best Life in Bloomtown: A Different Story

 As you discover more of the town, you'll come across various side quests, which can be rather entertaining. Plus, your time in Bloomtown acts as a nice break from all that demon slaying. And honestly, it's amazing how well the simulation and RPG gameplay mechanics meld together.

While in town, you can also choose to hang out with one of your teammates. Doing so will increase your relationship with them to unlock more of their abilities. For instance, after hanging out with Chester for the first time, he'll receive the Nimble ability, granting him a doubling of his chance to evade an attack.

While the perks are nice, the real reason you should take time to hang out is that it adds a lot to the story. Spending time with Hugo, for instance, will allow you to learn how he became immortal, which in turn unlocks a new sidequest.

Completing these tasks will net you experience in one of four traits: Charm, Smarts, Guts, or Proficiency. Smarts affect how well Emily answers questions asked by adults. Her proficiency level dictates how well Emily performs tasks, while Guts affects whether you can make bold decisions. Levelling up your traits gives you a better chance of getting successful die rolls when attempting to subdue a demon or make a bold decision.

Battle Demons in the Underside in Bloomtown: A Different Story

To battle the demons, you'll need to enter the Underside, an ominous realm you access through strange doorways. While being in Bloomtown feels like a sim, your adventures in the Underside are clearly RPG-inspired. You can unlock new spells by levelling up and purchasing more efficient melee and ranged weapons at the local pawnshop.

After agreeing to stop the demons plaguing Bloomtown, you'll gain access to a demon that personifies your character's personality to aid them in battle.

Combat is turn-based, with each member of your team getting a turn, followed by each demon you're battling receiving a turn. While combat isn't overly strategic, it is incredibly fun. Playing as a group of kids wielding childish weaponry and slinging spells certainly has its charms.

When all remaining demons are stunned, you can try to subdue one to recruit it to your side. Successfully subdued demons can be equipped to a member of the party, giving them access to the demon's spells and granting buffs. It's exciting to encounter and tame new demons as you explore more of the Underside. You can also sacrifice demons in your inventory to level up your equipped demons.

An Enchanting and Dark RPG 

Bloomtown: A Different Story blends life sim and turn-based RPG mechanics to create a wild adventure. The cutesy pixel graphics somehow combine perfectly with the mature story themes, making for a truly immersive experience. Simple yet engaging turn-based combat, tons of side quests, and a whole town to explore make this simulation RPG hybrid a must-play.