Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 75 | 37 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 86% | 79 | 813 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 89% | 83 | 724 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Feb 17, 2025) · 300 reviews sampled · 724 total reviews in window · weighted 221.2 up / 26.9 down · computed 12h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (23)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 90
“Bloomtown: A Different Story follows a number of familiar beats to fans of turn-based combat, monster taming, and wholesome community RPGs. It cleverly weaves the contrasting elements together into a game that feels rich and original, with a storyline that doesn't shy away from the dark or solemn.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Despite a few minor issues, Bloomtown: A Different Story is a game that'll stick with you long after you put it down. The blend of comforting and creepy is masterful, and the game presents a surprising amount of challenge in places. With everything from boss fights and puzzles to intricate crafting and skill-building, there's a lot to get excited about here. Bloomtown was clearly made with a lot of love and attention to detail, and it's the perfect pick for anyone who enjoys rich stories paired with riddles and tricky, turn-based combat.”
read full review ↗ - 82
“A fascinating mix of summertime innocence, interesting game systems, and unique vibes”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Bloomtown: A Different Story wanted to be a lot of things. A relaxing summer vacation, an adventure filled with mysteries to solve, a real-life sim, and an RPG with neat combat mechanics plus a creature capture system. It's not bad (far from it), but by trying to juggle too many balls in the air, it fails at remaining engaging for more than a couple of hours, as it becomes obvious that there's not much depth underneath the beautiful pixel art wrapping.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Bloomtown: A Different Story may wear its inspirations out in the open but it still manages to pull itself together to be its own game thanks to some impressive character writing and solid gameplay.”
read full review ↗ - 94
“Bloomtown: A Different Story is a brilliant spin on Persona with a different perspective and narrative that’ll keep you coming back for more. Some people come for the story, some will love it for the battle, but a select few will absolutely adore it for everything it is. You’re in for a hell of a ride with this adventure and the chaotic goodness from the demonic side of things.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Bloomtown: A Different Story is a very special game, and one of 2024's hidden gems. While its premise and combat won't come across as the most original at a glance, the sheer care and skill at which the developers combine those familiar ingredients, from its fluid animations, engaging narrative, earwormy soundtrack and surprisingly deep combat, all come together in an exceptional package. If you wanted a bite-sized Persona game that you can finish in a reasonable timeframe, or are just a fan of turn-based RPGs in general, Bloomtown: A Different Story is a very easy recommend.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“I think if you even have an inkling that Bloomtown: A Different Story is your jam, you owe it to yourself to try it out.”
read full review ↗ - 55
“Bloomtown: A Different Story is a pixelated RPG that takes heavy inspiration from the Persona series. While some cosy gamers may enjoy it and its music, there are some gameplay elements that drew me out of my immersion.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Bloomtown: A Different Story is everything I want from a video game. A hugely enjoyable story, slick script, bombastic battles, and the freedom to interact with the world in odd and inventive ways. It's pretty much essential.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“A modern 16-bit role-playing with inspirations that range from Stranger Things to Persona 5, with elegant turn-based combat and a knowing wink to the genre's more established tropes.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Bloomtown: A Different Story is an excellent combination of creature capture and JRPG. Though the writing moves fast and can leave you wanting more dedicated character development, the game features fun mechanics, excellent art, a phenomenal soundtrack, and a super interesting setting that will make the game a new cult classic.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Nintendo Life
Nindie Spotlight
Cubed3
Capsule Computers
GamesCreed
Checkpoint Gaming
MonsterVine
GameGrin
TheSixthAxis
Metro GameCentral
Try Hard Guides…and 11 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Enhanced Rewards UpdateFeb 17, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Bloomtown's First Sale, and Content Patch 1.0.24.4 - We 🧡 your feedbackNov 18, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Path Notes — 1.0.8, 1.0.10, 1.0.11, 1.0.12, & 1.0.13Oct 10, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Patch notes 1.0.1 & 1.0.6Sep 25, 2024significant · resets scoring window