Square Enix is remastering or redoing most of its old JRPGs, while Level-5 and Atlus are producing sequels and new IPs like Metaphor: ReFantazio and Persona 5. While many JRPGs follow genre cliches, the Persona series experiment with social sim features and magic realism like no other game. Countless thought this would lead to numerous copycats, but few have matched Persona 5’s brilliance.
Persona 5 has several advantages over other JRPGs that gamers desire to see copied or used in others. Persona games include life sim/social sim components, jazzy soundtracks, monster collections, beautiful fighting, and more, but few have combined them all. This is until today when a new RPG delivers a 40-hour plot with Persona-like elements and EarthBound and Stranger Things vibes.
A Different Story Is Stranger Things Meets Persona 5.
Lazy Bear Games, creators of Punch Club, Graveyard Keeper, and Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story, released Bloomtown: A Different Story, their newest RPG. Since its release on September 24, 2024, it has received rave reviews as a mix of Persona 5, EarthBound, and Stranger Things, which inspired it. The assertions are factual since Bloomtown: A Different Story significantly incorporates aspects from all three and other popular media.
Bloomtown: A Different Story follows Emily and her younger brother Chester on their summer vacation in Bloomtown, a non-creepy town. Like Stardew Valley, a day-night cycle and daily timer govern store hours and NPC locations. Fans may hang around with their favorite characters, work part-time, fish, shop, farm, or visit the terrible demonic underworld where abducted children are confined.
The plot and gameplay mechanics seem like they came from Persona 5, but it also has the charm and stylings of EarthBound and Stranger Things. It’s the great diversion when waiting for Persona 6 or replaying Persona 5 Royal. A large town, many people, and a detailed battle system with monster collecting await.
Bloomtown: A Different Story Lifts Persona 5’s Combat.
Beautiful fighting, jazzy battle tunes, and a monster collection from Persona 5 Royal are in Bloomtown: A Different Story. Players may equip two demons per character to battle with them, like Personas, and gather more during the game. Players may enjoy facing and collecting many, which can be combined to enhance each other.
All characters have a ranged weapon for back-row adversaries, a melee weapon, and spells from their demons. It’s comparable to Persona 5, yet Bloomtown: A Different Story has its own charms, especially its exquisite pixel visuals. Bloomtown: A Different Story is great for Persona 5 and EarthBound lovers on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch.