Blue Reflection is a sport I actually get pleasure from; sure parts of it I’d say are even best-in-class of the style. It’s undoubtedly a sport of two halves, although, with different parts actually letting the sport down. On the constructive facet, you may have the attractive, nostalgic, summery but minimal aesthetic of the sport as an entire, the incredible magical-girl designs of the three most important characters, the straightforward but efficient turn-based fight, and the stellar music, composed by Hayato Asano (additionally recognized for his work on lots of the more moderen Atelier video games).
On the other facet there’s the very poor translation, to the purpose the place complete merchandise and talent descriptions make completely no sense: the distinct lack of selection in explorable places, the dearth of any actual problem, and the usually out-of-place fan service. I do suppose regardless of the plain lack of funds, Blue Reflection is an intriguing sport that isn’t with out advantage and I’ve had a reasonably nice, chill time with it. An enormous a part of what attracts me into the sport is the dreamy environment, and the music performs an enormous half in what makes that so efficient.
The Blue Reflection Official Soundtrack is cut up throughout three discs and incorporates remixes and unreleased demo variations, so it’s a pleasant, expanded full package deal with a spread of tracks to get into. “Replicate” is a mellow vocal pop tune that kicks the entire thing off in a fashion becoming the general sound palette of this OST. It’s fashionable and contemporary, but performs it fairly secure in that it’s very inoffensive each lyrically and sonically.
Following that is considered one of my favourites—“Blue Reflection,” the title monitor of the sport, has such a refined construct and is an ideal instance of that extra atmospheric high quality I discussed earlier. It’s a fairly easy composition however actually efficient and evocative of the sport’s model and temper. We get just a few different variations of this monitor on this package deal too. Nostalgic is the phrase right here, and it continues by means of the remainder of the OST in tracks like “I (Solar)” and “A Small Distance,” the place mild piano and tender electronics mix to create one thing lush and dream-like. There’s even a monitor known as “Speaking Till Sundown Below That Identical Fateful Sky”—want I say extra?
The chilled, nostalgic sound is just one facet of Blue Reflection‘s OST. You’ll additionally discover a number of extra upbeat, digital pop tracks. I wouldn’t essentially name them “bangers” as a result of they’re nonetheless fairly tender compared to one thing just like the more durable, digital Stellar Blade soundtrack. “Albireo Lake” includes a strong, pulsing bassline behind elegant strings and ethereal synths, and “Overdose” is full-blown electro-pop, containing all of the fizzy power you’d need in a battle theme. The amazingly titled “KOSUICHINOKAKUSURANAKIKU.EXE” is a wild, multi-layered monitor, bursting with pleasure that sounds identical to a 00s Fragrance or Capsule monitor. There’s definitely rather a lot to get pleasure from right here when you’re in a extra upbeat, energetic state of mind.
The Blue Reflection Official Soundtrack does sometimes attempt the bizarre or sudden. “Selectivity Filter” options off-kilter electronics, popping out and in, looped, reversed and juxtaposed with piano. It’s definitely attention-grabbing and works very well. Taking issues one step additional, the quick “Violent Panda” incorporates complete layers which sound like tracks performed in reverse, whereas the melody performs ahead—a very attention-grabbing and efficient mixture. This minor experimentation is sort of uncommon although, because the OST total stays in its lane reasonably constantly. While this isn’t a nasty factor per se, these sudden or extra left-field parts work so nicely I discovered myself wanting extra of them.
The primary two discs of the soundtrack provide up Blue Reflection’s most important tracks, with disc three compiling the remixed, demos and alternate variations. “Goodbye, Lovingly” is a pleasing sufficient vocal monitor which I really feel might use a bit extra chunk, particularly as it’s virtually six minutes lengthy. Together with a model of this monitor with out the vocals seems like an odd option to me, contemplating the monitor doesn’t really feel like a standout with them.
This chunk is definitely discovered afterward, although, with the incredible “All Part Combine” variations of 5 tracks. That Stellar Blade reference from earlier is extra apt right here. Rounding out disc three are a small variety of demo items, giving some perception to the event of this OST. These are extra tough across the edges, however showcase some nice beats particularly.
The Blue Reflection Official Soundtrack is nice—I hearken to it usually, significantly in summer time, and it by no means fails to brighten my temper. Whether or not you’re searching for one thing calmer and extra introspective, or one thing effervescent with an excellent beat, this OST has bought you coated. While the music right here might take just a few extra dangers (as a result of when it does, they’re fairly profitable) and step outdoors of its consolation zone somewhat extra, it doesn’t detract from the truth that the music is robust even outdoors of the context of the sport. While Blue Reflection, the sport, doesn’t hit all of the marks, the OST does and is nicely value your time. Dive In!
