Just in time for the cozy autumnal season, indie JRPG Bloomtown: A Different Story is serving up a fulfilling blend of turn-based combat, monster-taming, and chill social elements. Come for the Persona vibes, stay for the sleepy Americana town that'll make the wait for Stranger Things' next season all the easier.
Made by Graveyard Keeper developer Lazy Bear Games and Different Sense Games with Twin Sails Interactive on publishing duties, Bloomtown releases on Steam, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on September 24, but you can already wishlist it on your storefront of choice to ensure you don't miss a beat.
The narrative-focused JRPG kicks off with 12-year-old Emily and her younger brother Chester heading to their grandpa's cozy and quiet town for a summer holiday that'll prove memorable for all the wrong reasons. Children begin to disappear, and wouldn't you know it? It's down to you to solve the mystery of what's happening in Bloomtown so that everyone knows peace once more.
While Bloomtown is a quintessential sleepy American town with all the classics – a cinema, grocery shops, parks, you name it, what is far from quintessential is the demon world growing in tandem known as the Underside. Alongside figuring out mystical disappearances, expect to engage in classic turn-based battles alongside catching and infusing demons as you tackle townspeople's fears and vices manifested as monsters.
In the quieter moments between dashing through the Underside's dungeons, you'll get to enjoy Bloomtown itself. If secret hunting isn't your thing, you can also hit the gym to strengthen your physical abilities, earn pocket money by helping at the grocery store, or just relax by gardening. Much like Persona, taking a moment to breathe and prepare between dungeons only leaves you better equipped to tackle what's ahead. If you want to save both worlds from each other, you'll want to indulge both to the limit.
