Bloom: Memories

Bloom: Memories for PC is an original action-RPG with a highlighted narrative, and created by Studio Fawn – an independent developer. The game is set in a fantasy world created by Dani Landers – a screenwriter and the creator of the game's visuals. Bloom: Memories was developed thanks to mostly the funding gathered on Kickstarter, and the concept behind the game was to break with the patterns the most stereotypical games are based on, where the player's goal is to dominate, and the way to achieve it, is through violence. Among the titles the creators themselves have mentioned as their sources of inspiration, there are ganes such as Loom, The Legend of Zelda, Thief: The Dark Project, or a popular series of games and anime films Harvest Moon.

Plot

The story takes the player to an original fantasy world, where for unknown reasons, relics of the past are awakening – they traverse the world as soulless abominations of having mechanical bodies, unaware of anything. Their power soon forces the humans to stand up to them in a hopeless fight; ultimately, mankind is pushed into an existence of staying hidden. After years of oppression, a woman manages to escape and finds shelter in the forest located on the outskirts of the land. Her main goal is simply to give her child a life of freedom, away from the world ruled by the machines. Over time, the child becomes the people's only hope to defeat the merciless mechanicals, and this is the role the player assumes in the game.

Mechanics

The creators offer the player with a great deal of freedom as to what path do they choose. Despite the fact that Bloom: Memories for PC belongs to the popular action-RPG genre, force and violence do not represent the only methods of achieving the in-game goals. Moreover, the entire game can be completed without harming any characters, friendly or not. Conversation and persuasion are equally effective here, as well as using an adequate strategy. Depending on the path chosen, the world around can react to the player's actions in two ways. Those who prefer the path of violence will be exposed to more violence themselves; the others, who choose the path of peace, will become acquainted with more tranquil part of this world's nature.

The protagonist begins as a weak and unexperienced being, but alongside progression, they develop their abilities in accordance with the player's will. As one does not always manage to avoid confrontation here, the protagonist has both their main ability (combat or defense) and side-abilities – those are acquired mainly through finding items and seeds scattered throughout the world. Thanks to abilities developed in such a way, for instance, the player can hide, create diversions, or plant herbs that grow fast and can stop the enemies. No matter if the player is a type of a warrior, negotiator, traveller or collector, the world of Bloom: Memories adjusts itself to one's play-style.

Technical aspects

Bloom: Memories for PC is played from an isometric view, which is typical for classic hack'n'slash titles. However, a crucial part of the game lies in its artistic visuals, created by Dani Landers. The experience is complemented by a soundtrack following the gameplay and created by Jose More-Jimenez. All of this combined, builds original, atmospheric audiovisuals which make the game stand out compared to many present-day productions.

Last updated on April 3, 2017