# Would you enjoy this game:
Blossom Tales is very heavily inspired by A Link to the Past. It doesn't add a whole lot on top of that, but if you've already played that and want more, it isn't too bad.
# Moment to moment:
Primarily, you're walking around the world either fighting enemies or solving puzzles. Fighting is pretty basic and never felt like all that much of a challenge, especially once you get the bombs or bow. The three main types of puzzles are all classics (memory, sokoban and step-on-every-tile-once). Walking around the world itself is neither especially interesting or especially boring. A way to run would be nice.
# Gameplay experience:
The one really clever twist is that this all takes place under the framing device of a grandpa telling a story, and occasionally the kids will inject something into the story. Otherwise, you're mostly searching for the three MacGuffins needed to wake the titular king and all the fighting and puzzle solving is there to make that a challenge. There's some side quests along the way, and some optional puzzles to get the usual extra hearts or gear. All of this is slightly marred by the fact that the designers always take any idea one step too far. There's one too many sokoban puzzles, the trail of falling tiles you need to run across is a little too long, the rooms stuffed with bats are a little too big, etc.
# What keeps you playing:
Gameplay? Being easy isn't a bad thing, but if you're going to invite comparison to A Link to the Past, Blossom Tales is a little underwhelming. I think that mostly comes down to the enemy design and selection of puzzles as the combat tools you have are a fairly standard mix. Unfortunately bombs beat most enemies and none of the puzzles require much in the way of clever use of the tools either.
Aesthetics? There's nothing wrong with the graphics or sound design, but nothing outstanding. There's not a whole lot to talk about game-feel-wise either.
Story? The framing story with the grandpa telling a bedtime story to his grandkids is a nice touch and used well. As a bedtime story, the plot makes as much sense as anything. It's cute but not anything thought provoking, but maybe that's what you want.
Blossom Tales is very heavily inspired by A Link to the Past. It doesn't add a whole lot on top of that, but if you've already played that and want more, it isn't too bad.
# Moment to moment:
Primarily, you're walking around the world either fighting enemies or solving puzzles. Fighting is pretty basic and never felt like all that much of a challenge, especially once you get the bombs or bow. The three main types of puzzles are all classics (memory, sokoban and step-on-every-tile-once). Walking around the world itself is neither especially interesting or especially boring. A way to run would be nice.
# Gameplay experience:
The one really clever twist is that this all takes place under the framing device of a grandpa telling a story, and occasionally the kids will inject something into the story. Otherwise, you're mostly searching for the three MacGuffins needed to wake the titular king and all the fighting and puzzle solving is there to make that a challenge. There's some side quests along the way, and some optional puzzles to get the usual extra hearts or gear. All of this is slightly marred by the fact that the designers always take any idea one step too far. There's one too many sokoban puzzles, the trail of falling tiles you need to run across is a little too long, the rooms stuffed with bats are a little too big, etc.
# What keeps you playing:
Gameplay? Being easy isn't a bad thing, but if you're going to invite comparison to A Link to the Past, Blossom Tales is a little underwhelming. I think that mostly comes down to the enemy design and selection of puzzles as the combat tools you have are a fairly standard mix. Unfortunately bombs beat most enemies and none of the puzzles require much in the way of clever use of the tools either.
Aesthetics? There's nothing wrong with the graphics or sound design, but nothing outstanding. There's not a whole lot to talk about game-feel-wise either.
Story? The framing story with the grandpa telling a bedtime story to his grandkids is a nice touch and used well. As a bedtime story, the plot makes as much sense as anything. It's cute but not anything thought provoking, but maybe that's what you want.