After playing B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA for several hours, I have a lot of thoughts about it. The game is part of a multimedia project that follows a fictional idol group on their journey to fame. This “supergroup” consists of fourteen members from four separate bands, which is a lot to keep track of. It fits into the broader universe with anime, manga, and even stage adaptations. Thankfully, the game offers a thorough summary at the beginning, so you don’t need to be familiar with the previous materials to get into the story. I knew nothing about J-pop before playing, and I still found my way around.
At first, it was overwhelming trying to remember all fourteen characters’ names and faces. It didn’t get much easier as time went on, but matching their personalities to their looks felt more natural. Each character gets decent screen time, and they even have their own story arcs. The first time I played through, I was surprised to see the credits roll after just under ten hours. I had only completed two out of five planned concerts and felt like I barely scratched the surface. Turns out, there are multiple endings that branch off early in the story, which unlock completely different paths, adding up to over 20 hours of gameplay. This gave me the chance to explore other characters and dive deeper into their personal stories.
The game offers two main story paths, each focusing on different aspects of being an idol. One path, leading to the “Backstage Ending,” is more about family issues and the emotional side of the characters. The other, the “Alternative Ending,” leans into the musical challenges, like creating new songs and dealing with media scandals. The writing is solid but not overly dramatic. The conflicts are more about resolving misunderstandings than major plot twists. This slow, slice-of-life style suits the game’s overall tone, though I sometimes wished for a bit more excitement or emotional depth. One thing that stood out to me is that none of the characters seemed to make big mistakes. All the conflicts came from miscommunication, which felt a bit unrealistic. It would have been more relatable if they had some real flaws.
One of the unique aspects of B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA is how it handles the idol industry. There are a few interesting details, like the characters having to attend “idol school” before joining their groups or the fact that a major scandal involves a band member being seen at a nightclub. While these elements add some flavor, I felt like the game could have gone deeper into the industry itself. The idea that an idol’s schedule can be adjusted on the fly or that they could threaten to quit without contractual consequences felt a bit too convenient. It broke the immersion for me.
Another thing that caught my attention was the relationship between the manager (the player character) and the idols. The game sets up a very close bond, which sometimes felt a little strange. The idols invite the manager to personal events, like family reunions, which seemed too intimate for a professional relationship. But I get that this was necessary to create the warm, friendly vibe the game was going for. Despite the awkwardness, it helped flesh out the characters and build connections.
The game’s main interaction mechanic revolves around texting and calling the idols. They message the manager about everything from choosing pajamas to more serious matters, and your responses impact how the story unfolds. Quick responses even earn you bonus points, which felt oddly amusing. While these conversations added to the game’s charm, I found the frequent phone calls a bit excessive at times.
In terms of extra content, there’s plenty to explore. After finishing the main story, there are epilogues for each character. While the game doesn’t dive into romance, these endings do hint at some romantic undertones. There are also short stories from the idols’ time at school and some fun little scenes that add more depth to their personalities. If you enjoy the cute, slice-of-life aspect, there’s enough here to keep you entertained for hours.
Visually, the game is polished. The character designs are detailed, with each idol having their own outfits for different occasions. However, the animated 2D sprites sometimes looked a bit awkward, like they were breathing or shifting in an unnatural way. The backgrounds are simple, mostly concert venues or rooms, but they get the job done. The voice acting deserves praise, especially since even the player character has full voice lines, which is a nice touch for immersion.
B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA: While I had fun with B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA, I wouldn't say it's for everyone. It’s aimed at a specific audience, fans of J-pop, otome-style games, or the B-Project franchise itself. If you're into that world, you'll probably love it. If not, it might not be engaging enough to hold your attention, though it’s still a pleasant experience. In the end, the game feels well-made but lacks the kind of depth that makes it truly memorable. For fans, it's a solid addition to the franchise, but for others, it might feel like a well-crafted yet somewhat shallow product. – Tom Henry
