Details: Written by: Brian Moats; Category: Video Games; Published: 19 July 2024

Where will Lily's adventure take us this time?

Blossom Tales 2: The Minotaur Prince (2022)
Developer(s)	Castle Pixel, LLC.	Publisher	Playtonic Friends
Platform Availability	Switch, PC, Xbox	Genre	Action/Adventure
	1	10+		8+ Hours

I wanted more Blossom Tales, and I got it. I was very excited to return to the world they created in the first game...or so I thought. No, we explore a new land that has grown where the previous games world once stood over potentially hundreds of years.

Story

Much like Blossom Tales 1, you return to the world crafted by your grandpa. This time though, it is set in the future and focused on one of Lily's decedents who inherited her name. We also have her brother Chrys included in the story this time as Lily's brother in the story.

As you would expect, the siblings bicker and pick on each other until a fateful moment when an evil from the past returns (not from Blossom Tales 1) and kidnaps Chrys. Lily sets out to find her brother, but she must find keys to gain access to the Minotaur labyrinth. Over the course of the game, we get to see snippets of Chrys side of the story and how he is being manipulated by the Minotaur to become his prince.

The game (much like the first) has Lily searching for three keys fragments to access the Minotaur Labyrinth. There are different biomes that give a little change to the feel of the world (snow, desert, swamp, and plains). The game introduces most of the same equipment from the first game, but there are some fun upgrades that can be unlocked for some.

Once you do finally make it to the final dungeon...it goes on and on. I won't mind content when it is really fun, but I felt like it was just a little too much. Sure, you need to re-use each of the major items and overcome certain puzzle types once again, but ultimately, it could have been a little shorter. I did have to save and quick playing the final dungeon because I was starting to get bored. I enjoyed the game overall, but it's pacing did change for the worst in the last 10% of the game.

When you do finally take on the dungeons final boss, it certainly feels like a classic Zelda final fight. I think I did die a couple times just trying to get some timings right, but it felt fair overall. The story had a good conclusion overall.

The next three sections will be copy and paste from my review of Blossom Tales 1 because they still stand completely true as nothing in these areas really changes (for better or worst).

Game Mechanics

This game plays exactly as you would expect if you have played an overhead The Legend of Zelda. You will use your sword and various weapons in your arsenal to take down various creatures and overcome puzzles. I really enjoyed the puzzles in the game even if most were pretty simple.

Graphics

The graphics are fine for what they are trying to re-create. The characters definitely have a less detail than I (and most people) may prefer, but this was never something that bothered me during gameplay. The overworld and various dungeons/areas feel distinct. The creatures you encounter feel like they belong and look good.

Audio

I enjoyed the music and the sound effects. There are certain songs I do find myself humming to myself occasionally...so the songs can stick around for a little while. Again, nothing amazing, but everything was very suitable for the overall gaming experience they were aiming for.

Final Thoughts

I enjoyed my time with Blossom Tales 2. It didn't hit the same chords with me as Blossom Tales 1, and that is ok. I enjoyed what I experienced in the first game and wanted more of the same, and that is what they gave us. I would like to see the game become a little longer with something new for the world much like Dark World brought to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. No, it doesn't need to become Zelda, but I think it could benefit from adding in more story that somehow expands the world in a meaningful way.

For the under $15 price point, I am still very happy with this game. I am happy they included Chrys in the story, and hope they provide the option to switch between the siblings in future titles providing each some sort of unique skillset.