Bloom has gotten a lot of praise from Playdate owners, and it’s easy to see why. The art is beautiful, the story is personal, and the soundtrack is perfect for putting you into a relaxed state. But Bloom is also a strange piece of work, with a highly narrative presentation that doesn’t feel like a game, nor does it feel like a visual novel.
Bloom is primarily played through text messages and responds in real time. You play from the perspective of Midori, who (unbeknownst to her parents) decides not to go to college and instead opens a flower shop. As she chats with family, girlfriends, friends, and other characters, you read it and choose her responses. There’s also a simple gardening element where you buy seeds, plant them, water them, and harvest them to earn money, as well as arcade-style mini-games.
Bloom is like checking in several times a day until you reach the end, which can take weeks. It’s not all that great in terms of gameplay, but there’s something very satisfying about the way you use cranks to switch floors and get from Midori’s apartment room to the rooftop with the garden. Probably not for everyone, but worth a try if you like social sims.
