Blue Wednesday is the sort of melancholy experience that makes you appreciate life! The downtrodden protagonist isn’t thriving. His dreams are wilting, and his work ethic leaves a lot to be desired. However, he has a heart of gold and wants to succeed. This desire pushes him into weird and wonderful situations. Mini-games punctuate his daily life, and failure is his highest expectation.
This narrative adventure was developed by Buff Studio and published by Forever Entertainment. It is a single-player title with a side-scrolling perspective. Furthermore, there is an odd artistic flair and a vibrant city to explore. Ultimately, many characters add a rich layer of depth to the occasionally sombre story.
Blue Wednesday demands you chase your dreams.
Allowing your dreams to wither and fail is heartbreaking. Sadly, Morris is on his way to a mundane existence. His dreams of becoming a world-famous jazz pianist are on the rocks. Stuck in a boring job and with few friends to turn to, his life is one dull circle.
Luckily, the hero gets an opportunity to grab life by the horns. A jazz club needs a new pianist, and Morris has just been sacked from his supermarket job. Accordingly, he must impress the band, their fans, and himself if he is to fulfil his destiny.
Mini-games and conversations.
Blue Wednesday isn’t complicated or fast-paced. Instead, everything is taken at a snail’s pace. Moving from his tiny rented apartment to his job is best described as a painful meander. En route, he can talk to an array of NPCs about their day and if they need help.
Though the interactions rarely change the course of the plot, they add depth and some much-needed humour. Additionally, there are mini-games and a pleasant piano rhythm game to master. This is where it excels. The piano music is great to listen to, and getting the timing right for each note was enjoyable. If you fail, it matters not. The game progresses regardless, as you lose yourself in the vibe.
Blue Wednesday looks great.
The world is awash with colours, large buildings, and interesting, surreal moments. Music forms the backbone of each dreamy encounter, and you’d best go with the flow as things become a little strange. The developer has chosen a bizarre art style! Every character appears younger than they are. This weird teen artistry was at odds with some of the dialogue choices. Consequently, there are some uncomfortable moments throughout.
The audio is truly magical. Love it or hate it, the jazz tunes flow like wine. There is a sense of drama, romance, and aggression as each song is belted out on piano or saxophone. You’ll find yourself tapping your toes as each funky beat unfolds.
Simple controls.
I used to be a master of rhythm-based games. Sadly, I’m now a little rusty, and I made repeated errors. Thankfully, Blue Wednesday is a forgiving game, and the simple control system makes it a joy to play.
Replay value and longevity are limited. Though there are around 20 mini-games to enjoy and vinyl records to collect, there isn’t much else to do. Your first playthrough will take under 6 hours, and completionists can have this wrapped up in around 10 hours at a push.
Blue Wednesday is short but sweet.
The sense of a real-life grind and a mundane existence hangs over Blue Wednesday like a cloud. Thankfully, this gets blown away once you speak to each NPC and begin to thrive. As Morris becomes more confident, the story ebbs and flows nicely. The mini-games are fun, and the rhythm-based action is a joy to tackle. Accordingly, I think it’s short but sweet, and I recommend buying it here! Can you make it to the world stage? Practice your piano, make friends, and get out of that funk.
