Blue Dragon: A Reevaluation

Akira Toriyama's artwork can be found across legendary manga and anime series like Dragon Ball, Dr. Slump, and Chrono Trigger as well as lesser-known JRPG Blue Dragon, often outshone by more popular titles in its genre such as Dragon Ball. Unfortunately, though, Blue Dragon often finds itself overshadowed by other more well-known titles in its field and even if it is understandable from a historical point of view that tries to explain the events of that time, it should be revisited and reevaluated by today's players. One thing is certain: unappreciated, though enjoyable nevertheless, Blue Dragon is not the first choice when we are thinking of Toriyama's work. So why should we bother with this game now? It is a prime example of an overlooked video game, a game that had some bad luck to be caught in the events of that time, and a game that deserves better.

Enjoyable but Without Narrative Depth

Let's start with the artwork: needless to say, Toriyama's mark on Blue Dragon can't be missed: his signature character designs feature large expressive eyes and dynamic poses with whimsical yet heroic aesthetics, providing the game's cornerstone. Furthermore, Toriyama has imbued every element in Blue Dragon with his artistry: vibrant fantasyland filled with creatures both endearing and bizarre that bear his artistic mark, some of whom may be found one way or another in games like Dagon Ball FighterZ for PlayStation 4. In many ways, this Blue Dragon anticipates success, even if it was not a success itself because it feels like an episode from Dragon Ball with less intense battle scenes. Blue Dragon prioritizes character development rather than outrageous violence.

A Colorful and Recognizable Universe

Art-wise, however, this game's aesthetic appeal to Manga lovers cannot be denied but should have been enough. It seems not. Unfortunately, its gameplay mechanics and narrative depth fall short when compared with other JRPG titles of its day like Final Fantasy XII (2006) or Lost Odyssey (2007). As a parenthesis, we could also think of a contemporary game like Final Fantasy VII - Reunion if you do not know those games as it has a similar look and feel. Coming back to Blue Dragon, although its battle system serves its purpose adequately enough for most situations, its emotional resonance remains somewhat muted when compared with similar JRPG narratives.

In a way, probably the narrative is what drags a little the game back: the story never quite reaches the emotional depth of Dragon Ball Kakarot, for example, which seems curious given all of the talent at work in its development. It seems this particular JRPG, prioritized style over substance, was a little off. The characters are not well developed, the narrative lacks depth, and the general tone of the game is a little thin.

Conclusion

Maybe its release came too close on the heels of genre-defining titles such as Final Fantasy XII and Dragon Quest VIII, maybe it was not its time, or perhaps expectations set by Toriyama simply became too great after the fact; regardless, Blue Dragon remains an intriguing case study in how art and gameplay interact, serving as an indicator that visual appeal alone cannot make for great gaming experiences. It is a sympathetic game, very colorful, and quite enjoyable despite its flaws. Toriyama's Blue Dragon deserves another chance if only for its charm and witnessing Toriyama's vision come alive through interactive playback.