Got Light Up The Town during the Summer Sale and I am super glad that I did! I honestly didn't know exactly what I was getting into when I bought the game, but it looked super adorable, so I decided why not? Turns out, it was a really nice little surprise.
[u]Story[/u]
The premise is pretty much exactly what the name suggests. You go around different parts of Bellflower and decorate the town because your dad hurt his leg and is unable to do it this year. You start off with only one set of lights, but as you explore more of the town, you slowly unlock more decorations by purchasing them or getting them from townsfolk, all while getting to see more of what Bellflower has to offer.
What actually surprised me was how sappy the cutscenes ended up being. They are simple, but they genuinely make you feel something. The ending especially caught me off guard. I won't spoil it, but let's just say while my friend was busy playing basketball, I was trying not to bawl my eyes out over Bean and the cutscene on the tower.
[u]Characters / Relationships[/u]
The characters were honestly one of the things I enjoyed a lot. Each person has their own story, their own way of greeting Bean, and their own lines. Bean can also reply to certain characters, which makes talking to the townsfolk feel a little more interesting.
It is also worth talking to everyone you meet because some characters will actually give you decorations. So don't just run past them, channel your inner extrovert!
[u]Gameplay / Mechanics[/u]
The gameplay is pretty straightforward, but it works well for the type of game it is. You collect coins around town, some of which are found by doing a bit of parkour. Thankfully, the parkour isn't too difficult and never really feels frustrating.
With the coins, you can buy different lights and decorations to customize the town. You can throw lights, change decorations, cut the excess, and even go back to how the lights were before you cut them. It is simple, but honestly pretty satisfying. An added bonus is that after you "finish" the game, more of the town unlocks, so you can continue decorating the new locations or even go back to the old ones should you want to.
[u]Graphics / General Environment[/u]
The game is super cute. Bellflower itself feels cozy, and walking around different areas of town while decorating them is probably one of my favorite parts of the game. The cutscenes also fit the style really well and add a lot to the overall feeling of the game.
[u]Missions / Side Quests[/u]
There aren't really side quests, but exploring the town is definitely encouraged. Collecting coins, talking to people, and buying lights and decorations gives you a reason to look around instead of just rushing through the game.
[u]Achievements / Replayability[/u]
There aren't any achievements to get, which honestly isn't a big deal. If anything, it makes you enjoy the game for what it is instead of chasing a list of achievements. It also isn't a huge or extremely long game, but I think the length works for it. It doesn't drag things out, and it gives you a complete experience without feeling like it needs unnecessary extra content.
There is still some reason to come back if you want to collect everything since there are plenty of lights and decorations to unlock!
[u]Voice Acting / Sounds[/u]
The voice acting is actually pretty great for a game of this size. Each character feels different, and the voices help make the townsfolk feel more memorable. It was definitely better than I expected going in.
[u]Conclusion[/u]
I went into Light Up The Town not really knowing what I was getting, and I ended up really enjoying it. It isn't a massive game, and it isn't trying to be one, but it does what it wants to do really well.
The game is cute, relaxing, and surprisingly emotional. I would honestly say it is worth the full price, yeah yeah I know I got it during the sale, but if you are unsure, at the very least grab it during a sale. It is a short game, but it is definitely one worth playing.
