The beta of the anime MMORPG Blue Protocol: Star Resonance is currently running. For the first time, players in the West can try out the new MMORPG in large numbers and already know after 3 days what they like and what they do not.
What kind of MMORPG is this? Blue Protocol: Star Resonance is an anime MMORPG and the redevelopment of its namesake Blue Protocol, which quickly met its end in Japan after a poor start. Under the new subtitle Star Resonance, the developers have redeveloped the anime MMORPG and released it some time ago in China.
In the West, the first closed beta began on Friday, August 22, where players can get an impression of the MMORPG. After a weekend of testing, players will explain how they find Blue Protocol: Star Resonance.
Here you can see the character editor of Blue Protocol: Star Resonance:
Good MMORPG, but Pay2Win in many aspects
What do fans like about the MMORPG? In several posts on Reddit, testers have left their first impressions of the MMORPG, and they have consistently identified the following positive aspects:
- The combat system, especially in boss fights within the action combat system and with good movements and dodging, is described by testers as very good.
- The graphics and design of the anime world are well done and are described as beautiful by testers. Anime fans should enjoy this.
- The representation of the story as well as the music and sounds in the game are well-received by players, even though the story is not particularly exciting for many.
- Players find that the MMORPG has a lot of potential, even though it also has significant weaknesses.
Alongside some good points about Blue Protocol: Star Resonance, there is also strong criticism in other reports.
What bothers fans about the MMORPG? Many players criticize the monetization of the game on Reddit. In the shop, there are numerous items available for purchase, including Battle Pass, monthly cards, skins, upgrade materials for the character, and various currencies.
This MMORPG is clearly Pay2Win, as players gain a gaming advantage by spending money. However, some testers also point out that one can obtain many upgrade materials for free.
The Asian influence on the MMORPG also annoys some testers on Reddit. In addition to auto-navigation to marked locations, there is an auto-combat mode where the player’s character autonomously attacks nearby enemies and uses the character’s abilities. Although this mode isn’t particularly good and unsuitable for bosses, the feature itself is generally not well-received in the West (via Reddit).
Another mechanic, already known from other Asian MMORPGs, is the time-gating present in Blue Protocol: Star Resonance. Players could only reach Level 33 out of 60 after 3 days, as various sections of the game are locked behind a time barrier. The maximum level is expected to be reachable only in a few days.
While the MMORPG has convinced testers in its basic concept, it is the characteristics common to many MMORPGs in Asia that do not resonate well in the West – Pay2Win, time-gating, auto-battle, and auto-navigation annoy the testers. Competitors like NCSoft have learned from these mistakes, as their new MMORPG will likely entail a localization that also changes the “Asian” features: A new MMORPG is coming to us in 2026, expected to be bigger than Throne and Liberty, but with less Pay2Win
