The original Blue Protocol was an anime‑styled action RPG that many Western players hoped to get their hands on. After Amazon unexpectedly cancelled its release, Tencent revived the project under the name Blue Protocol: Star Resonance.
This free‑to‑play MMORPG finally landed on PC and mobile platforms on 9 October 2025. Developed by Shanghai Bokura Network Technology Co. Ltd and published by A Plus, Star Resonance invites players back to the lush world of Regnus to create heroes, team up in raids, and unwind with activities like fishing and crafting. Within hours of launch, the game drew more than 94,000 concurrent players on Steam—proof that the anime‑MMO audience is still hungry for something new.
Blue Protocol: Star Resonance expands the Blue Protocol universe with a vibrant MMORPG experience. Create your own hero, team up for strategic raids, or simply relax and have fun with friends fishing, crafting and endless exploration.
The quote above is from the game’s official Steam description. It perfectly encapsulates the developers’ ambitions: a gorgeous anime world offering intense combat alongside cosy, slice‑of‑life activities. But does Star Resonance deliver on that promise? After spending several days exploring Regnus, here are my news‑worthy observations.
Creating Your Hero & Exploring Regnus
Star Resonance opens with an impressive character creator. You can customise your hero’s hair, eyes, outfit and even voice, then dive straight into the world. Regnus is divided into channels, and up to 500 players can inhabit one channel at the same time—the busiest I’ve seen since Final Fantasy XIV launched a new expansion. Towns feel alive with players swapping outfits, selling items and emoting in front of NPCs. There’s hardly a time when you won’t see someone riding past on a colourful animal or racing capybaras in the in‑game minigames.
The world itself is stunning. Wildflower‑strewn fields, ancient ruins and floating islands give Regnus a whimsical vibe. Exploration is encouraged by environmental puzzles and hidden treasure chests, though some players complain that the quests themselves are formulaic. During my play session I frequently stopped just to admire the scenery or to fish in a tranquil pond with friends. The social features—player housing, guilds and world events—are already robust for a newly launched MMO.
Things to do in Star Resonance
Here are some of the activities currently available:
- Story quests: follow the main storyline, meet eccentric NPCs and uncover the mystery behind the planet’s instability.
- Raids and dungeons: team up with up to six players for instanced battles and epic boss fights. Some raids have time‑gated entry, which has frustrated part of the community.
- Professions: gather resources and craft gear, cook food or become a master fisherman. Yes, there is a surprisingly complex fishing mini‑game!
- Side games: ride hoverboards, race capybaras, join PvP arenas or simply host a picnic with friends.
Combat: Flashy, Responsive and Punishing
Combat in Star Resonance is real‑time and action‑oriented. You lock onto enemies, dodge telegraphed attacks and string together flashy combos. The game offers several weapon classes ranging from sword‑and‑shield to twin daggers and magical staffs. Each class has its own skill tree allowing you to tailor your playstyle by investing points into offence, defence or mobility. Battles demand careful timing and positioning; you can’t simply rely on auto‑combat. In boss fights I found myself rolling out of the way of massive AoE attacks and coordinating burst damage with my party.
Because channel populations are so high, outdoor zones sometimes feel like chaotic battlegrounds. Seeing dozens of players coordinate to defeat world bosses is thrilling, but the swarm of particle effects can obscure enemy telegraphs. High‑end raids ramp up the difficulty even further, and failure to perform mechanics often results in a quick wipe. The game’s challenge may surprise players who expect a casual mobile‑friendly experience.
Pros and cons of the combat system
| Aspect | What works well | What could be better |
|---|---|---|
| Responsiveness | Dodges, blocks and skills feel crisp and immediate. | Busy effects can obscure incoming attacks. |
| Variety | Multiple weapon types and skill trees allow experimentation. | Class selection is currently limited (more promised later). |
| Accessibility | Basic combos are easy to learn. | Boss mechanics are punishing—casual players may struggle. |
Monetization & Controversy
While the core gameplay is engaging, Star Resonance’s monetization has already raised eyebrows. The game uses a gacha‑style system for obtaining new weapons and costumes, and there are multiple overlapping currencies for different activities. Some progression features are locked behind time‑gated energy systems, limiting how many dungeons you can run in a day. Reviews on Steam are currently mixed, with only about 50% positive. Many players enjoy the visuals and combat but criticise the pay‑for‑convenience packages and the stamina system.
MMOBomb’s first impressions article noted that dull quests and messy monetisation drag down an otherwise gorgeous experience. I agree—progressing through the main story sometimes feels like a chore, and the number of premium shops is overwhelming. However, none of the early cash‑shop options are strictly mandatory, and you can enjoy dozens of hours of content before hitting any paywalls.
If you were hoping for a polished Genshin‑like without gacha baggage, you might be disappointed. There are too many currencies and the stamina system grinds progression to a halt.
Final Thoughts: Room to Grow
Blue Protocol: Star Resonance is off to a promising yet rough start. On the positive side, the game world is gorgeous, the action combat feels satisfying and the social features already make Regnus feel like a bustling place. The ability to create your own anime hero and relax with non‑combat hobbies, such as fishing and crafting, gives Star Resonance a personality of its own. However, time‑gated content and a confusing web of currencies hinder the experience. The developers have promised to add new classes, regions and quality‑of‑life improvements in future patches, so there is reason to be hopeful.
As a veteran gamer, I’m cautiously optimistic. I’ve had a blast exploring Regnus with friends, and I love the flashy combat. I just hope Tencent listens to feedback about monetization. If they streamline the economy and add more meaningful content, Star Resonance could become a mainstay for MMO fans who crave anime aesthetics. Until then, dive in for the beautiful world and fun combat, but be prepared to navigate some frustrating systems along the way.
