New Free-to-Play MMORPG Gains Popularity on Steam, With Some Concerns

Blue Protocol: Star Resonance attracted over 90,000 concurrent players shortly after its launch, but many players have expressed dissatisfaction. This title appears as a refreshed version of Bandai Namco’s original online action game, which was discontinued in January 2025.

The game, which was released on October 9 for PC and mobile platforms, reached approximately 95,000 concurrent players within the first 24 hours on Steam, marking it as one of the day’s most played games. However, despite the impressive player count, around 55% of reviews are negative, resulting in a Mixed average rating on Steam at the time of this writing.

Critics argue that the game is excessively monetized, with most missions and events restricted by time, leading to a lack of challenge in combat. There’s also criticism of lacking localized servers, forcing players outside the U.S. to connect to North American servers, causing connectivity issues. Players feel that although Blue Protocol: Star Resonance has the potential to rival popular anime-style games, its current status, heavily leaning on monetization, is holding it back.

Those who enjoy the game praise its anime-inspired visuals and the numerous side activities available within its expansive world. They claim features like the auto-battle function are optional and thus should not be grounds for complaint. As a new free-to-play title, fans believe it has room to address its current issues and become a more competitive offering in the future.

In the coming months, it will be intriguing to see whether Shanghai Bokura Network Technology can sustain its player base and improve the reviews for Blue Protocol: Star Resonance. The game’s current mixed reception reflects a divided opinion within the gaming community.