Blue's Journey

{{Infobox video game

| title = Blue's Journey

| image = Blue's Journey arcade flyer.jpg

| developer = Alpha Denshi

| publisher = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Alpha Denshi}}|Neo Geo CD{{vgrelease|JP|ADK|NA|SNK}}}}

| designer = Takashi Hatono
Yohko Igarashi

| programmer = Osamu Iijima
Yuji Noguchi

| artist = Hideyuki Yamada
Kazushige Hakamata

| composer = Yuka Watanabe

| platforms = Arcade, Neo Geo AES, Neo Geo CD

| released = Arcade{{vgrelease|WW|31 December 1990}} Neo Geo AES{{vgrelease|WW|1 July 1991}} Neo Geo CD{{vgrelease|JP|31 October 1994|NA|October 1996}}

| genre = Platform

| modes = Single-player, co-op

| arcade system = Neo Geo MVS

}}

Blue's Journey{{efn|Also known as {{nihongo|Raguy|ラギ|Ragi||lead=yes}} in Japan.}} is a side-scrolling platform game released by Alpha Denshi in 1990 on SNK's Neo Geo MVS arcade system and their AES home system. It was ported to the Neo Geo CD in 1994.{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ABeepMD_JP_1993-07.pdf&page=144|title=Oh! Neo Geo Vol. 11 - ラギ|magazine=Beep! Mega Drive|issue=46|date=July 1993|page=142|lang=ja}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/GamePro_The_Cutting_Edge_Spring_1996#page/n109/mode/2up|title=Neo•Geo CD: The Arcade In A Box - Blue´s Journey|magazine=GamePro|issue=Premiere Supplement|date=Spring 1996|page=104}} It was rereleased on the Wii's Virtual Console in Europe on November 9, 2007, followed by North America on November 12, 2007.

Gameplay

File:NEOGEO Blue's Journey (Raguy).png

Blue has the ability to stun enemies, pick them up and throw them as projectiles. He can also shrink himself down in order to access hidden areas. A second player can take control of an unnamed green palette swap of Blue.{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:BeepMD_JP_1991-03.pdf&page=134|title=VG: Raguy|magazine=Beep! Mega Drive|issue=18|date=March 1991|pages=132–133|lang=ja}}Blue's Journey user's manual (Neo Geo AES, US){{cite web |title=Blue's Journey Review |date=2007-11-21 |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518014224/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/21/blues-journey-review-2 |archive-date=2021-05-18 |url-status=live |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/21/blues-journey-review-2}}

Plot

In the game the player controls a heroic young man named Blue who was sent by Princess Fa to save the peaceful planet of Raguy. The planet is inhabited by insect people (Insectarians) and Blue is in love with the Princess Fa. It has been invaded by the evil Daruma Empire, who plans on consuming the planet's resources and polluting it.

There are several endings in the game depending on certain events such as whether or not the player defeated their rival.{{cite web|title=ラギ |url=https://game.snk-corp.co.jp/event/virtual-console/raguy/index_raguy_j.html|website=SNK OFFICIAL WEBSITE JP|access-date=September 28, 2020}}

Development and release

Reception

{{Video game reviews

|GR = (NG) 48.75%{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/neo/582029-blues-journey/index.html|title=Blue's Journey for NeoGeo|work=GameRankings|publisher=CBS Interactive|date=2019|access-date=2019-07-21|archive-date=2019-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721203421/https://www.gamerankings.com/neo/582029-blues-journey/index.html|url-status=live}}
(NS) 50%{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/switch/220141-aca-neogeo-blues-journey/index.html|title=ACA NeoGeo: Blue's Journey for Nintendo Switch|work=GameRankings|publisher=CBS Interactive|date=2019|access-date=2019-07-21|archive-date=2019-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721203432/https://www.gamerankings.com/switch/220141-aca-neogeo-blues-journey/index.html|url-status=live}}

|Allgame = (NG) {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web|last=Knight|first=Kyle|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=16991&tab=review|title=Blue's Journey (Neo Geo Advanced Entertainment System) - Review|work=AllGame|publisher=All Media Network|date=1998|access-date=2019-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115171357/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=16991&tab=review|archive-date=2014-11-15|url-status=live}}

|EuroG = (Wii) 5/10{{cite web|last=Whitehead|first=Dan|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_vcroundup_101107|title=Virtual Console Roundup - Super Mario Bros. 3, Blue's Journey, Power Golf and Alien Soldier|work=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|date=November 19, 2007|access-date=2019-07-21|archive-date=2019-04-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425211433/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_vcroundup_101107|url-status=live}}

|GameFan = (NG) 368/400{{cite magazine|last1=Halverson|first1=Dave|author-link1=Dave Halverson|last2=Off|first2=Gregory|last3=Stratton|first3=Tom|last4=Cockburn|first4=Andrew|url=https://archive.org/stream/Gamefan_Vol_1_Issue_03#page/n12/mode/1up|title=Viewpoint - Neo Geo - Blues Journey|magazine=GameFan|volume=1|issue=3|publisher=DieHard Gamers Club|date=January 1993|page=13}}

|GamePro = (NG) 24/25{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/GamePro_Issue_030_January_1992#page/n106/mode/1up|title=Neo Geo For Real! - Previously Played... - Blue's Journey|magazine=GamePro|issue=30|date=January 1992|page=103}}

|GSpot = (Wii) 3.5/10{{cite web|last=Provo|first=Frank|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/blues-journey-review/1900-6183999/|title=Blue's Journey Review|work=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|date=December 13, 2007|access-date=2019-07-21|archive-date=2019-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721203429/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/blues-journey-review/1900-6183999/|url-status=live}}

|HC = (NG) 92/100{{cite magazine|last=García|first=Marcos|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:HobbyConsolas_ES_011.pdf&page=56|title=Neo Geo - Blue's Journey - El País De Las Maravillas|magazine=Hobby Consolas|issue=11|publisher=Hobby Press|date=August 1992|pages=56–59|lang=es|access-date=2021-01-13|archive-date=2021-01-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113204938/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AHobbyConsolas_ES_011.pdf&page=56|url-status=live}}

|IGN = (Wii) 6.0/10{{cite web|last=M. Thomas|first=Lucas|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/22/blues-journey-review|title=Blue's Journey Review|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=November 21, 2007|access-date=2019-07-21|archive-date=2019-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721203432/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/22/blues-journey-review|url-status=live}}

|JS = (NG) 92%{{cite magazine|last=Demoly|first=Jean-Marc|url=https://archive.org/stream/joystick021#page/n133/mode/1up|title=Tests - Neo Geo - Blue's Journey|magazine=Joystick|issue=21|publisher=Sipress|date=November 1991|page=134|lang=fr}}

|NLife = (Wii) 5/10{{cite web|last=McFerran|first=Damien|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/neogeo/blues_journey|title=Blue's Journey Review (Neo Geo)|work=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media|date=November 10, 2007|access-date=2019-07-21|archive-date=2019-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721203444/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/neogeo/blues_journey|url-status=live}}
(NS) 5/10{{cite web|last=Frear|first=Dave|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/blues_journey_neogeo|title=Blue's Journey Review (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)|work=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media|date=September 11, 2017|access-date=2019-07-21|archive-date=2019-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721210424/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/blues_journey_neogeo|url-status=live}}

|TILT = (NG) 17/20{{cite magazine|last1=Defrance|first1=Laurent|last2=Maman|first2=Jean-Michel|url=https://archive.org/stream/Tilt095#page/n62/mode/1up|title=Hits - Raguy -- NEO GEO|magazine=Tilt|issue=95|publisher=Editions Mondiales S.A.|date=November 1991|pages=63–64|lang=fr}}

}}

RePlay reported Blue's Journey to be the sixth most-popular arcade game at the time.{{cite magazine|title=The Player's Choice - Top Games Now in Operation, Based on Earnings-Opinion Poll of Operators: Best Software|magazine=RePlay|volume=16|issue=10|publisher=RePlay Publishing, Inc.|date=July 1991|page=4}} The game received generally positive reception from critics since its release in arcades and other platforms,{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:BeepMD_JP_1990-12.pdf&page=143|title=VG: ラギ|magazine=Beep! Mega Drive|issue=15|date=December 1990|page=141|lang=ja|access-date=2021-01-13|archive-date=2020-06-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606045738/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:BeepMD_JP_1990-12.pdf&page=143|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Knauf|first=Andreas|url=https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=5065&s=2|title=News - Neo Geo - Blue's Journey|magazine=Video Games|issue=5|publisher=Future-Verlag|date=January 1992|pages=10–12|lang=de|access-date=2021-01-13|archive-date=2021-01-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106234557/https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=5065&s=2|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last1=Yamashita|first1=Nobuyuki|author2=Itabashi|url=https://archive.org/stream/micomBASIC_1992-07#page/n231/mode/1up|title=Super Soft 大特集 - 今、「NEO・GEO」がおもしろい!: ラギ|magazine=Micom BASIC Magazine|issue=121|publisher=The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation|date=July 1992|page=208|lang=ja}} most of which unanimously praised the colorful graphics.{{cite magazine|last1=Noak|first1=Philipp|last2=Hellert|first2=Stefan|url=http://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=8807&s=3|title=Special - Neo Geo - Blues Journey|magazine=Mega Fun|issue=11|publisher=Computec|date=August 1993|pages=28–30|lang=de|access-date=2019-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021232116/http://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=8807&s=3|archive-date=2018-10-21|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|title=NEO GEO GAMES CROSS REVIEW: ラギ|magazine=Famitsu|issue=332|publisher=ASCII|date=28 April 1995|page=22|lang=ja}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/neogeofreak0025#page/n127/mode/1up|title=NF編集部にまる - ネオジオゲームㇱインレビュー: ラギ|magazine=Neo Geo Freak|issue=25|publisher=Geibunsha|date=June 1997|pages=124–128|lang=ja}} Both the Neo Geo and Nintendo Switch versions hold a 48.75% and 50% respectively on the review aggregator GameRankings. AllGame{{'}}s Kyle Knight praised the "cutesy" and colorful graphics when compared to other systems released at the time such as the Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis, as well as the multiple pathways but ultimately regarded its gameplay as average, noting that it lacked difficulty. Consoles Plus{{'}} Pingos and Badin highly commended the presentation for being varied, simple controls and multiple paths but noted that the music was repetitive.{{cite magazine|author1=Pingos|author2=Badin|url=https://archive.org/stream/Console_Plus_Numero_002#page/66/mode/2up|title=Neo Geo Review - Raguy|magazine=Consoles +|issue=2|publisher=M.E.R.7|date=October 1991|pages=66–67|lang=fr}} GameFan and GamePro gave high remarks the colorful visuals, music, characters, gameplay and controls but Andrew Cockburn of the former publication noted its short length.

Hobby Consolas{{'}} Marcos García highly praised the technical presentation, colorful graphics, samba-style soundtrack, numerous secrets, bosses, gameplay and two-player co-op feature. Joypad{{'}}s Alain Huyghues-Lacour and Seb, as well as Joystick Jean-Marc Demoly, noted its low difficulty level but commended the animated graphics, controls and audio.{{cite magazine|last1=Huyghues-Lacour|first1=Alain|author2=Seb|url=https://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=84&num=1771&album=oui|title=Test - Neo Geo - Blue's Journey|magazine=Joypad|issue=2|publisher=Yellow Media|date=November 1991|pages=128–129|lang=fr|access-date=2021-01-13|archive-date=2017-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917110220/http://abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=84&num=1771&album=oui|url-status=live}} Player One{{'}}s Cyril Drevet gave positive remarks to the colorful graphics, sprite animations, sound, difficulty and longevity.{{cite magazine|last=Drevet|first=Cyril|url=https://archive.org/stream/playerone-magazine-014c#page/n94/mode/1up|title=Dossier: La NÉO GÉO brille de tous ses feux - Blue's Journey|magazine=Player One|issue=14|publisher=Média Système Édition|date=November 1991|page=95|lang=fr}} Tilt{{'}}s Laurent Defrance and Jean-Michel Maman regarded it as a cross between Marvel Land and Sonic the Hedgehog, while Génération 4{{'}}s Frank Ladoire also drew comparison with Super Mario Bros.. Both publications praised the colorful graphics, fluid animations, responsive controls and soundtrack, with both Defrance and Maman stating that Blue's Journey was an original and varied adventure-platform game.{{cite magazine|last=Ladoire|first=Frank|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Generation%204/generation4_numero038/generation%204%20-%20N038%20-%20novembre%201991%20-%20page224%20et%20page225.jpg|title=Console Test – Blue's Journey – Neo-Geo|magazine=Génération 4|issue=38|publisher=Computec Media France|date=November 1991|pages=216–217|lang=fr|access-date=2021-01-13|archive-date=2021-01-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113204936/http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Generation%204/generation4_numero038/generation%204%20-%20N038%20-%20novembre%201991%20-%20page224%20et%20page225.jpg|url-status=live}} Consolemania{{'}}s Marco Auletta criticized the graphics and sound for being simplistic and bland respectively, as well as its gameplay for being frustrating.{{cite magazine|last=Auletta|first=Marco|url=https://archive.org/stream/Consolemania-012#page/n91/mode/2up|title=Blue's Journey (Neo Geo)|magazine=Consolemania|issue=12|publisher=Xenia Edizioni|date=October 1992|pages=92–93|lang=it}}

In recent years, Blue's Journey has been met with a more mixed reception from critics. Eurogamer{{'}}s Dan Whitehead criticized the visuals for being "crude and blotchy", recommending Super Mario Bros. 3 on the Wii's Virtual Console instead. GameSpot{{'}}s Frank Provo praised the sound design and soundtrack but criticized the graphics and gameplay. IGN{{'}}s Lucas M. Thomas regarded the title as a passable platform game. In 2014, HobbyConsolas identified it as one of the twenty best games for the Neo Geo AES.{{cite web|last=Alonso|first=Álvaro|url=https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reportajes/20-mejores-juegos-neo-geo-aes-63205|title=Reportaje: Los 20 mejores juegos de Neo Geo (AES)|work=HobbyConsolas|date=February 12, 2014|access-date=2023-02-06|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302075308/https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reportajes/20-mejores-juegos-neo-geo-aes-63205|archive-date=2014-03-02|url-status=live}}

Notes

References

External links

[https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/arcade/564106-blues-journey Blue's Journey] at GameFAQs
[https://www.giantbomb.com/blues-journey/3030-6657/ Blue's Journey] at Giant Bomb
[https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7174 Blue's Journey] at Killer List of Videogames
[https://www.mobygames.com/game/blues-journey Blue's Journey] at MobyGames