B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA Review | A Tear-Jerking Debut

80
Story
8
Gameplay
7
Visuals
8
Audio
10
Value for Money
7
Price:
$ 50
Clear Time:
25 Hours
Reviewed on:
PC
B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia debuts as a simple but beautifully told and emotional visual novel, featuring charming and memorable characters inspired by the real male J-pop idol group B-Project. The game shines with its captivating music, which you'll find yourself listening to non-stop, and the voice-acting truly breathes life into the characters. It's a dream come true for idol fans to peek behind the scenes of idol life. However, it's disappointing that there are no romance options to explore, and the gameplay can feel repetitive at times.

B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia is an idol visual novel with over 14 male idols to befriend, manage, and help them achieve their dreams. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.

B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia Review Overview

What is B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia?

Live your idol management fantasy in B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia, where you step into the hardworking role of A&R (Artist & Repertoire) for the talented idol group, B-Project. Manage 14 male members, each with unique personalities and challenges. Your job is to support them, help them grow, and enable them to flourish! Discover the origins of the different idol groups - Kitakore, MooNs, THRIVE, and KiLLER KiNG. Learn about their trainee days and follow their story as they come together to form B-Project!.

B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia features:
 ⚫︎ Idol Visual Novel Experience
 ⚫︎ Voiced by Famous Japanese Voice Actors
 ⚫︎ Animated Sprites
 ⚫︎ 2 Possible Endings
 ⚫︎ 14 Character Epilogues
 ⚫︎ B-PROJECT Music

For more gameplay details, read everything we know about B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia's gameplay and story.


Digital Storefront
Steam IconSteam Nintendo Eshop IconSwitch
$49.99


B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia Pros & Cons

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Pros Cons
Checkmark Likable and Compelling Idols
Checkmark Impressive J-pop Music and Voice-Acting
Checkmark Repetitive Gameplay

B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia Overall Score - 80/100

B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia debuts as a simple but beautifully told and emotional visual novel, featuring charming and memorable characters inspired by the real male J-pop idol group B-Project. The game shines with its captivating music, which you'll find yourself listening to non-stop, and the voice-acting truly breathes life into the characters. It's a dream come true for idol fans to peek behind the scenes of idol life. However, it's disappointing that there are no romance options to explore, and the gameplay can feel repetitive at times.

B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia Story - 8/10

The game’s narrative is character-driven, and thankfully, each character is unique, memorable, and genuinely interesting. You'll be drawn to their distinct personalities, and, just like any idol group, you'll find yourself picking a favorite. It’s a wholesome experience, but it can also be quite emotional, hitting you in the feels more than once.

B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia Gameplay - 7/10

As a visual novel, you'll primarily be reading and selecting dialogue options. This game introduces a twist by incorporating light management elements, but it can still become repetitive. Many conversations and choices may feel predictable. If you're a completionist, you'll need to revisit numerous scenes and save frequently to unlock all the CGs.

B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia Visuals - 8/10

The visuals in this game are bright and colorful. Though it follows the typical visual novel format with a first-person perspective and character sprites, the character models are lively, and the CGs are beautifully drawn and detailed.

B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia Audio - 10/10

The audio design in this game is fantastic, featuring amazing voice performances and incredibly well-done J-pop music. The songs are so good that I found myself wanting to listen to them even when I wasn't playing. I'm really glad there's an option to enjoy the tracks outside of the gameplay.

B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia Value for Money - 7/10

This game is quite different from typical otome games because it doesn't include romance, which might be disappointing for players and fans expecting that element. However, it still offers a compelling story and interesting characters, even without romance. It's important to mention, however, that it carries a hefty price tag for a visual novel, priced at $50, making it challenging to wholeheartedly recommend to newcomers or Otome fans even with its narrative alone. If you're already a B-Project enthusiast, though, this game is an absolute must-buy.

B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia Review: A Beautiful and Emotional Debut

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I was surprised to learn that the game was based on real-life virtual idols who debuted in 2015 and even had their own anime. After playing B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia, I found myself becoming a fan of this idol group.

As a visual novel, the game's main focus is its narrative. Be prepared for gameplay that mostly involves clicking through text with occasional dialogue choices. You play as Sumisora Tsubasa, working hard as B-PROJECT's A&R to manage 14 young members, each with unique personalities and challenges. Your role is to support them, foster their growth, and help them shine.

I won't spoil too much about the game, but while it doesn't have major twists, it's a compelling story, especially thanks to its characters. I admire the main character's dedication to helping the members grow. While I wished for romance in the game, it's refreshing to see how professional and endearing Tsubasa can be, guiding the idols to open up about their pasts—some moments really moved me to tears.

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I didn't expect the game to be so emotional and relatable. Perhaps because of my own experiences in the entertainment industry, I appreciated how well the game portrays both the highs and lows of behind-the-scenes work. The characters, while not the most complex, are all enjoyable, and I found myself deeply connected to each of their stories. The endings, in particular, left a lasting impact on me, bringing tears to my eyes.

It's not just the story and characters that made me a fan of B-Project; it's also the music. The game features a stunning collection of tracks, and I can honestly say I didn't find any of them bad, though I do have a soft spot for Kitakore's music the most.

In terms of gameplay, B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia is a true visual novel with some unique twists. A lot of your interaction with the idols happens through messages and calls on your in-game phone. This aspect of gameplay involves responding and choosing your words carefully, which can unlock new CGs, music, and even the idols' backstories. Sometimes, though, it can feel repetitive to constantly engage in these conversations to cheer up the members.

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However, this repetitive aspect doesn't overshadow the overall enjoyment of the game. It's still a fun and emotional experience that took me about 25 hours to explore fully, unlocking both endings and all the CGs along the way.

Pros of B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia

Things B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia Got Right
Checkmark Likable and Compelling Idols
Checkmark Impressive J-pop Music and Voice-Acting

Likable and Compelling Idols

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This game features 14 members divided into 4 groups that you'll manage. Initially, I worried it might be overcrowded, with characters not getting enough spotlight. However, I was pleasantly surprised—each member had their moments to shine. Though not all are equally intricate, they are universally endearing and very likable. The relationships between you, the members, and their dynamics are wholesome and have amazing chemistry. The plot is quite simple, but it's the characters that make it enjoyable. Among them, my top picks are Mikado, Tomihisa, and Goushi.

Impressive J-pop Music and Voice-Acting

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I didn’t realize B-project was an actual idol group from an anime released seven years ago, so I was pleasantly surprised by how good—actually, great—the music turned out to be. There wasn’t a single track I didn’t like, and I’ve been listening to their songs even outside of the game. The voice-acting is also superb; the voice actors really bring the characters to life, showcasing their personalities with a diverse range. One moment they're cheerful and singing their hearts out, and the next, they're delivering emotional scenes about their past or their days as trainees. This aspect truly enhanced the characters and the story for me.

Cons of B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia

Things That B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia Can Improve
Checkmark Repetitive Gameplay

Repetitive Gameplay

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The gameplay can feel repetitive, mainly because of the management tasks involved. You'll spend a lot of time texting the idols to motivate them and deepen your relationship to achieve the endings you desire. Handling a large number of members can be overwhelming, so be ready to save frequently and read through a lot of dialogue, especially if you're aiming to unlock CGs featuring your favorite idols in the game.

Is B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia Worth It?

Yes for B-Project Fans

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B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia offers a wonderful visual novel experience with incredibly likable characters. However, it's important to mention that the game comes with a hefty price tag of $50, which might be a tough sell, especially for Otome fans expecting romance even with its great story. If you're already a fan of B-Project, it's a no-brainer purchase as you get to delve deeper into their world with more lore and music. But for others, waiting for a price drop or a sale might be a more prudent choice. If you're unsure, there's a demo available on Steam that might help you decide whether to make the purchase.


Digital Storefront
Steam IconSteam Nintendo Eshop IconSwitch
$49.99


B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia FAQ

How many endings are in the Game?

There are 2 possible endings but the game has over 14 character epilogues.

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B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia Product Information

B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia Cover
Title B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia
Release Date July 15, 2024
Developer MAGES. Inc.
Publisher PQube
Supported Platforms Nintendo Switch, PC
Genre Visual Novel,
Number of Players 1
ESRB Rating T
Official Website B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia Website

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