The newly launched anime MMORPG Blue Protocol: Star Resonance has captured significant player interest since its release on October 9. Developed by Tencent-funded studio BOKURA and published by A Plus, the game is currently the 14th most played game on Steam. According to SteamDB the game has around 40,000 concurrent players and a peak of more than 94,000 players in its first day.

The strong player numbers reflect excitement around the game’s revival. The original Blue Protocol was shut down before reaching the West, leaving overseas fans waiting for another chance to experience the franchise. When the new version was announced, that pent-up demand seemed to pay off—Blue Protocol: Star Resonance also ranked as the 5th top-selling game globally on its launch day.

However, player sentiment on Steam tells a different story. With nearly 6,000 reviews posted, the game earned a “Mixed” rating with 45% positive reviews. Most language versions show the same mixed reception, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, and German. French reviews were notably more negative, with only 31% positive ratings.

Players raising concerns point to several issues. Many mention clunky controls, confusing UI design, and problems with the gameplay experience overall. For players in Europe and Australia, server instability and high ping have been major frustrations, as the global server appears to be located in the United States. Others have expressed concern about the game’s monetization systems, which include gacha banners, battle passes, and season passes that they feel distract from gameplay. On the positive side, reviewers have praised the game’s detailed graphics and extensive character customization options.