{{Short description|2019 video game}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}} {{Infobox video game | title = Bright Memory | image = Bright Memory Series cover art.jpg | alt = | caption = | developer = FYQD Personal Studio | publisher = [[Playism]] | composer = {{Plainlist| * [[Jeff Rona]] * Cody Matthew Johnson }} | series = | engine = [[Unreal Engine 4]] | genre = [[First-person shooter]] | modes = [[Single-player]] | platforms = {{ubl|[[Microsoft Windows]]|[[iOS]]|[[Android (operating system)|Android]]|[[Xbox Series X/S]]|[[Nintendo Switch]]|[[PlayStation 5]]}} | released = {{ubl|'''''Episode 1'''''|'''iOS'''<br/>1 November 2019|'''Android'''<br/>12 January 2020|'''Windows'''<br/>25 March 2020|'''Xbox Series X/S'''<br/>10 November 2020|'''''Infinite'''''|'''Windows'''<br/>11 November 2021|'''Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X/S'''|21 July 2022|'''iOS, Android'''|17 January 2025}} }} '''''Bright Memory''''' ({{CJKV|c=光明记忆}}) is a [[first-person shooter]] game developed by FYQD Personal Studio and published by [[Playism]].
Created by a single developer in his spare time, it was initially released through [[Steam (service)|Steam's]] [[Early access|Early Access]] program for [[Microsoft Windows]] as '''''Bright Memory: Episode 1''''' on 12 January 2019, eventually leaving early access on 25 March 2020.<ref name="kotaku"/><ref name="BrightMemorySteam">{{Cite web|author=FYQD-Studio|url=https://store.steampowered.com/newshub/app/955050/view/1826712882090062446|title=Bright Memory will be leaving early access|date=25 March 2020|website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]]|access-date=29 March 2020}}</ref> Additionally, the game was released for mobile platforms between 2019 and 2020, as well as for the [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]] as one of its launch titles on 10 November 2020.<ref name="BrightMemorySeriesXS">{{cite web|last=Cooper|first=Dalton|url=https://gamerant.com/bright-memory-xbox-series-x-launch-title/|title=New Xbox Series X Console Exclusive Launch Title Confirmed|date=September 22, 2020|access-date=November 10, 2020|website=Game Rant}}</ref>
Instead of creating an ''Episode 2'', the game was remade and expanded in both gameplay and story into a full-length title called '''''Bright Memory: Infinite''''' ({{CJKV|c=光明记忆：无限}}), released on Windows and Xbox Series X/S in 2021.<ref name="BrightMemorySeriesXS"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Xiancheng|first=Zeng|url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/05/07/bringing-bright-memory-infinite-to-xbox-series-x/|title=Bringing Bright Memory: Infinite to Xbox Series X|date=May 7, 2020|access-date=November 10, 2020|website=Xbox Wire}}</ref> Players who have bought the Windows version of ''Bright Memory'' are able to get ''Bright Memory: Infinite'' for free.<ref name=BrightMemorySteam/>
== Gameplay == ''Bright Memory'' is a [[first-person shooter]] with [[Melee (gaming)|melee elements]].<ref name="kotaku">{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/bright-memory-is-an-ambitious-shooter-made-by-one-guy-1831818901|title=Bright Memory Is An Ambitious Shooter Made By One Guy|last=Grayson|first=Nathan|date=16 January 2019|website=[[Kotaku]]|access-date=19 January 2019}}</ref> Players take control of Shelia, who, in addition to using guns and a sword, also has [[supernatural]] abilities such as [[psychokinesis]] and unleashing energy blasts.<ref name="kotaku"/><ref name="rps">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/01/14/bright-memory-episode-1-from-solo-dev-enters-early-access/|title=Bright Memory is an impressive FPS debut from a solo developer|last=Tarason|first=Dominic|date=14 January 2019|website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]|access-date=19 January 2019}}</ref> All forms of attack can be combined as desired and the game will award letter grades to creative combinations similar to ''[[Devil May Cry]]''.<ref name="kotaku"/><ref name="rps"/> Success in combat awards [[experience point]]s that can be used to augment the character's skills and to unlock more abilities such as stopping time.<ref name="kotaku"/> Additionally, some areas feature puzzles that need to be solved.<ref name="kotaku"/> The early access version of the first episode features about an hour of gameplay with the developer announcing another two hours of gameplay by the end of 2019 with more episodes in the following years.<ref name="rps"/>
== Synopsis == Protagonist Shelia is tasked by the Science Research Organization (SRO) for which she works to prevent SAI, a military organization, from acquiring a legendary ancient power that can reawaken the dead. The game takes place in a "Land of Sky" located above the Arctic consisting of levitating land masses which are home to ancient creatures.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/steam-user-feiern-bright-memory-hobby-entwickler-laesst-mit-seinem-shooter-manches-profi-studio-alt-aussehen,3339313.html|title=Bright Memory - Blutiger Shooter auf den Spuren von Shadow Warrior 2|last=Just|first=Christian|date=14 January 2019|website=[[GameStar]]|publisher=[[Webedia]]|language=de|access-date=19 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wccftech.com/bright-memory-early-january-early-access/|title=Stunning First-Person Action Game Bright Memory, Developed by One Man, to Launch Early January on Early Access|last=Palumbo|first=Alessio|date=31 December 2018|website=Wccftech|access-date=19 January 2019}}</ref>
== Development == ''Bright Memory'' was developed by Chinese developer Zeng "FYQD" Xiancheng using [[Unreal Engine 4]] with development work taking place in the developer's spare time.<ref name="kotaku"/><ref name="vg247">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2019/01/03/bright-memory-shooter-sword-combat-hybrid-steam-release/|title=Bright Memory is a stylish Chinese shooter/melee hybrid coming to Steam next week|last=Saed|first=Sherif|date=3 January 2019|website=[[VG247]]|access-date=19 January 2019}}</ref> Zeng first previewed the game in a trailer in 2017<ref name="vg247"/> and received financial support through [[Epic Games]]'s Unreal Dev Grants.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/epic-games-awards-over-200-000-in-new-unreal-dev-grants|title=Epic Games Awards Over $200,000 In New Unreal Dev Grants|last=Ivey|first=Chance|date=24 August 2017|website=[[Unreal Engine]]|access-date=19 January 2019}}</ref>
An early access version of "Episode One" was released worldwide on 12 January 2019. The game supports the [[Oculus Rift]] [[virtual reality]] [[goggles]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gry-online.pl/gry/bright-memory/z05065|title=Bright Memory PC|date=2019|website=[[Gry-Online]]|language=pl|access-date=19 January 2019}}</ref>
=== Stolen assets controversy === In January 2019, Zeng admitted on a post on [[Sina Weibo]] that he has used some enemy models without acquiring a license and modified them for use in the game but did not specify which models or which games they were from. In reaction, Zeng announced that he would use the money from the game's sales to hire an art designer and reach out to the original rights holders.<ref name="abacusnews">{{Cite web|url=https://www.abacusnews.com/digital-life/game-developer-behind-bright-memory-ep1-admits-he-used-stolen-assets/article/3000636|title=Game developer behind Bright Memory Ep1 admits he used stolen assets|last=Ye|first=Josh|date=29 January 2019|website=[[South China Morning Post#SCMP Group|Abacus News]]|access-date=5 February 2019}}</ref>
== Reception == {{Expand section|date=July 2022}} === ''Episode 1'' === {{Video game reviews | MC = XSXS: 55/100<ref name="MCXSXS">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/bright-memory/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x|title=Bright Memory for Xbox Series X Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=19 November 2020}}</ref> | Destruct = 7/10<ref name="Destruct">{{Cite web|last=Carter|first=Chris|url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-bright-memory/|title=Review: Bright Memoru|website=[[Destructoid]]|date=9 November 2020|access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref> }}
''Bright Memory: Episode 1'' received "mixed or average" reviews, according to [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]],<ref name="MCXSXS"/> for having occasional bugs and almost unintelligible instructions, as it was translated from Chinese.<ref name="kotaku"/><ref name="rps"/> Nevertheless, ''[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]'' opined that the game has both the look and feel of a shooter game developed with a large budget, and 'wipes the floor' compared to some much higher priced games.<ref name="rps"/> The game's music and localization/translations were criticized, as was the short length, with the game not featuring any endless mode.<ref name="rps"/>
=== ''Infinite'' === {{Video game reviews | MC = PC: 67/100<ref name="MCPC">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/bright-memory-infinite/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Bright Memory: Infinite for PC Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=12 June 2022}}</ref><br/>NS: 59/100<ref name="MCNS">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/bright-memory-infinite/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Bright Memory: Infinite for Switch Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref><br/>PS5: 63/100<ref name="MCPS5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/bright-memory-infinite/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5|title=Bright Memory: Infinite for PlayStation 5 Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=10 August 2022}}</ref><br/>XSXS: 70/100<ref name="MCXSXSI">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/bright-memory-infinite/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x|title=Bright Memory: Infinite for Xbox Series X Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=27 July 2022}}</ref> | OC = 27%<ref name="OC2">{{cite web |title= Bright Memory: Infinite Reviews - OpenCritic |url=https://opencritic.com/game/12303/bright-memory-infinite |website= [[OpenCritic]] |date= 11 November 2021 |language=en-US |access-date= 20 March 2025 }}</ref> | Destruct = 6/10<ref name="DestructI">{{Cite web|last=Carter|first=Chris|url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-bright-memory-infinite/|title=Review: Bright Memory Infinite|website=[[Destructoid]]|date=11 November 2021|access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref> | GI = 7/10<ref name="GI">{{Cite magazine|last=Stewart|first=Marcus|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/bright-memory-infinite/bright-memory-infinite-review-finite-to-a-fault|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111150332/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/bright-memory-infinite/bright-memory-infinite-review-finite-to-a-fault|url-status=live|archive-date=11 November 2021|title=Bright Memory: Infinite Review|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|publisher=[[GameStop|GameStop Corp.]]|date=11 November 2021|access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref> | GSpot = 6/10<ref name="GSpot">{{Cite web|last=Wakeling|first=Richard|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/bright-memory-infinite-review-finite-would-be-more-appropriate/1900-6417784/|title=Bright Memory: Infinite Review - Finite Would Be More Appropriate|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=11 November 2021|access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref> | NLife = {{Rating|5|10}}<ref name="NLife">{{Cite web|last=McCrae|first=Scott|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/bright-memory-infinite|title=Bright Memory: Infinite Review (Switch eShop)|website=[[Gamer Network#Partnered websites|Nintendo Life]]|date=20 July 2022|access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref> | NWR = 6.5/10<ref name="NWR">{{Cite web|last=Hazell|first=Ted|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/61025/bright-memory-infinite-switch-review|title=Bright Memory: Infinite (Switch) Review|website=Nintendo World Report|date=20 July 2022|access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref> | PSQ = {{Rating|5|10}}<ref name="PSQ">{{Cite web|last=Magaña|first=Annette|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/bright-memory-infinite|title=Mini Review: Bright Memory: Infinite (PS5) - A Memory in a Flash|website=[[Gamer Network#Partnered websites|Push Square]]|date=31 July 2022|access-date=5 August 2022}}</ref> | TA = 3.5/5<ref name="TA">{{Cite web|last=Musgrave|first=Shaun|url=https://toucharcade.com/2022/07/21/bright-memory-infinite-switch-review-eshop-price-deals-discounts-atelier-gta-trilogy-bundle-baldurs-gate/|title=SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring 'Bright Memory', Plus 'Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium' and Today's Other Releases and Sales|website=[[TouchArcade]]|date=21 July 2022|access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref> }}
''Bright Memory: Infinite'' received "mixed or average" reviews according to [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MCPC"/><ref name="MCNS"/><ref name="MCPS5"/><ref name="MCXSXSI"/>
{{Clear}}
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== *[https://store.steampowered.com/app/955050/Bright_Memory/ ''Bright Memory'' on Steam] *[https://store.steampowered.com/app/1178830/Bright_Memory_Infinite/ ''Bright Memory: Infinite'' on Steam] *{{MobyGames|/bright-memory-episode-1}} *[https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/bright-memory-infinite Xbox website]
[[Category:2019 video games]] [[Category:Android (operating system) games]] [[Category:Early access video games]] [[Category:First-person shooters]] [[Category:Hack and slash games]] [[Category:IOS games]] [[Category:Indie games]] [[Category:Nintendo Switch games]] [[Category:PlayStation 5 games]] [[Category:Science fiction video games]] [[Category:Single-player video games]] [[Category:Unreal Engine 4 games]] [[Category:Video games developed in China]] [[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]] [[Category:Video games set in 2020]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games]] [[Category:Playism games]]