AIdol
- April 23, 2018
- MysteryCorgi
Get on SteamA young high school student goes on an adventure to save her favorite virtual idol, Aiko, from malfunctioning, and gets help from the most unexpected of places.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features beautiful art and a charming aesthetic that enhances the overall experience.
- The story is heartwarming and explores themes of friendship and fandom, making it relatable for many players.
- The characters are well-developed and diverse, contributing to a positive representation of queer and genderqueer identities.
- The main plot can feel bland and overly simplistic, with some players finding it lacking in depth and complexity.
- The game suffers from pacing issues, spending too much time on character backstories rather than advancing the main narrative.
- Technical issues, such as a malfunctioning save feature, detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- story25 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The story of "aidol" revolves around Hana's quest to save a virtual idol named Aiko, intertwining themes of friendship and self-discovery. While the narrative features multiple endings and colorful characters, some reviewers found the main plot somewhat bland and lacking in complexity, with a mix of engaging and weaker side stories. Overall, the game is described as a light, heartwarming experience with beautiful art that contrasts its dystopian themes, though it may not delve deeply into philosophical territory.
“The story was interesting with multiple endings (though not multiple routes).”
“The friends she makes on her mission to save Aiko are colorful and fun – and often quite queer, but those themes are introduced in a very seamless and convincing way.”
“It tells the story of Hana, a young girl who deeply loves a virtual idol called Aiko.”
“Talking about the other characters' issues rather than the actual plot of the game.”
“The main story felt somewhat bland, lacking the depth and complexity I expected.”
“There was not much complexity to the narrative or the emotional twists that I often see in her games, and the side stories that play out in the main character's absence didn't hook me.”
- music9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising the original soundtrack and the inclusion of a voiced theme song that enhances the overall experience. While some find the soundtrack to be forgettable, others appreciate its pleasant and relaxing qualities, which complement the game's heartwarming themes of music and friendship. Overall, the music contributes positively to the visual novel, tying together its artistic elements effectively.
“The art sprites, CGs, and music are really well done.”
“On top of this, the soundtrack and CGs are amazing and really tie this visual novel together.”
“The graphics are nice and the soundtrack is chill and relaxing... I highly recommend it.”
“It looks average and the soundtrack is pretty forgettable for an idol-themed game (it's not bad though).”
“This visual novel is above average and features lots of characters, choices, dialogues, etc. the price seems right too since the game has an original soundtrack with a voiced theme song.”
- emotional8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and heartwarming narrative centered around idol culture and friendship, despite some players feeling a sense of parasocial connection. While the story lacks complexity and traditional conflict, it still manages to evoke genuine feelings, particularly through character choices that can lead to touching moments. Overall, the game is seen as a light, enjoyable experience that resonates emotionally, even if it occasionally dips into cliché territory.
“There's no romance involved in any of this (although there's a bit of subtext in how Hana describes her feelings for Aiko), but both arcs can be quite heartwarming if you make the right choices.”
“And generally, this is my main take from Aidol – it's a simple, wholesome story that is hard to genuinely dislike.”
“There's no real 'villain' or clichés to be found here, it's just a heartwarming visual novel about music, idol culture, and friendship.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics are characterized by a cute and well-executed art style, featuring appealing characters and beautifully designed backgrounds that complement the overall aesthetic of the game. Players appreciate the visual presentation, noting that it enhances the storytelling experience, although those not fond of this aesthetic may want to consider other options.
“Not only is the aesthetic cute, but it features amazing characters and an interesting development of the plot.”
“The art style fits the novel quite well; they are both cute.”
“The graphics are nice and the soundtrack is chill and relaxing... I highly recommend it.”
“If this isn't your aesthetic, you may want to look elsewhere.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Many users feel that the game lacks sufficient character development, suggesting that the characters could have been more fleshed out and nuanced.
“The game could've used more character development.”
“I felt like the characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth.”
“There was little to no growth in the characters throughout the story.”
