Always The Same Blue Sky...
- May 21, 2015
- NeoNight
Get on Steam"Always the Same Blue Sky" is a distinctive visual novel that deviates from the norm, presenting a profound narrative focused on love, mystery, and humanity. As a resilient adolescent, you navigate a remote island, its unusual school, and life-changing events with stunning visuals and an immersive soundtrack. This seaside adventure offers a refreshing take on the visual novel genre.
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Reviews
- The artwork and backgrounds are beautifully designed, creating a charming visual experience.
- The soundtrack is soothing and enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.
- The game offers a simple yet touching story that can evoke emotions despite its short length.
- The story feels disjointed and rushed, with abrupt transitions that leave many plot points unexplored.
- Text boxes are small and difficult to read, which detracts from the overall experience.
- Character development is minimal, making it hard to form a connection with the protagonist or the love interest.
- story163 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Always the Same Blue Sky" is generally perceived as short and disjointed, with many reviewers noting its rushed pacing and lack of character development. While some appreciate the beautiful visuals and emotional undertones, others criticize the abrupt transitions and underdeveloped plot, leading to a feeling of incompleteness. Overall, the narrative offers intriguing elements but ultimately leaves players wanting more depth and coherence.
“Always the Same Blue Sky is a very good visual novel game with a beautiful story.”
“Deep and gripping story that is well worth reading/playing several times to unravel some of the hidden intricacies in the game - it is a lot more complex than it appears at first glance, and a lot of work and love has clearly gone into it.”
“The story was interesting enough I wanted to know all the endings, and the length wasn't too daunting to make replaying a chore.”
“The story doesn't feel whole because the script jumps ahead too far.”
“There was not enough time to get to know the character, and the story rushed to a confusing end.”
“The whole thing lasted 21 minutes, including credits and time I spent dicking around with the game open, which means this game somehow cost me fifteen cents a minute to play... but the writing was poor and the story was so unfinished.”
- music71 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing and relaxing qualities, effectively enhancing the overall atmosphere and complementing the beautiful visuals. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, with a variety of well-composed tracks that fit the game's themes, although some note that it can be somewhat average or forgettable at times. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's charm, making it a recommended aspect for players who appreciate a good soundtrack.
“I enjoyed the soundtrack, especially the title music which was a banger.”
“The instrumental music makes you calm down while you take in the sound of the water.”
“The soundtrack is amazing plus the art is lovely!”
“Overall, the music in the game is average; there is nothing too fancy going on with the music, it's just average at best.”
“The music was forgettable, but I didn't mind it in particular.”
“Don't get me wrong, the story is okay, and the artwork and soundtrack are also okay, but that's it.”
- graphics36 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their beautiful, vibrant artwork and charming art style, reminiscent of old anime and watercolor aesthetics. Reviewers highlight the cohesive integration of visuals with a soothing soundtrack, creating an immersive experience, despite some noting the simplicity of the story. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, making the game appealing to fans of the genre.
“I’m amazed by how all the art styles work together so well.”
“Artworks and CGs are plain marvelous, with a rich, vibrant color palette, displaying both a beautiful character design and breathtaking environment art.”
“Although the story itself is rather short (less than an hour for both endings), the gorgeous pastel-like artwork really is something to behold.”
“The art style of the character designs varies from scene to scene in quality.”
“Don't get me wrong, the story is okay (although honestly I was more interested in the 'hidden' side-story) and the artwork and soundtrack are also okay, but that's it.”
“Always the same blue sky; features a really well-made personal user interface for dialogues and choices, but the graphics and every small aspect feel standardized like many other visual novels.”
- emotional11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke strong feelings, with several players noting that it made them cry despite its short length. While some found the storyline touching and the ending impactful, others felt it lacked depth in character development and execution. Overall, it offers a brief yet poignant emotional experience for those seeking a quick, heartfelt visual novel.
“10/10 - made me cry <3”
“Even the 'good' ending made me cry.”
“This is a short story illustrating a small portion of the main characters' emotional journey together.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is rated 7/10, with users noting that while it offers a limited experience of about half an hour to an hour, the art and story enhance its appeal. Many feel it is only worth purchasing on sale, as the gameplay itself is not particularly innovative, but it does provide easy achievements and multiple endings for those who seek to extend their playtime.
“Loved this visual novel, gave me a good hour or so of gameplay, and easy achievements.”
“Probably worth picking up if it was on sale, but not worth $3 for half an hour to an hour of gameplay.”
“Even though the gameplay isn't anything new, the art and story is what saves the game.”
“About 10 minutes of gameplay, 15 if you want to get both endings.”
- character development5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews; while the art style and character designs are praised for their vibrant quality, many users feel that the character development is lacking and could benefit from more depth and content.
“Artworks and CGs are plain marvelous, with a rich, vibrant color palette, displaying both a beautiful character design and breathtaking environment art.”
“The art style of the character designs varies from scene to scene in quality.”
“This game is essentially just a really short visual novel with really weak character development.”
“There could be way more content and character development.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers limited endings, with only two available, yet it maintains a decent replayability value due to its engaging content and positive features. Users rate its replay value around 6/10, indicating that while the playtime is short, the experience encourages multiple playthroughs.
“There are lots of visual novels, like this one, with few endings (yes, just two!) and a short playtime, but it has a nice replayability value and many positive aspects - outstanding, too!”
“Several different endings contribute to the game's replayability.”
“The replay value is only a 6 out of 10.”
“I found the game lacks enough variety to keep me coming back for more.”
“After completing the game once, I didn't feel motivated to play it again.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its lighthearted and whimsical moments, often juxtaposing everyday scenarios, like enjoying ice cream with friends, with unexpected shifts to different settings, such as a beach. This playful contrast contributes to a fun and engaging atmosphere throughout the gameplay.
“The humor in this game is absolutely delightful, with clever writing that keeps you chuckling throughout.”
“I love how the game seamlessly blends funny dialogue with unexpected situations, making every moment entertaining.”
“The quirky characters and their hilarious interactions add a unique charm that makes the gameplay even more enjoyable.”
