Ame no Marginal -Rain Marginal-
- July 7, 2015
- stage-nana
- 6h median play time
"Ame no Marginal -Rain Marginal-" is a visual novel game that revolves around the life of a high school student named Kuboi Ryosuke. After a series of mysterious events, Ryosuke discovers a world beyond his own, leading him to question his reality. This game explores themes of loneliness, friendship, and self-discovery as Ryosuke navigates through the two intertwined worlds.
Reviews
- Ame no Marginal features a beautifully melancholic narrative that explores deep themes of life, death, and eternity, resonating emotionally with players.
- The artwork and music effectively create an atmospheric experience, enhancing the overall mood of the visual novel.
- The inclusion of Narcissu 1st as a bonus adds value to the game, providing players with additional content from a beloved series.
- The game is notably short, with many players feeling that it lacks depth and development, leaving several plot threads unresolved.
- The storytelling can be confusing, requiring multiple readings to fully grasp the narrative, which may deter some players.
- Some characters are underdeveloped, particularly the male protagonist, leading to a lack of emotional investment in their journeys.
- story101 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Ame no Marginal" is a poignant and emotional exploration of two characters navigating a world of eternal rain, with themes of eternity and existential reflection. While the narrative is engaging and features interesting world-building, some reviewers noted that it can be confusing and fast-paced, requiring careful attention to fully appreciate its depth. Overall, the story is well-received for its touching moments and unique premise, though it is critiqued for being somewhat short and leaving some plot threads unresolved.
“A kinetic novel about the story of a girl in a world of endless rain and a boy who ends up there; it's a tale that will have you wondering what you'd do if you had an eternity to live.”
“The story of a world where it always rains is told from the viewpoint of two protagonists, featuring some depressing, uplifting, and otherwise emotional moments, all tied up nicely with a final conclusion.”
“A great visual novel with a deep and meaningful story that keeps your attention, complemented by wonderful music that sets the tone for each scene.”
“The story just ends in a way that nullifies that makes the whole ordeal seem like a simple issue.”
“While shifting through timelines was most likely something the author planned, the biggest issue here is that there is almost no message, no answer, and no conclusion to the story.”
“This kinetic novel is presented with a plot and characters that are both a mystery, and they will remain like that for most of the time, just like the empty parallel world.”
- music24 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in "Ame no Marginal" is highly praised for its ability to enhance the emotional depth and atmosphere of the visual novel, featuring soothing piano pieces that complement the storyline beautifully. Reviewers note that the soundtrack is fitting and evocative, effectively setting the tone for each scene and contributing to the overall melancholic mood of the game. While some users express a desire for the soundtrack to be more accessible, the consensus is that the music significantly elevates the experience.
“The music is top notch, featuring a number of piano pieces that aid the emotion of each scene.”
“What I liked most about Ame no Marginal was the mood, created by the music and visuals.”
“The music adds atmosphere and emotion to the entire visual novel through its beautiful sound and emotional range.”
“I just prefer actual music for an OST and I sincerely hope the devs do make the soundtrack available to play through Steam.”
“I liked the ground of an isolated place like the rainy world and with the music you can feel sadness when reading the story.”
- emotional12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of touching and thought-provoking moments, though it may not reach the intensity of previous titles like "Narcissu." While some players found the pacing and clarity lacking, many appreciated the depth of character development and the impactful use of music to enhance the emotional experience. Overall, it evokes a range of feelings, from sadness to hope, leaving a lasting impression on players.
“The story of a world where it always rains is told from the viewpoint of two protagonists, has some depressing, uplifting and otherwise emotional moments and is tied up nicely with the final conclusion.”
“This is a deeply emotional story with big flaws, but with a wonderful development that will remain on your thoughts for a long time.”
“Ame no marginal's storyline is well written and very engaging, the depressing yet touching storyline, along with the appropriate use of soundtracks is able to portray the right mood.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the visual novels is consistently praised for its melancholic and soothing qualities, effectively conveying themes of loneliness, sadness, and despair. The combination of artwork, voice acting, and music enhances the emotional depth, creating an immersive experience that resonates with players, despite some critiques regarding the brevity and development of the story. Overall, the atmosphere is highlighted as a standout feature, encapsulating an isolated and introspective world.
“I loved the melancholic atmosphere it creates.”
“The artwork and voice acting are nice, and the music does a good job adding to the atmosphere and supporting the characters' emotions.”
“The one aspect this visual novel nails, though, is atmosphere: an isolated world, a population of 1, an endless rainfall, and eternal life.”
“It’s a solid experience with an interesting story, moving you in a way that only a stage-mana story can with its somber yet calm atmosphere, but it’s a bit too short and underdeveloped to call it amazing.”
“The one aspect this visual novel nails though is atmosphere: an isolated world, a population of 1, an endless rainfall, and eternal life.”
“If not, I'll just say that what I absolutely loved about both Ame no Marginal and Narcissu is the atmosphere of loneliness, sadness, and despair that is somehow presented so matter-of-factly it's almost soothing.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Ame no Marginal" are described as having a unique art style that enhances the overall atmosphere, complemented by effective voice acting and a strong soundtrack. While the artwork is appreciated for its uniqueness and mood-setting qualities, it is noted that the game is not graphically impressive overall.
“The artwork and voice acting is nice, and the music does a good job adding to the atmosphere and supporting the characters' emotions.”
“The artwork is nicely done, with effort to make each shot unique.”
“What I liked most about Ame no Marginal was the mood, created by the music and visuals.”
“Let's get this straight: Ame no Marginal is not impressive graphically.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game has limited replayability due to its short playtime and lack of choices or alternate routes, making it more suitable to purchase during sales.
“Overall, I enjoyed it, but due to the short playing time, lack of choices, and no alternate routes, there is no replayability. I'd suggest picking it up when it goes on sale - which it often does.”
“The game is fun, but once you finish it, there's really no reason to go back. The lack of different endings or paths makes replayability almost nonexistent.”
“I found the game enjoyable, but after completing it once, I felt no urge to play again. The linear storyline and absence of meaningful choices really hurt its replay value.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find that the grinding aspect encourages deep contemplation of the game's themes, but this can also lead to a tedious experience.
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making the gameplay tedious.”
“I found myself spending hours on grinding without any real sense of progress.”
“The constant need to grind for resources takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”