Aquadine

66%
Game Brain Score Based on 23 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
Aquadine Game Cover
Starting at $9.99Buy now
Get on Steam

"Aquadine" is a single-player fantasy simulation game that combines elements of a kinetic visual novel. Players assume the role of Robin Liyun, a part-time gondolier who discovers a mermaid and becomes entangled in the mysterious world of merfolk civilization. With an interesting plot and good soundtrack, players will uncover secrets and make new friends in this beautifully designed underwater world.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

66%
Audience ScoreBased on 23 reviews
story15 positive mentions
gameplay1 negative mentions
  • Aquadine features a beautifully crafted story that balances humor, emotion, and wholesome moments, making it an engaging read.
  • The artwork and soundtrack are stunning, creating an immersive experience that enhances the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • The characters are well-developed and relatable, with each route offering unique perspectives and life lessons that resonate with players.
  • The pacing of the game can feel rushed, especially towards the end of each route, leaving little time to fully explore character development.
  • Limited voice acting and repetitive sound lines can detract from immersion, making some moments feel less engaging.
  • The game lacks meaningful choices, as players can only select character routes without affecting the overall outcome, which may disappoint those looking for more interactive gameplay.
  • story44 mentions

    The story of Aquadine is a beautifully crafted narrative that explores themes of friendship, family, and personal struggles against a backdrop of rich mythology and vibrant visuals. While some character routes are more engaging than others, the overall experience is enhanced by its emotional depth and life lessons, making it a compelling journey despite minor pacing issues and technical flaws. The game successfully balances humor and bittersweet moments, allowing players to immerse themselves in a heartfelt tale that resonates with the complexities of adolescence and identity.

    • “The story never fails to present you with an interesting scenario, striking a good balance between funny, emotional, or just plain wholesome.”
    • “Aquadine tells a beautiful story through themes of family, friendship, trust, and finding love.”
    • “Everything from the story, characters, and setting are filled with intrigue and passion by the developer to deliver an experience that is amazing!”
    • “It could've been a somewhat better story if maybe stretched out (giving time for exposition) and more focused.”
    • “Other noticeable flaws include the many typos in the game, and one huge plot hole at the end of Elisabeth's character route.”
    • “Aquadine is also a kinetic novel of sorts, which honestly is usually a turn-off for me because it usually means that you, the player, have no control over the direction and outcome of the story, and you are placing yourself solely in the hands of the writers and hanging on for the ride.”
  • music21 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to evoke emotional responses and enhance the overall experience, featuring a mix of beautiful orchestral tracks and vocal performances that complement the narrative. While some players found the in-game music average and preferred their own, many highlighted the soundtrack's quality and appropriateness for various scenes, making it a significant aspect of the game's immersive atmosphere. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing to the game's breathtaking art and storytelling.

    • “The music never failed to bring out the intended emotional response.”
    • “The music is fantastic with its mixture of soft, relaxing tracks to hang out and vibe to, emotional pieces to highlight the highs and lows of the story, exciting songs to get you into the action, and a few vocal numbers that really worked their way into my head and had me humming them even after I had closed the game.”
    • “The art and music are definitely some of the highlights as they make each scene that much more breathtaking and memorable as I played.”
    • “Music was average, but I played without any sound with my own music in the background, thanks to the game's overall sound design that did not encourage listening to it.”
    • “If you're going to buy Aquadine, and you like listening to video game soundtracks outside of the actual games at all, get the bundle with the soundtrack.”
    • “In general, I find no clear flaws with the soundtrack at all.”
  • graphics12 mentions

    The game's graphics are widely praised for their beauty and aesthetic appeal, featuring vibrant and colorful environments that enhance the storytelling experience. However, some players feel that the game could benefit from more locations and characters to further enrich the narrative, as well as improved consistency between character sprites and CG scenes. Overall, the artwork and visuals contribute significantly to the game's charm, making it a captivating experience.

    • “The artwork in this game is aesthetically pleasing.”
    • “This is the type of game where you can sit back and just absorb the beautiful music and art style, and read a wonderfully crafted story based on the initial path you choose towards the beginning of the novel.”
    • “The artwork sells Aquadine as the beautiful gem on the ocean that it is, with many vibrant, colorful locales that made me envious, as well as some truly adorable and often breathtaking full splashes to highlight key moments of the story.”
    • “While some CG scenes don’t match with the art style of the character sprites, I hope a future update or patch will be released to have everything consistent because my OCD is kicking in.”
    • “I would take the voice budget and put it into more graphics and add more characters; the Cameron route could use a few more visible characters.”
    • “In the graphics department, the game looks quite beautiful, but I do wish it offered more 'places to visit' because at times it really undermines the story (with the Cameron route, for example).”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is well-received, with players appreciating its balance of funny, emotional, and wholesome moments across different story routes. Characters are described as lovable and funny, with standout performances that enhance the comedic elements, although some players found the "mandatory beach episode" joke to be less effective. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's charm, making players feel connected to the characters' experiences.

    • “The story never fails to present you with an interesting scenario, striking a good balance between funny, emotional, or just plain wholesome.”
    • “The humor is great; the four different routes are distinct enough from each other and don't contain repeated bits.”
    • “I found myself relating to their struggles, laughing with them, crying with them, and cheering them on with every challenge.”
    • “There is only one thing I really don't like about the game, and that is the part of the story where one character describes it as a 'mandatory beach episode.' The irony is that this line was supposed to be funny, poking fun at other visual novels, many of which feature such scenes.”
    • “The humor in this game falls flat; it feels forced and lacks the cleverness that would make it enjoyable.”
    • “I expected a lot more from the comedic elements, but they often miss the mark and come off as cringeworthy instead.”
  • emotional8 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its engaging story that balances humor and heartfelt moments, often evoking strong feelings in players. The music enhances this emotional journey, featuring a mix of relaxing and poignant tracks that resonate deeply, while the performances, particularly by the lead actress, leave a lasting impact. Overall, the game is described as a wholesome and ambitious exploration of themes like adolescence and self-discovery, culminating in a powerful emotional conclusion.

    • “The music never failed to bring out the intended emotional response.”
    • “Her performance was amazing, with touching moments that literally made me cry throughout the playhouse when I saw her in the hospital bed. Overall, she cared about other people and helped them get through their struggles, which was totally amazing. Great actress played by her, Heidi Tabing.”
    • “The music is fantastic with its mixture of soft, relaxing tracks to hang out and vibe to, emotional pieces to highlight the highs and lows of the story, exciting songs to get you into the action (including one that hit me out of nowhere in the best possible way), and a few vocal numbers that really worked their way into my head and had me humming them even after I had closed the game.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    The reviews highlight a strong emphasis on character performances and emotional depth, with particular praise for the voice acting and the engaging backstories of the characters. The environments, especially the underwater scenes, are noted for their impressive design and immersive quality, contributing to an overall positive experience. However, there is no specific mention of technical optimization issues, suggesting that the game runs smoothly and effectively supports its narrative and artistic elements.

    • “The places in this game were amazing; the environment, music, and performance were very nice and awesome, especially the underwater scenes in the game that were incredible to experience throughout the playthroughs on each character.”
    • “Her performance was amazing, with touching moments that literally made me cry throughout the playthrough when I saw her in the hospital bed. She cared about other people and helped them get through their struggles, which was totally amazing.”
    • “Banjo totally cut a little cat in the game. I like the fact that he gets angry; it's so funny how they did it, and the performance was very well done.”
  • gameplay2 mentions

    The gameplay offers a mix of enjoyment and disappointment, with players finding it engaging for about half of the experience, while the other half feels less captivating and somewhat underwhelming.

    • “After a long gameplay session, I managed to finish the game. I had fun for about half the time, while the rest felt either disappointing or not very engaging.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by enchanting water-themed environments and the presence of mermaids, creating a captivating and immersive experience for players who appreciate aquatic settings.

    • “The underwater atmosphere is incredibly immersive, making you feel like you're truly part of a magical world filled with mermaids.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is beautifully crafted, with stunning visuals and sound design that transport you to a serene aquatic environment.”
    • “I love how the water settings create a calming yet mysterious atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience of exploring the depths.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Anya's character development is highlighted as a significant aspect, showcasing her growth and increasing self-awareness throughout the game.

    • “Anya's character development and self-awareness is remarkable!”
    • “The depth of character growth throughout the game is truly impressive.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve and face their inner struggles, making them feel real and relatable.”
    • “Anya's character development and self-awareness is lacking.”
    • “The characters feel one-dimensional and fail to evolve throughout the story.”
    • “There is little to no growth in the characters, making it hard to connect with them.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Aquadine

Videos

Similar Games

Game News