AQUARIUM
- October 25, 2023
- ENTERGRAM,INC.
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"AQUARIUM" is a single-player Romance Visual Novel game that offers around 5 hours of playtime. It tells the summer story of Aqua, a new maid with a secret, and her master who lost part of his memory. The two are drawn to each other, but an insurmountable wall separates them. The master is haunted by a recurring nightmare and seeks to uncover the identity of the girl in his dreams.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- The game features beautiful art and superb voice acting, especially from Aqua, Marine, and Fubuki, which enhances the overall experience.
- The story is heartwarming and bittersweet, resonating deeply with fans, particularly after Aqua's graduation announcement.
- It offers a unique experience for Hololive fans, filled with references and humor that make it enjoyable even for those familiar with the characters.
- The game is relatively short, with some players feeling that the price does not justify the length of gameplay, which is around 6-10 hours.
- There are technical issues with the English translation, including awkward line breaks and some untranslated lines, which can disrupt immersion.
- The narrative can feel rushed at times, with abrupt plot twists that may leave some players unsatisfied with the story's resolution.
- story111 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of the visual novel is described as a wholesome and bittersweet love tale between the protagonist, Theo, and Aqua, an introverted maid, set in a unique universe. While some reviewers found the narrative engaging and charming, others noted it felt rushed or clichéd, with abrupt plot twists that detracted from the overall experience. Fans of Hololive may appreciate the references and voice acting, but those unfamiliar with the franchise might find the story less compelling.
“Overall, this game has a very wholesome and bittersweet story from beginning to end.”
“Aquarium's story is very simple and sweet.”
“Whether you play it as a fan of her work, as a cute fairy tale love story, or out of curiosity about what a visual novel based on a streamer looks like, it's a fun story to read through and I definitely recommend checking it out!”
“Main route, while being cute, also has an abrupt turn of events that feels like it's 0-100 real quick, and it continues to be 100 all until a last minute plot twist that feels like I wasted my time playing the game.”
“Story was kinda rushed and felt cliché.”
“Hate that this all turned out to be a dream and we never got an actual end to the story and the fates of FBK and Marine.”
- music24 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, particularly the opening song "未だ、青い" and the ending song "カシオペア," both of which are described as beautiful and frequently played on loop. Reviewers appreciate the overall soundtrack and voice acting, noting that while the music enhances the experience, it doesn't always align perfectly with the game's setting. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's charm, complementing its cute characters and artwork.
“The ending song though ;-; so damn good and beautiful.”
“Cassiopeia has to be one of my favorite songs Aqua has ever sung.”
“The voice acting is excellent, and it's a testament to the talent of Hololive's VTubers, but the music doesn't always match the setting.”
“The opening song (未だ、青い) and ending song (カシオペア) are both beautiful, and I've played them on loop a bunch of times.”
“Majority of that 44.5 hours was me vibin' to the music.”
- emotional15 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its wholesome and bittersweet narrative, which evokes a range of emotions, from happiness to sadness, particularly in its impactful ending. Reviewers highlight the intelligent writing that enhances the story's emotional depth, making it both powerful and satisfying. While some players may be disappointed by the lack of lewd content, the overall sentiment is one of appreciation for the game's heartfelt storytelling.
“Overall, this game has a very wholesome and bittersweet story from beginning to end.”
“Ok, not gonna lie, the ending was surprisingly depressing while also simultaneously being happy and heartwarming at the same time.”
“A story can be emotionally powerful and intellectually satisfying at the same time, because endearing moments rely on believability, and believability relies on consistency, which is achieved by intelligent writing.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received high praise for their beautiful and detailed artwork, excellent art direction, and charming character designs. Reviewers highlight the sharpness of the visuals and the overall aesthetic appeal, making it a standout feature of the visual novel. The combination of great graphics and a fitting soundtrack enhances the overall experience, particularly for its target demographic.
“The graphics are great, well done to Entergram!”
“Character art style is also very detailed and sharp.”
“Excellent art direction, character art style, and voice acting.”
- humor14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players enjoying the funny dialogue, cute characters, and hilarious side plots. Voice acting by characters like Aqua, Senchou, and Fubuki adds to the comedic experience, despite some critiques of the main story. Overall, the game is described as charming and entertaining, with moments that elicit genuine laughter.
“Cute characters, funny dialogue, sweet story, really amazing art and music.”
“Her side plot is ridiculously hilarious too.”
“In all seriousness, so far great visuals and just funny and charming!”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that the voice performances in the game are exceptional, with standout contributions from characters Aqua, Marine, and Fubuki, leaving no room for complaints regarding this aspect.
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game is criticized for its limited replayability, with users noting that it offers only about 10 hours of gameplay, making it feel less worthwhile for the price.
“$20 on Steam for a visual novel that only runs for 10 or so hours and doesn’t have much replayability to its name.”
