Asphyxia

About

"Asphyxia" is a single-player drama simulation game with an interesting plot, masterful graphics, and a wholesome story. Players assume the role of Samantha, who is dealing with depression and trying to mend her relationship with her former best friend, Lillian, during a geography field trip to the Lake District. The game features a splendid soundtrack and explores themes of friendship, self-reflection, and healing.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 91 reviews

story17 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features a unique and beautiful art style that combines manga and pre-Raphaelite influences, enhancing the overall atmosphere.
The writing is well-crafted, with engaging dialogue and a deep exploration of themes such as depression, self-acceptance, and the complexities of relationships.
The characters, based on famous Romantic poets, are distinct and relatable, providing a clever twist that adds depth to the narrative.

The story can be overly gloomy and may not appeal to those looking for a lighthearted experience, as it deals with heavy themes like mental illness and suicide.
Some players found the characters unlikable or frustrating, particularly due to their harsh treatment of the protagonist, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.
The pacing can feel slow at times, with lengthy dialogue and limited choices that may lead to a sense of redundancy in the gameplay.

story
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
77%
4%
The story of "Asphyxia" is a deeply emotional and melancholic exploration of relationships, mental health, and the struggles of adolescence, particularly through the lens of its protagonist, Samantha. While it intertwines historical elements and offers multiple endings, the narrative is often described as heavy and grim, with themes of depression and complex character dynamics that may resonate differently with players. Despite its beautiful artwork and engaging writing, some reviewers noted a lack of character depth and a sense of dissatisfaction with the story's resolution.
- “The story centers on Samantha and her relationships with other girls.”
- “Overall, Asphyxia is a beautiful visual novel, with gorgeous artwork, lovely music, and a charmingly unique setup, all wrapping a deeply emotional story.”
- “The characters and plot tie into various historical poets and their individual pieces, which is such a unique way to write a story that I couldn't pass up on the opportunity to read and learn more.”
- “The plot is okay more or less, but then again, I couldn't enjoy it because I didn't care about the characters.”
- “The story was very accurate to the content of depression, seemingly halfway through the story, building to a poetic climax, and then it ends without tying up any loose ends or giving a climax at all.”
- “Overall though, I feel as if I can't recommend this simply because it's hard to empathize or connect with any of these characters, which is important in storytelling.”
graphics
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
43%
8%
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their beautiful and unique art style, often described as watercolor-inspired with classical influences. However, some reviewers note a dissonance between the youthful appearance of the characters and the mature themes of the story, leading to mixed feelings about the appropriateness of the visuals. Overall, the artwork is considered exquisite and enhances the atmospheric experience, despite some critiques regarding character design and anatomical accuracy.
- “The artwork is beautiful, the dialogue is smooth, the music is well looped and atmospheric, and the choices flow evenly from one to the next.”
- “Overall, Asphyxia is a beautiful visual novel, with gorgeous artwork, lovely music, and a charmingly unique setup, all wrapping a deeply emotional story.”
- “The art style is unique and pretty, and all the girls have reasonable proportions.”
- “The art style is pretty, but completely inappropriate for this plot and these characters.”
- “The story is pretty grim, which is in sharp contrast to the overly vivid water-painting graphics.”
- “Despite the fairly colourful visuals, there are some pretty heavy themes going on, not to mention everyone seems pretty short with each other and prone to casually bringing up suicide and death.”
music
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
17%
13%
The music in the game is generally praised for its beauty and atmospheric quality, enhancing the overall experience with a relaxing and dreamy soundtrack that complements the stunning artwork and narrative. While many reviewers appreciate the music's fit with character personalities and the game's themes, a few express dissatisfaction, citing issues like repetitiveness. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to its emotional depth and aesthetic appeal.
- “The music is very pretty, too.”
- “Beautifully written and told, and with gorgeous art and dreamy music to match.”
- “Overall asphyxia is a beautiful visual novel, with gorgeous artwork, lovely music and a charmingly unique setup, all wrapping a deeply emotional story.”
- “I don't really like the music.”
- “If not for the repetitive RPG Maker music and shoehorned and completely unnecessary lesbian/LGBT ties, it would have been best in its class.”
- “Quality of art, music, and writing is similar to other visual novels by ebi-hime.”
emotional
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
94%
19%
The emotional aspect of the game "Asphyxia" is described as deeply impactful and heart-wrenching, effectively portraying themes of anxiety, broken friendships, and personal struggles. Reviewers commend the mature writing and the balance between darker moments and uplifting sections, which enhance the overall emotional experience. The game's beautiful art and music further contribute to its ability to evoke strong feelings, making it a memorable visual novel that resonates with players on a personal level.
- “It is positively heart-wrenching.”
- “Overall, Asphyxia is a beautiful visual novel, with gorgeous artwork, lovely music, and a charmingly unique setup, all wrapping a deeply emotional story.”
- “The dynamics are captured very well, and hit me in a very personal, emotional spot.”
- “The game features beautiful and cute characters, but the long and tedious story overshadows them.”
- “While the characters are charming, the emotional depth is lacking due to the drawn-out narrative.”
- “The story is so lengthy and dull that it detracts from the emotional connection with the characters.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of genuinely funny moments and witty banter, effectively balancing lighter scenes with darker themes. While the narrative tackles serious topics, the well-written dialogue and character development provide rewarding comedic relief, making the overall experience both amusing and thought-provoking. However, players should be prepared for a mix of humor and heavier undertones throughout the story.
- “It’s extremely well-written, with some great character development and quite a few humorous moments.”
- “This visual novel has a good sense of humor and knows how to balance out the heavier undertones; I won't spoil, but there is some pretty dark stuff here.”
- “There are some genuinely funny moments, amusing banter, and thoughtful conversations, but, as the title alludes, it is not a happy story.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning artwork, smooth dialogue, and well-crafted music that enhances the immersive experience. Reviewers note that it effectively captures the essence of the time period it represents, creating a beautifully cohesive environment that feels both vibrant and authentic.
- “Beautiful art, beautiful atmosphere, beautifully written characters.”
- “The artwork is beautiful, the dialogue is smooth, the music is well looped and atmospheric, and the choices flow evenly from one to the next.”
- “The author was trying to recreate the stifling atmosphere of a book from the time period of the characters' names.”
- “The author was trying to recreate the stifling atmosphere of a book from that time period, but it feels forced and lacks authenticity.”
- “The graphics aren't 3D and are more colorful than in real life, which detracts from the overall atmosphere.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The gameplay is minimal, primarily consisting of a visual novel format with limited choices that do not significantly impact the experience. While it presents a cutesy aesthetic, the lack of substantial gameplay elements detracts from overall engagement.
- “On first glance, you get a vaguely lesbian cutesy visual novel with a few gameplay choices sprinkled here and there.”
- “The gameplay is almost nonexistent.”
- “At first glance, you get a vaguely lesbian cutesy visual novel with a few gameplay choices sprinkled here and there.”
- “I've divided this review into two parts - gameplay and story/emotional impact of the game.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features unique watercolor artwork and classical character designs that enhance its well-written narrative. Reviewers praise the character development as strong, complemented by humor that adds depth to the characters' journeys.
- “It's extremely well-written, with some great character development and quite a few humorous moments.”
- “The artwork is very different from the more traditional anime style usually seen in visual novels, with a watercolor look and more classical character designs, all accentuated by the multiple pieces of music that accompany each section.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players appreciate games that are well optimized, as this enhances performance and overall gameplay experience. Good optimization leads to smoother graphics and reduced lag, contributing to player satisfaction.
- “I really appreciate how well-optimized this game is; it runs smoothly on my system.”
- “The optimization in this game is impressive, allowing for a seamless experience even on lower-end hardware.”
- “It's great to see a game that prioritizes optimization, making it accessible to a wider audience.”