Augma II Arc I
- June 11, 2023
- Azalin
Get on SteamThere was once a world devoid of any color, drowned out by the sound of howling winds and the sight of an ashen metropolis, now rotting within a God's terrible dream. While attempting to speak to a figure bathed in the color Gold, a colorless figure ultimately lost their head in such a futile attempt. As the relentless passage of time sways the voices of the distant past, Shira Yamano finds him…
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Reviews
- The game features impressive visuals and animations, particularly during fight scenes, showcasing a unique art style that enhances the overall atmosphere.
- The music is well-composed and fits the mood of the game, contributing to a distinct and engaging experience.
- Despite its flaws, the game demonstrates a lot of passion and effort from the developers, making it a worthwhile free visual novel that many players can enjoy.
- The writing and pacing are often criticized for being convoluted and overly long, with many scenes feeling tedious and lacking meaningful content.
- Character development is minimal, leading to a lack of investment in the cast, as many characters come across as flat and interchangeable.
- The user interface is inconsistent and confusing, with a lack of stylistic cohesion that detracts from the overall experience.
- story20 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The story is characterized by a convoluted plot filled with dense lore, multiple names for characters and places, and significant plot dumps that can be difficult to follow. While it features intriguing elements like political conspiracies and a colorful cast, many character motivations feel underdeveloped, leading to unsatisfying resolutions and abrupt twists. Despite its complexity, the narrative is seen as imaginative and entertaining, with potential for growth in future installments.
“The general story really is something that was cooked up from somebody's dream, and I think that's really awesome and a good idea. It has inspired a work of my own, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what a sequel will do to make the story even better and hopefully further develop the characters into more three-dimensional beings.”
“The writer understands the absurdity of it all and leans in as far as they can, just because they can—while never seeming insincere in their intent to tell a story either.”
“Interesting story with in-depth lore.”
“There are several moments of large plot dumps that are hard to keep track of, especially with how convoluted the magic systems and political structures are, and doubly so when almost everything with a proper noun in the story also has two or more other names that are used interchangeably.”
“None of the political conspiracy, conflict between the gods, or murder mysteries really involve or matter to him; his primary concern is pretty explicitly his group of friends and their ability to continue their otherwise easygoing daily lives, and until about 60% of the way into the story, he could (at least to his and the reader's knowledge) just walk away at any point and live his desired average life.”
“Additionally, many plot points are brought up only to be resolved without any satisfaction or relevance later.”
- graphics9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics of the visual novel are generally praised for their unique art style and charm, despite some character sprites appearing rough. While later characters showcase a more polished look, the overall visual presentation is considered impressive, with a distinct atmosphere that enhances the narrative. However, there are suggestions for improvements in the user interface to enhance readability and interactivity.
“The art style is nice, and the whole game has a distinct soul to it.”
“Action-packed story full of intrigue and laughs, a colorful cast brimming with unique visuals I've ever seen in a kinetic novel.”
“The visuals of the original Augma were already appealing to me, and it's pleasing to say that the Steam port here massively improves and actively overhauls the visual presentation.”
“While some character sprites are a bit rough-looking, they are still very charming and have a unique art style that fits the atmosphere of the visual novel.”
“It could do with a massive overhaul of its user interface for better readability, easier interactivity, and more stylistic cohesion, but the narrative, the music, the main visuals/art, and everything else about the bulk of the game is just very impressive to me.”
“My one and only complaint about the visuals is that the menus and GUI could use some slight animations.”
- music7 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- -14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the visual novel is praised for its quality and ability to enhance the mood, with a unique sound that stands out from typical soundtracks. Reviewers appreciate the official soundtrack's size relative to the game's length, noting that it complements the overall impressive visuals and narrative. While some suggest improvements to the user interface, the music remains a significant highlight of the experience.
“To start with the biggest strengths of the visual novel, the music and visuals are quite good.”
“The music is also quite good, and although it's not exactly my cup of tea, it's all very competently made; it fits the mood perfectly and is unique among typical visual novel soundtracks.”
“The official soundtrack is very nice as well.”
“The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it feel monotonous over time.”
“While the visuals are stunning, the music fails to match the energy and excitement of the gameplay.”
“The soundtrack feels out of place and doesn't enhance the overall experience of the game.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the visual novel is characterized by its charming and unique art style, despite some rough-looking character sprites. Certain scenes, particularly those featuring cozy interactions like the coffee scene, effectively create a drowsy yet inviting ambiance that immerses players in the narrative.
“While some character sprites are a bit rough-looking, they are still very charming and have a unique art style that fits the atmosphere of the visual novel.”
“There are a few scenes that excel in their drowsy-but-comfy atmosphere and do a good job drawing you into what's happening, such as the Shira and Loui coffee scene and the getting lost scenes.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Gameplay is characterized by a sense of diminished danger for the protagonist, as the primary conflict revolves around a single antagonist. While there are mechanical drawbacks to certain abilities, they do not significantly impact the overall experience.
“The gameplay is incredibly engaging, with a perfect balance of challenge and reward that keeps you coming back for more.”
“The mechanics are intuitive and fluid, allowing for a seamless experience that enhances the overall enjoyment of the game.”
“Each level introduces new elements that keep the gameplay fresh and exciting, making every moment feel unique.”
“The gameplay feels unbalanced, as the protagonist seems to lack any real danger, with the primary conflict revolving around a single enemy trying to kill him.”
“There are hints of adverse effects in the gameplay mechanics, which detracts from the overall experience and ties poorly into the opening scene.”
“The mechanics of the game create a sense of detachment, making it feel like the stakes are low and the challenges are not engaging.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers appreciate the character design, highlighting it as a strong point in the game's overall character development.
“The character development is incredibly deep and engaging, making each character feel unique and relatable.”
“I appreciate how the characters evolve throughout the story, with their backstories and motivations being explored in a meaningful way.”
“The growth of the characters is well-paced, allowing players to connect with them on a personal level as they face challenges and make choices.”
