Chemically Bonded
- November 30, 2019
- ds-sans
Get on Steam"Chemically Bonded" is a puzzle-platformer game where you play as a sentient atom named Sans. Your goal is to navigate through various levels by forming and breaking chemical bonds to solve puzzles and avoid obstacles. With its unique mechanic and charming art style, Chemically Bonded offers a fresh and engaging take on the puzzle-platformer genre.
Reviews
- The art and visual presentation are exceptional, with beautiful backgrounds and character designs that enhance the overall experience.
- The story, while somewhat cliché, is sweet and engaging, focusing on themes of friendship and reconciliation.
- The voice acting is generally well-received, with some characters delivering charming performances that add to the narrative.
- The writing suffers from numerous typos and grammatical errors, which detracts from the overall quality of the story.
- The pacing can be slow and repetitive, with excessive monologues and dialogue that feel drawn out and unnecessary.
- Some voice performances, particularly Kiyoko's, are criticized for being off-putting and not fitting the character, impacting immersion.
- story65 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story revolves around the reconciliation of two former best friends, with a passing student acting as a catalyst for mending their relationship. While the narrative is often described as cliché and somewhat repetitive, it is appreciated for its heartwarming moments and relatable characters, despite some issues with dialogue and pacing. Overall, it offers a sweet, slice-of-life experience that resonates with those seeking a simple yet engaging tale.
“This is simply a story about ex-best friends who had to cut off from each other due to an incident, and a passing-through student who may be the key to mending those severed bonds.”
“The story revolves around a friendship that has crumbled, and you, as the protagonist, get involved to try to make them reconcile.”
“I really enjoyed the development of the story and the characters, and I also thought the story was paced very well, so good job.”
“As for the actual story, there isn’t that much to it.”
“Everything leading up to that point was basically just a lot of beating around the bush, repeating similar scenes and dialogue over and over again with little to no actual development in the story.”
“In conclusion, Chemically Bonded is a combination of badly written characters and a shallow, repetitive story.”
- music10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many reviewers noting that it effectively enhances the emotional depth of the story and complements the visuals. While some describe the soundtrack as decent and lacking in complexity, others appreciate its ability to set the scene during key moments. Overall, the music is considered above average, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere despite some minor sound quality issues.
“I also found the art and music to be well above average; the sprites and backgrounds look great, and the music does an excellent job setting the scene for many of the more tender moments.”
“Outstanding harmony of visual design, music score, and writing.”
“The music is nice and seems to suit what is going on in the story nicely.”
“The soundtrack's decent too, though nothing special.”
“The music was decent, nothing over complicated and not much in the way of variation...but that isn't always a bad thing.”
“Also, the sound quality is noticeably worse than that of the music, with interference caused by what I can only assume is a lack of pop filter on the microphone during recording.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the visual novel are a standout feature, characterized by aesthetically pleasing backgrounds and charming character designs that enhance the overall atmosphere. While the artwork is described as good rather than exceptional, it effectively supports the sweet narrative and is complemented by a fitting soundtrack. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's appeal, creating a delightful and immersive experience.
“There are a lot of backgrounds in this visual novel, and while they’re mostly used to depict yet another Japanese high school, they have some absolutely gorgeous lighting effects on them: it all looks very aesthetic.”
“On the bright side, the art, visuals, and character designs are fine - that's probably this visual novel's biggest strength.”
“The art style and backgrounds of Chemically Bonded are very visually appealing and add a lot of charm to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
“The graphics are outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games, making the overall experience feel less immersive.”
“Character models are poorly designed and lack detail, which detracts from the emotional impact of the story.”
“The environments feel bland and repetitive, failing to create a captivating world for players to explore.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Chemically Bonded" is characterized as simple and wholesome, appealing to those seeking light-hearted narratives rather than deep emotional engagement or plot twists. While some players appreciate its cuteness and free access, the faceless protagonist and lack of character depth detract from the overall emotional experience.
“But if you just want a simple, wholesome story, then it might be able to scratch that particular itch.”
“Wholesome and cute story, and it's free.”
- character development3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in this visual novel is generally viewed as light and not overly complex, focusing more on slice-of-life moments rather than deep narrative twists. However, it effectively explores themes of broken bonds and missed opportunities, which resonate with players and enhance the overall experience. The art and character designs are highlighted as strong points, contributing positively to the game's appeal.
“The themes of broken bonds and missed opportunities ring true in these moments of character development, which did catch my attention.”
“If you're able to jell with the lighthearted slice-of-life antics without expecting insane 4D chess developments and top-of-the-line character development, I think you'll still manage to get the most out of this game.”
“On the bright side, the art, visuals, and character designs are fine - that's probably this visual novel's biggest strength.”
“If you're able to jell with the lighthearted slice-of-life antics without expecting insane 4D chess developments and top-of-the-line character development, I think you'll still manage to get the most out of this game.”
“The themes of broken bonds and missed opportunities ring true in these moments of character development, which did catch my attention.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The optimization of voice acting in the game has been criticized for its lack of maturity, with the main character's voice sounding overly juvenile for her age. Additionally, the frequent stuttering in dialogue delivery contributes to a forced and unnatural listening experience.
“Furthermore, the characters keep stuttering all the time, and the voice actors articulate every stutter, making the dialogue sound forced and unnatural.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Chemically Bonded" is enhanced by its visually appealing art style and charming backgrounds, which contribute significantly to the game's overall aesthetic.
“The art style and backgrounds of Chemically Bonded are very visually appealing and add a lot of charm to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted for its ability to balance emotional depth with comedic elements, providing both heartfelt moments and lighthearted jokes. Players are encouraged to explore quirky references, such as checking the term "pervert" in the encyclopedia, which adds to the game's charm and wit.
“Pulls at your heartstrings and keeps up the humor. Also, check 'pervert' in your encyclopedia when you can; you will not regret it.”
