Hydrangea
- September 13, 2024
- Meiri Games
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam"Hydrangea" is a single-player Horror Visual Novel game that takes around 2 hours to complete. It features a customizable romance with a significant other, who becomes more obsessive as the story unfolds. The game contains four endings, original soundtrack and artwork, and 20k words of narrative. The development was a collaborative effort of various volunteer artists.
Mac OS
PC
Phone
Windows
Android
Linux
Mobile Platform
Tablet
Reviews
- The game features outstanding voice acting that enhances the emotional depth of the story, particularly in intense scenes.
- The writing effectively explores heavy themes such as generational trauma and toxic relationships, providing a poignant and immersive experience.
- The art style is visually appealing, and the game offers good customization options, making it accessible and engaging for players.
- Some players found the story execution lacking depth, making it difficult to connect with the characters.
- There are inconsistencies in the art style, particularly between character sprites and cutscenes, which detracted from the overall experience.
- The game is relatively short, and some players wished for more content and choices to enhance the narrative.
- story19 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The story is praised for its in-depth exploration of heavy themes such as emotional manipulation and the cycles of abuse, resonating with players who have personal experiences related to these topics. While some found the narrative to be beautifully written and realistic, capturing the complexities of toxic relationships, others criticized it for lacking depth and meaningful choices. Overall, the story is seen as a compelling and emotional journey, though opinions vary on its execution and engagement.
“I really liked how the story dealt with heavy topics, the messages it provided, and how some toxic actions or dynamics were called out; it was really refreshing to see.”
“The story is strikingly realistic, capturing the cyclical nature of toxic relationships and the difficulty of escaping them.”
“I love how well written the storyline is and how it really shows how abusive relationships aren’t just physical.”
“The story feels forced and lacks depth, making it hard to care about the characters.”
“If you’re looking for a deep, meaningful story, this isn’t the one.”
“The writing is clunky in places and, despite being short, the game feels a little long for the story it has to tell.”
- graphics9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their beauty and artistic quality, with many users highlighting the stunning visuals and character designs. However, some critiques mention a mismatch between the character sprites and the CGs, as well as concerns about certain artistic representations, particularly regarding emotional themes. Overall, the artwork is considered a strong aspect of the game, complementing its well-crafted story.
“The main graphics were very pretty and the story was well done too.”
“More importantly, the things this game says and the way it says it are just as beautiful as the artwork the game boasts.”
“The visuals are so amazing as well.”
“My only critique is that it would be nice if the CGs matched the art style of the sprites a little more.”
“I wasn't sure about some of the artwork in Hydrangea, particularly the strange representation of crying and sobbing.”
“Beware that it might be triggering, as it contains realistic depictions of an extremely unhealthy relationship as well as extreme anxiety and panic attacks.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its visceral writing and realistic portrayal of complex themes such as generational trauma and emotional manipulation. Reviewers found the backstory resonant and impactful, evoking deep feelings of despair and empathy for the characters. Overall, it is described as a beautifully crafted emotional experience that encourages open discussions about difficult topics.
“I was not prepared for the sheer visceral emotionality of the writing here, and I mean this in the best of ways.”
“It really made me feel for the characters involved, feel the despair.”
“A beautiful and emotional story, I highly recommend this!”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the character development for its impressive art and design, as well as a compelling narrative that enhances the overall experience.
“The art, character design, and narrative are amazing.”
“The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form a genuine connection with each character.”
“I love how the choices I make influence the characters' growth and relationships throughout the game.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users have noted that stability may vary depending on the character choice, with some suggesting that playing as yuu results in fewer glitches compared to yua.
“I've been playing with Yuu as the sweetheart, so there might be fewer glitches if you choose Yua.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to enjoy the experience.”
“I encountered multiple bugs that disrupted my gameplay and made it frustrating.”
- music1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its quality, with excellent sound design and a well-realized overall ambiance that enhances the gaming experience.
“It also has great music, sound design, and the overall ambiance is well realized.”
