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Iwakura Aria

MAGES. Inc. delivered and then some with Iwakura Aria. What’s within is an electric and rich visual novel story, a page-turner that is filled to the brim with memorable and beautiful prose as it expertly weaves its themes. Better yet, it sands off all the rough edges of the genre with quality-of-life improvements. Where there’s sacrifice and power found within the halls of the Iwakura mansion, there’s also love, adoration and devotion. Whether it’s in protagonist Ichiko’s investment in the illustrious Aria or the player following along at every beat, you’re both in for an artful and magnificent ride.
Iwakura Aria Game Cover
73%Game Brain Score
story, music
atmosphere, gameplay
77% User Score Based on 30 reviews
Critic Score 84%Based on 9 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPCWindows
Buy Nowfrom €29.99
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Iwakura Aria Game Cover

About

Iwakura Aria is a single player simulation game with drama and mystery themes. It was developed by MAGES. Inc. and was released on August 14, 2025. It received positive reviews from critics and mostly positive reviews from players.

Iwakura Aria follows Ichiko, a young maid in post-war Japan who enters the mysterious Iwakura household. As she uncovers secrets tied to the family’s heir, Aria, both girls struggle to reclaim their true identities amid societal expectations. This story explores courage, self-discovery, and hidden strength during one transformative summer.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Iwakura Aria screenshot
Iwakura Aria screenshot
Iwakura Aria screenshot
Iwakura Aria screenshot
Iwakura Aria screenshot
Iwakura Aria screenshot
Iwakura Aria screenshot
Iwakura Aria screenshot
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77%
Audience ScoreBased on 30 reviews
story10 positive mentions
atmosphere3 negative mentions
  • The game features stunning, painterly art and a beautiful soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere.
  • The story explores complex themes of sisterhood, female autonomy, and romance, with well-developed characters like Ichiko and Aria.
  • The game offers multiple endings and a unique storytelling approach that encourages players to engage deeply with the narrative.
  • The pacing can be inconsistent, with major plot twists revealed too early, diminishing the overall impact of the story.
  • Some players experienced technical issues, such as the game failing to launch, which hindered their ability to enjoy the content.
  • The late-game twist and side stories may leave a sour taste for some players, particularly those expecting a more straightforward romance.
  • story
    25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and beautifully written, while others criticize it for being boring, poorly developed, and riddled with plot holes. While the visuals and character dynamics are praised, many feel that the narrative lacks depth and coherence, particularly in its pacing and resolution. Overall, it offers a blend of emotional moments and intriguing themes, but leaves some players dissatisfied with its execution and conclusions.

    • “Every aspect of the vocabulary, voice acting, art, and music pushes us into the comfiest of cushions or thickest of all thorns as the story demands it, leading you into a journey full of love, discomfort, sisterhood, and courage.”
    • “Such a touching and emotional sapphic story.”
    • “What’s within is an electric and rich visual novel story, a page-turner that is filled to the brim with memorable and beautiful prose as it expertly weaves its themes.”
    • “The story bored me to death most of the time with some moments of trepidation in between.”
    • “The narrative is full of holes, contradictions, rushed explanations, and dark moments or 'plot twists' that come out of nowhere just so the story can pretend to be edgier than it actually is.”
    • “The 'main mystery' and basically all the answers are given away not even halfway through the story.”
  • music
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received high praise for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its top-tier quality and strong emotional resonance. It complements the beautiful visuals and voice acting, creating a rich and immersive experience that effectively supports the game's themes and narrative. However, some players felt that despite the impressive music and art, other aspects of the game fell short.

    • “Wonderful art and music.”
    • “The moodiness and music were a perfect pairing.”
    • “The art and music have been top class, and the production values, and the sense of atmosphere in this visual novel is pretty off the charts in the first half hour alone.”
    • “Expect a focused, shorter read with nine endings and choices that ripple into a future frame 33 years later, all wrapped in lush art and music.”
    • “Atmosphere for days: top-tier music, strong voice acting, immediate vibes.”
  • atmosphere
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the yuri visual novel is highly praised for its otherworldly and eerie qualities, reminiscent of fata morgana, enhanced by top-tier music and strong voice acting. Reviewers highlight the immersive art and emotional depth, creating a captivating experience that draws players in from the very beginning. Overall, the production values contribute to an exceptional atmospheric experience that resonates throughout the game.

    • “The art and music have been top class, and the production values, and the sense of atmosphere in this visual novel is pretty off the charts in the first half hour alone.”
    • “This is a good yuri visual novel, and does an especially good job creating an otherworldly and eerie atmosphere.”
    • “Think fata morgana vibes in spirit (atmosphere, craft), not in size: smaller canvas, still moving.”
    • “Come for the art and atmosphere, stay for Ichiko and Aria’s slow, human unmasking.”
  • graphics
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful art style, particularly the pencil-drawn panels and effective illustrations that enhance the overall experience. While some players feel that the visuals alone cannot compensate for other shortcomings, many appreciate the stunning graphics and how they complement the engaging story and soundtrack. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere and narrative depth.

    • “The art style is very nice, especially the pencil-drawn panels.”
    • “The graphics are incredible; the overall mystery with yuri undertones is enjoyable. For a 12-15 hour title, I felt satisfied with the pacing and conclusion of the story.”
    • “Gorgeous art style and great use of illustrations, with an intriguing mystery that builds suspense effectively.”
  • emotional
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its emotionally resonant storytelling, enhanced by painterly illustrations and dynamic visuals that effectively convey the intensity of its themes. It is described as a beautifully crafted yuri suspense visual novel that centers on romance and self-determination, delivering a heartfelt experience that resonates deeply with players. Overall, it is considered a touching and rich emotional journey, earning a strong rating of 8.5/10.

    • “The production sings: painterly illustrations and collage-style cut-out panels often replace static CGs, evoking motion and emotional cross-cuts that sell the heat of an argument or the hush of a confession.”
    • “A beautifully crafted, emotionally honest yuri suspense visual novel where romance and self-determination take center stage.”
    • “Such a touching and emotional sapphic story.”
  • gameplay
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay features a significant emphasis on romance, particularly appealing to yuri fans, which adds warmth to the otherwise cold mechanics of the mansion. Additionally, the map exploration and sketch-clue system enhance the investigative experience, making it feel engaging and tactile.

    • “Romance plays a bigger role than some expected, adding warmth that counterbalances the mansion’s cold mechanics.”
    • “The map exploration and sketch-clue gimmick make investigation tactile—this mechanic is well-designed.”
    • “The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “The controls are clunky and unresponsive, which detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “The pacing is off, leading to long stretches of boredom between interesting moments.”
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84%Critics’ scoreBased on 9 critic reviews
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Frequently Asked Questions

Iwakura Aria is a simulation game with drama and mystery themes.

Iwakura Aria is available on Nintendo Switch, PC and Windows.

Iwakura Aria was released on August 14, 2025.

Iwakura Aria was developed by MAGES. Inc..

Iwakura Aria has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its atmosphere.

Iwakura Aria is a single player game.

Similar games include Gone Home, The House in Fata Morgana, Heart of the Woods, Return to Shironagasu Island, The Night is Grey and others.