Sound of Drop: Fall into Poison
- June 29, 2015
- aiueoKompany
- 7h median play time
Get on Steam"Sound of Drop: Fall into Poison" is a first-person horror adventure game. Players explore the Aya Institute, solving puzzles and uncovering its mysterious past. The game features a unique narrative system where choices impact the story and multiple endings. Atmospheric settings and sound design create a chilling experience as players delve deeper into the institute's secrets.
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Reviews
- The game features a unique and unsettling aquarium setting that enhances the horror atmosphere.
- The artwork and soundtrack are beautifully crafted, contributing significantly to the overall experience.
- The story is engaging with multiple endings, allowing for replayability and exploration of different character arcs.
- The translation is clunky at times, which can disrupt immersion and understanding of the plot.
- Many choices lead to similar bad endings, making the decision-making feel less impactful.
- The pacing can be uneven, with some sections feeling rushed while others drag on.
- story267 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its intriguing premise and emotional depth, while others criticize its convoluted plot and lack of character development. Many reviews highlight the chaotic pacing and heavy reliance on exposition, which detracts from the horror elements and overall engagement. Despite these issues, the game features a variety of endings and plot twists that can be rewarding for those willing to invest time in multiple playthroughs.
“The story is interesting but it drops a bit later on with a heavy 'tell don't show' portion along with Hiyoshi being made a character with a larger role but it just misses the target with him.”
“The story is very engaging and I found myself sucked in very quickly.”
“The story itself is quite interesting and the characters were written well enough that I felt invested in them.”
“It felt like they threw in a bunch of plot twists just for the sake of being like 'ooooo plot twist!'”
“The story doesn't have a very long run, being around 5-6 hours long excluding the bad ends, but I'd say around 3-4 hours of that is just the game basically spoon-feeding you the entire plot.”
“The characters are generic at most and cardboard at worst, with more than half of them just serving as plot devices.”
- music111 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and emotional depth of the story, with many reviewers praising specific tracks like "Sound of Drop" for their haunting beauty and fitting context. While some noted that a portion of the soundtrack can be repetitive or average, the overall quality and impact of the music are considered standout features, with many players expressing a desire to purchase the soundtrack. The combination of impressive sound design and evocative music contributes significantly to the game's immersive experience, making it a memorable aspect for players.
“The soundtrack is fantastic, like the title track 'Sound of Drop' with its piano and light choir, which conveys the despair when Mayumi lost Mari, but then when the little chimes similar to a music box show up, it's like a somber reunion.”
“Every song was perfect for each scene, delivering the exact emotion needed to make the scenes memorable and impactful.”
“The music greatly adds to the atmosphere so that the reader will be tensed up in the darker moments and be able to calm down and be ready for the next event when they are calming down with the softer sides.”
“The music is the main driving current behind the atmosphere, but it can only do so much without the good writing to back it up.”
“The OST is repetitive and not very nice.”
“Even though the music is very well done, a few of the songs are a little repetitive and can get a little tiring to listen to.”
- graphics38 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning quality, vibrant artwork, and attention to detail, contributing significantly to the overall atmosphere and storytelling. Many reviewers highlight the beautiful character designs and backgrounds, particularly in the unique aquarium setting, while also noting the presence of graphic and unsettling imagery that aligns with the game's darker themes. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, enhancing the immersive experience of the narrative.
“The visuals speak for themselves—aren’t they stunning?”
“The attention to detail, stunning graphics, interesting characters, and high replay value makes this one of my favorite games ever.”
“The artwork is surreal and vibrant, the backgrounds are sublime to look at (especially in the various aquarium booths), character design is always colorful and not an eyesore.”
“Considering it was the first work of the dev's, I wouldn't be surprised by the lacking aspect of art style and writing compared to their recent works, which is 'Fatal Twelve'.”
“There are some gory images as well as some rather graphic and unsettling text descriptions, especially for some of the bad endings, so it certainly isn't for the faint of heart.”
“This is getting on for 'Long Live the Queen' territory, and some of them are pretty brutal, others are downright creepy. While it's not overtly graphical, the descriptions allude to enough to put the idea in your head.”
- atmosphere36 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the visual novel is a standout feature, characterized by a unique blend of beautiful art and effective music that evokes a range of emotions from creepiness to hope. While some players felt the narrative lacked depth in character relationships, many praised the unsettling yet immersive environment created by the sound design and visual elements, which successfully enhance the horror experience. Overall, the game delivers a compelling atmospheric experience that captivates and engages players, despite some criticisms regarding pacing and character investment.
“The main saving grace of this game is the art: beautiful, atmospheric - cannot be faulted.”
“The atmosphere is very unnerving (but cheery when it should be), I found my nerves going crazy throughout, I bawled, and I even got a basically yuri end.”
“The details of the rooms, from the disposition of furniture/fish tanks to the dominant environment color, amplify the atmosphere's power very well.”
“Overall, this visual novel just really doesn't give you enough time to build relationships with the cast or establish its own atmosphere, which is a very big no-no when it comes to horror.”
“The music is the main driving force behind the atmosphere, but it can only do so much without good writing to back it up.”
“I found the atmosphere genuinely creepy, and while there aren't very sudden jump scares like in first or third-person games, I think the writers did a good job with the horror elements.”
- emotional11 mentions
- 91 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its deep emotional narrative, blending heartwarming moments with darker themes, creating a compelling and immersive experience. Players report feeling a wide range of emotions, from joy to sadness, as they navigate the story's twists and character dynamics, which are described as both engaging and impactful. The emotional depth is further enhanced by beautiful art and a touching soundtrack, making it a highly recommended experience for fans of emotional storytelling in games.
“What a deep, emotional, fabulous novel.”
“So emotional I was so close to crying at times and other times overflowed with joy. The story is great, the characters are great, and by looking at the credits, it was a three-person game, and that's amazing. I've seen many visual novels with only five or six unique set pieces, but this game gives you a whole lot to look at while you're on its emotional roller coaster.”
“The stage sets up early to indicate that you'll be spending a lot of time together, only for the story to then switch directions back and forth. You'll be confronted with Mayu facing some deeply difficult emotional decisions, forcing her to be logical even when her heart is trying to make her pick up the idiot ball at times.”
“After 8 hours of playing this game (which is mostly reading) just to finish the entire story (and most side ventures), I can easily say, without fabrication, this is definitely not a boring storyline.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a semi-linear story that prioritizes narrative over traditional mechanics, leading to a unique experience where players often second-guess the game's logic. While the high production values and quality writing enhance the overall experience, some players feel that the pacing issues and lack of connection with the main villain detract from the gameplay. Overall, the gameplay is engaging but could benefit from a longer duration and more cohesive villain development.
“I only wish that the gameplay were a bit longer, because it’s so fantastic!”
“The gameplay for these games basically is the story because the game has its own intuition and decides what actions are actually prudent via a semi-linear story.”
“Mechanically, it's a path-based visual novel, and I'm sure that's not going to be new for anyone, but the high production values, the original setting, and the quality writing all add up to a quality product.”
“The main villain didn't even feel like a main villain, as you honestly spend more time listening to some random character monologue about the mechanics of the aquarium than building a relationship with the villain.”
“As I mentioned above, the bad endings seem to come out of nowhere, but the game does finally present a why and how you've been dying once you learn the mechanics of the aquarium, which seemed like a pacing problem to me.”
“The gameplay for these games basically is the story because the game has its own intuition and decides what actions are actually prudent via a semi-linear story (i.e., you second guess the game, not necessarily use real-life common sense or knowledge the game provides you with).”
- character development5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
Overall, character development in the game is noted to be minimal, especially when compared to longer visual novels, though it is executed effectively within the short playtime. While the protagonist's growth feels somewhat forced at times, it does not detract significantly from the experience. The vibrant art and character designs are praised, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal.
“The artwork is surreal and vibrant, the backgrounds are sublime to look at (especially in the various aquarium booths), and the character design is always colorful and not an eyesore.”
“Compared to the more massive, 30+ hour visual novels, this game doesn't have such an amount of world building and character development, but it's quite well executed how sound of drop packs so much in 4~ hours (first playthrough).”
“Second, I think the protagonist's character development was just a little bit forced at times, but not to the point of being bothersome.”
“Both story and character development are slim to none.”
“I think the protagonist's character development was just a little bit forced at times, but not to the point of being bothersome.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability due to its multiple endings, with only a few being positive, and significant storyline branches that encourage exploration. Players appreciate the ability to skip previously read passages, making it easier to experience different outcomes despite the game's relatively short length. Overall, the attention to detail and engaging characters further enhance the incentive to replay.
“The attention to detail, stunning graphics, interesting characters, and high replay value make this one of my favorite games ever.”
“The sheer amount of endings, with only four of them being good, gives it a lot of replay value, and there are enough save slots to ensure you will be able to see everything.”
“There's some pretty big storyline branches that lead to various ending options, which lend themselves well to replayability, with the nice touch that you can skip at near lightspeed over passages you don't feel like re-reading if you're simply playing to discover a new ending.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game often stems from the irony that the more the characters attempt to clarify situations, the more complicated and confusing they become, creating a comedic effect.
“What's funny is that the more they explain things, the more convoluted it becomes.”
“The humor in this game is so clever; it catches you off guard and keeps you laughing.”
“I love how the characters have such witty banter; it adds a delightful layer to the gameplay.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players note that the grinding aspect of the game can be inconsistent, with some experiencing minimal grinding while others face prolonged, tedious segments that disrupt the narrative flow.
“The grinding feels endless, making the game more of a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
“I found myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which quickly became monotonous and frustrating.”
“The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is praised for its smooth performance, particularly for players familiar with other visual novels, indicating a well-optimized experience that meets expectations.
“Everything runs smoothly and will be familiar if you've played other visual novels.”
“The optimization is top-notch, ensuring a seamless experience without any lag.”
“I appreciate how well the game performs on lower-end systems, making it accessible to more players.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game is perceived as a cash grab, particularly timed around Halloween, suggesting a lack of genuine value or content from Sekai Project.
“It's likely a Halloween cash grab by Sekai Project.”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative and prioritizes profit over player experience.”
“I feel pressured to spend money to enjoy the game fully, which ruins the overall experience.”
