Aquadine
Gameplay 9
Graphics 9
Sound 9

Aquadine is a kinetic visual novel set in a picturesque town where gondolas are a common sight. It is a magical place that is rife with myths and legends. However, the protagonist has more pressing matters on his mind as he struggles to make ends meet as a gondolier to support his sick mother. As he grows closer to the people in his circle of friends, he also discovers that he is not the only one leading a double life.

Gameplay: An interesting and unique story with different routes to explore.

Graphics: Beautiful backgrounds and detailed character sprites.

Sound: Only partial voice acting, but the music and sound effects are very good

Summary 9.0 Outstanding
Gameplay 0
Graphics 0
Sound 0
Summary rating from user's marks. You can set own marks for this article - just click on stars above and press "Accept".
Accept
Summary 0.0 Terrible

Aquadine

Developer: SoftColors | Publisher: SoftColors | Release Date: 2021 | Genre: Casual / Visual Novel / Indie | Website: Official Website | Purchase: Steam

Visual novels featuring high school teens struggling with life and love are so common that it is easy to become jaded after playing many of them. Thankfully, now and then, something like Aquadine shows up that takes this common theme and does something unexpected with it. Aquadine is about a famous young gondolier named Ciel. The story is set in the picturesque town of Aquadine, which is like a fantasy version of Venice. Initially, it seems like Ciel lives a carefree life, but in reality, he is the alter ego of Robin Liyun, a teen working to pay for his mother’s medical bills. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Robin is not the only person in town leading a double life, and by opening up to his closest friends, he might find more than he ever bargained for.

The first thing that impressed us about Aquadine is the visuals, as both the character sprites and the backgrounds are beautiful. Many visual novels intentionally use generic or blurry backgrounds to keep the focus on the story and characters, but this is not the case in Aquadine. Instead, the locations are all colorful and detailed enough to really bring the town of Aquadine to life. In keeping with the aquatic theme of the story, even the most mundane locations, such as school classrooms, look unique. Having a school that is also an aquarium might not be very practical in real life, but it makes for a beautiful backdrop in a visual novel.

The character sprites in Aquadine look really good, and a lot of effort has clearly gone into each one. Most of the main characters have different outfits, but SoftColors did not skimp on sprites for relatively minor characters either. As expected from a visual novel that looks this good, the CGs are beautiful too, and every one of them is good enough to double as a desktop wallpaper.

The audio in Aquadine also impressed us thanks to a well-rounded soundtrack and plenty of sound effects. From the haunting melody of “a world forgotten” to the soothing sounds of home sweet home,” the soundtrack has plenty of pleasant tunes. The vocal track, “Vast Blue Sea,” is also a great song, and the game features a Music Room where players can enjoy all the tunes. Unfortunately, Aquadine does not have full voice acting, but all the characters have a handful of phrases that they utter each time they speak. These convey their emotions, so the words are not a match for the text that appears onscreen, but it works pretty well for setting the tone of conversations. The interface used in the game is clean and easy to navigate, but some of the elements, such as the CG gallery and encyclopedia, feel a bit cramped. This is a minor complaint, though, and overall we had no trouble navigating the menus.

Aquadine is a kinetic visual novel, so there are no real choices to make, but players are presented with a character select screen after completing the common route. Here players can pick one of four girls who each has their own routes. From the shy loner, Anya, and the outgoing Diana to the sporty Cameron and exchange student Elisabeth, these routes were interesting enough that we played through all of them in succession. The different routes flesh out the characters more, but even the characters you don’t pick make appearances. The stories all feature a blend of action, drama, and even some romance, along with humor and magical elements.

We don’t want to delve into any spoilers, but the game explains why Robin leads a double life and how he is not the only one with secrets. It was also interesting to discover the numerous parallels between the different characters. Overall, the whole cast in Aquadine is very likable, and while their stories are satisfying, we definitely would not have minded if they were fleshed out even more. Completing a character route returns players to the character select screen, so there is no need to play through the common route again. Upon completing all the routes, a final route called Aquadine Memories is unlocked, which then wraps everything up. We have to say that this route surprised us a few times and should not be missed. In total, it took us about 12 hours to complete the entire game, but the stories were interesting enough that it felt a lot shorter.

All things considered, we enjoyed our time with Aquadine and were pleasantly surprised by how much thought went into the setting for the game. Despite adhering to specific tropes, the characters in the game are also very memorable and stand out in a crowded genre. Due to its unique setting and likable characters, this is a visual novel that both newcomers and jaded fans of the genre will enjoy. The game does have a free demo available, so anyone unsure about grabbing this title should definitely check it out.

System Requirements

  • OS: Windows XP or higher.
  • Processor: 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM
  • Graphics: HD 720p 1280×720 and above
  • DirectX: Version 9.0c
  • Storage: 1 GB available space
  • OS: 10.6+
  • Processor: 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM
  • Graphics: OpenGL 2.0
  • Storage: 1 GB available space
  • OS: Ubuntu 12.04+
  • Processor: 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM
  • Graphics: OpenGL 2.0
  • Storage: 1 GB available space

Related posts

Marble Muse

Marble Muse

Marble Muse is a deceptively simple-looking game, but thanks to the challenging controls and excellent level layouts, it is actually quite addictive. It might only feature 24 levels, but the additional challenges and secrets definitely boost the replay value. Players looking for something casual but with a bit of a challenge shouldn't miss out on this game. Gameplay: The game features well-designed boards and addictive gameplay. Graphics: Although not stellar, the visuals look decent enough. Sound: The upbeat audio is a good match for the gameplay

NEKOPARA Vol. 3

NEKOPARA Vol. 3

The NEKOPARA series has consistently delivered entertaining kinetic novels with great visuals and audio, so it is no surprise that volume three does the same. This time the story shifts to Maple and Cinnamon, the only catgirls left at La Soleil who have not yet had their chance to shine. While the story spends a lot of time with these two the other catgirls also make regular appearances, so no matter which ones are your favorite, you’ll get to experience more of their cuteness. Like volume one and two, this game is available in censored and uncensored versions, with the former costing less and the latter including explicit h-scenes. Whichever version you choose, you’ll find a story that is packed with adorable catgirls, plenty of humorous situations and some of the best visuals in the genre. Gameplay: NEKOPARA Vol. 3 is still a kinetic novel with no choices to make, but the story is entertaining all the way through. Graphics: More stunning artwork by Sayori and more animations courtesy of the E-mote system. Sound: The soundtrack sounds a little too familiar at times, but still has plenty of great tracks and some stellar Japanese voice acting.

Chuck’s Challenge 3D

Chuck's Challenge 3D

Simply put, if you love puzzle games, then you will love Chuck's Challenge 3D. The game not only provides plenty of brain teasing puzzles, but remains addictive throughout. Don't let the charming visuals and upbeat soundtrack fool you either, this game is not afraid to challenge players. Chuck's Challenge 3D is a game packed with hours of entertainment and is an essential purchase for any self respecting puzzle fan. Gameplay: Plenty of puzzles to give your grey matter a good workout. Graphics: Bright, bold and charming. Sound: The soundtrack is nice and upbeat.

TT Isle of Man – Ride on the Edge 2

TT Isle of Man - Ride on the Edge 2

TT Isle of Man Ride on the Edge 2 allows players to take on one of the most dangerous and exciting events on the motorcycle sports calendar without having to risk their lives. With online races, an event filled career mode as well as free-roaming challenges this is a game that will keep you busy for hours. However, despite being a serious simulator the game is still accessible enough that newcomers can learn the ropes without giving up in frustration. Even with some rough edges, this is still a game that comes highly recommended to all fans of the genre. Gameplay: The races are intense and the sense of speed exhilarating. Graphics: Could be better in spots, but there are also some breathtaking vistas. Sound: Decent, but the realistic wind noises definitely add to the thrill.

KickBeat Steam Edition

KickBeat Steam Edition

I have played many Rhythm action games over the years and KickBeat is definitely one that is as entertaining to watch as it is to play. Defeating opponents to the beat of the music is exhilarating stuff and it is made even better by the smooth animations. If you tire of the included music you can also import your own giving this game a lot of replay value. Gameplay: A unique take on the Rhythm action genre. Graphics: The visuals have been enhanced for the Steam release and look better than ever. Sound: Six new tracks boost the complete list to a total of 24 tunes.

The Eternal Castle [REMASTERED]

The Eternal Castle [REMASTERED]

The Eternal Castle [Remastered] definitely looks the part of a game from an era where CGA visuals were the norm, but don't be fooled into thinking that it is a dusty retro title. Instead, it is a fast-paced and challenging adventure that uses the limited color palette in ways real games from that era could only dream of. The animations are also top-notch, and so is the soundtrack, but the controls can be very challenging if you are not used to this type of game. Overall, it's a great game if you remember early PC platformers with fondness, but modern players will also enjoy it if they can learn to appreciate the visual style. Gameplay: Although short, the game is a lot of fun despite some occasionally frustrating bits. Graphics: The art style looks very primitive in screenshots but has to be seen in action to appreciate the detail and animations. Sound: The synth soundtrack is incredible.

1 Comment

  1. AskoniWega May 11, 2021
    Reply

    You guys are on a role lately with finding all these awesome looking visual novels. Will definitely give this one a go!

Leave a comment

eight − one =