90
Aokana is one of those romantic visual novels where yes, you are eventually trying to win over one of your classmates. But, it’s structured in such a way that the journey, your school life, and the Flying Circus team you help coach feel equally important. It’s a gorgeous game that looks lovely on the Switch. Its story is often uplifting, and it’s rare to have a game where everything feels so well realized.
70
Ultimately, reading Aokana often feels like eating a variety pack of candy. Sure, there may be some flavors that don’t hit in ways that some do. But the ratio of good outweighs the bad here, and opening the box in the first place is a safe bet for a good read.
70
Aokana is an entertaining Sci-Fi Sports Fiction story, that is ultimately hard to stomach due to a plethora of lewd and toxic moments packed throughout.
6
I was disappointed in this game. On paper, it's exactly the kind of thing I like: an anime-style story with cool female characters and an interesting, fantasy-adjacent premise. I'm a massive anime fan, and I love stories about fantasy sports with a variety of characters to connect to and root for. However, the warning of 'every character depicted in the game is over 18' gave me red flags right from the get go. There are outwardly sexual scenes and moments with characters that, despite the warning, are visibly underage. I played Asuka's route, who is a second year at a Japanese high school and therefore can be assumed to be between 16 and 17 years old, and was extremely uncomfortable with the scenes of this nature. I am sickened by the thought of Mashiro's route, who is a first year (15-16 years old) and is visibly younger than the other girls, fitting the stereotype of childlike, 'loli' girl. However, the sexually explicit moments are few and far between, and if you have played a lot of anime games or consumed a lot of anime in general, you may be desensitised to it and be able to enjoy the story of the game. The story is actually pretty good. I did find myself rooting for and getting attached to each of the characters, especially the MC. However, while playing the game I found that the chapters dragged on for longer than I thought they needed to. By the time I reached the final chapter of the game, I was just waiting for the experience to be over. Also, there are very few choices for a visual novel/dating sim game. I ended up on Asuka's route by complete accident. Throughout the whole game, there were less than five choices that you could make to influence the route that your character takes and which girl you end up with at the end. In conclusion, the game is ok if you can get past the sexual moments. It's perfectly acceptable, but you might as well just watch the anime due to the lack of actual gameplay and choice.
10
The best visual novel on the console ... by far!!!!! Because at first it can be a bit tedious, especially for people (like me) who don't speak English, at least in the version I bought, Limited Edition. But as time passes, it not only grabs you, it excites you and makes you get more into the role of the protagonist who makes the decisions. With beautiful drawings, the beautiful blue sky and the characters that you can conquer. This visual novel is perfect for when you have a trip and want to read something from your pocket or during a trip, having the blue sky in front of you and the screen. I highly recommend this novel. I love Aokana so much!!!!
9
A romance visual novel that's light on gameplay, but has an entertaining cast of characters, an engaging story, and some welcome quality of life features. Be aware that there are some lewd scenes (though no explicit nudity), so if titillation turns you off, this isn't the game for you. Otherwise, it is worth playing through what each route has to offer.
Aokana - Four Rhythms Across the Blue
Released On:
Aug 21, 2020
Metascore
Generally Favorable
78
User score
Generally Favorable
7.5
My Score
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All Platforms
Metascore
Generally Favorable
63% Positive
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
38% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Sep 15, 2020
90
Aokana is one of those romantic visual novels where yes, you are eventually trying to win over one of your classmates. But, it’s structured in such a way that the journey, your school life, and the Flying Circus team you help coach feel equally important. It’s a gorgeous game that looks lovely on the Switch. Its story is often uplifting, and it’s rare to have a game where everything feels so well realized.
Aug 21, 2020
90
Aokana – Four Rhythms Across the Blue is the type of game you can recommend to someone who is interested in dipping their toe into the world of visual novels. It smashes through the stereotype that the genre is all about sexual content or sappy romance. Sure, there’s romance to be had, but it comes alongside an excellent storyline packed with Flying Circus fun. The way it takes aspects from anime also helps to make the game seem familiar. Existing visual novel lovers who passed on the game before should pick it up as well. While this might be a longer game, the hours fly by as you get drawn into the exciting world of Aokana – Four Rhythms Across the Blue.
User score
Generally Favorable
77% Positive
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
8% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
15% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
Dec 12, 2021
10
The best visual novel on the console ... by far!!!!! Because at first it can be a bit tedious, especially for people (like me) who don't speak English, at least in the version I bought, Limited Edition. But as time passes, it not only grabs you, it excites you and makes you get more into the role of the protagonist who makes the decisions. With beautiful drawings, the beautiful blue sky and the characters that you can conquer. This visual novel is perfect for when you have a trip and want to read something from your pocket or during a trip, having the blue sky in front of you and the screen. I highly recommend this novel. I love Aokana so much!!!!
Dec 27, 2020
9
A romance visual novel that's light on gameplay, but has an entertaining cast of characters, an engaging story, and some welcome quality of life features. Be aware that there are some lewd scenes (though no explicit nudity), so if titillation turns you off, this isn't the game for you. Otherwise, it is worth playing through what each route has to offer.
Aug 20, 2020
90
Aokana is an excellent example of a romance visual novel. It's lightly entertaining, often whimsically so, but has a compelling and rich cast of characters that you're left rooting for. The art is impeccably beautiful, and while you could bemoan the removal of the explicit sex scenes for the console release, I think what's left behind takes on a different texture. It's a sweet and playful little thing on the Nintendo Switch, with some fun and teasing fanservice to go with the energy, but liberated of the need to make the sex the big payoff to playing the game, Aokana's narrative is more than enough to carry the experience. I really love this game and find it very much inspiring, so you can expect to see Dee Dee and the other girls strapping on anti-grav boots for the next DDNet visual novel, I guess!
Aug 24, 2020
80
Aokana: Four Rhythm Across the Blue is an enjoyable sci-fi fantasy visual novel full of compelling characters and exceptional presentation. The Switch offers a pleasant way to experience the game through portability at the cost of downscaled resolution. Although it may miss its landing with the main character’s plot and several forgettable themes, there’s so much here that will keep you soaring through each and every route.
Sep 4, 2020
70
Ultimately, reading Aokana often feels like eating a variety pack of candy. Sure, there may be some flavors that don’t hit in ways that some do. But the ratio of good outweighs the bad here, and opening the box in the first place is a safe bet for a good read.
Aug 26, 2020
70
Aokana is an entertaining Sci-Fi Sports Fiction story, that is ultimately hard to stomach due to a plethora of lewd and toxic moments packed throughout.
Aug 24, 2020
50
Aokana is a wholesome underdog story ruined by panty shots and sudden nudity. This being said, if you can see past the fan service, the distinctly unlikeable protagonist and one note characters – OK, that's a lot to look past – this actually comes together to create an engaging tale of overcoming fears and the power of friendship, and you can't help but root for them.
Jan 8, 2024
6
I was disappointed in this game. On paper, it's exactly the kind of thing I like: an anime-style story with cool female characters and an interesting, fantasy-adjacent premise. I'm a massive anime fan, and I love stories about fantasy sports with a variety of characters to connect to and root for. However, the warning of 'every character depicted in the game is over 18' gave me red flags right from the get go. There are outwardly sexual scenes and moments with characters that, despite the warning, are visibly underage. I played Asuka's route, who is a second year at a Japanese high school and therefore can be assumed to be between 16 and 17 years old, and was extremely uncomfortable with the scenes of this nature. I am sickened by the thought of Mashiro's route, who is a first year (15-16 years old) and is visibly younger than the other girls, fitting the stereotype of childlike, 'loli' girl. However, the sexually explicit moments are few and far between, and if you have played a lot of anime games or consumed a lot of anime in general, you may be desensitised to it and be able to enjoy the story of the game. The story is actually pretty good. I did find myself rooting for and getting attached to each of the characters, especially the MC. However, while playing the game I found that the chapters dragged on for longer than I thought they needed to. By the time I reached the final chapter of the game, I was just waiting for the experience to be over. Also, there are very few choices for a visual novel/dating sim game. I ended up on Asuka's route by complete accident. Throughout the whole game, there were less than five choices that you could make to influence the route that your character takes and which girl you end up with at the end. In conclusion, the game is ok if you can get past the sexual moments. It's perfectly acceptable, but you might as well just watch the anime due to the lack of actual gameplay and choice.
SummaryIn a world where flying through the sky is as simple as riding a bicycle, the sport Flying Circus is all the rage. Following the discovery of anti-gravitons, special shoes that allow an individual to fly, Anti-Graviton Shoes, took the world by storm.
Rated Mfor Mature
Platforms:
- PlayStation Vita
- PC
- PlayStation 4
- Nintendo Switch
Initial Release Date:Aug 21, 2020
Developer:
Publisher:
