Aquadine is a solid, primarily kinetic visual novel that has a surprising amount of heart. I enjoyed the time I spent playing it, and now I’m even more tempted than ever to ride on a gondola! Aquadine is the type of VN that buoys you on gentle waves from beginning to end, no matter what might be stirring the waters underneath. It has a calm, soft quality to it even when it pulls on your heartstrings, making it the perfect type of visual novel for those wanting to see where the tide may ultimately take them.

I really enjoyed the story of Aquadine and its various routes. It’s well-written, the setting is unique, and the character interactions are interesting. Its mysteries are intriguing and the plot delivers well on them for the most part. The only thing that really bothered me is the way the characters would vibrate to express certain emotions. I’d rather have had them static than looking like they just stuck a fork in a toaster. Other than that, if you enjoy a good visual novel, you’ll probably like Aquadine.

Given how hard the last few years have been, I have to admit that it felt nice to play a game with low stakes. I had forgotten how great it is to just enjoy titles without worrying about putting in countless hours or gaining levels. I was truly just there to enjoy a visual novel that had all of the necessary components for success; a well-rounded cast, a short yet engaging story, and beautiful art. Perhaps to some, Aquadine will come off as lacking any real urgency or sadness, but this is an opinion I would attribute to the game’s more mystical setting. If like me, you don’t mind the mythical and have a few hours to spare then this is exactly the right game for you. Just beware of its $20 price point (I do feel this is a little much given how short it is) and the grating voice acting