This is a visual novel recommended by people who don’t play visual novels very much. One day, PQube Asia unexpectedly gave me a comment code Aria Iwakuraa suspense/horror visual novel, I accepted it for three main reasons:
- This is a short game (<15 hours)
- The art style is very un-anime-like, e.g. Fata Morgana house
- It’s a lesbian romance and it’s very explicit
All of this makes this visual novel a very accessible option for those less immersed in the media or even anime culture. Personally, I found this to be a quick, satisfying, and immersive read, just like a good book. I’m glad I gave it a try.
easiest to describe Aria Iwakura As a gothic romance. Although the story takes place in Tokyo in 1966, the protagonist Ichiko becomes a maid in a Western-style mansion, and the development of the story follows the Gothic T style. Ichiko meets the house’s mysterious and charming young mistress – the eponymous Arya Iwakura – and is inexorably attracted to her, despite the wrong cues she senses in her surroundings.
In my estimation, there is only one major twist in the narrative. It’s actually a very simple story, more focused on the complex push and pull between its two protagonists than its mysterious mechanics. Once you discover Aria’s secret about halfway through the story, the real question becomes “What should Ichiko do?” Should she remain a passive bystander and actively participate in horrific acts, or should she try to save Aria from circumstances of her own choosing? The story plays through every option, exploring the full scope of the maid’s limited agency in this setting.
I’m really grateful Aria Iwakura’s Laser focuses on themes of choice and agency, which is especially effective when presented in the form of a visual novel. While there are dialogue options, they are very limited in scope and the options themselves are either harmless or nearly indistinguishable. I think this is a smart way to strengthen your character without taking too much freedom. Fittingly, the choices that determine whether you get the good ending don’t come in the form of dramatic action. The real choice is…well, I won’t spoil that.
If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a fleshed out setting or even a story where every loose end is explained, Aria Iwakura Not necessarily ideal. Side characters who seem so important to the overall plot don’t even get Elven Arts, while key parts of their backstory are relegated to mysterious side stories that can be unlocked by fulfilling vague requirements. As a result, the supernatural aspects of the story end up feeling a little undercooked.
However, for what it’s worth, the core narrative is so good that I found myself complaining very little about the details. If you like your lesbian love to be both sweet and kinky, then this VN is definitely the best choice for you Perfect. If you find the main ship too toxic for your liking, you can choose to pair Ichiko with Sweet Chef Sui in the optional ending. In both cases, the story doesn’t shy away from the nature of the relationship, which is actually quite unique given the historical context.
so yes i give Aria Iwakura A thumbs up and a “thank you” got me out of my blogging hiatus. The game is now available on Switch and Steam, so feel free to give it a try if you find it interesting.