User:Captain Galaxy/AQUARIUM.
| Aquarium. | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Entergram Inc. |
| Publisher(s) | Entergram Inc. |
| Producer(s) | Minato Aqua |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Adventure, visual Novel |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Aquarium[a] (stylised as AQUARIUM.) is 2024 Japanese romance visual novel adventure video game developed and published by video game developer Entergram Inc.. It was first released for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 on 27 October 2022 exclusively in Japan, however saw a worldwide release for Microsoft Windows on 25 October 2023. The game is produced by and stars Hololive Production VTuber Minato Aqua, who envisioned the project after reaching one million subscribers on her YouTube channel. Aquarium's story centres on maid-in-training Minato Aqua and her master Teo Francois, the player character and heir to the Francois family, who fall in love with each other
The game received positive reception. A sequel to Aquarium was announced to be in production in March 2024. However, following the announcement of Aqua's departure from Hololive, the sequel was cancelled.
Gameplay
[edit]Plot
[edit]Setting and characters
[edit]Aquarium is set within a fictional country inspired by Western Europe.
Section about Theo and Aqua.
Section about Marine and Fubuki.
Story
[edit]In Chapter 3, Fubuki gives Theo her blessing for Aqua to eventually become part of the Francois family. Aqua and Theo plan a day at the beach, however Fubuki alludes to a conflict with their Uncle that is making its way to the mansion. After returning from the beach, Aqua and Theo declare their love for each other. The following morning, the pair are informed by Marine that their Uncle and his forces are trying to storm the mansion. Fubuki pleads with the couple to escape the mansion and live a happy life whilst she stays behind to protect them, despite Aqua's insistence on not leaving Fubuki behind. Before Theo tries to talk to Fubuki, a grenade lands into the mansion, severely wounding Fubuki. Marine stays behind and tells the the couple to flee whilst they still could.
Theo and Aqua take a secret passage into the forest, however they quickly become lost. The forest had become set ablaze due to Theo's uncle, forcing them to flee. They reach the edge of a cliff and are slowly losing consciousness due to smoke inhalation. The pair huddle together and make a promise to meet each other again in another life. As they are about to jump, Theo wakes up upon banging his head on the floor, inside of his modern-day apartment. He believed that everything he had experience was just a dream, although felt the dream was more realistic than usual. He opens his phone and receives a recommendation notification for a channel on streaming website. He clicks the notification and is taken to a livestream presented by streamer Minato Aqua, who is talking to her fans about a recent dream she had, just like the one Theo had. Feeling it was more than just a coincidence, Theo wrote in the livestream chat the words Aqua said to him in the final moments of the dream. She seemed to ignore the message and ends the stream. However, Aqua did see the message and reminisces the memories and feelings she had for Theo.
In the extra chapter,[b] Theo and Aqua are invited to attend a festival to celebrate a saint who defended the town. Aqua is hesitant at first, but Theo convinces her to attend. Throughout the day, the pair visit many stalls and participate in fairground games at the festival. After a game of ring toss, Aqua wishes to watch the fireworks display with Theo. But Theo feels he can't due to his duties as noble and so would need to be apart at the display. However, upon arrival at the mansion to watch the fireworks, the pair discover that Marine and Fubuki have taken Theo's place in order for Aqua and Theo to watch the fireworks on their own. As the pair watch the fireworks, Aqua reveals she made a wish to Theo, saying that she wished to be with him forever.
Development and release
[edit]Development
[edit]Release and promotion
[edit]Aquarium was first announced by Entergram on 10 June 2022, launching a teaser website alongside the announcement.[1] The official website for the game was subsequently launched later the same month on 30 June alongside pre-orders. Aquarium released on 27 October 2022 for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 exclusively in Japan, with the later version only available via download.[2] During Comiket 101 in late December 2022, Entergram announced a release for Microsoft Windows on Steam.[3] In July 2023, Entergram announced that this version would be available in both Japanese and English.[4] The Steam version was launched on 25 October 2023.[5]
Future
[edit]In March 2024, Entergram announced the development of a sequel to Aquarium at Hololive Super Expo 2024,[6] stating that Aqua would return to star and produce it.[7] On 6 August 2024, Minato Aqua announced her departure, dubbed a graduation in the VTuber community, from Hololive Production which was planned for the end of the month. Entergram announced that the sequel was cancelled in the wake of Aqua's graduation, apologising to fans who were anticipating the game. Furthermore, Entergram reassured that the first game would remain on Steam.[8][9]
Reception
[edit]Critical reception
[edit]Aquarium received positive reception from critics, with Siliconera considering it the best official Hololive game.[10]
Sales
[edit]According to Famitsu, the Switch version of Aquarium was the 8th best selling game in Japan during the week of 24 - 30 October 2022, selling over 13,000 copies.[11] During a press release in July 2023, it was revealed that the console versions of the game had sold over 50,000 copies.[4] The Steam version of the game is believed to have sold up to 20,000 copies based on data on Steam Spy.[12]
Awards
[edit]For her starring role in Aquarium, Minato Aqua won the "Best Actor" award at the Famitsu Dengeki Game Awards in March 2023, beating fellow nominees Gackt and Nobu Chidori for their roles in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion and Super Noda Game World respectively.[13]
| Date | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Famitsu Dengeki Game Awards 2022 | Best Actor | Aqua Minato / Aquarium. | Won | [13] |
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Kiya, Andrew (10 June 2022). "Aquarium Is a New Dating VN From Hololive's Minato Aqua". Siliconera. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ Yo, Nagaoka (10 June 2022). "「ホロライブ」の湊あくあさんが主演＆プロデュース！ 恋愛ADV「あくありうむ。」10月27日発売". Game Watch Impress (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ Luster, Joseph (31 December 2022). "VTuber Minato Aqua's Visual Novel Aquarium. Locks in PC Release". Crunchyroll. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ a b Nelva, Giuseppe (12 July 2023). "Aquarium Visual Novel Starring Minato Aqua & More Hololive Vtubers Getting English Localization". TechRaptor. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ Tan, Melvyn (25 October 2023). "Minato Aqua Visual Novel Now on Steam". Anime Trending. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ Romano, Sal (15 March 2024). "New Aquarium. title in development at Entergram". Gematsu. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
- ^ Nekozuka, Kitty (16 March 2024). "湊あくあ主演・プロデュース作品『あくありうむ。』完全新作ゲームが制作決定。ホロライブEXPO2024のエンターグラムブースで明らかに". Famitsu (in Japanese). Retrieved 17 August 2024.
- ^ Liu, Stephanie (7 August 2024). "Hololive Vtuber Minato Aqua Aquarium Game Canceled". Siliconera. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
- ^ "『あくありうむ。』完全新作ゲームの制作中止を発表。湊あくあのホロライブ卒業に伴って". Famitsu (in Japanese). 7 August 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
- ^ Lada, Jenni (25 December 2023). "Siliconera's Guide to Getting Started With Hololive Games and Fan Games". Siliconera. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "【ソフト＆ハード週間販売数】『スプラトゥーン3』が8週連続で首位に！ 『ベヨネッタ3』『スターオーシャン6』『CoD MWII』などの多数の新作もトップ10入り【10/24～10/30】". Famitsu (in Japanese). 3 November 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ "App Data: AQUARIUM". Steam Spy. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ a b Doolan, Liam (19 March 2023). "Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Wins 'Best RPG' At Famitsu Dengeki Game Awards 2022". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
External links
[edit]- Official website (Japanese)