- 3RD-STRIKE.COM - A La Une - 24/Aug 03:22

Iwakura Aria – Review

Iwakura Aria is a gothic romance set in the summer of 1966. You’ll follow this visual novel through the eyes of Ichiko, who’s a housemaid at the Iwakura residence. The game’s story revolves around the secrets this place holds and the relationship between Ichiko and Aria Iwakura, the daughter of the mansion’s owner. It’s up to you to discover what’s going on and how their relationship will unfold. Dive into this mysterious story, get to know its intriguing characters, and don’t forget to enjoy the beautifully drawn visuals. Story Iwakura Aria is set in the 1960s and tells the story of Ichiko. Ichiko is a 16-year-old orphan who has a passion for art. One day, Amane Iwakura, a handsome and wealthy man, discovers one of her art pieces and offers her a job at his estate as a live-in maid. Ichiko gladly accepts this offer. Once at the mansion, Ichiko meets Amane’s daughter, Aria, and is immediately drawn to her. From then on, all she can think about is Aria and how beautiful she is. After a while, Ichiko and Aria become friends over Ichiko’s art; however, the dark secrets of the Iwakura residence lurk in the shadows.  The story of Iwakura Aria is mysterious and intriguing. However, as it’s a visual novel, it’s a bit slow at the beginning as the first bits are mostly about Ichiko settling into her new home, but it quickly picks up the pace. You’ll get sucked into the game, its characters, and its mysteries, as strange things start to happen around the mansion. Iwakura Aria has nine endings to unlock, which makes the game rather replayable. The relationship between Aria and Ichiko evolves slowly but surely. It’s clear from the start that Ichiko can’t take her eyes off Aria. Aria, on the other hand, stays a mystery during the beginning of the game as we get to know very little about her until later on when she opens up. All of this develops rather slowly, but it’s not disturbing at all and actually fits the atmosphere of the game. Add the mysteries of the Iwakura residence to this, and you’ve got yourself quite the intriguing storyline that’s full of surprises and plot twists that will have you on the edge of your seat. Keep in mind, though, that this game deals with themes like child abuse, self-harm, and sexual violence, and that there’s a lot of blood involved.  Graphics The visuals in Iwakura Aria look absolutely stunning. The characters look like they come straight out of an oil painting, which looks amazing and adds a certain charm to the game that not only fits the 60s setting, but also the mysteriousness of the story. The backgrounds, too, look vibrant and very much alive, even though not all of the mansion’s rooms are as bright. This contrasts with the darkness of the secrets that are hidden in the Iwakura mansion. Sound The music in Iwakura Aria doesn’t stand out that much and is overshadowed by other factors like the storyline, character development, and the illustrations. However, the music isn’t at all bad and has a cozy feel to it at times. It fits the game well. The music changes as the tension in the game increases or decreases, ensuring it always fits the current in-game moment. The voice acting, too, is all Japanese and well done. However, the English translations aren’t always correct, which is slightly disturbing. Gameplay Iwakura Aria is a visual novel that tells the story of how Ichiko becomes a live-in maid at the Iwakura residence, where she serves the owner’s daughter, Aria Iwakura, and how their relationship develops. Of course, as the game is story-driven, the focus isn’t on the gameplay. However, you’ll have to make certain in-game decisions that will have consequences and eventually influence the story’s outcome.  Besides that, there’s another feature that’s worth mentioning. The game offers an exploration mode, during which you can visit various rooms in the mansion, allowing you to discover more about the Iwakura family and their lives. What’s more, since Ichiko is an artist, you can take out her sketchbook whenever you like. As you progress through the story, she will occasionally create sketches whenever inspiration strikes. This is a great addition to the game, making you feel as though you are actually Ichiko. Additionally, it’s also a nice change from all the A-button clicking you have to do. Conclusion Iwakura Aria is a visual novel that deals with some heavy themes. If you don’t mind those, then this game is definitely worth playing. It’s intriguing to see the characters evolve and to discover how Ichiko and Aria’s relationship unfolds, and it’s fascinating to watch their relationship develop and change over time. Iwakura Aria offers mystery and a surprise behind every corner. Additionally, the game’s stunning oil-painted-like art style is one of its biggest pros. The soundtrack complements the game well, but is often overshadowed by other elements. Lastly, gameplay-wise, Iwakura Aria has some interesting features that break down the constant A-button clicking. In short, if you’re into this genre, Iwakura Aria is a must-play.