Aquarium.

About

Aquarium is a visual novel with adventure elements that follows a young man recovering from memory loss and Aqua, a maid hiding a personal struggle. Set during a summer season, the story unfolds through dialogue choices and narrative moments that explore their relationship and societal barriers. Players navigate interactions that blend romance, personal growth, and the tension between class divides. The gameplay focuses on branching conversations and emotional decisions that shape the characters' connection and uncover the mystery of their conflicting past. The game launched in October 2022 and runs on PlayStation 4, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Its narrative structure and character development stand out for visual novel fans, with a runtime of around 15-20 hours depending on choices. While not data-heavy, its quiet tone and focus on subtle emotional beats offer a contrast to more action-driven titles in the genre. The story’s pacing and character dynamics draw comparisons to slice-of-life games that emphasize interpersonal relationships over grand set pieces.

Storyline

This is the summer story of Aqua - a beginning maid carrying a secret - and her master (the player) who lost part of his memory. The young Master, heir to the Francois family, has the same nightmare every night. In it, he meets a girl, but they always end up quarreling and parting ways with the words "I hate you" ringing in his ears. But just who is this girl...? One summer's day, the young Master's elder sister tells him that in order to prepare for succeeding to the Francois family estate, he is to practice his leadership abilities. To do that, his sister wishes for him to take a new maid under his wing so that he can guide and help her grow. "I am the new maid, Aqua. From today, I will be responsible for your well-being, Master." The young Master immediately finds his heart drawn to Aqua, the new, clumsy maid who is burdened by a certain "secret" she cannot speak of. However, the two are separated from one another by an insurmountable wall—their social strata. What shadow looms over the two as they face challenges and the opposition of society itself? This is the pure summer love story of two individuals from completely different walks of life.