Nami no Iro: The Color of the Waves
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About Nami no Iro: The Color of the Waves
Nami no Iro: The Color of the Waves is a quiet, introspective visual novel from indie developer Dulkha315, released on PC in January 2026. Set in the fictional coastal town of Inonaki, it follows Mugen Takebara, a man grappling with fragmented childhood memories. His return to the town forces him to confront unsettling truths about his cousin Sora, whose behavior shifts unpredictably. The game blends slice-of-life storytelling with psychological mystery, using minimal combat and no dialogue options. It’s a slow burn, relying on atmosphere and character dynamics to build tension. If you enjoy narratives that linger in the uncanny, this might hook you.
Gameplay
The game unfolds through dialogue scenes, environmental exploration, and cryptic journal entries. Each session typically lasts 15, 30 minutes, with gameplay centered on observing Sora’s erratic actions and piecing together fragments of the past. Players wander Inonaki’s fog-drenched streets, discovering objects that trigger flashbacks. Choices are rare but impactful, often altering Sora’s demeanor or unlocking hidden memories. The lack of branching dialogue options creates a passive experience, emphasizing mood over agency. Mechanics revolve around pattern recognition, spotting inconsistencies in Sora’s behavior or the town’s layout to infer the truth. It’s a deliberate, sometimes frustrating design, but the pacing suits its eerie tone.
What Players Think
The PlayPile community rates it 84%, with 4.2/5 stars from 2,317 reviews. Average playthroughs last 10 hours, but only 22% of players complete the full story. Most describe the game as “hauntingly nostalgic” and “visually distinct,” though 15% call it “too abstract.” Reviewers like @VisualNovelFan99 praise its “lingering unease,” while @NotMyCuppa criticizes “vague clues that don’t pay off.” Completion rates drop after the third chapter, where ambiguity peaks. Achievements (17 total) track memory discovery and Sora’s mood shifts. The game’s 78% critic score highlights its art direction but notes a “polarizing lack of structure.”
PlayPile's Take
Nami no Iro is a niche title best for fans of slow, atmospheric storytelling. At $19.99, it’s a low-risk purchase for those patient with ambiguous narratives. The 17 achievements offer modest replay value, but the game’s strength is its mood, not mechanics. If you prefer visual novels like D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Dream or Oxenfree but can tolerate sparse interactivity, this could resonate. It’s not perfect, its refusal to explain itself will alienate some, but the haunting visuals and unsettling vibe make it memorable. Not a must-play, but worth a try if you’re in the right headspace.
Game Modes
Single player
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