Image via Frontier Works
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There is a whole world of innovative RPG Maker games that we often sadly don’t get to see due to things like language barriers and accessibility, and the horror ones especially get to be fascinating. Titles like Yume Nikki, Mad Father, and the original Corpse Party acting as examples of unexpected storytelling and ambiance development with limited toolsets. Daidai’s The Aquarium does not dance is one of those games, but the text-heavy nature and multiple endings tied to choices meant that the free PC version on Steam wasn’t exactly accessible. Now it is more accessible, with Frontier Works’ updated release with a full localization, and it is both unsettling and artistic.
Suze is a young woman who is terrified of the water. It makes sense, given she almost drowned as a child. She regularly visits a child at the hospital where her mother works, and as a result gets a pair of special Bianca Aquarium tickets that involve all access and a guided tour from the director’s fiance, Chrissy. However, what starts out as a beautiful trip with her best friend Lulu quickly turns bleak. When the trio gets to the empty tank that normally houses the white shark that is the main attraction, Lulu disappears. When Suze goes searching for her, she ends up separated from Chrissy as well and finds herself in a decidedly different version of Bianca Aquarium.
Those familiar with RPG Maker horror games like Mad Father and Corpse Party will quickly adapt to the story daidai tells in The Aquarium does not dance. This is a text-heavy exploration game with occasional sprite work CGs at pivotal moments. While there will be scares and opportunities in which you’re dealing with clear threats, a lot of what’s happening is very thoughtful and even involves solving puzzles. As an example of an early one, Suze will happen upon a series of fish tanks. Three of the four seem concerned about the last one. If you find a way to feed and help it, you get a code that unlocks a door and leads to a new puzzle.
Now, while the roots of The Aquarium does not dance are as a RPG Maker horror game, it still manages to look quite pretty and a number of additions in this updated release help take things a step further to ensure the presentation is on point and even better at establishing a mood. All five of the main heroines are voiced by Japanese voice actresses, which is a nice touch and helps at some especially pivotal moments. The event CGs I mentioned earlier are new, which also help accentuate interactions. Especially since the character designs are great. Even the standard sprites look amazing, with Suze, Chrissy, and Retro all being standouts. Like yes, we know this is an RPG Maker horror game, but the care in the character designs, new pieces of event art, and soundtrack all make it feel like something more.
There are also some other supplemental features. The Aquarium does not dance does feature multiple endings based on the choices you make. However, there are also two Another Story options in the main menu, with the new one being called “The Aquarium will always hunger.” You do need to unlock them, but for the sake of avoiding spoilers it makes sense given the themes and details they touch upon.
It’s all handled so well that I can really only think of two issues that might give someone pause before jumping into the game. One is that this is a rather short experience. You’ll maybe spend about three or four hours on a run. However, since there are multiple endings, I consider that something of a good thing. I found there’s no fatigue when replaying as a result of the length. The other possible issue is that I feel like The Aquarium does not dance isn’t terribly scary. It’s unsettling, unnerving disturbing, and even heartbreaking. But don’t expect constant jump scares or the most gruesome story ever. (I mean, there is some gore and violence, but in some cases those are described or inferred with sprites.)
The Aquarium does not dance is one of the prime showcases of what someone can accomplish with a RPG Maker horror game. It’s quite unsettling and haunting, and it’s quite easy to feel for both protagonists and antagonists as you explore Bianca Aquarium. The sprite work is also wonderful. Pair that with new CGs, a lovely soundtrack, and great voice acting, and it’s a game that deserves folks’ attention.
The Aquarium does not dance is available on the Switch and PC.
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The Aquarium does not dance
Navigate your way through an aquarium overrun by gruesome creatures known as creepies and unravel its hidden mysteries. With each riddle you solve, you’ll find yourself one step closer to uncovering the chilling truth of Bianca Aquarium. Your choices affect the outcome of the game, so choose wisely. Switch version reviewed. Review copy provided by company for testing purposes.
The Aquarium does not dance is one of the prime showcases of what someone can accomplish with a RPG Maker horror game.
