Info about Sound of Drop - fall into poison -:

Official game description:
Nestled in the heart of Tokyo, the quaint little aquarium, Manten Aquarium.  
Numerous urban legends have arisen from here.  
On the night of the full moon the waters turn to blood and man faced fish lurk within.  
Junior high school students Mayu and Himeno came to Manten Aquarium to investigate these urban legends.  
In the beginning it was fun, but then.  
They see a glimpse of Mayu’s missing littler sister, Mari.  
The wheels of fate begin turning as they chase after Mari’s shadow.  
\--Before she realizes it, Mayu finds herself alone and lost in the crimson aquarium.  
How to play  
・Proceed through the story from Mayu’s point of view  
・Make choices through the game and choose your fate.  
Contains  
・3 main story routes  
・Over 30 endings (Mostly bad)

Release date: Oct 30, 2015

Categories: Visual Novel, Horror, Multiple Endings, Choice-based Narrative, Atmospheric Horror, Psychological Horror


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews indicate that the game's full price is considered too high and not recommended, while a 50% discount or sale price is seen as fair and a must-buy. This suggests the community perceives the appropriate base-game value to be roughly half of the current full price, leading to a $5–$10 range.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 9.0h
  - Story completion: 5.0h
  - Session length: 9.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence shows a typical full-completion time around 8–10 hours: one reviewer took 8 hours for the entire story plus side ventures, another reported about 10 hours for all endings and achievements, and a third took just over 9 hours for all endings. Story completion (reaching one true ending) is consistently around 5 hours, as stated by a reviewer. A single-session playtime of 9 hours is directly reported, indicating a possible session length. No clear evidence supports a specific endgame playtime, so that metric is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game's initial half is engaging, but many players report that the second half becomes boring or repetitive, indicating a drop in enjoyment after the early game. Some players also experience a slow start that quickly resolves.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: slow beginning; tedious bad endings; boring characters; boring sections
  - Unlock drivers: getting past the slow beginning; experiencing the opening sequence
  - Conditions: first half is more engaging; second half drags; bad endings become repetitive after first few encounters; second playthrough required for interesting ending; beginning is slow but passes quickly; opening sequence improves the experience
- Player Archetypes:
  - Horror Yuri Completionist (buy)
    - Motivation: Explore all horror and yuri content, including bad endings for story and achievement completion.
    - Playstyle: Completionist, repeatedly replaying to unlock all true and bad endings and achievements.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: horror lover; yuri fan; completionist
    - Reference games: N/A
  - First-Time VN Newcomer (buy)
    - Motivation: Discover horror visual novels with a compelling story and accessible entry point.
    - Playstyle: Single playthrough, guided by story, avoiding excessive death, and enjoying the narrative.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Cautious Value Seeker (sale)
    - Motivation: Get good value for money from a short but quality visual novel without unwanted tropes.
    - Playstyle: Evaluative, price-aware, prefers discounted purchases and avoids controversial content.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Critical Detractor (no buy)
    - Motivation: Seek high-quality suspense horror visual novels with polished writing and genuine scares.
    - Playstyle: Critical, comparative, expecting high-quality writing, suspense, and effective horror elements.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Root Double: Before Crime/After Days


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Excellent soundtrack enhances atmosphere (weight 0.51): Reviewers consistently praise the soundtrack for being amazing, fitting, and instrumental in building the game's creepy atmosphere. The music is described as well-matched to situations and fully conveying the intended mood.
- Engaging and interesting story (weight 0.48): The story is described as interesting, engaging, and well-told, with unexpected twists and a gripping narrative. Players appreciate the quality and the immersive nature of the plot.
- Beautiful artwork and visuals (weight 0.43): The art style, including CG art and backgrounds, is frequently lauded as beautiful and varied. Players find the visuals appealing and note improvements over the original, adding to overall enjoyment.
- Surprising plot twists (weight 0.16): Reviewers mention that the game contains surprising revelations and plot twists that keep players engaged. The story is described as mysterious and full of unexpected turns.
- Brutal and disturbing bad endings (weight 0.13): The bad endings are highlighted as detailed, brutal, and disturbing, with vivid death descriptions adding to the horror. This aspect is seen as a distinctive feature that enhances the game's impact.

Common complaints:
- Poor translation quality (weight 0.39): Players consistently report that the translation is awkward, unnatural, and feels machine-translated, detracting from the reading experience. Multiple clusters highlight specific issues with clarity and fluency.
- Repetitive bad endings (weight 0.28): Many reviewers find the bad endings repetitive, meaningless, and too similar, often differing only by ending list numbers or using the same CG. This makes multiple playthroughs tedious and reduces the impact of choices.
- Confusing and convoluted story (weight 0.25): The story is frequently criticized as convoluted, awkward, or hard to understand, with some parts requiring re-reading. This hampers comprehension and enjoyment.
- Not scary enough (weight 0.23): The horror elements are widely considered weak, with reviewers noting a lack of genuine scares or disgust. The atmosphere is not suspenseful, falling short of expectations for a horror visual novel.
- One-dimensional characters (weight 0.19): Characters are often described as one-note, lacking depth and believability. This weakens the narrative and makes it hard to connect with the cast.
- Repetitive music tracks (weight 0.12): The soundtrack becomes monotonous over time, with several tracks feeling repetitive and tiring. This contributes to a less engaging experience during longer play sessions.
- Lack of voice acting (weight 0.12): The absence of voice acting, particularly Chinese voice acting, is noted as a shortcoming. This reduces immersion and emotional engagement with the characters.
- Illogical choices (weight 0.09): Many choices are perceived as counterintuitive or lacking logic, leading to frustration. This makes decision-making feel arbitrary and reduces player agency.
- No Chinese localization (weight 0.08): There is no official Chinese localization, which is a barrier for Chinese-speaking players. This limits accessibility and appreciation of the game.

Gameplay feedback:
- Multiple endings and branches (weight 0.97): The game features a large number of endings, including four true endings and numerous bad endings, with branching paths and choices that affect the outcome. A second playthrough is required to access some endings.
- Many bad endings (weight 0.6): Players report over 20 bad endings, with wrong choices leading to immediate death and the game returning to the title screen. Bad endings are logical and not unfair, but numerous.
- Horror visual novel (weight 0.58): The game combines visual novel storytelling with horror elements, including jump scares and suspense. It is set in a haunted aquarium with supernatural and urban legend themes.
- Choices color-coded blue and red (weight 0.38): Choices are presented as blue (safe, little impact) or red (risky, often leading to bad endings). Blue choices affect achievements and which good ending is reached, while red choices often lead to death.
- Haunted aquarium setting (weight 0.26): The story is set in a haunted aquarium, featuring supernatural elements and urban legends. The protagonist is a 15-year-old girl investigating the location, with the narrative divided into daily life, horror, and explanation parts.
- Choices lead to death traps (weight 0.2): Many choices, especially red ones, can lead to immediate death or mysterious deaths without long waits. Players can avoid deaths by using a guide, and the game offers a restart from just before death choices.
- Second playthrough required for full content (weight 0.19): New game plus unlocks after the first playthrough, adding new choices, episodes, and endings. True endings and additional yuri content are only accessible in subsequent playthroughs.
- No adult content despite yuri (weight 0.17): Although the game includes yuri (girls' love) content, it is not adult-oriented and features no adult scenes. The yuri elements are not prominent and become more noticeable only in the second playthrough.
- No mini-games, standard controls (weight 0.16): The game is a choice-based visual novel without mini-games, featuring standard genre controls. Basic features like backlog, save slots, quicksave, and skip are included.
- Protagonist with Kansai dialect (weight 0.05): The protagonist speaks the Kansai dialect, which adds a distinctive cultural and character flavor to the visual novel and its dialogue.

Performance notes:
No performancepoints

Recommendations:
- Recommended for visual novel fans (weight 0.39): Multiple reviews strongly recommend this game to fans of visual novels, anime, and emotional storylines. The game is praised for its compact storytelling and compelling narrative.
- Worth buying on sale (weight 0.3): Several reviewers advise purchasing the game during a sale, especially at 50% off or more, citing better value for the price. The full price is considered questionable by some.
- Suitable for genre newcomers (weight 0.26): The game is recommended for first-time visual novel readers as a good starting point, though one review disagrees. It may also appeal to those new to horror visual novels.
- Great for horror mystery fans (weight 0.26): Reviews highlight the game as highly recommended for fans of horror and mystery visual novels, with a mostly female cast. It appeals to horror enthusiasts even if they are new to the genre.
- Not recommended by some (weight 0.18): A minority of reviewers do not recommend the game, citing lack of reason to play or poor value for the price. Some also mention a disappointing ending.
- Specific audience recommendations (weight 0.11): Reviews recommend the game to niche audiences such as fans of haunted aquarium settings, girls' high school occult adventures, and psychological thrillers. These are tailored suggestions based on unique themes.
- Promising for spooky game lovers (weight 0.11): The game is recommended for those seeking a lightly spooky, different, and creepy experience, and not necessarily extreme horror. It offers a creative execution of horror themes.
- Consider alternative horror games (weight 0.11): One reviewer suggests playing an RPGMaker game or Higurashi instead for a better horror experience. This implies the game may not fully satisfy hardcore horror fans.
- Play with caution at night (weight 0.04): One reviewer advises not to play at night, likely due to the game's horror elements. This suggests the game can be frightening or intense.

Other player notes:
- Multiple endings and New Game+ (weight 0.47): The game features four true endings and numerous bad endings, with New Game+ unlocking additional storylines and endings. This structure encourages multiple playthroughs to experience the full narrative.
- Game length varies widely (weight 0.45): Playtime estimates range from 3 to 20 hours depending on reading speed and completion goals, with most reviewers citing around 10 hours for a full playthrough. Slow readers or those seeking all endings may spend up to 30 hours.
- Comparisons to other games (weight 0.36): Reviewers frequently compare the game to titles like Corpse Party, Saya no Uta, and Root Double, noting both similarities and differences. These comparisons help set expectations for genre fans.
- Achievements guide endings (weight 0.26): Achievements are primarily tied to unlocking bad endings and progressing toward true endings, keeping players engaged. Some achievements are collectible and easy to obtain, while others may require specific actions like ALT+F4.
- English proficiency recommended (weight 0.21): Playing in English is advised for better understanding of allusions, but the translation quality varies from clunky to acceptable. Some non-English speakers may find it challenging.
- Story focuses on drama and supernatural (weight 0.21): The narrative centers on themes like moving on from loss, parallel worlds, and supernatural events in an aquarium setting. It is praised for its dramatic depth.
- Steam edition adds content (weight 0.2): The Steam release includes additional content compared to the original, such as new routes and a side story. This makes the Steam version the definitive experience.
- Japanese production and setting (weight 0.19): The game is a Japanese production originally released in 2014, with the story set in Japan. It is a remake with added content, including New Game+ and additional endings.
- Value for price (weight 0.18): Reviewers generally consider the game worth its price, especially when discounted, given its content and length. Some received it as a gift or from bundles.
- Platform and language support (weight 0.17): The game works on Steam Deck, but lacks official Chinese localization and Japanese guides, despite having Russian and French translations. This limits accessibility for some players.
- True endings lack hints (weight 0.16): Players receive no guidance on how to achieve true endings, which are necessary for the full story. This can lead to frustration and reliance on guides.
- Soundtrack sold separately (weight 0.16): The soundtrack is available for separate purchase, and reviewers consider it worth buying. Some mention future plans to add it to the game.
- Indie debut work (weight 0.14): The game is an indie debut from developer aiueoKompany, with art by Shio Koji. Some note that the art style differs from later works, reflecting its early origin.
- Endings depend on choices (weight 0.08): Ending determination relies on choices made at specific points, with some ambiguous options. This can lead to frustration, but also encourages replayability.
- Lack of controls page (weight 0.05): The game does not have a dedicated controls page, which may inconvenience new players. This is mentioned as a minor usability issue.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.16): Players were let down by repetitive endings, weak suspense, and mediocre writing that failed to deliver the promised horror and yuri content. Poor CG quality, slow pacing, and immersion-breaking translation further dampened the experience, making the game feel underwhelming compared to expectations.
- Frustration (weight 0.12): Frustration stemmed from poor translation quality, repetitive bad endings, and confusing choices that led to frequent deaths. Players also felt the yuri content was insufficient and the branching paths were unclear, compounded by a lack of guidance and perceived wasted time.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.1): Players found enjoyment in the suspenseful story, multiple endings, and the challenge of avoiding bad ends. The horror atmosphere, music, and art were praised, along with heartwarming yuri moments and engaging daily-life segments that made the experience fun despite some tedium.
- Excitement (weight 0.07): Excitement was driven by unexpected twists, immersive gameplay, and the anticipation of a new English localization. The opening theme and visual/audio scares heightened engagement, while the TRUE END 3 line's brilliant reversals and complete reveal of the aquarium's truth were particularly thrilling.
- Boredom (weight 0.05): Boredom arose from repetitive endings, over-explained plot points, and a pacing that dragged in the second half. The slice-of-life segments and predictable storylines failed to maintain interest, leading to a tedious and unengaging experience for some players.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.05): Satisfaction came from the game's impressive endings, the ability to influence the story through choices, and the high production value despite being relatively cheap. Players appreciated the immediate consequences of decisions and the depth provided by true endings and second playthroughs.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Players appreciated the atmospheric art, soundtrack, and music that conveyed the game's mood effectively. The psychological portrayal of the protagonist and the creators' successful use of audio and visuals to build horror were also praised, contributing to an engaging and well-crafted experience.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): Annoyance was triggered by cheery music disrupting the mood, excessive mentions of the protagonist's butt, and unnecessary fanservice. Locked controls during bad end cards, a two-faced character, and an unclickable ending gallery also contributed to irritation.
- Interest (weight 0.03): Interest was piqued by the haunted aquarium premise, the compelling mystery, and the engaging story that remained interesting despite its complexity. Detailed bad ends made collection intriguing, and the settling first half drew players in.
- Sadness (weight 0.02): Sadness emerged from dramatic routes that brought tears, particularly scenes involving emotional impact and heartfelt moments. The story's ability to evoke tears was a notable positive aspect for some players.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Surprise came from impressive music and CG art, as well as unexpected body horror details in text. The positive portrayal of a character in TRUE END 3, who was a villain in other routes, also caught players off guard.
- Love (weight 0.02): Love for the game was expressed through praise for its story, music, and artstyle, with the opening song particularly highlighted. Players described it as a favorite visual novel with a beautifully crafted narrative, indicating deep affection for the experience.
- Fear (weight 0.02): Fear was induced by jump scares, gross animal CGs, and the threatening creatures within the aquarium's horror atmosphere. The creepy music and overall tension contributed to a sense of dread that some players found effective.
- Impressed (weight 0.02): Players were impressed by the high-quality, impactful story and the clever route arrangement that ensured the true ending was reached last. The yuri relationship between the protagonist and Himeno also stood out as a well-executed element.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arose from the story making no coherent sense, weird translations, particularly from certain characters, and a confusing beginning where world logic broke down suddenly. This made the plot difficult to understand and diminished the experience.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement was found in laughing at situations more than being scared, with some translation quirks like 'big sister' adding to the humor. These moments provided lighthearted relief within the horror context.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Engagement was high as players were quickly sucked into the story, despite initial skepticism, and found the atmosphere and setting immersive. The engaging narrative drew them into the world, making the experience compelling.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Relief was felt due to the lack of visual gore and adult scenes, which some players appreciated. Additionally, seeing a character survive in the ending provided comfort.
- Amazement (weight 0.01): Amazement was triggered by the staggering number of over 30 endings and the unexpected number of plot twists, exceeding player expectations and adding depth to the game.
- Awe (weight 0.01): Awe was inspired by the brutality and detail of the bad endings, as well as the amazing opening sequence, which left a strong impression on players.}