Aokana - Four Rhythms Across the Blue - EXTRA2

A new chapter in this endearing Japanese visual novel opens with Aokana - Four Rhythms Across the Blue - EXTRA2. More than just additional content for the extra game, EXTRA2 adds a more meaningful backstory to Misaki, one of the most beloved characters of the original game.

More of an interactive experience rather than a proper game, this new chapter in the Aokana saga provides more of what fans loved about the original if little else. If you loved the base game, then you'll certainly fall in love with these characters all over again once you play EXTRA2.

Official Epilogue

At first glance, the story explored in EXTRA2 might be seen as an epilogue to the original Aokana - Four Rhythms Across the Blue. Set a few months after the climactic events of the first game, this game follows Misaki, as she adapts to her newfound fame, and how that has affected her personal relationships.

Unlike other visual novel games like Danganronpa or the Ace Attorney series, Aokana - Four Rhythms Across the Blue is more of a traditional visual novel experience. That means that players should not expect too much interaction beyond just reading and looking at some of the game's gorgeous art.

Stylish Designs

One area where the Aokana series has always triumphed over its competition is in its spectacular 2D art. The characters are as well designed as they ever were in this new expansion, with some of the good ol' risque content that fans of the original game loved so much making a comeback.

However, those looking for a more "adventurous" experience might be in for a disappointment: the 18+ content in EXTRA2 is fairly tame compared to any other Aokana release. Still, the art in some of the action scenes is still as beautiful as it ever was.

Walls of Text

Aokana is a series with a nearly pristine reputation among visual novel fans for its quality writing. It might not be a modern literary classic, but still, the dialogue in EXTRA2 remains as enjoyable as it ever was in the previous expansion and in the original Aokana base game.

More importantly, fans of Misaki since the first game will get to spend even more time with her, as this game focuses solely on her character and nothing else. This is both a blessing and a curse, as it also means that players who enjoyed the company of one of the other girls a bit more might feel left out by EXTRA2's Misaki fixation.

Pros

• Gorgeous illustrations
• Well-written characters
• Expands the world of Aokana with new scenarios and some meaningful backstory

Cons

• Little to no actual gameplay
• The presentation and themes can feel a bit tedious after a while