Publisher Waku Waku Games has released Drowning Song of the Stagnant Sea, a new visual novel by indie development circle Kūsō no Kōbō for PC (Steam). The title tells a dark fairytale-style narrative about a relationship between a human and a sea monster who are both women.
Described as a “platonic yuri romance novel,” Drowning Song of the Stagnant Sea centers on the encounter between the beautiful human Aisha, and Gisela, a member of a persecuted race of man-eating monsters called scyllas. Depending on the player’s choices, their relationship can turn into a story of love or murder as Gisela fights the urge to kill and devour Aisha, whose beauty keeps her consumed in envy.
Progression in Song of the Drowning Sea follows the traditional visual novel format. You advance the story by pointing and clicking through text and illustrations, as well as occasionally making choices that influence the narrative. According to the developers, these decisions can lead to four possible endings. The game takes an estimated three to five hours to complete.
Visually, the title leans into a storybook-inspired art, but the narrative depicts mature themes including suicide, sexual violence, human trafficking and drug abuse as indicated by the Steam store page.
Additional features include scene selection, a glossary, and a gallery mode, as well as a bonus side story that unlocks after completing the main narrative.
Drowning Song of the Stagnant Sea is developer Kūsō no Kōbō’s second commercial title following It Seems the Slime Girl Seems to Wants to Be Friends with Humans+, a short and sweet visual novel with a “Very Positive” rating on Steam. By comparison, the new title is more ambitious in scale, featuring the developer’s largest scenario so far.
Drowning Song of the Stagnant Sea is available now for PC (Steam). The game will be 10% off until May 1.
