《水族館不會跳舞》（日文原名：アクアリウムは踊らない，英文名稱暫譯 The Aquarium Doesn’t Dance）是以「友情與恐懼」為核心主題的劇情向解謎冒險遊戲，由日本獨立創作者「橙橙（橙々）」歷時八年獨自開發完成，最初於2024年2月15日在Steam平台上免費發行，後來由Gotcha Gotcha Games參與合作並推出強化版。由於獨特的敘事方式與深刻情感描寫，本作一經問世便在玩家社群與遊戲實況圈中引發熱潮，被譽為「感性與恐怖交錯的水族館奇譚」。

故事圍繞著少女「蘇絲」展開。她是一位心地善良、重情重義的少女，與摯友「露露」一同造訪名為「碧安卡水族館」的高級設施。然而在參觀過程中，兩人意外走散，當蘇絲再次環顧四周時，原本充滿光影與生機的水族館，竟變成一個被異形生物與詭異氛圍支配的世界。為尋回露露，蘇絲必須在這片宛如夢魘的封閉空間中探索、解謎，並逃避被稱作「Creepy（詭怪）」的異形存在追擊。途中，她遇見身穿軍服、手持長劍的神秘女子「蕾特蘿」，對方雖態度冷淡卻似乎懷有相似的目的——尋找另一位名為「凱蒂」的少女。隨著劇情推進，玩家將逐漸揭開水族館背後的悲劇、背叛與人性糾葛。

在遊戲體驗上，屬於輕恐怖＋解謎冒險類型，整體恐怖氛圍偏向心理層面的壓迫感與未知恐懼，而非以血腥或驚嚇為賣點。開發者刻意降低恐怖強度，讓人能更專注於謎題邏輯與劇情情感。遊戲中包含眾多難度適中的機關與密碼解謎，玩家需觀察場景細節、蒐集線索、操作機構，逐步拼湊出真相。平均遊玩時間約為三小時，流程緊湊，支線與多重結局設計讓不同選擇會導向截然不同的命運，有溫馨、悲傷、甚至絕望的結局變化。

操作方式延續傳統RPG Maker（本作使用 RPG Maker MZ引擎）風格，玩家透過方向鍵移動、Z鍵確認與加速對話、X鍵開啟選單等基本操作即可進行遊戲。介面簡潔直觀，支援日文、繁體中文、簡體中文與韓文，語言適配度良好。

原版推出後，以其深刻的角色塑造、極具情感張力的劇情和充滿象徵性的演出，迅速在日本與台灣玩家間口碑擴散。2024年發售後兩天內便突破10萬次下載，並因實況主熱烈直播與SNS討論，在短短一年內累積超過60萬次下載。玩家普遍讚賞劇本結構完整、角色情感真摯，音樂與氛圍營造優異，被認為是近年最具感染力的同人恐怖冒險之一。雖然遊戲是由單人開發完成，但完成度極高，演出節奏與轉折掌握成熟，讓人難以相信出自個人之手。

隨著熱度不減，官方於2025年宣佈推出Nintendo Switch／Steam 完全版，收錄全新配音與劇情。此次版本新增五位主要角色語音，分別由日本知名聲優：黑澤朋世（飾蘇絲）、花守由美里（飾蕾特蘿）、佐藤聰美（飾露露）、釘宮理惠（飾凱蒂）、民安友惠（飾克莉絲）獻聲，極大地強化了情感表現。此版本還加入由作者親自撰寫的全新章節，揭露更多世界觀細節與角色過去，使整體故事層次更深。

除劇情補強與語音新增，Switch／Steam 版在技術層面也進行大幅升級——UI 介面重新設計、角色立繪新增眨眼與表情動態、對話演出更具臨場感，並追加多張全新事件CG與更精緻的解謎段落。官方於2025年6月開放預購，數位版售價為新台幣328元，實體普通版僅於日本販售（含稅4950日圓），並預定推出各店鋪限定特典。

在市場評價方面，被廣泛視為「小眾卻極具藝術性」的成功典範。遊戲媒體與玩家普遍稱讚它兼具劇本深度與遊戲性，沒有依賴驚嚇取勝，而是用細膩的人物關係、象徵性畫面與音樂構築出一種令人不安卻感動的氛圍。部分評論甚至將其與《青鬼》《魔女之家》《Ib》等經典日系恐怖解謎作品並列，認為它是繼這些經典之後最具代表性的作品之一。玩家社群尤其讚賞主角蘇絲與蕾特蘿之間微妙的信任與矛盾關係，以及多重結局的強烈情感衝擊。儘管有少數玩家反映部分謎題邏輯略顯抽象、解謎指引不夠清晰，但整體評價仍極為正面。Steam平台顯示評價「壓倒性好評」，平均遊玩體驗時長短小卻印象深刻，被視為「短篇卻具長效回味」的經典。

綜觀而言，《水族館不會跳舞》是結合懸疑、友情與心理恐怖的傑出獨立遊戲。它以簡潔的技術框架承載豐富的情感內核，呈現出對孤獨、恐懼與羈絆的細膩描繪。對於喜愛敘事型解謎與日式恐怖氛圍的玩家而言，這款作品不僅是一場刺激又感性的旅程，更是一段關於人性與勇氣的深刻寓言。而隨著語音版與新章節的登場，它也預計將成為2025年最受矚目的日系獨立遊戲之一。

 “The Aquarium Doesn’t Dance” (Japanese title: アクアリウムは踊らない) is a narrative-driven psychological horror adventure game that intertwines themes of friendship, fear, and self-discovery. Created entirely by Japanese indie developer Toh-Toh (橙々) over the course of eight years, the game was originally released for free on Steam on February 15, 2024, and quickly became a viral phenomenon among Japanese and East Asian gamers. Its haunting atmosphere, heartfelt storytelling, and emotional depth turned it into one of the most talked-about indie horror titles of the year. Later, in collaboration with Gotcha Gotcha Games, an expanded and fully voiced version was announced for Nintendo Switch and Steam, scheduled for release on August 1, 2025 (digital) and October 30, 2025 (physical).

The story follows Susu, a kindhearted and loyal girl who visits the luxurious Bianca Aquarium with her best friend Lulu. During a special guided tour led by the curator’s wife, Chris, the two friends become separated. When Susu attempts to find Lulu, she realizes that the once beautiful aquarium has transformed into a dark, distorted nightmare filled with strange aquatic creatures and unnatural shadows. As she searches for her friend, Susu encounters Retro, a mysterious woman in military attire wielding a sword, who seems to be searching for another girl named Katie. Together — or perhaps at odds — they navigate the eerie halls of the aquarium, uncovering its hidden secrets and the truth behind the distortions.

Although the game presents itself as a horror title, its fear factor is intentionally mild. Instead of relying on gore or jump scares, it focuses on psychological tension and immersive mystery-solving. Players are encouraged to think critically, analyze clues, and solve a variety of logical puzzles while evading the eerie “Creepy” entities that patrol the aquarium. The puzzles are challenging but fair, and the playtime is roughly three hours, depending on exploration and choices. True to its visual novel and RPG Maker roots, the story features multiple endings, with outcomes that vary dramatically depending on player decisions — from hopeful and bittersweet resolutions to deeply tragic ones.

The game was developed using RPG Maker MZ, featuring simple and intuitive controls. Movement is handled via arrow keys, the Z key confirms and fast-forwards text, X opens the menu, and Shift allows dashing. It supports Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean, making it accessible to a wide international audience.

Upon release, The Aquarium Doesn’t Dance was an overnight success. Within two days of launch, it surpassed 100,000 downloads, and by mid-2025, it had exceeded 600,000 downloads. The surge was fueled by popular streamers and viral discussions across social media platforms. Critics and players alike praised its emotional storytelling, subtle horror tone, and symbolic imagery. Despite being a solo project, many noted that the production quality — from pacing to direction — rivaled professional releases. The game’s melancholic music and ambient soundscapes were also commended for enhancing its dreamlike yet unsettling mood.

Encouraged by this success, developer Toh-Toh announced a fully enhanced version featuring voice acting, new story content, and visual improvements. The 2025 release introduces voiceovers for the five main characters, performed by renowned Japanese voice actors: Tomoyo Kurosawa (Susu), Yumiri Hanamori (Retro), Satomi Satō (Lulu), Rie Kugimiya (Katie), and Tomoe Tamiyasu (Chris). This version also includes a new scenario written by the creator, expanding the world’s lore and emotional complexity. The user interface has been redesigned, character portraits now feature blinking and expressive facial animations, and several new event CGs and enhanced puzzles have been added. The physical edition, priced at ¥4,950, will be Japan-exclusive, while the digital version will retail for NT$328 on Switch and Steam, with store-exclusive bonuses planned.

The new key visual — depicting Susu reaching for help while Retro shields her — captures the game’s haunting yet protective emotional core. It symbolizes the tension between despair and hope, a recurring motif throughout the story.

In terms of market reception, The Aquarium Doesn’t Dance is widely regarded as a masterpiece of emotional indie storytelling. Reviewers often compare it to classics like Ib, The Witch’s House, and Ao Oni, praising its ability to deliver a deeply affecting experience without heavy reliance on fear. The characters’ personalities, relationships, and moral conflicts leave a lasting impression, particularly the fragile bond and evolving trust between Susu and Retro. Steam reviews remain Overwhelmingly Positive, with players describing the game as “short but unforgettable,” and “a work that evokes both tears and chills.”

Some players noted that a few puzzles could feel obscure or abstract, especially for those unfamiliar with Japanese adventure conventions, but these minor criticisms are overshadowed by the game’s emotional impact and artistic vision. Many fans continue to produce fan art, comics, and even radio dramas, further expanding the game’s cultural footprint.

In summary, The Aquarium Doesn’t Dance stands as one of the most distinctive and emotionally charged indie horror titles in recent years. It’s not merely a story about surviving fear — it’s about confronting loneliness, betrayal, and the fragile hope that binds people together in the darkest places. Its upcoming voice-acted version promises to deepen that experience even further, making it one of 2025’s most anticipated narrative-driven games for fans of emotional Japanese storytelling.