ACHE_VERMIN is an expertly crafted bildugsroman wrapped in a facade of action, tragedy, and romance. And it broke me.

The story does all the little things right, from the intimate dialogue to the introspective narration. It instantly immersed me into the setting and the mind of Aliska. Its hard to praise because of how fundamentally good it is. I could spend paragraphs going line to line talking about how fantastic it all was. 

The art's rough and dull but expressive, graphic style set the mood for each scene perfectly. The highlight being drunken Alisa embracing Sasha. It was almost like I could feel what he felt with art alone. The narration just added to that. 

The music was distorted and haunting, a dread lingered throughout the whole story. Even home didn't right... Yet, it did, in the wrong way, it felt right. The way that makes you sick and ashamed of yourself. Still, It was comfortable, safe. 

Before I go, I want to say, I had to sit down for a long while before writing this review. In all 21 years of life, I've never felt weird or ashamed. I knew what I liked and why, and was proud of it, until now. 

I found an intense, primal comfort and love from Aliska and Sasha's relationship. Both them as mother and child, and as lovers. I know the situation is messed up, not right, but I felt happy for them, completely. And... I felt attraction.

I felt attraction to something I'm repulsed by, and now, I don't really know what to do. Nothing seems to fill the hole this game left in me. I've searched tag after tag, yet nothing like this exists. Maybe nothing like this will ever exist again. 

Overall, ACHE_VERMIN is a once-in-a-lifetime VN. I selfishly hope to see Aliska and Sasha again one day, but I look forward to whatever Lunaticker makes next!