VN - Ren'Py - Summer's Gone [S1 Steam + DLC] [Oceanlab]

graphics and animation are top notch, although a few of the characters are too similar looking my for my liking

the story is very linear, i played this game twice and made different choices and found that the story is exactly the same apart from a couple of scenes which id say changed around 1% of total gameplay
I would say this game has a 1/5 replayablitity factor
Even if you choose to not attract or flirt with the sister she is all over you anyway, which is a shame

my 3 stars are basically only going on what it looks like, if i could give in a 2.5 i would

It's been said again and again but the quality of the renders is a major strength of this game. Bad lighting will make everything look flat and cheap but Ocean plays with shadows and lights a lot to make everything look good. It's very cinematic at times-especially those 5-6 seconds shots- and I love, love that. The game overall is dark visually and the vibes are immaculate.
This game has a large cast of beautiful women. While I do think having a big cast is necessary to capture the 'college' feeling and they are all nice to look at, there are a lot of plot lines and I don't think we've had much development in any of them. There's something interesting brewing for sure . Just my two cents but I do think faster pacing(I'm not saying faster dev cycles!) could be necessary in the future before the player loses interest.
And god, the main character is soooo edgy at the beginning that it feels like a dramatic twitter post. Yes, I know grief is hard to write. But it can be bit of a slog sometimes.
Some of the characters feel more like caricatures at this point in the game but I think it'll be resolved as the plot advances and we learn more about them.

This is S tier stuff, let down by a glacial release cycle and the occasional tendency to fixated on meaningless things just because they make pretty pictures.

The writing is mostly very good. There are some issues with possessives ("I'll" being used instead of "I", etc), the main character can also be a bit inconsistent following his character arc in order to suit the plot (something you might not notice unless you are a heavy reader/movie-goer). There's a big error in Chapter 4 with the insertion of a sci-fi DnD game that wastes the whole episode on 2 very minor character moments.

You can see from the images that the game is probably the most beautiful one going. It definitely has the best animations. Ocean has either overcome the flaws in Daz3D or has used blender for the best ones. They are fluid and detailed.

As someone who has just started playing it - it needed the overhaul that has slowed the development so much. If Ocean released a season on Steam of the quality I saw in chapter 2 (both visually and in writing ability) he would handicap the heights that may be reached.

However, working on two games at once that require this level of detail (and thus significant man hours) is a terrible decision. There is always going to be an axe being held above this game's head - by that I mean that abandonment is a real risk if content is too shallow and slow to come. If I felt like both games were already fully plotted out, I might be less concerned, but there are quite a few instances that make me think Ocean is approaching the story episode-by-episode; which is really fucking dangerous, particularly when SG is taking place years after Where it all Began, and in the same universe, creating the perfect breeding ground for bad retcons being needed.

Girls are all great. Bella is clearly the one you want for a strong story playthrough. Nami too, especially if you play the game patched. There's a lot of potential for Mila and Victoria in how they may affect the MC's character arc (yes, he has one, even if it is a bit scuffed at the moment). Mila is my favourite. Even her comical body proportions (I'm a flat-girl enjoyer) can't turn me off. She has a beautiful personality, insightful, kind and open, and is a welcome oasis from the rich girls that populate the college.

However, there are too many. This is a slow releasing game, and having as many confirmed love interests as it does, feels like a recipe for extreme burnout for the developer, and restless impatience from the readers.

Overall, this could be the all-time best in the genre, but there are enough problems inside the game, and outside, that could go very, very wrong. Fingers crossed it all stays the course, because it would be tragic if it could not be finished, even if we have to wait a decade for the conclusion.

Not really a leave a review kind of guy but I have to admit this is one the best games out there. Such a well written story with brilliant characters. would 100% recommend this game if your not just into sex driven games. Brilliant

Ok, have to change this rating altogether.

Beautiful renders on the LIs, I don't think you could do any better in that department. Absolute drawing point. But that's it. Everything else sucks.

Why is it constantly reworked, changed, shifted, changed again, reworked from scratch and there's zero consistency and compatibility?? Renders it unpredictable and unplayable.

Also I can appreciate not making this about MC's magic dong and a sex fest, but this is still supposed to be somewhat lewd. If I wanted just regular text reading I would pick up a book. 4 years of none of that is too much.

It's a shame to see these renders being wasted on a random nonsense that is this game.

This game is something else! I started it with very little expectations and quite cynically but was pleasantly surprised at how good it is! I don't say this loosely, but the character and story development is unmatched. There's depth to the story telling that is far ahead from any other game around and can actually match novels.
The visuals are extremely well done. The models are fantastic and even though many times it feels like there's less of choice-making branches to the game and more of clicking through to see story proceed, the story is hugely captivating to keep you glued for hours!
I'm writing this without even having completed Chapter 4.5! Can't wait for future updates. Great job!

Personally I can't thank Ocean enough for this masterpiece, not only it resonates inside me due to similar circumstances, I found some closure with my past believe it or not. And my Spotify playlist has a lot more ambient stuff from Vesky now. For those of you who are old enough to drive and have a car - try listening to Vesky during a night ride (thank me later).

Enjoy a good quality content and a rich story, not just copy/paste sex scenes and default assets from Daz store which every VN is full of them already.

This game has the potential to become an AVN masterpiece, thanks to the complex storytelling, attention to detail, and high production values.

It's the story of a broken and bad-boy MC, attempting to put his life back together several years after a violent tragedy and the disappearance of his teenage crush (the Summer of the game title). Make no mistake, the MC was a bit of a prick before the tragedy and loss. Will he heal and become more sociable, will he remain a manipulative asshole, or will he settle in the grey area in between, as he navigates college and a range of new friends and Love Interests? That will be up to the player...

Story,
The developer is crafting a world inhabited by a range of complex, believable, and very human characters, woven together within an overarching plotline. A player cannot help become invested in the characters and the story, such is the quality of the writing and world building. Like any compelling story, the plot features a range of mysteries and potential twists that will only be revealed or resolved over time through character flashbacks and current-day interactions. Oh, the story also includes some lewd stuff as well...

Originality,
As with any such story, there are a range of tropes employed within this AVN (bad-boy MC, college setting, MILFs, a bevy of beautiful LIs). What makes 'Summer's Gone' stand out is the depth of characterization, the complex and believable interactions between the characters, and the compelling plot.

Renders,
The renders and cinematics in this AVN are first class, featuring fantastic attention to detail. There are plot clues presented visually in renders that are revealed before mention in the written narrative. For example, two seemingly unrelated characters - Sasha and Dwight - are briefly seen in the background arriving together at College on the first day. Much later, Sasha gives Robin a thumbs up in the background when all the girls in the locker room learn that the MC kissed Bella. This further cements the notion that Sasha and Robin's curiosity in the MC revolves solely around their relationship with Bella and not some infatuation with the MC. In a flashback of the MC and his crush Summer in a classroom, Nami sits in the background. Her gut-wrenching long face betrays the secret love she has for the MC and his rejection of her. The cinematic ending to chapter 4.5 on the Bella path is truly phenomenal, illustrating subtle and emotive changes in Bella's body language and facial expression (including pupil dilation) when she sees the MC - revealing a spark of love in her otherwise illusory veneer of invincibility.

Sound,
The soundscape is dynamic and cinematic, bringing an emotional resonance to the narrative. The Dev clearly pays a lot of attention to his curation of the soundtrack - like any good movie or TV show, songs from the soundtrack will continue to play in your head long after quitting the game.

Amount of content
As at chapter 4.5, there is a reasonable amount of content along with many subtle scene and story differences, depending on in-game player choices. Already, the AVN requires multiple playthroughs to appreciate all the content. It's a slow burn, with only several minor lewd scenes and no sexual intercourse. This slow burn is justified and well worth the wait... such is the quality 'Summer's Gone'.

Look everyone... we all know why we play AVN's. I was the same way. I heard about this game - how amazing the renders are, how the story is good... there's no lewds though. Oh well, I thought - might as well give it a try...

TRY IT. If you're reading this without playing, PLAY IT. I don't sub on patreon, but Ocean earned a new sub. This game is fantastic. The visuals are gorgeous. The scenery, the characters - wow. Ocean, this game is fantastic - many kudos to you.

very good game, I thought the story was sensational and there were many improvements from chapter 1, best renders I've ever seen, the animations are sensational, all the girls have different personalities, I expect a lot from this game, it's already among the best I've played.

one of the best games i have ever played . this is fantastic in terms of story.Even though this is a slow burn it is very much enjoyable and worth the blue balls. Waiting for the next update as things are gonna get very very interesting in the chapter 5 .

I have no words, it's in my top and definitely one of the best visual novels I've played. I would like to forget what I played so that I can play it again, but unfortunately I have to wait for the next update.
It's a shame that I've also seen negative reviews because there aren't any sex scenes yet or because it doesn't have potential in the future... when I see what people rate in the game, I don't know if I should cry or laugh. Everyone has their own opinion, so I can't interfere but I think it has huge potential. We are talking about quality and not quantity and it will definitely be a huge game.
That's all I can tell you, try the game and you will fall in love with it.

Wow, this game really did a good job in development relationships, i really like the interactions with Bella and the anti - simp behavior of the protagonist, hope to see a good develop of romance with Bella!

Absolutely beautiful characters (salute to Bella and Nami fans) with nice visuals, more or less solid writing and engaging story, paired with a worst development planning I've ever seen. It's definitely above average but damn, I can only imagine where we would've been now if not all those remakes and refactorings.

The story started with an interesting mystery, now it continues as a normal university story in a bad way.
The changes in the story do not give confidence for the future.
Although there are many LIs in the game, the main focus of the current version is a single LI.(too many romantic scenes/mutual love)
The story is very disorganized in this regard, not well planned.
The reason I gave this game two points is because of the romance-based story and good art.

CH4.5
Summer's Gone is a visual novel game that has a mature tone and a decent plot, but suffers from a lack of direction and too many characters and plot lines. The sci-fi mini story feels out of place and detracts from the overall experience. However, Bella's storyline is the most interesting and will hold your interest. The graphics are great, except for one goof, and the characters have unique details that make them stand out. The developer also spends time thinking about the soundtrack and sound fx, which adds to the immersion. However, the slow grind and lack of sexual escalation may turn off some players. Overall, Summer's Gone is worth checking out for its story and characters, but it's not without its flaws.

Beautiful graphics/beautiful girls, it's really a must to look at those girls faces. Beatiful scenes, makes you really love the girls you spend time with.

I played the various paths of this VN many times, with various other choices, checked the .rpa files to see if I missed anything, alle the various different paths give you very small differences in how you touch/kiss/grobe the various girls.

It seems some kind of Harem/multiple girls could be an option, it all depends of the dev. Would be nice to have some kind of walkthrough, I checked the various rpy files to see what different choice do, unfortunately many relatively cryptic variables are set.

I've been following this game since as long as I can remember from the very beggining and I'm glad I came across it since, for me it's one of best VN in terms of this type of content that I ever seen. Story building is amazing and im glad it came focused in building all the characters main's and side of stories first and slowly but steady always leaving us guessing what secrets are there still to be revealed. It's so awesome how all the characters are connected by their past or horrible experiences in life and progression is unique since all of them have different personalities. The models are so beautiful and every single one of them detailed and I hope it keeps this way.

In terms of adult content there's none for now and im glad the creators are doing the plans slowly for that since in reality everything needs a good story to back everything up and characters need to know each other first and thats what happens in real life. If people expect sex scenes right away there's a ton of games out there that jump right into it which ends in rushed completion and in something that you will never remember or comeback for the expererience.

Soundtrack also it's been improving since day one and the tracks are awesome they really stick in your ear and they complement the story and its really well adapted.

For now everything as been awesome with this game I love it and im always anxious and excited everytime it has an update. Im glad it takes it's own time, improvements are nice and steady too and I hope you guys keep up the amazing work that has been made till now. No rushed story or decisions which im glad and that's the way to go to make a VN that makes anyone come back for even for just a few more renders of story.

Thank you for making this amazing masterpiece I'm really excited to see what the future holds for all the characters and the mysteries that they shown us even if a glimpse and see where all they're ambitions are gonna take them .

Keep up the good work as always and keep it amazing like it has been so far

Renders -
Industry standard, not much to add.
Game looks incredible.

Dialogue -
It's good some characters have nice banter and personality,
Others are more flat, having a big roster of actors is understandable.

Satisfaction -
Despite being a slow story you have your pick of LIs that are very cute and most people have immersion. Cheeto and Bella are the fan favorite for a reason.

Fetishes -
Yes, blue balls.

The best visual novel I've ever played. Everything is just top-notch, from the script to the visuals to the plot. We need to see more of these games made with real emotion and heart, they're just so much more engaging and fun than your average shit made by ren´py. Really hope this game inspires more like it. I've not subscribed to any Patreon before, but this game convinced me to. Easily 5/5 stars.
P.S: (Where it Began is also extraordinarily well made, though I find the emotional aspect of Summer's Gone resonates with me more)