Finally had time to start a new run as I wished to see all the small tweaks that invariably will happen as Ocean polishes this up for Steam.
It's the little things that maybe I missed on my last play through that really warmed me up to the changes. Ayua going into NIka's room, and warning him, as well as showing how bad ass she is was really quite touching. Nika's dissacociation seems more clearly defined early on - he lacks empathy, and when Ayua and Nami turn on him, he realises he's an asshole - logically, but not emotionally. A lot of his manipulative ways are because he lacks empathy to place himself in another context, yet he still defends Mila to Bella at every opportunity it seems. So the comment Mila makes about his mind being fractured seems very appropriate. As the becomes more social, he loses track of things as well, he's so focused on managing /coping that he either hyperfocused or goes blank. I think at least some of the things he forgets are written intentionally, to show that he doesn't remember things that he doesn't value.
I'm warming up to Vic's character more. In fact, every single main character other than Nadia (just from lack of scenes in her case) seemed to develop some depth of character in a good way. Zara is a bundle of joy and impulsive now we're on her good side. THe whay she looks at Nika when he praised her was such a wholesome moment. Nia, well, being along in that space... performing for the panopticon, having an absence of close friends since Summer disappeared, I really hope that Ocean will write paths where you can be supportive even if you decide to follow a single love interest. I don't like the idea that choosing one person as a love interest means that you'll focus solely on that person. I imagine there will be plenty of dealing with Nami's insecurities while romancing Bella, so maybe I'm worried for nothing. Sasha is the most interesting to me because she is about as antisocial as Nika, and she's a deeply conflicted person who hides her emotions too well. There's no point discussing Bella, it's pretty explanatory. Her unguarded expressions when no one is looking says it all. The way she can't stay away or stop calling Nika to do their course work ...maybe she'll decide course work means handcuffing him next time he's over to study in season 2...
Nika finally seems like a consistent character - he's no longer half trenchcoat half dinner jacket. I wonder if the cinematic at the start with Vic brough back any memories of what happened to Summer - the way Vic has the same erasers, and the way Nika implies he feels he needs her as well; I do wonder if Ocean is intending there to be metaphors linking Vic's progress towards Nika with Nika relinquishing memories of Summer, regardless of who he romances.
I also spent a lot of time looking for people in the background. Might do another playthrough to see if Katie appears on campus, now we know her look in this timeframe.
The bookclub scene and Detective Cerill are probably the two most interesting developments. Noji being quite prudish while having a friend in Emilia is interesting, and all the tie ins with the WiaB generation are starting to show their influence. I forget who mentioned the idea that Noji might be Miru's sister, that's a very interesting theory that does enable Noji to know all these people. It'll be interesting to see how the interactions with Katie develop the back story. I'm not going to guess about Nika and Nami's parents, I'm pretty sure Ocean's going to keep it ambigious for quite a while yet.
The biggest inconsistencies are the spelling and grammar mistakes - I kinda have the feeling some of the continuity mistakes (like Nika appearing to forget Sonya) will change once the last part of the rework gets dropped with 5 full. I also noticed that some of the changed renders haven't yet been implemented, some things have just been cut without their continuity restored. I still managed to work out what the scenes implied. Less continuity problems than the last version.
And for all the naysayers who hate opinions so much: playing a beta and complaining about inconsistencies? Priceless trolling, go back to doomscrolling politics on social media. That's also something in beta you can argue about, except it's real time. Imagine all the fun you can have.
I enjoyed my escape from reality in any regards.
With how strongly Bella is against motorcycles, it might be assumed that this is related to her sister's coma.
I think one of the possible reasons why her sister is in a coma, because of a motorcycle accident caused by Bella's father.
Maybe the dialogue in chapter 2 alludes to this?
MC: By the way... Where is your fath-
MC: Uhm, I hope this wasn't on the same level as- you know.
Bella: I hope he's dead.
Nice pickups of Bella not liking bikes: what if it was Nicks' motorcycle accident that caused this? A long coma is plausible, but I don't think her sister is a sleeping beauty that has spent decades unconscious. How many children in comas would survive into adulthood? But I guess it will be a mystery for a while - Bella's flashbacks do imply it was a long time in the past, otherwise here sister would probably have been nearby while she was being bullied. But I can't imagine someone growing up asleep for that long. THey way Bella was so casual with Nika on the phone while sitting at her sister's bedside, shows it's not very recent, as does Amber's fairly lighthearted manner when Nika mentions Bella's sister - I would think Amber would have more than an "oh" to say about Nika triggering Bella over Amber's coma daughter.
Season 1 is intended to reach a broad audience.
Meushi gave a great summary one post above yours.
We believe that Season 2 will have more lewd scenes and sex.
My theory - the MC/Amber trip to the cabin where he suffered some major level of trauma will start the process to heal him from the psychological trauma that seriously limits his ability to get excited for other women (he did tell Nami that he can get excited when he thinks about Summer - which of course no other woman wants to hear if he is with her).
If my theory holds, then the MC is going to start to have a sexual response to the various women around him.
This could actually be comical in some ways - like the MC getting a boner in class while giving a presentation, while lying in Amber's lap while they are in a therapy session or imagine him getting major wood while talking with the cougars at the next book club meeting - the possibilities for humor and opening the door for one off sexy time with a few cougars are Endless!!.
Ocean has All kinds of ways to play up the MC once the genie is 'uncorked'
So I see Season 2 (chapters 6 - 10) being far more than rated 13+.
Believe me - it is hard to wait for the sexy time, but I absolutely believe that it will be worth it And that it will fit the story rather than trend towards Pornhub shorts.
I suspect (how I would do it if it was me) that the tags for Summers Gone will change once we start getting sexy time. If a chapter adds HJ and BJ, then I think that those tags will be added once the content includes that.
I also believe that the opening screen (blueball warning) will go away or be modified once sexy time arrives.
If a great story without sexy time is not your thing, I recommend checking back in and looking at tags/reading commentary once CH 6/6.5 is out.
There are plenty of other AVNs on F95 that have good stories and sexy time - I'm enjoying a number of them now.
Cheers!!
I'm guessing the blueballing scene will disappear for Steam. There is literally no need for it for a self contained release as season one won't have any sex, and it would set the wrong tone for something that is trying to avoid the NSFW tag. After all, G rated shows don't need an explanation of why they are safe for people like Bookclub Kelly