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

[BobTheDuck]

They are clearly at the very least step siblings, and Nojiko is their guardian or stepmother. No damned "landlady" would be paying the bills for a tenant. Nor treating them the way Nojiko does.

Clearly? At least? Nothing is clear other than Ocean hasn't clarified. My take is that Noji was intended as an adopted parent, and it's possible they are step siblings. But equally likely is that Noji is their foster parent, whether formally or informally. If informally, that would explain Jenna's comment about Noji having "done the right thing". ie if Noji has done all this off the books, out of loyalty to Nika and Nami's parents, whoever they are, that would explain why a doctor is poor, raising two kids with no partner and no sweet govt kickbacks. Saying Noji "did the right thing" is a really, really weird comment which I'm sure we'll find out more about. Especially the way Ocean zooms in on Jenna's eye right after as she keeps the secret of what Noji did. If it was just a simple explanation, Ocean wouldn't need this setup in the bookclub. This implies it's far more of a drama that is really part of the story, and Ocean's clumsy fumbling with Noji's surname is him trying to work out the best way to tell that part.

And yes patreon made it hard, but there's no indication Noji was ever married that I can recall, she's looked after Nika and Nami since they were 3 and 4, they'd know about any photos of ex husbands in the 15 years they've lived with her. Nika recalls his mums voice reading to him... Basically we really know nothing other than they live with Noji and she is their undefined caregiver, and her surname is Miyazaki, not Cyrus. This means most likely foster parent/guardian. We don't even know if Nami's surname is Cyrus, only that Nika's is - you can check the script for that easily. This is just all we have to really go on, and it's not much.

 

[yossa999]

Clearly? At least? Nothing is clear other than Ocean hasn't clarified. My take is that Noji was intended as an adopted parent, and it's possible they are step siblings. But equally likely is that Noji is their foster parent, whether formally or informally. If informally, that would explain Jenna's comment about Noji having "done the right thing". ie if Noji has done all this off the books, out of loyalty to Nika and Nami's parents, whoever they are, that would explain why a doctor is poor, raising two kids with no partner and no sweet govt kickbacks. Saying Noji "did the right thing" is a really, really weird comment which I'm sure we'll find out more about. Especially the way Ocean zooms in on Jenna's eye right after as she keeps the secret of what Noji did. If it was just a simple explanation, Ocean wouldn't need this setup in the bookclub. This implies it's far more of a drama that is really part of the story, and Ocean's clumsy fumbling with Noji's surname is him trying to work out the best way to tell that part.

And yes patreon made it hard, but there's no indication Noji was ever married that I can recall, she's looked after Nika and Nami since they were 3 and 4, they'd know about any photos of ex husbands in the 15 years they've lived with her. Nika recalls his mums voice reading to him... Basically we really know nothing other than they live with Noji and she is their undefined caregiver, and her surname is Miyazaki, not Cyrus. This means most likely foster parent/guardian. We don't even know if Nami's surname is Cyrus, only that Nika's is - you can check the script for that easily. This is just all we have to really go on, and it's not much.

Well spotted! Strange things happen when you read the author's story instead of listening to the voices in your head or arguments on a forum.

 

[White cat6]

The thing is, we've barely been introduced to the characters, we've had a few teenage dramas (the handcuffs, the Holgerson plot) but we really have no idea how Melanie fits in. Darkness comes from someone who wants to stab Victoria's eyes out, who tried to drown her. Vic already has to deal with the idea of being a cripple, but she also has to wonder about Melanie, there is definite foreshadowing there. The sadness of Nia is heartbreaking. Nami's past is dark, Nika has the violent incident to come to light still. Jeff recognises Nika's sad eyes because he's had something bad happen too. Mila's been abused to the point she flinches. Sasha is scarred and takes medication for panic attacks herself. Bella's totally a stable person in all this, who loves being wild and chaotic. Melanie's sister is unhinged and probably happy to ignore the book.

There's plenty of opportunity for drama and failure. But keep aware that even in the darkest stories it's rare to have something end on a complete downer like Empire Strikes Back, or the Unholy Consult. Few people can accept a true failure for the main character. Pure existentialism doesn't sell well. Just as you wish for the victory to be meaningful in contrast with the risk of defeat, the risk of defeat is only meaningful as an obstruction to success. Where there is no success, being grim and doomy is just as terrible writing.

But even then, this is just one kind of story. There are plenty of ways to establish drama and weighty consequence without risk of failure. Oedipus Rex is a great example of that. The inward journey of self discovery, facing ourselves in the mirror is also perilous, because we risk ourselves against the security of apathy. This is primarily the story that Nika faces. Will be deal honestly enough to become a better person, face his flaws that led to Summer being gone? Or will he repeat the problems, or never leave that safe nest of apathy?

Nika acting as a manwhore could turn off some of the LI's. They might not want much to do with him, and might be content not having a romance. People can reject someone and stay single - the love interests don't need to have partners, they could just gravitate to flings and experiment. Nika might fail to establish a sustainable romance, and they rip his heart out callously.

There's so much potential for drama, all that is required is to avoid the cliche's

Melanie fits perfectly into the plot. I remember earlier I wrote that Bella looks like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. So at the end of Part 5, we were shown not Bella and her sister, but her two faces: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. And Bella, Amber's daughter, is the girl who sleeps. And the "adequate Bella" who likes to be wild and chaotic is Mr. Hyde. You remember what Mr. Hyde did, right? But Bella wasn't always like that. So where did Mr. Hyde come from?

 

[vampires69'in]

Clearly? At least? Nothing is clear other than Ocean hasn't clarified. My take is that Noji was intended as an adopted parent, and it's possible they are step siblings. But equally likely is that Noji is their foster parent, whether formally or informally. If informally, that would explain Jenna's comment about Noji having "done the right thing". ie if Noji has done all this off the books, out of loyalty to Nika and Nami's parents, whoever they are, that would explain why a doctor is poor, raising two kids with no partner and no sweet govt kickbacks. Saying Noji "did the right thing" is a really, really weird comment which I'm sure we'll find out more about. Especially the way Ocean zooms in on Jenna's eye right after as she keeps the secret of what Noji did. If it was just a simple explanation, Ocean wouldn't need this setup in the bookclub. This implies it's far more of a drama that is really part of the story, and Ocean's clumsy fumbling with Noji's surname is him trying to work out the best way to tell that part.

And yes patreon made it hard, but there's no indication Noji was ever married that I can recall, she's looked after Nika and Nami since they were 3 and 4, they'd know about any photos of ex husbands in the 15 years they've lived with her. Nika recalls his mums voice reading to him... Basically we really know nothing other than they live with Noji and she is their undefined caregiver, and her surname is Miyazaki, not Cyrus. This means most likely foster parent/guardian. We don't even know if Nami's surname is Cyrus, only that Nika's is - you can check the script for that easily. This is just all we have to really go on, and it's not much.

the point is they aren't "roomies" and she's no landlady

 

[vampires69'in]

Clearly? At least? Nothing is clear other than Ocean hasn't clarified. My take is that Noji was intended as an adopted parent, and it's possible they are step siblings. But equally likely is that Noji is their foster parent, whether formally or informally. If informally, that would explain Jenna's comment about Noji having "done the right thing". ie if Noji has done all this off the books, out of loyalty to Nika and Nami's parents, whoever they are, that would explain why a doctor is poor, raising two kids with no partner and no sweet govt kickbacks. Saying Noji "did the right thing" is a really, really weird comment which I'm sure we'll find out more about. Especially the way Ocean zooms in on Jenna's eye right after as she keeps the secret of what Noji did. If it was just a simple explanation, Ocean wouldn't need this setup in the bookclub. This implies it's far more of a drama that is really part of the story, and Ocean's clumsy fumbling with Noji's surname is him trying to work out the best way to tell that part.

And yes patreon made it hard, but there's no indication Noji was ever married that I can recall, she's looked after Nika and Nami since they were 3 and 4, they'd know about any photos of ex husbands in the 15 years they've lived with her. Nika recalls his mums voice reading to him... Basically we really know nothing other than they live with Noji and she is their undefined caregiver, and her surname is Miyazaki, not Cyrus. This means most likely foster parent/guardian. We don't even know if Nami's surname is Cyrus, only that Nika's is - you can check the script for that easily. This is just all we have to really go on, and it's not much.

Mind you, I'll admit that this is my conjecture. but this landlady roomie nonsense is patreon fuckery. next season she'll probably be called their study buddy this point

 

[BobTheDuck]

Melanie fits perfectly into the plot. I remember earlier I wrote that Bella looks like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. So at the end of Part 5, we were shown not Bella and her sister, but her two faces: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. And Bella, Amber's daughter, is the girl who sleeps. And the "adequate Bella" who likes to be wild and chaotic is Mr. Hyde. You remember what Mr. Hyde did, right? But Bella wasn't always like that. So where did Mr. Hyde come from?

I'm not sure what you mean, we see them both in the same animation, they are shown as two separate people. We haven't had a single instance where a person has shown mental trauma as an externalised vision/phantom. We also know that there is a sister from the painting shown earlier. It's also not Bella's mental game, because she's talking to Nika. I also think what we've seen of Bella can be easily explained by trauma without needing multiple personalities.

I certainly agree Melanie is an interesting and important character to the plot, it'll be interesting to see what Ocean does with her.

the point is they aren't "roomies" and she's no landlady

Well, they're all now Nick, Zara and Vanessa's roomies! Everyone is 1 degree of separation from a roomie!

I honestly just mentally translate what I think the case is (from playing too many AVNs), it's like reading sheet music while playing guitar in drop D and having to transpose on the fly.

 

[yossa999]

Mind you, I'll admit that this is my conjecture. but this landlady roomie nonsense is patreon fuckery. next season she'll probably be called their study buddy this point

Landlady, roommates... So, the MC's antigravity haircut doesn't bother you at all? Or the unnatural muscle growth in a day?

 

[vampires69'in]

I'm not sure what you mean, we see them both in the same animation, they are shown as two separate people. We haven't had a single instance where a person has shown mental trauma as an externalised vision/phantom. We also know that there is a sister from the painting shown earlier. It's also not Bella's mental game, because she's talking to Nika. I also think what we've seen of Bella can be easily explained by trauma without needing multiple personalities.

I certainly agree Melanie is an interesting and important character to the plot, it'll be interesting to see what Ocean does with her.



Well, they're all now Nick, Zara and Vanessa's roomies! Everyone is 1 degree of separation from a roomie!

I honestly just mentally translate what I think the case is (from playing too many AVNs), it's like reading sheet music while playing guitar in drop D and having to transpose on the fly.

 

[vampires69'in]

Landlady, roommates... So, the MC's antigravity haircut doesn't bother you at all? Or the unnatural muscle growth in a day?

It's less ridiculous than landlady's and roomies lol. That's how much I hate that shit lol. His unnatural muscle growth is.... I just roll with it lol. his hair.... I just don't even acknowledge how it or why it works. or how they're having a sleepover within a week of meeting or how Bella and Nika can become soulmates within a week lol. I think even Nadia commented on it, lol. Idunno, there's plenty in this game I don't know how I accept it. I guess I just like what I like regardless of fuckery in this game

 

[mommysboiii]

Gawd, I'm so glad that SG is nothing like ORS and I hope never will be.

Spoiler: Offtop

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I get it man not for everyone

 

[Dr.TSoni]

how Bella and Nika can become soulmates within a week

Imprinting

 

[yossa999]

I get it man not for everyone
View attachment 4018554

 

[vampires69'in]

Imprinting

oh no, all I can think of is twatlight. I know it's in other things but...lol

 

[PaxHadrian17]

I'm not sure what you mean, we see them both in the same animation, they are shown as two separate people. We haven't had a single instance where a person has shown mental trauma as an externalised vision/phantom. We also know that there is a sister from the painting shown earlier. It's also not Bella's mental game, because she's talking to Nika. I also think what we've seen of Bella can be easily explained by trauma without needing multiple personalities.

I certainly agree Melanie is an interesting and important character to the plot, it'll be interesting to see what Ocean does with her.



Well, they're all now Nick, Zara and Vanessa's roomies! Everyone is 1 degree of separation from a roomie!

I honestly just mentally translate what I think the case is (from playing too many AVNs), it's like reading sheet music while playing guitar in drop D and having to transpose on the fly.

I think the MC and Zara being roomies is great.

Vanessa, however, strikes me as the creepy roomie who you find standing over you, just staring at you at 3 AM when something woke you from a sound sleep.

Before you can even say a word, she turns and leaves the room, making you wonder if you were dreaming.

Then you remember that you locked the door before you went to sleep and it is now open...

Now, does she visit Nika or Nami first?

Cheers!!

 

[BobTheDuck]

I think the MC and Zara being roomies is great.

Vanessa, however, strikes me as the creepy roomie who you find standing over you, just staring at you at 3 AM when something woke you from a sound sleep.

Before you can even say a word, she turns and leaves the room, making you wonder if you were dreaming.

Then you remember that you locked the door before you went to sleep and it is now open...

Now, does she visit Nika or Nami first?

Cheers!!

You forgot the bit where you look down and realise there's stitches across your stomach and you can't feel your liver... did I fall asleep in the jacuzzi filled with ice??? damn gotta stop Nick sending me more rum seeing I don't have a liver any more.... ohhhh zzzzzzzzz.

 

[RNasc4444]

It's less ridiculous than landlady's and roomies lol. That's how much I hate that shit lol. His unnatural muscle growth is.... I just roll with it lol. his hair.... I just don't even acknowledge how it or why it works. or how they're having a sleepover within a week of meeting or how Bella and Nika can become soulmates within a week lol. I think even Nadia commented on it, lol. Idunno, there's plenty in this game I don't know how I accept it. I guess I just like what I like regardless of fuckery in this game

I mean...it doesn't help that we've spent the past 3 years of development in like 3 game days... I'm still waiting on the sparring session with Ayua on Sunday. They made plans at the start or middle of the week. It's been 3 years since chapter 2 or 3 came out AND IT'S STILL NOT FUCKING SUNDAY!

Imo, the entire game is one huge "just roll with it"

I still like it enough, though. It's not on my top 10, it's not a big priority for me compared to other games but I still enjoy it somewhat and understand that so many others do too. And I have no issue when yossa999 calls it "one of the best stories on this site". I'm sure SG is top 100 in that regard. But we have to admit AVN's don't usually set a high standard for storytelling so it's not that big of an accomplishment.

 

[vampires69'in]

I mean...it doesn't help that we've spent the past 3 years of development in like 3 game days... I'm still waiting on the sparring session with Ayua on Sunday. They made plans at the start or middle of the week. It's been 3 years since chapter 2 or 3 came out AND IT'S STILL NOT FUCKING SUNDAY!

Imo, the entire game is one huge "just roll with it"

I still like it enough, though. It's not on my top 10, it's not a big priority for me compared to other games but I still enjoy it somewhat and understand that so many others do too. And I have no issue when yossa999 calls it "one of the best stories on this site". I'm sure SG is top 100 in that regard. But we have to admit AVN's don't usually set a high standard for storytelling so it's not that big of an accomplishment.

I roll with it for sanity sakes, lol. And I haven't even been a part of this forum discussion or played the game as long as you guys, lol. Even with all the oddities, the landlady, roomie one fucks me up the most still . And I really want to see that Ayua sparring session ;/

 

[yossa999]

I mean...it doesn't help that we've spent the past 3 years of development in like 3 game days... I'm still waiting on the sparring session with Ayua on Sunday. They made plans at the start or middle of the week. It's been 3 years since chapter 2 or 3 came out AND IT'S STILL NOT FUCKING SUNDAY!

Imo, the entire game is one huge "just roll with it"

I still like it enough, though. It's not on my top 10, it's not a big priority for me compared to other games but I still enjoy it somewhat and understand that so many others do too. And I have no issue when yossa999 calls it "one of the best stories on this site". I'm sure SG is top 100 in that regard. But we have to admit AVN's don't usually set a high standard for storytelling so it's not that big of an accomplishment.

Fuck your sparring, I want my cabin therapy session with Amber!

When I hear about good storytelling, quality of writing and other crap, I start to feel a little butthurt!

Metrics, bitches, give me a metric by which you measure whether a story is good or bad. Are you sure it's universal?
I can only come up with something like the ratio of grammatical errors to the volume of text. But personally, I don't give a shit about that.

Every bitch on the internet writes an article every now and then called "The Six Rules of Great Storytelling" or something like that. Even on this fucking site you can find this shit, like the 12-rules-guy's opus. Do you agree with their criteria for a good game?

My "This game has the best story on this site" is as much bullshit as yours "Ocean is a bad storyteller". It's just old good "I like/I hate", nothing objective in that.

 

[N1ghtcrawler]

Vanessa, however, strikes me as the creepy roomie who you find standing over you, just staring at you at 3 AM when something woke you from a sound sleep.

Before you can even say a word, she turns and leaves the room, making you wonder if you were dreaming.

Then you remember that you locked the door before you went to sleep and it is now open...

 

[Talmadge]

Question. Do we get any more on Cheeto's back story? I know her parents died like the MC's. But do we know when? And when she came to live with him and Namji? [I think that's her name].

The way I read it, the MC came to live with her at 3 when they died. Which leads me to believe they are a foster family instead of a regular Landlady/Tenant relationship.

Plus, I'm a sucker for a good back story.