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

[vampires69'in]

View attachment 4037695

 

[RNasc4444]

View attachment 4037695

Fuck, she's pretty!
Y'all can have Katie, Amber and every single other cougar/milf in the game. I'll just take landlady Noji

Disclaimer: I reserve the right to forsake this opinion if Ocean keeps increasing the size of her features!

 

[LHDLLB]

......or fucking them

Lyrics of Bummer by Monster Magnet
verse
You're looking for the one who fucked your mom
It's not me
It's not me
verse
You're looking for the one who made you cry
That's not me
It's not me
verse
If you wanna stuff your garbage in that hole
Oh, baby I'm your man of the hour
verse
You think the world's got the evil eye on you
That's not true
That's not true
verse
The only one I see causing major pain
Is just you
It's just you
chorus
If you wanna spank your demons and make 'em pay
Then baby I'm your man of the hour
verse
Some people go to bed with Lucifer
Then they cry when they don't greet the day with God

If it Leia is one of the demons, as I think she is, I might just marry them.

Oh yes, I think we're mostly on the same page. I'm not for stripping away choices, but we make choices based on what we think we know - ie the chicken burger choice ideal is bot terrible and great in a way. It's a choice where we can't know the outcome. Make it a less flippant choice where the character has to choose between (metaphorically) pepsi or coke, and suddenly the character has forgotten about water. That's the kind of choices that I like, one where the outcomes feel uncertain. But it is a risk, because it can feel meaningless if done as poorly as the chicken burger in WiaB.

It's like Nika chooses to go to the gym alone and meets Robin and Sasha, but what he learns from them is mutually exclusive from what he learns if he goes with Nami or Mila. In Nami's case, we find out Nia knew something about Summer, well before CH5. If Nika goes to the Holgerson raid, then he doesn't find out Couch Hill has been watching his progress from before Summer disappeared. There's all these choices where there are outcomes that are contingent on the choice, but unrelated specifically - the choice positions Nika in a new situation, which leads to different events. The chikcen burger is bad, because there is literally no reason to choose one over the other, while these choices in SG do have a reason to differentiate.

I am just thinking that the consequences of the choice can be escalated, and riskier. I'm sure it'll happen.

Will try to keep it short, one because I agree with you and the other that I feel we already reached the end of this exchange. Just want to say that how different iterations reveals different peaces of the puzzles is one aspects that I like the most and one that encourage replaytability once there is not much branching yet in the story. That said, we as player may have more information than Nika does, will be interesting to see if knowing certain things as Nika open up new choices that we otherwise would not get and how those different pieces of information may change our (and Nika's) perspective of the characters. I know that Ch5 changed my - and Nika- perception of Nia.

Really??? I feel exactly the opposite. In most games the MC's are often portrayed as straight up attractive, successful, powerful or fairly wealthy which is naturally appealing to the LI's. It's boring and played out but it makes sense for the most part.

Why everyone loves SG's MC is a mystery to me. A pale, "hobo looking" shut-in with poor social skills and a manipulative nature, that approaches every conversation with a blunt dickishness. Dude's 10x worse than Vanessa. And yet somehow everyone seems drawn to him even when he treats them like garbage.

It's so off-putting watching sweet naive and innocent Vic watch him be an asshole and still treat him warmly. Even though I'd consider him a decent person, he projects a far less sympathetic persona.

So yeah, I gotta disagree. To me watching everyone swoon over himis about as realistic as his muscle growth with 2 gym visits...

While I don't think Nika is perfect - some of his inner monologues comes out as cringe as fuck - I do like him as a MC and find his character a interesting one, have a protagonist with ED on a porn game is bold to say the least, and while early iterations of his character are even worse I find the new one quite appealing. I like the portray of him as a "limp dick emo" for the first chapters in contrast to William or others Mc that starts the game "having it all", it just fits the story better, in just 5 chapters we already see how he changes, how much will it be in 32 ? SG is about Nika becoming someone, so have him starting so low makes sense.

I think New Nika much more chill, before the reworks he was straight out a psychopath, I find his dickishness now more natural of someone who was recluse for a long time trying to come back to the world, now how much characters will put up to that we will have to wait to see. Now I don't get the impression that everyone is drawn to him inexplicably, if we look at the LIs that we come close in S1 every single one had a reason to sympathize with Nika.

Bella and Nami there is no reason to explain. But Zara becomes interested on the Mc after he bested her on a match, and proves yourself as a worthy adversary/ Vanessa, simply by your indifference to her mental games sparks a curiosity of her part/ Milla, there is different reasons there is her competition with Bella and just her necessity to have somebody that she can rely on/ Vic is the only one that I think is starkstuck but I think everyone agrees that theres is something odd there/ Nia has her connection to Summer and her loneliness. this is not to say that there is not problems with some of these and all is perfect but is not with out reason that these character takes a interest in Nika.

 

[LHDLLB]

how to access this route???

what route ?

 

[BobTheDuck]

how to access this route???

It's unsure at the moment. I'd say you likely have to say that you make a great team with Bella, and tell Nami about your change of perception, accepting both their routes. We won't know until the path exists in the game what choices we need to make to get there, and also how to keep any path from falling apart - Ocean's said that the throuple paths will be the hardest because people ten to get jealous easily in that kind of situation if you spend more time with one or the other.

 

[Raed2A]

what route ?

bella and cheeto but
BobTheDuck
answered

 

[RNasc4444]

I think New Nika much more chill, before the reworks he was straight out a psychopath, I find his dickishness now more natural of someone who was recluse for a long time trying to come back to the world, now how much characters will put up to that we will have to wait to see. Now I don't get the impression that everyone is drawn to him inexplicably, if we look at the LIs that we come close in S1 every single one had a reason to sympathize with Nika.

All fair takes but I have to address this one. When I mention pre-rework MC, everyone always assumes I'm refering to the very early iterations of his character when I really mean ch3.0 or ch3.5 MC. I won't miss the gun shenanigans after the accident but everything else about his personality was fine. He wasn't as psychotic as earlier versions but was still interesting.

What sucks for me is I will never be able to empathize with this panic attack having goober. I don't need to be shown the MC having a breakdown to understand that he's damaged. It's "show, don't tell" taken to the extreme.

 

[Penfold Mole]

...
EDIT: I still maintain that toning his character down did him no favors. The panic attack shit is laughably bad and probably the main reason why I will never fully like him. I much preferred his depiction prior to these changes.

Ocean may not have any personal experience of a panic attack, so maybe the way he pictures and describes it isn't accurate enough for those who have. I'm not one to know, so for me they look plausible and believable enough.
But the panic attack scene in the book club was to me one of the most beautifully made scenes of the game so far. Universally understandable and full of symbolism, some of which I may have not even recognized well enough.

Just let me recall it with some samples of the camera work, lighting and composition I liked the most:

First render: Medium close-up shot of sweaty looking Nika, description of the first signs of the panic attack. Background music switches to A.W - Darkness Inside. Perfect for the scene.

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Second shot: Camera moves away from Nika (would this be a movie, it would be a lean-out), he becomes smaller, all alone in a large empty room. As if the room is becoming larger compared to Nika, swallowing him (Is that arc in the back meant to look like a mouth about to swallow him or is it just me?)

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Next shot: Nika from behind, the lights seem to go out, darkness falls over his mind.

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- side view of Nika leaning onto the handrail of the balcony as the strength to stand up is leaving him.

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- Medium close-up of Nika in the darkness, instinct to flee overwhelming his mind.

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- A view of the room from down below the balcony, Nika looking for a way to escape in panic. Considering to jump...

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- Nika suffocating, falling down next to the handrail. A single eerie looking light in the darkness, straight into the camera.

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- An angelic silhouette appears, surrounded by the light like a halo.

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- A side view medium close up of Nika and a rather angelic-looking Sasha. The light from behind reflecting from her blonde hair (still a reference to a halo, I think)

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- Sasha puts a pill on Nika's tongue. (Is this a reference to Christian Holy Communion with the pill as the communion bread?)

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- And their hands in close-up as Sasha is holding his hand.

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- Next close up of Nika and Sasha, the normal lights come back, darkness fades. Sasha's hair still lighted from behind.

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- Sasha's concerned face, beautiful close up: "Better?" And the music switching to Vesky - Thinking Of You.

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- Nika and Sasha from behind, standing side-by-side, facing the light from the windows.

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- Sasha and Nika in medium close-up, with Sasha in front and in focus, Nika out of focus. Sasha's side of the image is flooded by the light from the front and back, Nika's side has still a dark background, but he's looking into the light now (if this image is not symbolic, then call me clueless).

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One of the best scenes. Excellent work, IMHO. Even if the panic attack doesn't look real enough or the pill likely can't be what it was called, Sertraline or whatever. I don't care. This scene works perfectly, it's beautiful, I love it.

 

[RNasc4444]

One of the best scenes. Excellent work, IMHO. Even if the panic attack doesn't look real enough or the pill likely can't be what it was called, Sertraline or whatever. I don't care. This scene works perfectly, it's beautiful, I love it.

Oh I have no issues whatsoever with how it's depicted. And Ocean usually sets up amazing scenes, can't dispute that.

My point of contention is the panic attacks even existing. I don't think they were ever needed and I don't think they enhance the character or the story, quite the contrary. But that's just my opinion.

 

[Penfold Mole]

But that scene is really good. The game wouldn't be the same without it. And it needed for Nika to have those panic attacks or it wouldn't have happened otherwise.
Lots of people have panic attacks, it doesn't even have to be a consequence of Summer's disappearance. It could be PTSD from the "violent incident" instead. Plausible? I think it is.

 

[vampires69'in]

Oh I have no issues whatsoever with how it's depicted. And Ocean usually sets up amazing scenes, can't dispute that.

My point of contention is the panic attacks even existing. I don't think they were ever needed and I don't think they enhance the character or the story, quite the contrary. But that's just my opinion.

A fair take. His sadness and longing to be healed and have closure to move on should be enough.

 

[BobTheDuck]

Oh I have no issues whatsoever with how it's depicted. And Ocean usually sets up amazing scenes, can't dispute that.

My point of contention is the panic attacks even existing. I don't think they were ever needed and I don't think they enhance the character or the story, quite the contrary. But that's just my opinion.

I love the same scene as Penfold Mole, but I also see your point. But there is an element of "why does the MC have black hair?" At some point an author makes choices about the characters that seem superfluous, but they add a dimension to the character rather than functionality. Nika is already broken enough, but the panic attacks specifically deny his sense of self control. This is already present in his ED, but it's easier to show that he doesn't know how to feel normal in all kinds of situations. When neatly dressed up and chatting to people at the bookclub, we can easily assume by his internal dialogue that he feels competent and in control of himself. The panic attacks serve to show that there is a part of him that he hasn't accepted and doesn't know how to face.

The scene with Sasha is powerful because she brings him back to himself. There could easily be a different scene, but why not this scene? It's a great way to show for all NIka's belief he's smart and wise about how to manipulate himself, he isn't in control of as much as he thinks.

 

[Penfold Mole]

Nika's dark hair is definitely one of the symbols. Sasha's blonde hair likely, too. And Bella's.
Actually, now that you mentioned it, the hair color of characters may be more significant than I've ever realized. The classic question: "Why is Nami red?" gains another dimension. And after Ayua and the other girl changed their hair color partially... What does this mean?

Damnit, Ocean. Even more mysteries

 

[vampires69'in]

Nika's dark hair is definitely one of the symbols. Sasha's blonde hair likely, too. And Bella's.
Actually, now that you mentioned it, the hair color of characters may be more significant than I've ever realized. The classic question: "Why is Nami red?" gains another dimension. And after Ayua and the other girl changed their hair color partially... What does this mean?

Damnit, Ocean. Even more mysteries

 

[LHDLLB]

Nika's dark hair is definitely one of the symbols. Sasha's blonde hair likely, too. And Bella's.
Actually, now that you mentioned it, the hair color of characters may be more significant than I've ever realized. The classic question: "Why is Nami red?" gains another dimension. And after Ayua and the other girl changed their hair color partially... What does this mean?

Damnit, Ocean. Even more mysteries

The update better come soon, we are starting to discuss the significance of hair colors the thread is in dire need of new material. Jokes aside, a character design is a important aspect of any visual story and given the care that Ocean gives to the visual elements of his story I doubt that they are not thought through. Be it hair color, height, clothes and body type - though we know that Ocean has problem with this one- all come together to help form a character, so I don't think we are reading to much when we think what he may have want to convey with Nika's hair color and I sure as hell want to know why Sasha has her friends dyeing their head half white.

 

[vampires69'in]

The update better come soon, we are starting to discuss the significance of hair colors the thread is in dire need of new material. Jokes aside, a character design is a important aspect of any visual story and given the care that Ocean gives to the visual elements of his story I doubt that they are not thought through. Be it hair color, height, clothes and body type - though we know that Ocean has problem with this one- all come together to help form a character, so I don't think we are reading to much when we think what he may have want to convey with Nika's hair color and I sure as hell want to know why Sasha has her friends dyeing their head half white.

I'm calling it... It's an all women's gang (like you'd see in a manga or manhwa) comprised of super cute attractive women that can all beat your ass, and the colours indicates their gang symbol

 

[Kond]

if this relationship really happens it will probably be the dumbest thing I've ever seen in history of avn

rich milf who wants relationship with some depressed teenager. she can literally have any man. rich and successful but she will choose someone like Nika. it doesn't even matter how it came about at all but it's completely illogical

I would understand if it was only about some "friend benefit sexual stuff relationship" where Amber wants to fulfill some desires or sexual fantasies. but the real relationship? that is so dumb

Sorry man, but if we apply your mindset to any game here on F95 probably 99% of MC's would end up alone. But keeping it inside the Summer's Gone world, why any girl would be with MC?
Why Bella would be with him? She is beautiful and rich, she could have any guy and the "crazy" persona would not stop it.
Why Sasha, Mila, Ayua, Zara, Vanessa or any other would? Mila is poor but is hella hot and a good person. Nami also could easily get someone better and with far less problems than MC.
If you apply the logic of "but they have things in common and share traumas, healing and etc", this could be applied to Amber too, she being older doesn't mean she cant have things in common or get attracted to him for some reason. And we are not there yet, so is VERY early to judge, we don't know how Ocean will develop this relationship....very premature to call it dumb.

 

[Adhdclassic]

Can't wait to see how my route with Mila being in Nikas bed right after kissing Nami. Man I hope I'm still alive to see it. Out of all my routes I've saved this is the one I really want to see what happens. Cherry on the cake would be if Nojiko or Vanessa saw the kiss.

 

[vampires69'in]

Can't wait to see how my route with Mila being in Nikas bed right after kissing Nami. Man I hope I'm still alive to see it. Out of all my routes I've saved this is the one I really want to see what happens. Cherry on the cake would be if Nojiko or Vanessa saw the kiss.

 

[LHDLLB]

Sorry man, but if we apply your mindset to any game here on F95 probably 99% of MC's would end up alone. But keeping it inside the Summer's Gone world, why any girl would be with MC?
Why Bella would be with him? She is beautiful and rich, she could have any guy and the "crazy" persona would not stop it.
Why Sasha, Mila, Ayua, Zara, Vanessa or any other would? Mila is poor but is hella hot and a good person. Nami also could easily get someone better and with far less problems than MC.
If you apply the logic of "but they have things in common and share traumas, healing and etc", this could be applied to Amber too, she being older doesn't mean she cant have things in common or get attracted to him for some reason. And we are not there yet, so is VERY early to judge, we don't know how Ocean will develop this relationship....very premature to call it dumb.

While I agree with you, my problem is less with the realism of a older woman having a relationship with a younger man, Ocean knows how to write relationships and I think he can pull it off. The problem that I see is the doctor/patient aspect of it, SG aims to have a -somewhat- realistic world and in the real world it is problematic to say the least, if he can address that in a believable manner than I have no problem with it, I just can not see how he will do it. Yet.

Can't wait to see how my route with Mila being in Nikas bed right after kissing Nami. Man I hope I'm still alive to see it. Out of all my routes I've saved this is the one I really want to see what happens. Cherry on the cake would be if Nojiko or Vanessa saw the kiss.

Nami will be pissed for sure, rightly so. About Nami and Nika being caught by Vanessa, this is only a matter o time, Nami will do something that will lead them to be caught and Vanessa might the lesser problem, there is the report and when in Nami's route once we move out of Nick's house and away from Nojiko... I don't know if poor Nika can survive that, but they will not be alone, how will Milla react or Robin - maybe time to cash in on that favor ? -. I am just hyping myself up and the update still is months away.