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

[Razrback16]

I think ocean has stated that he rewrote some parts during story-boarding because the story was too dark, I can't remember the specific post but I hope someone links it, or maybe I was just imagining stuff.

I think the story will have elements of grim dark and whatnot but not entirely depressing and moody.

Thx, very happy to hear that he throttled back the darkness level. I don't mind some dark stuff because after all we have to have some hurdles for the protagonists to overcome in the story, but ya I don't enjoy games fully if I end up being emotionally devastated.

I think so but I have this feeling she won't be anywhere near our protagonist; it makes sense storywise and Bella already hogged majority of the first few hours of the game, we need screentime for other girls too and if we ever see Bella in ch4, I bet it's going to be just her moping in her bed.

Ya that's what I'm curious to see; how distant Ocean writes Bella to be - she won't be able to get too far unless she avoids the house during MC's therapy sessions and in school they are still working on that project together even though MC asked if they could be split up and Marla denied him. It's funny too as there will be rumors swirling around that they are together like we hear from those bitchy chicks in the restroom if the player chooses to touch Victoria's hand, lol. She won't know how to handle those rumors, and they will probably piss her off - would be funny if Ocean had a scene where her closer friends ask her about being her bridesmaid, lol - she'll probably punch them.

My more realistic expectations are for Bella to get directly angry at MC to a degree even though deep down her character knows this was a good thing and that it was on her, she still has no clue how to process it - the song that plays during that romance scene is fantastic - the Lyrics fit Bella perfectly as she just doesn't know how to handle this and needs time to figure it out. So leading into what you said, I think once she does return to school her shields will fully stay up for a while - and during this time period while MC is forced to stay away from her, other girls will come into the picture and she'll get jealous to a degree, but that'll give the player time to get to know and potentially date other females. Just my personal expectations on it. Looking forward to more Bella content, that's for sure.

 

[Coldmatter]

yip yip, ah hah! that is Summer's Gone all right

congratulations my brother

but I'm afraid once you have experienced the joy that is Summer's Gone there is no going back for you now

your one of us now

one of us
one of us
one of us

Honestly, I often get really giddy and excited and just so emotionally invested in games that are genuinely good like this dik, and delucas. And for good reason! And yet Summer's Gone just manages to do everything else upside down: where games would offer you at times aesthetic choices, for the sake of immersion, that wouldn't actually count for Jack, are non existent in this game. Every damn decision, every crossroad, has a point. And better yet, it doesn't beat around the bush about it. Sure you can speed run the game in like 1 hour, but it sure stretches to 4-6 simply by the fact I'm enjoying the story and I'm taking my time thinking the decisions more thoroughly than what I'd think about my dinner. Game has me royally fucked in that it's just given me this enjoyment of this story. But! I will give one hilarious critique!: As funny as I find it, ocean's gotta do something about the text box during cutscenes, because it's just so funny to me to have there quality scenes only for the immersion to be broken by the god damn text box. Oh and also! The presentation of the the thing is kinda awful, like I thought I was gonna read some generic renpy story that is 3 clicks away from being untouched, but 5 minutes in and it's a fucking gem.

Also FUCKING BELLA MAKING ME REALIZE I HAVE A THING FOR GIRLS WITH PROMINENT EYEBROWS. LIKE GOD DAMN IS SHE ISN'T ROCKING THE CARA DELEVINGNE LOOK.

 

[_BB_]

So on a side topic for everyone here - how dark do you think this story is going to get?

I think ocean has stated that he rewrote some parts during story-boarding because the story was too dark, I can't remember the specific post but I hope someone links it, or maybe I was just imagining stuff.

I think the story will have elements of grim dark and whatnot but not entirely depressing and moody.

"The game is about healing."
This post ↓

My vision with SG has changed quite a bit from 2020 to now.
Back then SG was planned to be a lot darker.

I did cut down on the "real" dark stuff to not make the game too bloated and because I don't stand behind it anymore. (The vision of all games has changed quite a bit. (WiAB, SG, etc.))

MC is an asshole, but he is not a totally fucked up psycho.
The game is about healing.

But still, the MC will never become a real wholesome nice boy. That's just not him.




And about harems.

There'll never be a scenario where you're with more than two girls at the same time that are aware of each other.
The only thing this game will feature is triangles.

And those don't come without their drawbacks.
Example: Girl A feels left out or feels like she doesn't get as much attention as Girl B.

Some of them would never do a triangle in the first place. (Just like you probably wouldn't want to share her.)


The only harem that can happen is during a medieval board game scenario. (DND sessions with Nadia.)

 

[Razrback16]

"The game is about healing."
This post ↓

Thank you!

 

[Fortuna ღ]

What the fuck. WHAT. THE. FUCKING. AND ITS HISTORICAL BACKGROUND. FUCK. IS THIS GAME DOING TO ME. I'm crying whilst writing this. I don't usually cry, but this game, of which I haven't even finished and will try not to but will anyway since I don't want it to end, is genuinely keeping me on my toes so much more than even DIK. Now I wouldn't compare them a whole lot because DIK is more realistic

That's what art does to you. Summer's Gone is meant to be much more than a sex game, but rather a visual novel with adult elements. It's quite literally a prototype of its kind on this side of the internet. I will actually have to disagree about BADIK being more realistic. Both of these AVNs do a wonderful job of immersing you into their world and taking you on a rollercoaster throughout their stories(you're hooked on the story basically). However, I can actually relate to the female characters from Summer's Gone. You can actually find women like the girls from Summer's Gone out in the real world. I was almost exactly like Bella when I was her age, and that's scary considering she doesn't exist. But you'd be very hard-pressed to find someone like Jill in the real world. As far as women go, Oceans has done a much better job of writing them lol. But this, of course, is just my take on it

 

[_A.QH_]

That's what art does to you. Summer's Gone is meant to be much more than a sex game, but rather a visual novel with adult elements. It's quite literally a prototype of its kind on this side of the internet. I will actually have to disagree about BADIK being more realistic. Both of these AVNs do a wonderful job of immersing you into their world and taking you on a rollercoaster throughout their stories(you're hooked on the story basically). However, I can actually relate to the female characters from Summer's Gone. You can actually find women like the girls from Summer's Gone out in the real world. I was almost exactly like Bella when I was her age, and that's scary considering she doesn't exist. But you'd be very hard-pressed to find someone like Jill in the real world. As far as women go, Oceans has done a much better job of writing them lol. But this, of course, is just my take on it

Now I wish I would find a gf like you in real life

 

[`Ray`]

Now I wish I would find a gf like you in real life

 

[_A.QH_]

View attachment 1408346

 

[The_Hybrid]

She is in my signature, where she claimed me... I am eternally hers..

Bella.


In all threads!! She is the multiverse's Queen.

No, Bella's not the Queen anymore... She's the freaking multiverse's Goddess now. The Queen now is Sasha, The Warrior Queen.

I've pledged my life and loyalty to them till the day I die

 

[jaw1986baby]

I don't care how much it cost or how "trendy" it is, I get to the finished part of a haircut and it is this:


Imma CUT a bitch
Like fo reals

 

[Razrback16]

That's what art does to you. Summer's Gone is meant to be much more than a sex game, but rather a visual novel with adult elements. It's quite literally a prototype of its kind on this side of the internet. I will actually have to disagree about BADIK being more realistic. Both of these AVNs do a wonderful job of immersing you into their world and taking you on a rollercoaster throughout their stories(you're hooked on the story basically). However, I can actually relate to the female characters from Summer's Gone. You can actually find women like the girls from Summer's Gone out in the real world. I was almost exactly like Bella when I was her age, and that's scary considering she doesn't exist. But you'd be very hard-pressed to find someone like Jill in the real world. As far as women go, Oceans has done a much better job of writing them lol. But this, of course, is just my take on it

Agreed - I've got a good chunk of hours in BaDik and find it quite fun, but IMO, at least so far, SG one-ups it in the romance and relationship development department. This dev seems to do a better job with certain things in the scenes; things like subtle facial expressions / reactions, hand placement and movement catch my attention far more, along with the scenes and dialogue being longer / better developed in order to convey a lot more substance.

One thing this game does along with BaDik is because it has a larger cast of characters, the game world feels more alive. Games that have smaller casts don't feel anywhere near as realistic. By having scenes with interactions between many characters, a number of whom may not even be love interests is realistic and adds to the feeling of the game.

One thing I wouldn't mind seeing this game (and others) do more of is add more dudes to it (no homo ) - and the reason is because it's realistic. I don't want my character to be the only show in town so-to-speak, and I don't mind competition for the girls because again, it's realistic, especially given how sexy these female characters are, they'd have dudes chasing after them all day long, and as long as the story allowed the player a route to intervene and 'win the girl's affections' that would be a pretty neat dynamic, and girls you weren't interested in could potentially still find some happiness with another character so you didn't feel bad for turning them down or not being interested, etc.

 

[LostGhost]

Do we have a chance to see Bella in chapter 4 ?

I think so maybe a cliff hanger at the end

 

[Soundgfx]

I don't care how much it cost or how "trendy" it is, I get to the finished part of a haircut and it is this:
View attachment 1408430

Imma CUT a bitch
Like fo reals

bruh



asking for a cut like that is going to get you bullied irl. I normally condone bullying but when you have a hairstyle like that, I'd probably bully you lmao

 

[Terminator_26F]

OK, Bella, this is something !!! I understand that we are attached to it and that it monopolizes the thoughts of its supporters. But not me. For me, the girl in real life is Nami. More human, a bit less tormented, more "real", with strong and assumed feelings, more sensitive and fragile than Bella. She is placed in an uncomfortable situation to the one she really loves (her brother) because of her possible role in Summer's disappearance. She cries when her brother leaves for his date with Bella because she fears losing him. Too bad, his brother is an idiot who lets himself be manipulated like an asshole and who is unable to see what is going on around him, blinded by the distant disappearance of Summer.

 

[Soundgfx]

One thing this game does along with BaDik is because it has a larger cast of characters, the game world feels more alive. Games that have smaller casts don't feel anywhere near as realistic. By having scenes with interactions between many characters, a number of whom may not even be love interests is realistic and adds to the feeling of the game.

One thing I wouldn't mind seeing this game (and others) do more of is add more dudes to it (no homo ) - and the reason is because it's realistic. I don't want my character to be the only show in town so-to-speak, and I don't mind competition for the girls because again, it's realistic, especially given how sexy these female characters are, they'd have dudes chasing after them all day long, and as long as the story allowed the player a route to intervene and 'win the girl's affections' that would be a pretty neat dynamic, and girls you weren't interested in could potentially still find some happiness with another character so you didn't feel bad for turning them down or not being interested, etc.

I wouldn't say realistic though, this game sometimes still has vibes of being a porn game, like how everyone magically expresses interest in our protagonist, are you telling me that the hot women in his college only has one type? an edgy mysterious loner who wears all black? there's really no reason for mila and victoria to be so into our protagonist. there's only so few of those people irl. When I was in Uni; almost every other women would prefer men like jeff, amicable and generally an all around okay dude and people would normally avoid those who are like our protagonist.


one thing ocean gets right is the character interaction tho, almost all the side characters and love interests have their own lives outside of our main character's college life and that is already miles better than most porn games in this site, almost, other characters still have their lives tied to the college sports tournament thing like Zara and the dwarf dude - characters don't just exist for the sole purpose of being barbie dolls you have sex with. these same characters interact with each other and not just wait in line for someone to stop talking to our protagonist and then have their turn and pretend other people don't exist.

 

[Chocbutt]

The best visual novel game i have played! Great story line! Even compiled a music video of it! Bella Suppremacy! Can't wait for the next update!

You must be registered to see the links

 

[Terminator_26F]

Do not forget that the game is centered on the MC, his pitiful hairstyle, his spleen relating to Summer and his orphan childhood taken in, with Nami, by a caring Asian mother. But yes, I agree with you. Nothing in her family, physical and emotional situation justifies that all the other girls in the game are attracted like a magnet. On the contrary, his withdrawn and sullen demeanor should push them away towards other guys more friendly than him. But in this case there would be no more play ... yeah, it's quite artificial as a situation.

 

[Bay7]

Well, only Mila, Victoria, and Nia are into mc. For Victoria, it's because he was there for her during the accident and in the hospital and she doesn't seem to interact with other guys. For Nia, it's probably the emo thing. Only Mila I don't understand, I thought she and Jeff were a thing but apparently not. All the other girls are mostly just friendly and platonic.

And please stop trashing his hairstyle, I like it very much.

 

[Terminator_26F]

And please stop trashing his hairstyle, I like it very much.

"To each his own," said a monk, pissing in his soup ".. old French proverb from the Middle Ages. But OK, I won't say anything more about the horrible, weird and ridiculous MC haircut.

 

[Deleted member 327695]

But yes, I agree with you. Nothing in her family, physical and emotional situation justifies that all the other girls in the game are attracted like a magnet.

I wouldn't say realistic though, this game sometimes still has vibes of being a porn game, like how everyone magically expresses interest in our protagonist, are you telling me that the hot women in his college only has one type?

Don't confuse being kind and friendly with attraction.
Just like the smile of a waitress doesn't mean anything.

Besides a few obvious cases (Mila, Vic, Nami, Nia.) the other girls are more or less just friendly.


Nobody's asking him out or is trying to get into his pants.
And the penis locker room talk... well, that's just locker room talk.

What is currently drawing people to the MC is curiosity. If you and Bella are a thing, be sure that it will not go unnoticed and people will be curious who this guy with the incredibly perfect hair is.

It's the same with the Robin/Sasha gym scene in Ch3. You only get invited if you're good with Bella.

It's not necessarily the MC, it's the circumstances that surround him.

there's really no reason for mila and victoria to be so into our protagonist.

Mila does mention that she picked interest in him because he doesn't act like the others. (In the gym route she says that she's surprised that he hasn't even looked at her cleavage once. This picked her curiosity.

Victoria shares a traumatizing event with the MC. That's more than enough to make people feel like having a connection.

Mila (Mc's anti-sexual behavior.)
Vic (Shares a traumatizing event with the MC.)
Nami (The past.)
Nia (Besides the fact that she likes the way he looks, there's some background here, too.)

I sincerely hope the Tabletop session won't be just excuse to have sex scenes because that's generally the point of DND in these games.

No need to worry.

I'm not building up a slow burn connection to ruin it with something as cheap as a "Dream scene" or "Fantasy scene."
That's also the reason why Sonya is still wearing her Hijab in the tabletop session.

It's much more than just a piece of clothing. It's a mindset.