Secret Summer

How To Make Your Summer Interesting

Secret Summer is an intriguing adventure visual novel that delves deep into the intricacies of family relationships, choices, and the repercussions of those choices. It narrates a touching story about love, longing, and reunion, but it's also interspersed with a lot of NSFW content that will keep you even more hooked.

About This Game

Storyline

At its core, this game talks about being apart, wanting, and really wanting to be with family again. The story is about a main character who is away from their mom's side of the family. As the story goes on, the player feels many emotions. The start of the adventure is a sad phone call from the mom, Norah. This makes the main character want to do something, starting a journey with lots of problems and surprises.

As players go on, they meet many characters, each different and special. Zoe, the 22-year-old sister, wants to be a lawyer and always tries to do the right thing. She often argues with her older sister, Leanne. Leanne, who's 23, loves freedom and lives life her way, very different from Zoe. Then, there's 18-year-old Coral, the youngest sister. She likes video games but also has something she's not happy about.

Dealing with these family members is tricky, and then there's also the stepmom, Irene. She is hard to deal with and can get very angry. The main character has to be careful with her, trying to get along but also not making her mad. The game shows a family that's not together, with everyone wanting to be close but having their own problems and secrets. The plot is interesting, if not revolutionary, with a strong emphasis on family dynamics.

Gameplay Mechanics

The main gameplay element revolves around decision-making. Every choice has consequences, with some potentially barring the player from future interactions with certain characters. This level of decision impact heightens the game's replayability. The ability to name your own character and define relationships creates a personalized experience for the player. The current early access status does mean there are occasional bugs and crashes, but the number of choices and branching paths suggest a rich tapestry of narrative possibilities.

Visuals & Audio

The visual aspect seems to be a strong point for Secret Summer with detailed, albeit static, character portraits. However, the absence of audio or animations might reduce immersion for some players. Given its visual novel nature, some players might feel the still images during more intimate moments could have benefited from animations to elevate the experience.

Pros

Engaging storyline centered around family dynamics.
Rich character development, each with their unique personality and backstory.
A vast array of choices leading to different outcomes.
High replayability.

Cons

Lack of audio and animations.
Some narrative elements feel rushed or unexplored.
Hidden points system might frustrate players wanting to explore all content.

Conclusion

Secret Summer offers a captivating journey into a story of reunion and the complexities of familial ties. Its strength lies in its story and character development, making it a memorable experience for players. While it has its share of shortcomings, including a few technical glitches and the lack of audio or animations, the depth of its narrative and the weight of choices make it a worthwhile adventure for fans of NSFW visual novels.

Rating: 8/10

I want to experience this in all seasons though…