A summer promise to forever
- September 16, 2017
- SoraPrayer
Get on Steam"A Summer Promise to Forever" is a visual novel set in the Chinese countryside, following high school student Jiajun Lin as he explores Tangxia village. The game features a rich portrayal of Chinese rural culture and a story that uncovers secrets behind the friendly facade of the villagers. Jiajun becomes close with his childhood friend and a tsundere farm girl, and must confront social abuse and oppression within the community.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a touching story with multiple endings that can evoke strong emotions and provide a sense of hope.
- The artwork and animation are well done, enhancing the overall experience of the visual novel.
- The recent translation update has significantly improved the readability and enjoyment of the game, making it more accessible to players.
- The translation still contains errors and awkward phrasing, which can detract from the overall experience.
- The story is relatively short and lacks depth in character development, making it feel somewhat superficial.
- Some players found the gameplay mechanics, such as the inability to replay certain sections, frustrating.
- story25 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The story is a mixed bag, featuring a simple yet charming narrative with multiple endings and branching paths that offer some replayability. While it touches on themes of personal growth and cultural exploration, many reviewers found the character development lacking and the writing basic, leading to a dull experience overall. Despite its shortcomings, some scenes resonate emotionally, and the translation issues are generally minor, allowing for a glimpse into a different mentality and setting.
“Really nice story, with 4 different endings.”
“It has multiple branching storylines, and some really touching scenes.”
“It's a sweet summer story with a dark past and an adventurous present.”
“It was exceptionally dull, and had no real grip to the characters before just dumping your typical tortured backstory in to try and make you interested, characters that they can't really define outside of what tortures them.”
“The story itself isn't particularly well written or interesting and neither are the characters you meet or the protagonist himself.”
“Story dragged out and didn't offer a lot of interest.”
- music5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, described as relaxing and nicely composed, though somewhat repetitive. It evokes a pleasant, summery atmosphere, complementing the game's visuals, although some users noted readability issues with the text due to color blending. Overall, the title music stands out as a highlight.
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
“The music reminds you of a summer breeze, and the colored fonts are a nice touch.”
“The music is another great aspect, especially the title music.”
“Music - just basic, just like the game.”
“Music - nicely done, if a little repetitive.”
“The music reminds you of a summer breeze and the colored fonts are a nice touch, even though at times it can become very difficult to read a couple of lines because of how the letters blend with the background or when it's very bright.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features multiple branching storylines that include some genuinely touching scenes; however, some characters may come across as caricatures rather than deeply heartfelt representations, which can affect the overall emotional impact.
“It has multiple branching storylines, and some really touching scenes.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development is noted to be minimal due to the game's short length, but the inclusion of intriguing twists and turns in the story helps maintain player interest and investment.
“While lacking in much character development, especially since it is so short, there are some twists and turns to the story that spark an interest and keep you invested.”
“The characters feel one-dimensional and their growth is minimal, making it hard to connect with them throughout the game.”
“Despite the intriguing premise, the character arcs are underdeveloped, leaving players wanting more depth and emotional engagement.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are highly praised for their impressive artwork, particularly highlighting the quality of the cut scenes, which are noted as exceptionally well executed.
“The artwork is exceptionally well done across the board, particularly the cut scenes which are stunning.”
“The graphics are breathtaking, creating an immersive experience that truly enhances gameplay.”
“The visual design is top-notch, with vibrant colors and detailed environments that draw you in.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a compelling story that enhances its replayability, making it enjoyable to revisit, despite some distractions like fan service elements.
“The game offers a rich story that encourages multiple playthroughs, making it highly replayable.”
“With various choices and outcomes, each playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
“The diverse character paths and endings provide a compelling reason to dive back in.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for feeling shallow, with character backstories serving more as a mechanic to elicit player sympathy rather than adding depth to the experience.
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The mechanics are clunky and often lead to frustrating experiences.”
“The pacing is off, causing moments of boredom that disrupt the flow of the game.”
