A Summer with the Shiba Inu

While it wasn’t what I was expecting, A Summer with the Shiba Inu has enough working in its favor. Instead of hitting a crowded beach, why not spend part of your summer respecting social distancing by curling up with this visual novel. Plop on your reading glasses, overlook the pacing inconsistencies, and be charmed by Syd and her canine friends. Keep an eye on

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"A Summer with the Shiba Inu" is a visual novel where Syd, a Shiba Inu, returns to Shiba Island after a decade. She reconnects with Max and meets Quei-Li, a mysterious Labrador, as she confronts her past. The game features 3 main endings for Syd, over 10 endings for other dogs, 70,000 story wordcount, dog facts, 30 achievements, and a dog bark button. Experience the emotional journey and impact your choices have on Syd and her canine companions.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

74%

Audience ScoreBased on 60 reviews

story20 positive mentions

The writing is engaging and thought-provoking, with a strong protagonist in Syd who has depth and likability.
The art style is cute and well-drawn, complemented by a fitting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
The game offers a unique and intriguing story that mixes elements of adventure, action, and mystery, keeping players invested throughout.

Some players found the pacing inconsistent, with certain endings feeling abrupt or lacking depth.
The presentation is limited, with a reliance on stock images and minimal animation, which detracts from the immersive experience.
The game's premise can be misleading, as it shifts from a cute dog story to a darker, more complex narrative that may not appeal to all players.

story
56 mentions
36 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The game's story is a captivating blend of cyber-thriller and mystery, featuring a well-constructed world where shiba inus navigate complex themes and moral dilemmas. Players are drawn into a rich narrative filled with engaging characters, interactive choices, and philosophical undertones, all while enjoying beautiful artwork and fitting music. Despite initial expectations of a light-hearted tale, the story unfolds into a darker, more mature experience that keeps players hooked until the end.
- “The story is superbly arranged: a variety of doggo characters with a satisfying array of personalities, good doggos, bad doggos, shades of gray doggos, and even some weird doggo named Monukai; jumps in the timeline are carefully deployed to help fill in with Syd's backstory and are well executed to also add intrigue and suspense in the current timeline.”
- “I came for cute dogs and to unwind while reading something light with not too much interaction, but instead I was yanked into quite a dark and complex story, chewing my nails like, 'Oh god, what's gonna happen next?'”
- “The story is really well-written: entertaining throughout, gripping at times and humorous at others, with the odd hidden joke, pun, or reference here or there that I very much enjoyed.”
- “After playing for an hour, I had to circle back and read up on it to figure out that this is actually a cyber-thriller/mystery story, where the characters just happen to be dogs, and all the terminology is switched up to be relevant to them ('humanly possible' becomes 'caninely possible', 'Canada' becomes 'canine-da', etc).”
- “I came for cute dogs and to unwind while reading something light with not too much interaction, but instead I was yanked into quite a dark and complex story, chewing my nails like, 'Oh god, what's gonna happen next?' and ended up breaking the planet.”
- “The storyline isn't cute at all and I wouldn't say this is a game for children.”
graphics
14 mentions
57 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their cute and well-drawn art style, which complements the engaging soundtrack and enhances the overall storytelling experience. However, some critiques mention the use of stock images with Photoshop filters, suggesting a lack of originality in the visual presentation. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the game's charm and atmosphere, particularly in dynamic scenes.
- “The art style is so cute and well drawn, and the soundtrack fits perfectly!”
- “This game's story is amazing; I was itching to keep playing until I finished. The artwork was beautiful, and the music was perfectly fitted to the game.”
- “Both the music and the artwork very much added to the vibe of the story, especially the fast-paced fight scenes and light-hearted scenes exploring the rich culture of the island.”
- “There's not so much an 'art style' as there are lots of stock images with Photoshop filters on them.”
music
14 mentions
57 % positive mentions
21 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its perfect fit with the art style and story, enhancing the overall experience. Reviewers highlight its diversity in mood, catchy themes, and how it complements both intense and light-hearted moments, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that enriches the gameplay.
- “Especially the calm theme song is one heck of an earworm.”
- “The music was also a highlight for me, with plenty of diversity in mood, yet consistent style.”
- “Both the music and the artwork very much added to the vibe of the story, especially the fast-paced fight scenes and light-hearted scenes exploring the rich culture of the island.”
humor
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by witty and thought-provoking dialogue, complemented by well-executed graphics and audio. Players appreciate the entertaining and gripping story, which includes clever hidden jokes, puns, and references that enhance the overall experience.
- “The dialogue is both funny and thought-provoking.”
- “Good graphics, audio, and funny moments round out this 5-6 hour read.”
- “The story is really well-written: entertaining throughout, gripping at times, and humorous at others, with the odd hidden joke, pun, or reference here or there that I very much enjoyed.”
replayability
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, as players are encouraged to explore multiple routes to uncover all the secrets and satisfy their curiosity, with a single playthrough leaving many questions unanswered.
- “This game has a significant amount of replay value, as exploring different routes allows you to uncover all the secrets and answers to your curiosities.”
- “This game has quite a bit of replay value in order to find all the secrets, as a single route does not answer everything you are curious about.”