Flowers: Le Volume sur Été
- July 26, 2018
- Innocent Grey
- 30h median play time
Get on Steam"Flowers: Le Volume sur Été" is a visual novel game where protagonist, Suou, explores mysterious events in his small village while growing closer to his childhood friend, Yuzuri. The game features beautiful artwork, a soothing soundtrack, and a captivating story that explores themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery. Players will make choices that affect the outcome of the story and uncover the secrets of their picturesque surroundings.
Reviews
- Ete is a significant improvement over its predecessor, Printemps, with better writing, character development, and a more engaging story.
- The art and music are stunning, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional impact of the game.
- Erika and Chidori's relationship is beautifully portrayed, with their dynamic providing both humor and depth, making it a standout aspect of the game.
- Some players experienced technical issues, including text glitches and crashes, which detracted from the overall experience.
- While the game is generally well-received, a few chapters were criticized for being less engaging and relying on familiar tropes.
- The translation has some awkward phrasing and typos, which can occasionally disrupt the flow of the narrative.
- story73 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of this visual novel is praised for its depth and character development, focusing on the relationships and growth of its protagonists, particularly Erika and Chidori, while continuing the overarching narrative from previous installments. The switch in perspective from Suoh to Erika offers a fresh take on familiar events, enhancing the emotional resonance and complexity of the plot. Overall, the narrative is described as beautifully crafted, with a blend of romance, friendship, and mystery that captivates players throughout its progression.
“Innocent Grey never fails to deliver a compelling story, and this one is definitely a very memorable one that will stick with me for a considerable amount of time.”
“The story feels completely different in Erika's eyes than Suoh's, and the cliffhanger at the end will leave you craving for more.”
“With Erika as the protagonist, the experience is completely different compared to seeing the story through Suoh's eyes.”
“In some ways, the main story is actually really cliché.”
“I have seen the notion that it can be played standalone, but I highly disagree as the game relies on an understanding of the previous plot and character dynamics a lot.”
“A pet peeve of mine is when telling a slice-of-life story that plays out over a couple of months, the story only focuses on a very small group of characters.”
- music26 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised for its beauty and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting the memorable original soundtrack and soothing qualities that complement the visuals and storytelling. The combination of exceptional voice acting and a well-crafted score contributes to a captivating experience, making it a standout feature of the series. While some find the music relaxing to the point of inducing drowsiness, the general consensus is that it significantly enriches the game's artistic presentation.
“All while retaining the unique atmosphere supported by gorgeous visuals and music, which are the highlight of the series.”
“The art and music are spectacular as ever, and the new presentation style for certain sequences is especially compelling.”
“This game is one of the most beautiful and enjoyable games I have ever played; the music, the art, the story, coupled with great voice acting and wonderful characters, all come together to create something that honestly is a work of pure art!”
“There are times I fell into a deep sleep during the investigation scenes because the music is very relaxing.”
“Riddles of bibles and music bored me personally.”
“I hear no music.”
- emotional9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its wholesome plot, beautiful art, and evocative music, which resonate deeply with players, often leading to tears. Reviewers praise the touching romance between emotionally guarded characters, emphasizing the impact of their relationships and the heartfelt storytelling that evokes strong feelings. Overall, the game is recommended for fans of wholesome yuri, with its emotional depth leaving a lasting impression.
“The first time I cried was in 2008, when I heard 'Don't Ever Forget' start playing during my first PMD: Explorers of Time playthrough.”
“Ete continues the trend of touching my heart in a way that only a writer with distinct control of voice can do.”
“It's also another great tale of romance as these two emotionally guarded individuals learn to open up to each other and to the people closest to them.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their beautiful artwork and ability to create a unique atmosphere, enhanced by the accompanying music. While not the best in the visual novel genre, the visuals and sound design are considered good enough to contribute to an overall charming experience. Fans of the art style and setting are likely to appreciate the game's aesthetic appeal.
“All while retaining the unique atmosphere supported by gorgeous visuals and music, which are the highlight of the series.”
“Beautiful artwork by Sugina Miki.”
“The cake glazing (visuals, music): you take the previous episode, you add more of the same beautiful and pleasant stuff, and you get a most charming cake.”
“It's definitely not the best visual novel I've played in terms of visuals, music, or setting, but it's good enough in all three to create a wonderful atmosphere.”
“The visuals are just a rehash of the previous episode; you take more of the same beautiful and pleasant stuff, and you get a most charming cake.”
“All in all, I do recommend this to anyone who liked the first game and even to some who didn't like the first one, but had liked the characters, art style, and/or general setting of the game.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is generally well-received, with high praise for the quality of performances and compositions, particularly highlighting Ayane Sakura's work. However, players note that a standard performance PC is required to fully enjoy the experience, indicating some limitations in accessibility.
“In short: Ayane Sakura's performance is absolutely top-notch (as always).”
“Compositions by Manyo and singing performances by Suzuyu and Haruka Shimotsuki that go so well with the rest of the game.”
“You need a standard performance PC.”
“Port quality, e.g., translation/performance.”
“There is more variety in the special performances.”
- character development6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is highly praised for its natural progression and depth, with players noting that the characters are both interesting and likable. The dialogue enhances the storytelling, contributing significantly to the overall experience, while the relationships between characters are described as cute and well-developed.
“But I think what really carries the story through is the dialogue and character development these characters go through on top of just being interesting and likable characters in themselves.”
“Like I said, the character development in this game is great and feels incredibly natural.”
“Some of the greatest character development I've read.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highlighted by its gorgeous visuals and relaxing soundtrack, effectively enhancing the unique setting of a missionary high school. While not the best in terms of visuals, music, or setting, the combination of these elements creates a compelling and enjoyable atmosphere that resonates with players.
“All while retaining the unique atmosphere supported by gorgeous visuals and music, which are the highlight of the series.”
“Sound and music also work well with the type of story and atmosphere; the soundtrack is very relaxing and enjoyable.”
“It takes place in a rather unique setting, a missionary high school, and the game does very well to use the setting to help create a great atmospheric feeling.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by sharp sarcasm and entertaining banter, particularly between Erika and Chidori, which many players find delightful. Yuzuriha adds to the comedic elements with her humor, while the eccentric charm of the writing, despite some unintended comedic moments, contributes to the overall enjoyment. Chidori's relatable and cute personality further enhances the game's humorous appeal.
“Erika's sarcasm and her banter with Chidori are so entertaining and funny; this is a must-read.”
“Yuzuriha is hilarious, and for those who miss Suoh as the narrator, do not fret as Ete goes to great lengths to show that, in the end, Suoh is the true protagonist of the entire series.”
“Chidori is cute, funny, and relatable.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Overall, the stability of the game has improved compared to its predecessor, "Printemps," with fewer issues related to message order. However, some users still report occasional text glitches.
“There are still some weird text glitches, similar to what we experienced in 'Printemps', but not nearly as many issues with messages appearing out of order. Overall, it's better than 'Printemps'.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I encountered several bugs that caused the game to freeze, which really detracted from the experience.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The gameplay features detective-style logic puzzles that add variety and depth, enhancing the overall experience.
“The detective-style logic puzzles add a refreshing twist to the gameplay.”
“The gameplay is engaging and keeps you on your toes with its clever challenges.”
“I love how the gameplay incorporates various elements that make each session feel unique.”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The controls are clunky and unresponsive, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“The pacing is off, with long stretches of dull gameplay that make it hard to stay invested.”
