Loop8: Summer of Gods

28%
Game Brain Score Based on 27 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • music
Loop8: Summer of Gods Game Cover
Loop8: Summer of Gods has a very interesting premise with stunning visuals and amazing music. The creativity in the game can hold back other parts of the mechanics.
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In "Loop8: Summer of Gods," players step into the 1980s Japanese town of Ashihara as Nini, a teen with the power to reset time. With only one month until the world ends, players must build bonds with townsfolk, make decisions that shape the world, and battle supernatural foes in turn-based combat. Each loop allows Nini and allies to relive August until they save the world or are defeated by the Kegai. Living an ordinary life has never felt so epic.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

28%
Audience ScoreBased on 27 reviews
music4 positive mentions
gameplay7 negative mentions
  • The game features beautifully recreated visuals of a Japanese town, capturing a nostalgic atmosphere.
  • The voice acting is excellent, adding depth to the characters and enhancing the overall experience.
  • The relationship system, which includes friendship, affection, and hate, offers some interesting dynamics in character interactions.
  • The gameplay loop is repetitive and tedious, often feeling like a status simulator rather than an engaging narrative experience.
  • Combat lacks depth and variety, with simplistic mechanics that do not require strategic thinking, leading to a lack of challenge.
  • The story is superficial and fails to provide satisfactory explanations or emotional impact, leaving players with a vague understanding of the plot.
  • gameplay19 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a tedious and repetitive loop, primarily involving waiting to advance dialogue, which detracts from the overall experience. While the game attempts to blend various gameplay styles and features a charming setting, the lack of variety in interactions and the monotonous nature of tasks make it difficult to recommend. Players may find enjoyment if they appreciate traditional JRPG elements, but many reviews highlight the gameplay as mediocre and frustrating.

    • “The game presents a unique blend of gameplay styles and ideas, set in a beautifully recreated rural Japanese town in the 1980s.”
    • “In regular gameplay, you have fast travel to alleviate this.”
    • “On paper, the digital short vacation in Ashihara reads like an entertaining title for in-between times, with its gameplay mix of turn-based battles and a dialog-heavy cast of characters reminiscent of Persona.”
    • “85% of the gameplay is waiting for the game to let you press the A button to advance a dialogue.”
    • “Unfortunately, the gameplay loop quickly becomes monotonous.”
    • “The tedious gameplay loop, lack of narrative depth, and repetitive interactions make it difficult to recommend purchasing the game at full price.”
  • story8 mentions

    The game's story is criticized for being superficial and lacking depth, with most of the plot occurring in the initial moments and failing to develop further. Players find the narrative confusing and poorly integrated with the gameplay, resulting in a vague understanding of the protagonist's role and the overall conflicts. Overall, the storytelling is deemed inadequate, leaving little to engage players meaningfully.

    • “The story remains superficial, leaving players with a vague understanding of the conflicts and the protagonist's role as a godfighter.”
    • “A superficial story, the deeper meaning of which remains too cryptic.”
    • “The fact of the matter is, the only actual plot occurs in the first few minutes and it all goes downhill from there.”
    • “Don't buy this even on sale; it's nonsensical trash with almost no plot and combat that shouldn't be in the game.”
    • “Almost none of the story elements in the game have a scenario that plays out.”
  • music8 mentions

    The game's music is generally well-received, with highlights including a captivating opening cutscene and a pleasant overworld soundtrack that adapts to the game's mood. However, some players note jarring tonal shifts due to the music not syncing with in-game events, which can detract from emotional moments. Overall, the soundtrack is enjoyable and complements the game's beautiful environments and memorable characters.

    • “What strikes me the most is that the opening cutscene music video is probably the best part of the game.”
    • “Good soundtrack that I enjoy listening to.”
    • “The music is not synced to anything that's actually happening in the game, so there are some jarring tonal shifts where the peppy 'normal mood' music kicks in after the protagonist delivers a one-minute monologue about how he got one of his friends killed.”
    • “The music for the overworld is determined by the 'mood,' which is largely influenced by the time of day, available activities, and the characters present (and their relationships with one another).”
    • “A soft soundtrack also accompanies your walks through Ashihara.”
  • graphics8 mentions

    The graphics of Loop8: Summer of Gods are generally praised for their aesthetic appeal, particularly in capturing the essence of a Japanese village in summer, with commendable art style and attention to detail. However, while the visuals are a highlight, they are not enough to elevate the overall gaming experience, which is marred by a lack of engaging content and limited customization options.

    • “The art style and attention to detail in capturing the essence of a Japanese village in summer are commendable.”
    • “However, considering its unique setting and potential for nostalgic charm, Loop8 could be worth considering when it's on sale, allowing players to experience its beautiful visuals and explore the emotionally-driven AI system without feeling too burdened by its shortcomings.”
    • “The well-done summer atmosphere of the village and the visually impressive art style are highlights of the game.”
    • “The relationship system is just another by-the-numbers system; the story is non-existent and the visuals are nothing to write home about.”
    • “Our biggest complaint comes down to the inability to adjust the game's settings outside of visuals.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Reviews highlight that while grinding can offer a relaxing experience in a cozy setting, the repetitive gameplay and lack of variety in dialogue often lead to a tedious and frustrating experience. This combination of enjoyable stat grinding and monotonous tasks makes it difficult for some players to recommend the game at full price.

    • “However, the repetitive nature of the gameplay and the lack of variety in dialogue make the overall experience quite tedious.”
    • “The tedious gameplay loop, lack of narrative depth, and repetitive interactions make it difficult to recommend purchasing the game at full price.”
    • “An original mix of gameplay styles and ideas, but repetition and frustration make the experience tedious.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The game effectively captures the nostalgic atmosphere of a small Japanese town, with picturesque landscapes and a well-executed summer vibe. However, while the visuals and ambiance are commendable, they are somewhat undermined by a sense of monotony in gameplay.

    • “The sense of atmosphere is truly great.”
    • “The game features picturesque landscapes that successfully capture the nostalgic atmosphere of a Japanese town.”
    • “The backgrounds are picturesque and capture the atmosphere of a small Japanese village in the hot midsummer splendidly.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    The emotional aspect of Loop8 is highlighted by its innovative AI system that responds to player choices, enhancing replayability and creating unique experiences. However, while the game offers moments of heartbreak, such as losing characters, it ultimately struggles to deliver a lasting emotional impact, as progress and relationships reset with each loop. Players may find value in its nostalgic charm and visuals, particularly when purchased on sale.

    • “The emotional-driven AI system that responds to player actions and decisions is an interesting feature that adds replay value, ensuring each playthrough feels unique.”
    • “Losing a character due to death in the underworld can be heartbreaking, but it makes you want to do a new loop in order to save them.”
    • “When a loop is completed, not only is your progress reset, but your relationships, emotional states, and character values will be reset as well.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by absurd and baffling moments, such as a character's offbeat commentary on Japan's declining birthrates amidst a demon invasion, which elicits genuine laughter. However, these humorous instances are infrequent and often overshadowed by repetitive gameplay mechanics, leading to a mixed reception regarding the overall comedic experience.

    • “On the first day, the protagonist's quirky cousin mentions that the low population is due to Japan's declining birthrates and definitely not the demon invasion, and I thought it was really funny.”
    • “It's hilarious, but also completely baffling.”
    • “If it kept up that kind of baffling energy all the time, it'd be at least funny.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The emotional-driven AI system enhances replayability by responding to player actions and decisions, making each playthrough feel distinct and engaging. This feature encourages players to explore different choices, adding significant value to the overall experience.

    • “The emotionally-driven AI system that responds to player actions and decisions is an interesting feature that adds replay value, ensuring each playthrough feels unique.”
    • “The game lacks meaningful choices, making replaying it feel like a chore rather than an adventure.”
    • “Once you've completed the main storyline, there's little incentive to dive back in; the side quests are repetitive and uninspired.”
    • “Despite the initial excitement, the limited variety in gameplay mechanics leads to a quick decline in replay value.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

49% average critic score

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