Shanghai Summer

About

"Shanghai Summer" is a narrative-driven game set in Shanghai, 2003, where players unravel the mysteries of their past through interactions with friends and exploration of their memories. The game features a cast of troubled yet relatable characters, including a freelance artist, a high school student, and a university student dealing with personal issues. Gameplay involves gathering topics and clues from daily life to delve deeper into the characters' thoughts and feelings. The goal is to find comfort, inspiration, and acceptance in the midst of life's regrets.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 20 reviews

story6 positive mentions

Beautifully drawn visuals and fitting atmospheric music enhance the emotional storytelling.
The game offers a relatable narrative about youth, regrets, and personal growth that resonates with many players.
Interactive elements and a unique art style contribute to a memorable experience, making it a worthwhile treat.

The English translation lacks expressiveness and cultural references, diminishing the overall experience for non-Chinese speakers.
The story is perceived as bland and predictable, lacking depth and engagement for some players.
The game is short and offers limited gameplay, with decisions having little impact on the outcome.

story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
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The story is a heartfelt exploration of finding comfort in life's small moments while acknowledging the universal struggles everyone faces. It resonates particularly with those entering adulthood, featuring beautifully drawn visuals and atmospheric music that enhance its themes of youth, regrets, and personal growth. While some find the narrative engaging and emotionally impactful, others describe it as confusing or lacking depth, resulting in mixed reviews on its overall storytelling quality.
- “It is a story about finding comfort and inspiration in the little things in life, and it is a story about realizing how everyone has their own problems in life, how no one's life is perfect, and yet how they all try to move forward and live their lives to the fullest.”
- “+ good story about youth, regrets, and what-ifs”
- “The story is beyond bland and childish.”
- “Story-wise it is a bit confusing because as any normal parallel world game, there will be series of memories, going to other worlds, etc. so you have to pay attention to details, but overall, the game delivered a good story, a unique experience, and emotionally impactful characters.”
- “Complemented by beautifully drawn visuals and fitting atmospheric music, Shanghai Summer is a story that will resonate with many people who are entering the working world or otherwise confronted with the harsh, dull realities of life and searching for their own path through it all.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
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The graphics of "Shanghai Summer" are praised for their beautifully drawn visuals and anime-inspired art style, earning a solid rating of 8.5/10. The combination of these visuals with atmospheric music enhances the storytelling, resonating with players navigating the challenges of adulthood.
- “Complemented by beautifully drawn visuals and fitting atmospheric music, Shanghai Summer is a story that will resonate with many people who are entering the working world or otherwise confronted with the harsh, dull realities of life and searching for their own path through it all.”
- “I like the art style that is completely anime-ish; the normal protagonist is a typical guy, which is common in anime stories - the introverted, dull guy.”
- “Art/graphics: 8.5/10”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
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The music in "Shanghai Summer" is praised for its atmospheric quality, enhancing the game's beautifully drawn visuals and resonant storytelling. Reviewers note that the soundtrack is decent, with one rating it an 8/10, contributing positively to the overall experience.
- “I loved the story, characters, art, music... and the cat, of course!”
- “Soundtrack: 8/10”
- “Complemented by beautifully drawn visuals and fitting atmospheric music, Shanghai Summer is a story that will resonate with many people who are entering the working world or otherwise confronted with the harsh, dull realities of life and searching for their own path through it all.”
- “Music: decent”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
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The gameplay has received mixed feedback, with some users noting a lack of content, while others rate it positively, giving it an 8/10. Overall, the experience seems to vary significantly among players.
- “Gameplay: good”
- “Gameplay: 8/10”
- “There is no gameplay.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
"Shanghai Summer" is a poignant visual novel that explores themes of reconciliation with past regrets, appreciation of the present, and the journey toward the future. While the narrative can be complex due to its parallel world mechanics, it ultimately offers a unique and emotionally resonant experience through its impactful characters and storytelling.
- “Shanghai Summer is a short, emotional visual novel about life - making peace with past regrets, cherishing the things you have in the present, and moving forward into the future.”
- “Overall, the game delivered a good story, a unique experience, and emotionally impactful characters.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
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The atmosphere of "Shanghai Summer" is enhanced by its beautifully drawn visuals and fitting music, creating a resonant experience for players navigating the challenges of adulthood. The meticulously crafted backgrounds contribute significantly to the game's immersive quality, making it a standout in its genre.
- “Complemented by beautifully drawn visuals and fitting atmospheric music, Shanghai Summer is a story that will resonate with many people who are entering the working world or otherwise confronted with the harsh, dull realities of life and searching for their own path through it all.”
- “Awesome art and an incredible atmosphere - the meticulously crafted, layered backgrounds definitely do this game justice.”