February 7, 2024
FUTU Studio

Shanghai Summer

Shanghai Summer has an enjoyable story that kept me intrigued and will be a sure hit for fans of Erased or Your Name. However, there are some minor issues that may detract some players, such as grammar and some minor graphical issues.

71%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

93% User Score Based on 29 reviews

Critic Score 65%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

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About

Shanghai Summer is a single player role playing game with romance, drama and mystery themes. It was developed by FUTU Studio and was released on February 7, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"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

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 29 reviews

story8 positive mentions

The game features beautiful art, music, and a compelling story that resonates emotionally.
Set in 2000s Shanghai, it explores themes of youth, regrets, and what-ifs, providing a unique narrative experience.
The game is more interactive than typical visual novels, allowing players to engage with the environment.

The game lacks a true representation of Shanghai, failing to capture the city's vibe despite its setting.
The story is criticized for being bland and predictable, with a confusing narrative structure.
As a visual novel, it offers limited gameplay, which may not appeal to those seeking more interactive experiences.

story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
16%
17%
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some praising its emotional depth and exploration of themes like youth and regrets, while others find it bland and childish. Despite some confusion due to its parallel world mechanics, many players appreciate the unique experience and impactful characters, often highlighting the art and music as strong complements to the narrative. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a blend of great potential and occasional shortcomings.
- “I loved the story, characters, art, music... and the cat, of course!”
- “+ Good story about youth, regrets, and what-ifs.”
- “Story: 9.5/10”
- “The story is beyond bland and childish.”
- “Story-wise, it is a bit confusing because, like any normal parallel world game, there are a series of memories and transitions to other worlds, so you have to pay attention to details.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
The gameplay aspect has received mixed feedback, with some users noting a lack of gameplay elements, while others rated it positively at 8/10. Overall, the experience seems to vary significantly among players.
- “Gameplay: 8/10”
- “Gameplay: 8/10”
- “There is no gameplay.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game has received positive feedback, with users highlighting its quality and integration into the overall experience, often rating the soundtrack around 8/10.
- “I loved the story, characters, art, music... and the cat, of course!”
- “Soundtrack: 8/10”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics have received a strong rating of 8.5/10, with users praising the anime-inspired art style that effectively captures the essence of typical anime narratives, featuring a relatable, introverted protagonist.
- “I like the art style that is completely anime-inspired. The normal protagonist is a typical guy, which is common in anime stories - the introverted, dull guy.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a complex narrative typical of parallel world themes, requiring players to pay close attention to details. Despite some confusion, it successfully delivers a compelling story and emotionally resonant characters, providing a unique and impactful experience.
- “The game delivered a good story, a unique experience, and emotionally impactful characters.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its stunning art and meticulously crafted, layered backgrounds, which significantly enhance the overall experience.
- “The meticulously crafted, layered backgrounds definitely do this game justice, creating an awesome atmosphere.”