Summer Fling

About

Summer Fling is a single player casual simulation game with anime and erotic themes. It was developed by Dharker Studios and was released on June 16, 2016. It received neutral reviews from players.

You are entering your summer break before university begins. And what better way to spend a summer break than at the lake with two friends, will the summer become an unforgettable time or will it just fade away. Welcome to your Summer Fling.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

55%

Audience ScoreBased on 74 reviews

story5 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features an anime-inspired art style with bright colors and distinctive character designs that complement the summer theme.
Multiple endings and routes increase replayability, including a hidden special route unlocked after completing the main storylines.
Relaxed, easygoing romance-focused story centered on friendship, attraction, and emotional moments suitable for a short visual novel experience.

The game is very short, with limited content and story depth, leading some players to feel it is overpriced for what is offered.
Writing and character development are viewed as clichéd and uninspired, with awkward protagonist portrayal and generic tropes.
Limited number of key decision points and repetitive or unbalanced choice outcomes result in frustration and less engaging gameplay.

story
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
84%
6%
The story is a short, relaxed visual novel focusing on a brief summer vacation filled with friendship and romance, featuring multiple character routes and endings. While some find it charming and enjoyable for its intimate, character-driven moments, many criticize it for being clichéd, predictable, and lacking depth or significant plot development. Overall, it offers a pleasant but fairly shallow experience suited for players seeking a light, quick romance story rather than a complex narrative.
- “Set during a quiet summer vacation just before the protagonist begins university, the game presents a relaxed story centered on friendship, attraction, and the emotional uncertainty that comes with major life transitions.”
- “Through dialogue choices and character interactions, players guide the protagonist through a short but intimate story where every decision influences how relationships develop.”
- “As the protagonist in this story, you will have the opportunity to make multiple choices as the nicely written narrative develops. These decisions will not only affect events but also how the story ends, which is always one of my favorite qualities in a visual novel.”
- “The plot and storyline are paper thin.”
- “Disappointing, uninspired plot with decisions that make no sense, short and expensive.”
- “I do like the games from these guys but this one just did not have anything that entertained me at all. The story was just so boring and the art design was not really good at all; it just feels like they rushed this out wanting some fast cash from people.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
22%
21%
The graphics feature a distinctive, manga-inspired art style that effectively supports the game's relaxed mood and narrative, with generally praised character designs and backgrounds. However, some users find the visuals uninspired or recycled from previous titles, detracting from the experience for those seeking originality. Overall, the art is considered good or cute, complementing both the atmosphere and achievements of the game.
- “The art style helps reinforce the relaxed mood of the story and gives the characters a distinctive presence throughout the narrative.”
- “The visuals in this novel are superb just as they are in all of Dharker Studio's visual novels.”
- “The manga-inspired art style on the characters is top notch as is the background artwork and set pieces.”
- “Otherwise, art style is ugly and character personalities are a compilation of the most generic stock tropes imaginable.”
- “If you are familiar with DS, you can expect the same recycled artwork from previous and future titles.”
- “Uninspired graphics that only occasionally match the text.”
music
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
46%
23%
The music in the game features soft, melodic, and simple melodies that effectively enhance the emotional warmth and overall mood, contributing positively to the storytelling experience. While some find the soundtrack enjoyable and well-produced with high-quality tracks, others consider it generic and average. The original soundtrack is available as a purchasable DLC, highlighting its added value for fans.
- “The soundtrack complements this atmosphere with soft, melodic music that plays during different moments of the story.”
- “Rather than dramatic musical pieces, the game relies on simple melodies that enhance the emotional warmth of the interactions between characters.”
- “20 music tracks build up the original soundtrack, in an outstanding mp3-320kbps quality, which should be the standard for soundtracks, but not everyone follows such good examples.”
- “Music is very generic.”
- “To summarise, a below average writing combined with average art and music does not allow me to recommend it.”
- “Jones is back as the sole composer for the soundtrack, which is available for purchase as DLC, at a considerable price.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game "Summer Fling" offers a heartfelt and emotionally sincere narrative focused on friendship, romance, and the uncertainties of life transitions. Its subtle character interactions, expressive portraits, and simple melodies create a warm emotional atmosphere, making it a compelling short visual novel centered on emotional development and choices rather than complex gameplay.
- “Set during a quiet summer vacation just before the protagonist begins university, the game presents a relaxed story centered on friendship, attraction, and the emotional uncertainty that comes with major life transitions.”
- “Her interactions with the protagonist are often subtle and heartfelt, gradually revealing a deeper affection as the story progresses.”
- “Pursuing Yuuki’s route focuses on emotional sincerity and gradual character development.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The gameplay of this visual novel is straightforward and typical for the genre, focusing on character interactions and emotional choices rather than complex mechanics. With about two hours of playtime and multiple endings, it offers a brief but memorable romantic experience centered on a summer weekend.
- “Overall, Summer Fling works best as a short romantic visual novel that emphasizes character interactions and emotional choices rather than complex gameplay systems.”
- “While it may not offer an extensive narrative or elaborate mechanics, it provides a memorable snapshot of a summer weekend filled with friendship, romance, and the quiet excitement of new beginnings.”
- “Gameplay follows the typical structure of a visual novel.”
- “Several endings (five) extend the gameplay, but even that barely lengthens the game.”
- “Formula for two hours of gameplay is not particularly wrong for a fast game like this.”
character development
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
Character development in the game is noted for its emotional sincerity and gradual progression, particularly in Yuuki’s route, but is often criticized for being brief and lacking depth. While multiple endings offer some exploration of characters' aftermaths, overall development feels minimal and unimaginative. The character design and artwork receive positive remarks, though the emotional impact of choices affecting characters' happiness is viewed as somewhat harsh and unnecessary.
- “Pursuing Yuuki’s route focuses on emotional sincerity and gradual character development.”
- “They did put in a little more effort for aftermath in the multiple endings, but still felt had little to no illustration to character development.”
- “Good artwork, I really like the character design.”
- “Partly due to it being so short, but this does not excuse lack of character development and unimaginative writing.”
- “They did put in a little more effort for aftermath in the multiple endings, but it still felt like there was little to no illustration of character development.”
- “I like the character design, but I don’t like the fact that with each choice, you make one female character happy and the other sadder. I mean, I know there’s always one losing, but did you really have to show this to the gamer?”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a warm, nostalgic summer vibe, enhanced by natural character interactions and a thoughtfully crafted soundtrack that blends classic tunes with modern synths. This combination effectively evokes the carefree feeling of a final summer before adulthood, immersing players in a relaxed and romantic setting.
- “The story unfolds through a series of relaxed scenes that capture the atmosphere of a summer getaway.”
- “The interactions between characters feel natural and relatable, helping create a warm and nostalgic atmosphere that reflects the theme of a final carefree summer before adulthood begins.”
- “The fusion between classic tunes and modern synths perfectly suits the game, giving the romance a whole new atmosphere.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is a mix of cute and occasionally funny moments, highlighted by charming characters and quirky achievements. While some find it predictable and awkward, it still manages to deliver lighthearted, enjoyable moments that add to its appeal.
- “The reserved, but sweet, Yuuki, and the outgoing, funny, Saeki.”
- “The game has cute funny graphics and interesting achievements: spend time in the hot tub with Yuri.”
- “At a few times it was even funny to read; despite being awfully short, it had all I wanted.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers good replayability through its multiple endings, encouraging players to experience different story paths despite its relatively short length.
- “While the game is relatively short compared to larger visual novels, the presence of multiple endings adds an extra layer of replayability.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users view the monetization as a disappointing cash grab, especially compared to Dharker Studios' better practices in previous games.