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Summer in Mara

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Summer in Mara Game Cover
72%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
73% User Score Based on 1,007 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCCloudPlaystation 4Xbox OneXbox Cloud GamingXboxWindowsPlayStation
Summer in Mara Game Cover

About

Summer in Mara is a single player casual role playing game with a anime theme. It was developed by Chibig and was released on June 16, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"Summer in Mara" is a single-player adventure game where you play as Koa, exploring a tropical archipelago, sailing to discover new islands, and customizing your own island with buildings and crops. The game features an open ocean with over 20 islands, over 25 characters to meet, and more than 300 quests. The day-night cycle and climatic events add to the immersive experience of this relaxing and engaging game.

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73%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,007 reviews
story188 positive mentions
grinding330 negative mentions

  • Charming art style and character designs that evoke a nostalgic feel.
  • Relaxing gameplay with a focus on exploration and fetch quests, making it suitable for casual play.
  • Heartwarming story with themes of environmental stewardship and community support.
  • Heavy reliance on fetch quests can lead to repetitive and tedious gameplay.
  • Numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt the experience and hinder progress.
  • Lack of clear direction and guidance for quests, making it easy to get stuck or confused.
  • story
    1,022 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Summer in Mara" is characterized by its charming and heartwarming narrative, focusing on themes of growth, responsibility, and environmental awareness through the protagonist Koa's adventures. While the game features a plethora of quests, primarily fetch quests that can feel repetitive and tedious, many players appreciate the engaging character interactions and the overall relaxing atmosphere. However, some critiques highlight that the story can feel disjointed and lacks depth, often overshadowed by the monotonous quest structure and occasional bugs that disrupt the gameplay experience.

    • “The story revolves around themes of responsibility, growth, and environmental awareness, focusing on Koa’s relationship with her grandmother and the broader community.”
    • “The characters are memorable and well-developed, offering meaningful side quests and interactions that flesh out the world and its lore.”
    • “The story is charming, relaxing, and genuinely worth the time.”
    • “The story is totally ancillary to your actions, as you are bound to complete fetch quests, so I guess this game was a test bench for this dev team's new game, where you do deliveries basically; which would make much more sense to be honest.”
    • “The quests are probably the worst I've seen in any game; they are just so mind-numbingly boring.”
    • “The story feels rushed and the quests are monotonous.”
  • grinding
    334 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of "Summer in Mara" has received mixed feedback, with many players finding the repetitive fetch quests and basic farming mechanics tedious and lacking depth. While some appreciate the game's charming visuals and relaxing atmosphere, others feel that the focus on quests detracts from the farming experience, making it feel more like a chore than an engaging gameplay element. Overall, the game is seen as a light adventure with farming elements, but those seeking a robust farming simulator may find it lacking.

    • “Quests are very enjoyable and not that tedious if you gather materials as you go.”
    • “No tedious watering cans; just hold a bucket of water over your head and run around on top of your beets and potatoes.”
    • “The only redeeming factor that I can give this game is that the achievements are straightforward and, in theory, aren't grindy.”
    • “It's a simple game filled with fetch quests, (makes up the majority of the game), and a dash of farming.”
    • “The farming mechanics are mediocre at best, and around midgame you'll probably stop using it altogether in favor of just stuffing your pig army with carrots to get enough truffles to break the economy.”
    • “The gameplay is a tedious procession of fetch quests.”
  • gameplay
    267 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in "Summer in Mara" is characterized by a mix of farming, crafting, and exploration, but it is often criticized for being repetitive and heavily reliant on fetch quests, which can lead to a tedious experience. While the game features charming visuals and a soothing atmosphere, many players find the mechanics shallow and lacking depth, with some expressing frustration over clunky controls and unclear instructions. Overall, the game appeals to those seeking a relaxing, casual experience, but may disappoint players looking for more engaging and complex gameplay.

    • “The gameplay is a delightful mix of farming and crafting combined with light exploration and questing.”
    • “Beautiful game, with a wonderful story; I adored many elements, from the gameplay mechanics of tending your island, to sailing to and from other islands to meet unforgettable characters and helping them with tasks to further their storylines, to the gorgeous areas and lovely soundtrack.”
    • “While this title is overflowing with love and enthusiasm, the lack of experience by this dev team really shows itself with the gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is a tedious procession of fetch quests.”
    • “It's a shame because I enjoy the cartoon cutscenes, character art, music, and even the dialogue for the most part, but the gameplay is really shallow.”
    • “The gameplay itself is insanely repetitive with more back-and-forthing than anyone should ever have to go through.”
  • music
    209 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing and charming qualities, effectively enhancing the overall atmosphere and complementing the visual appeal. Many players appreciate the relaxing and whimsical soundtrack, although some note that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the music is considered one of the game's highlights, contributing significantly to the immersive experience despite occasional issues with its integration into gameplay.

    • “This visual appeal is complemented by a soothing soundtrack filled with breezy melodies and natural soundscapes, perfectly capturing the laid-back island vibe.”
    • “One of the game's highlights is undoubtedly its mesmerizing soundtrack, which effortlessly sets the tone for your immersive experience.”
    • “The music is beautiful, the graphics gorgeous, the animations are great, the characters and story well written.”
    • “The music does not respond well to on-screen action though.”
    • “The soundtrack to Summer in Mara is a very generic upbeat feel-good music vibe, but it somehow constantly interrupted itself. When a song was finished, it just went completely silent except for the ambient bird and sea noises until you did something to further the story and prompt a different song to start, and in the end, it quickly started to get boring to listen to, and I swapped it out for my own.”
    • “The music mixing between areas is lacking; sometimes I feel like I'm listening to a playlist rather than music that is synced to your location or what you are doing, despite it sounding really good.”
  • graphics
    200 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Summer in Mara" are often described as charming and colorful, featuring a hand-painted art style that evokes a cozy, summer vibe. While many players appreciate the cute character designs and vibrant environments, some criticize the 3D elements as outdated or lacking detail compared to the appealing 2D artwork. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the game's atmosphere, though technical limitations and a lack of customization options have been noted.

    • “At its core, Summer in Mara is a love letter to carefree summer days and a celebration of environmental stewardship, wrapped in a beautifully hand-painted art style and a warm, engaging narrative.”
    • “The graphics are great and the ambiance is relaxing... I highly recommend it!”
    • “The art style is beautiful and appealing, the world is exciting to explore, and the characters are so fun!”
    • “The graphics are pretty standard and not amazing but cute in its own right.”
    • “There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
    • “The graphics are cute, but the character models and animations are a little stale - certain characters just rotate to look at you, and some of the player animations just seem like there wasn't a lot of work put into them.”
  • emotional
    57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    "Summer in Mara" is widely praised for its emotional depth and heartwarming storytelling, offering players a relaxing and wholesome experience. The game features charming characters, touching moments, and themes of love, friendship, and nature, making it a comforting escape for those seeking a gentle narrative. While some players found the pacing and story disjointed, the overall sentiment highlights its ability to evoke nostalgia and emotional investment, particularly through its vibrant world and meaningful interactions.

    • “While it may not satisfy players looking for intense gameplay complexity or fast-paced action, it delivers a deeply relaxing and meaningful experience for those who appreciate thoughtful game design and heartfelt storytelling.”
    • “The heartwarming stories, defined and fascinating characters, and an overall optimistic feeling with great messages about love, family, friendship, and living in harmony with each other and nature, spurred me on to complete the game.”
    • “It's really touching how Koa is attached to his grandma.”
    • “The narrative and story are geared towards little kids, making it a super boring experience for adults.”
    • “The emotional depth is lacking, leaving players feeling disconnected from the characters and their journeys.”
    • “The attempts at emotional moments feel forced and fail to resonate with the audience.”
  • stability
    50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game has been widely criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences, such as getting stuck in environments, crashing during fast travel, and corrupted save files. While some players found ways to mitigate these issues by restarting the game or re-entering areas, the overall consensus is that the game's stability is a significant drawback, overshadowing its charming aesthetics and potential. Despite these technical problems, a few players still managed to enjoy the game, indicating that it may appeal to those willing to overlook its instability.

    • “The game runs smoothly with minimal bugs, making it a solid experience overall.”
    • “While there are a few minor issues, the stability of the game is impressive and enhances the gameplay.”
    • “The developers have done a great job ensuring a stable environment, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the game.”
    • “I lost count of the number of glitches and other technical issues I came across.”
    • “Until the game started crashing when using fast travel, having visual glitches and eventually my save file got corrupted and is no longer playable.”
    • “Tl;dr the game is a buggy mess and it's entirely possible for you to get 15 minutes into the game only to have to restart or 15 hours into the game and have to restart.”
  • atmosphere
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by bright, warm visuals and hand-drawn art that create a cozy, idyllic environment, complemented by a relaxing soundtrack. Players appreciate the peaceful and friendly vibe, which enhances the overall experience of exploration and adventure, making it feel like a delightful escape. While the atmosphere is generally praised, some note that it may not be enough to compensate for less engaging gameplay elements.

    • “The game’s world is rendered in bright, warm tones with hand-drawn characters and richly detailed backgrounds that evoke a cozy, idyllic atmosphere.”
    • “I especially loved the calm and relaxing atmosphere of this game and the music - the music!”
    • “The atmosphere is promising, but the game controls are clunky.”
    • “You're never really in a hurry, you're never in serious danger and the funny, (mostly) friendly characters and the sunny atmosphere feel a bit like a holiday in front of the screen.”
    • “The soundtrack is extremely uplifting with its strong instrumental cues and created a Peter Pan, fairy-tale atmosphere, making me feel like I was truly going on an adventure.”
  • character development
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the unique and charming character designs and well-written dialogue that provide distinct personalities and motivations. However, several players feel that the overall character development is lacking depth, with some characters feeling flat or underutilized, and interactions often failing to enhance the gameplay experience. While the visual appeal and world-building are appreciated, the execution of character growth and meaningful engagement leaves much to be desired.

    • “The character design is wonderful, and the dialogue is well-written, giving each character a distinctive voice, personality, history, and motivations.”
    • “This game has some of the best character designs I have ever seen, and I loved seeing each new person's quests.”
    • “Absolutely beautiful game with stunning character design and depth in the details.”
    • “Lacks character development.”
    • “A lot of the writing is poorly done and the character development feels empty, like there was no point in me interacting with them.”
    • “NPCs can break the immersion and character development seems nonexistent.”
  • humor
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by its charming art style, funny character interactions, and absurd quests that often elicit genuine laughter. Players appreciate the quirky and vibrant world, where the mix of lighthearted dialogue and comedic situations creates an enjoyable and immersive experience. Despite some technical flaws, the overall atmosphere is cheerful and engaging, making it a delightful adventure filled with humor.

    • “The art in this is really great, the portraits are funny and cute, as are the little noises that people make as you talk to them.”
    • “The quests are fabulous; the dialogues are often funny and immersive.”
    • “Her relationships with everyone feel real and complex, and her dialogue genuinely made me laugh out loud at times.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is generally well-optimized, providing a smooth experience with pleasing visuals and fitting background music, particularly for controller users. However, some players have reported issues with major micro-stuttering and low frame rates, indicating that optimization may not be consistent across all systems.

    • “The game runs really well despite being optimized for a controller and not having any graphical options.”
    • “It's beautifully optimized, soothing to the eyes, and the background music is an optimal fit for the whole setup.”
    • “The game also runs really well despite being optimized for a controller and not having any graphical options.”
    • “There is major micro-stuttering and low frame rate.”
  • replayability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game has been criticized for lacking replayability, with some users expressing that they do not find any incentive to play it again after completing it.

    • “For me, there is no replay value here.”
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21h Median play time
20h Average play time
8-30h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 22 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Summer in Mara is a casual role playing game with anime theme.

Summer in Mara is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 20 hours playing Summer in Mara.

Summer in Mara was released on June 16, 2020.

Summer in Mara was developed by Chibig.

Summer in Mara has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Summer in Mara is a single player game.

Similar games include Stranded Sails, No Place Like Home, Staxel, Alchemy Story, Little Witch in the Woods and others.