Skip to main content

Summer Pockets

Summer Pockets Game Cover
96%Game Brain Score
story, emotional
grinding, monetization
96% User Score Based on 670 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPCTabletAndroidPhonePlaystation 4iPadSteam DeckMobile PlatformiPhoneWindowsPlayStation
Buy Nowfrom $33.45
Buy NowGet on Steam $44.99
Summer Pockets Game Cover

About

Summer Pockets is a single player action game with romance and comedy themes. It was developed by VisualArts/Key and was released on February 5, 2020. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Summer Pockets" is a visual novel set in the idyllic Torishiro Island, where players uncover the stories and mysteries of various residents through the perspective of the protagonist, Shiroha Naruse. The game features a rich narrative with elements of romance, drama, and mystery, written by well-known creators such as Jun Maeda, Yuu Niijima, and Kai. Accompanied by beautiful artwork, memorable characters, and soothing music, this game offers an immersive and emotional experience.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Summer Pockets screenshot
Summer Pockets screenshot
Summer Pockets screenshot
Summer Pockets screenshot
Summer Pockets screenshot
Summer Pockets screenshot
Summer Pockets screenshot
Summer Pockets screenshot
Summer Pockets screenshot
Summer Pockets screenshot
Summer Pockets screenshot
+6
Skip User Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 670 reviews
story152 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • Captivating story that evokes strong emotions, making players laugh and cry throughout.
  • Well-developed characters with unique story arcs that intertwine, enhancing the overall narrative.
  • Beautiful visuals and an exceptional soundtrack that complement the storytelling perfectly.
  • Some routes feel underwhelming or rushed compared to the true ending, lacking depth in character development.
  • Minor technical issues, such as font errors and occasional bugs, can detract from the experience.
  • The pacing can be inconsistent, with some scenes feeling overly drawn out or repetitive.
  • story
    408 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of *Summer Pockets* is a captivating blend of emotional arcs, character-driven narratives, and a nostalgic exploration of summer vacations, typical of Key's storytelling style. While the individual character routes offer poignant and engaging tales, some players noted issues with pacing and plot coherence, particularly in the true endings, which left certain elements feeling unresolved. Overall, the game is praised for its rich atmosphere, strong character development, and the ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, making it a recommended experience for fans of visual novels.

    • “While firmly rooted in the traditional structure of the romance visual novel, Summer Pockets stands out for its lush island setting, poignant storytelling, and strong ensemble cast that breathe life into its slow-burning narrative.”
    • “Each character route is centered around its own emotional arc, complete with a blend of personal drama, lighthearted slice-of-life interactions, and elements of the supernatural—a hallmark of Key's storytelling style.”
    • “The story alternates between moments of happiness, warmth, and heart-wrenching sadness, leaving me emotionally invested.”
    • “The structure is formulaic by visual novel standards, and players unfamiliar with Key's storytelling approach may find the initial pacing slow or the narrative beats predictable.”
    • “However, the story gets really messed up in those two true endings.”
    • “The issue is that the events surrounding her story are weak and poorly delivered, leaving a lot to be desired.”
  • emotional
    166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    "Summer Pockets" is widely praised for its deeply emotional storytelling, with players reporting significant emotional investment and moments that evoke tears. The game masterfully blends heartwarming and heart-wrenching narratives, exploring themes of memory, loss, and connection through well-developed character arcs. With its expressive art, evocative music, and impactful voice acting, it delivers a powerful emotional experience that resonates long after completion, making it a standout in the visual novel genre.

    • “Summer Pockets is a deeply emotional and beautifully crafted visual novel developed by Key, the renowned studio behind Clannad, Air, and Little Busters!”
    • “The story alternates between moments of happiness, warmth, and heart-wrenching sadness, leaving me emotionally invested.”
    • “I know that Key is very known for emotional games, yet I didn’t expect it to affect me that much that I even teared up in the end and just wanted all of them to get the happy end they deserved.”
  • music
    144 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Summer Pockets" is widely praised as one of its standout features, with a beautiful and emotionally resonant soundtrack that enhances the game's atmosphere and storytelling. Composed by veteran musicians from Key, the soundtrack effectively captures a range of moods, from serene and nostalgic to deeply moving, making it a memorable aspect of the visual novel. While some reviewers noted that it may not be as diverse as previous Key titles, the overall consensus is that the music is exceptional and integral to the game's emotional impact.

    • “The music is fantastic, the visuals are stunning, and the voice actors are great.”
    • “The soundtrack captures so many different moods, and the more elaborate tracks seem to flow in just the right way with the scenes they're used in.”
    • “The storytelling, artworks, and soundtrack are top-tier and provide one of the best experiences yet.”
    • “Even the music feels like generic royalty-free music we'd find in the background of YouTube videos.”
    • “You preferably want your music to be at least above average when the reader has to listen to it for probably at least 8 hours.”
    • “The music is well made, but it's not as diverse a soundtrack as other Key games, which isn't a bad thing.”
  • humor
    45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it engaging and genuinely funny, often leading to moments of laughter and emotional resonance. While some characters and scenes shine with clever writing and comedic timing, others fall flat or rely on overused tropes, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's charm, balancing lighthearted moments with deeper emotional themes.

    • “This route had a lot of comedy that made me laugh, since Ao is the kind of girl who’s really fun to joke around with.”
    • “It's actually really funny too; I found myself often laughing at the characters' antics.”
    • “The game is a visual novel created by Key, who is very famous for their tear-jerking stories, combined with a lot of funny moments and dramas.”
    • “I probably am depicting it way worse than it actually is, but while Kamome's route still felt like it was about looking for a pirate ship, Tsugumi's route just drags on and on with nothing much happening except Tsumugi trying to act quirky and ending every sentence with 'mugyuu', while her friend is randomly babbling on about boobs in the most unfunny way possible.”
  • graphics
    41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning, painterly art style that evokes a nostalgic and dreamlike atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional quality of the visuals and character designs. The artwork is described as both beautiful and reminiscent of classic manga, contributing significantly to the overall immersive experience, while the accompanying soundtrack enhances the emotional depth of the game. Overall, the visuals are considered top-notch, with ratings often reaching 8/10 or higher, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The game employs a soft, painterly art style for its backgrounds, giving the island a dreamlike beauty that reinforces the game’s nostalgic tone.”
    • “The visuals are stunning, from the main menu to the general scenery, accompanied by an absolutely beautiful soundtrack and all of it packed into a smooth running game.”
    • “Newer games tend to overshadow older ones but so far, of the ones I have played, this is easily the most aesthetically pleasing as well as having music that pulls you into the moment while being subtle enough not to steal the show from the story.”
    • “If you don’t care about graphics and only care about the story, go play Little Busters.”
    • “Not even an hour into the game, I really thought to myself that I get this 'old manga/anime' feeling with this artwork.”
    • “Imo, I think that Izumi Tsubasu's (Ao) art style doesn't really fit here though.”
  • atmosphere
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Summer Pockets" is widely praised for its immersive and nostalgic portrayal of summer life on a quiet island, enhanced by beautiful music and strong voice acting. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a calming and welcoming environment, with a charming cast of characters and well-paced storytelling that evokes deep emotional responses. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact and overall experience.

    • “What makes Summer Pockets so effective is how well it captures the rhythm and atmosphere of summer on a quiet island.”
    • “The voice acting, the music, the art, the atmosphere — it’s all close to flawless.”
    • “Just be prepared to have a box of tissues handy if you're the type that can't stomach the melodramatic atmosphere of nakiges.”
    • “Its setting of an island countryside really worked in the nostalgia and relaxing atmosphere, and the characters really made the place welcoming, like a home.”
    • “The atmosphere and the conversations between the characters are superb.”
  • character development
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in this visual novel is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, with players feeling a strong connection to the main characters and appreciating their distinct personalities and backstories. While the main heroines receive significant attention and growth, some side characters are noted as lacking in development, leading to anticipation for future expansions that may address this. Overall, the game successfully blends engaging storytelling with well-crafted character arcs, making it a standout in the genre.

    • “For those who appreciate visual novels that blend slice-of-life charm with meaningful character development and thoughtful emotional journeys, this is one of the genre’s finest offerings.”
    • “The character development is great, and I genuinely felt immediately connected with the characters, which was not the case with 'Little Busters', where I found some of the characters annoying and never grew to like any of them.”
    • “Character development and story progression are both superb on all routes, which is something that could not be said for most others.”
    • “Side characters seem to be a little bit lacking in character development, so I'm really looking forward to playing the Reflection Blue version (if you don't know, it's likely a DLC with more routes, so please buy the game to support Key in releasing the English version of it).”
    • “Most visual novels usually treat the characters that don't end up being the main source of romance as expendable, ultimately being cast aside in the plot with little to no character development.”
    • “Character development is slightly rushed, as you only have about 35 days of plot development in each route from a realistic point of view, but the main heroine is quite fleshed out after receiving so much attention.”
  • gameplay
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in this visual novel is characterized by standard mechanics such as choice-making and reading, with the addition of engaging mini-games that enhance the overall experience. While some players noted a messy narrative climax, the inclusion of fun mini-games and a generous save system received positive feedback. However, minor technical issues like FPS drops during transitions were mentioned but did not significantly impact gameplay.

    • “But more than a visual novel, the best ping pong gameplay ever.”
    • “Summer Pockets is a good game from Key; they really know how to blend mini-games to make the gameplay more enjoyable, like Little Busters.”
    • “As for the gameplay, it's pretty much the same as other visual novels: you make choices, read the story, and then at the end, you will unlock the true ending for the story.”
    • “This made the story from the climax to the ending in the two true routes feel messy and hollow after hours of gameplay.”
    • “As for the gameplay, it's pretty much the same as other visual novels; you make choices, read the story, and then at the end you will unlock the true ending for the story.”
    • “The gameplay itself (for a visual novel) is pretty easy.”
  • grinding
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a mixed relationship with grinding in the game, finding enjoyment in the process despite its repetitive nature. The option to skip the prologue for quicker route grinding is appreciated, allowing for a more streamlined experience. Overall, grinding is seen as a necessary aspect that can enhance engagement, even as it reflects the pressures of life.

    • “Once the dream imperceptibly fades away, childhood memories—happy, sad, and touching—are ground down by the gears of life. Now, in this fast-paced existence, we are forced into various forms of 'bondage' as we set out.”
    • “The game even gives the option to skip the prologue for when you're just grinding through routes.”
    • “I found myself hugely enjoying the grinding aspect of the game.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game is perceived as lacking, with users feeling that it deserves more advertising to reach a wider audience, similar to other popular titles. There is a sense of frustration that the game's potential is not fully realized due to insufficient marketing efforts, particularly in Western markets.

    • “Sometimes I wonder if Key does such a terrible job at advertising this to the West so that we few can cherish it among ourselves.”
Skip Game Offers

Buy Summer Pockets

50h Median play time
50h Average play time
50-50h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Summer Pockets

Games Like Summer Pockets

Little Busters! Image
97%550reviews

Little Busters!

2017Casual Simulation
PCSteam DeckWindows
If My Heart Had Wings Image
91%2.3kreviews

If My Heart Had Wings

2014Casual Simulation
Playstation 3Nintendo SwitchPC+9
The Fruit of Grisaia Image
90%714reviews

The Fruit of Grisaia

2015Casual Action Adventure
PCTabletAndroid+6
A Sky Full of Stars Image
87%586reviews

A Sky Full of Stars

2017Casual Simulation
PCWindows
Aokana: Four Rhythms Across the Blue Image
92%737reviews

Aokana: Four Rhythms Across the Blue

2019Action
Nintendo SwitchAndroidPlaystation 4+10
More games like Summer Pockets
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Summer Pockets is a action game with romance and comedy themes.

Summer Pockets is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Phone, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 50 hours playing Summer Pockets.

Summer Pockets was released on February 5, 2020.

Summer Pockets was developed by VisualArts/Key.

Summer Pockets has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Summer Pockets is a single player game.

Similar games include Little Busters!, If My Heart Had Wings, The Fruit of Grisaia, A Sky Full of Stars, Aokana: Four Rhythms Across the Blue and others.