| _Summer | |
_Summer original visual novel cover. |
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| アンダーバーサマー (Andābā samā) |
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|---|---|
| Genre | Drama, Harem |
| Game | |
| Developer | Hooksoft |
| Publisher | Hooksoft (PC) GN Software (PS2) |
| Genre | Eroge, Visual novel |
| Rating | 18+ (PC)
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| Platform | PC, PlayStation 2 |
| Released | July 15, 2005 (PC) August 24, 2006 (PS2) October 4, 2007 (PS2 re-release) December 21, 2007 (PC Renewal) |
| Light novel | |
| Written by | Jōji Kamio |
| Illustrated by | Araiguma |
| Published by | Softgarage |
| Original run | October 14, 2005 – September 25, 2006 |
| Volumes | 4 |
| Original video animation | |
| Directed by | Takahiro Okao |
| Studio | Rikuentai |
| Released | October 27, 2006 (episode 1) January 26, 2007 (episode 2) |
| Runtime | 24 minutes each |
| Episodes | 2 |
_Summer (アンダーバーサマー Andābā Samā, Underbar Summer) is an adult Japanese visual novel developed by Hooksoft which was released on July 15, 2005, playable on the PC as a CD; a PlayStation 2 consumer console port called _Summer## followed on August 24, 2006, by GN Software. An updated version of the original game, called _Summer Renewal Edition (_Summer新装版 _Summer Shinsōban), which is compatible up to Windows Vista and is playable on a PC as a DVD, was released on December 21, 2007. _Summer is self-described as a "laid-back school romance love comedy adventure game" (まったり純恋学園ラブコメADV Mattari Jun Koi Gakuen Rabu Kome ADV), according to Hooksoft. The gameplay in _Summer follows a plot line which offers pre-determined scenarios with courses of interaction, and focuses on the appeal of the six female main characters. The story revolves around Takumi Kaizu, who after years of making good friends, many of whom are female, is asked by his best male friend Osamu Funada if he likes anyone. With his last summer in high school quickly approaching, Takumi decides to find someone to like by the end of summer vacation.
Four character light novels have been written based on the original game written by Jōji Kamio. A two-episode original video animation was produced; the two DVDs were released on October 27, 2006, and January 26, 2007. Three drama CDs were released based on the game, and a fourth was later released as a prologue to the OVA.
Contents |
The gameplay requires little interaction from the player as most of the duration of the game is spent on simply reading the text that will appear on the screen; this text represents either dialogue between the various characters, or the inner thoughts of the protagonist. Every so often, the player will come to a "decision point" where he or she is given the chance to choose from options that are displayed on the screen, typically two to three at a time.
During these times, gameplay pauses until a choice is made that furthers the plot in a specific direction, depending on which choice the player makes. There are six main plot lines that the player will have the chance to experience, one for each of the heroines in the story. In order to view the six plot lines to their entirety, the player will have to replay the game multiple times and choose different choices during the decision points in order to further the plot in an alternate direction.
Takumi Kaizu is a normal high school student enjoying his final year in school with the rest of his friends. Over the years, he has made good memories with these friends of his, most of whom are girls, though apparently still have no overt feelings of attraction towards any of them. When asked by his best male friend Osamu Funada if he likes anyone, Takumi starts to think about it though is still confused on what to do next. With his last summer in high school quickly approaching, Takumi decides to find someone to like by the end of summer vacation.
_Summer was first introduced to the public in Japan on July 15, 2005, as a CD-ROM playable on a Microsoft Windows PC. A version for the PlayStation 2 with adult content removed, called _Summer## (アンダーバーサマー ダブルシャープ Andābā Samā Daburu Shāpu, read as Underbar Summer Double Sharp), was developed by GN Software and released in Japan on August 24, 2006, in limited and regular editions. The limited edition PS2 release came bundled with a drama CD, a cell phone strap featuring Konami Hatano, and a double-sided hug pillowcase, also featuring Konami.[1] The PS2 version was re-released at a cheaper price on October 4, 2007.[2] An updated version of the original game, called _Summer Renewal Edition (_Summer新装版 _Summer Shinsōban), which is compatible up to Windows Vista and is playable on a PC as a DVD, was released on December 21, 2007.
There have been four erotic character light novels based on the game written by Japanese author Jōji Kamio and illustrated by Araiguma, published by Softgarage. The first novel covers Konami, the second covers both Chiwa and Sana, the third covers Shino and Wakana, and the fourth is a general novel entitled Omnibus. The first novel was released on October 14, 2005, and the final novel was released on September 25, 2006.
There are four drama CDs based on the series produced by two companies. The first set contains three CDs entitled _Summer: Everblue Days released between December 29, 2005, and April 21, 2006, by Marine Entertainment.[3] The last CD was released on September 29, 2006 by Softgarage as a prologue to the OVA series.
The first episode of the _Summer original video animation (OVA) was released on October 27, 2006, by the animation studio Rikuentai; the second episode was released on January 26, 2007. After the ending credits of each episode, there was a short, humorous bonus episode.
| # | Title | Original sale date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | "Is There Anyone You Like?" "Suki Nayatsu, Inaino ka?" (好きなやつ、いないのか?) |
October 27, 2006 | ||
| Takumi Kaizu has just returned from a trip to the hotsprings and now summer vacation is almost here, however first comes the Tanabata festival. When asked by his best friend if he likes anyone, Takumi is unsure on how to respond. | ||||
| 02 | "I Wish Everyone Could Stay Like This Forever" "Minna ga Itsumademo Konomama de Iraremasu Yōni" (みんながいつまでもこのままでいられますように) |
January 26, 2007 | ||
| Summer vacation has come and the group of friends decide to meet up together to watch the fireworks of the fireworks festival up on a lighthouse. While Takumi is there, he remembers some memories that he shared with Konami when he was younger. | ||||
_Summer's opening theme from the game is "Love Song" (こいのうた Koi no Uta) sung by Miyuki Hashimoto, and the ending theme from the game is "Important Person" (たいせつなひと Taisetsu na Hito) by YuNa; "Important Person" was also used as an insert song. The game's original soundtrack was released by Lantis on November 23, 2005, and contained thirty-one tracks.[4] A maxi single containing the opening and ending themes of the OVA was released on September 29, 2006. The OVA's opening theme is "Soda Water and Paper Airplanes" (ソダ水とひこうき雲 Sodasui to Hikoukigumo) by Yuma Kosaka, and the OVA's ending theme is "_Summer", also by Yuma Kosaka.