Everlasting Summer (2014)

by Nish
written by Nish 7 minutes read

Summary

Everlasting Summer: A Nostalgic Trip to the Soviet Past

Everlasting Summer is a time-warping, mind-bending visual novel that takes you back to the late Soviet Russia. Originally released in Russian in 2014, the game has since been translated into English and has gained a cult following among fans of the genre.

You play as Semyon, a poster child of contemporary chan culture, who falls asleep on a bus and wakes up in front of the gates of Sovyonok, a pioneer camp of the late Soviet Russia. As you explore the camp and interact with the other campers, you begin to realize that something is not quite right. The year is 1989, and the Soviet Union is still standing.

Everlasting Summer is a unique blend of nostalgia and humor. The game lovingly recreates the atmosphere of a Soviet summer camp, complete with all the trappings of the era: red pioneer scarves, communal meals, and sing-alongs around the campfire. But there is also a darker side to the game, as Semyon begins to uncover the secrets of Sovyonok and the people who inhabit it.

One of the things that makes Everlasting Summer so special is its cast of characters. Each camper is a fully realized individual with their own unique personality and backstory. You’ll meet Lena, the shy and bookish girl; Ulyana, the outgoing and popular girl; and Alice, the mysterious and enigmatic girl. As you spend time with these characters, you’ll learn about their hopes and dreams, their fears and insecurities.

The game also features a branching storyline, which means that your choices will affect the course of the story. Depending on the choices you make, you can end up with one of several different endings. This replayability value adds to the game’s overall appeal, as it encourages players to explore different paths and discover new things.

Everlasting Summer is a beautiful and haunting game that will stay with you long after you finish playing it. It’s a game that captures the spirit of a bygone era, and it’s a game that will make you think about the choices you make in life.

Gameplay

Everlasting Summer is a visual novel, which means that the gameplay consists primarily of reading text and making choices. The game is divided into chapters, each of which focuses on a different character. As you read the story, you will be presented with a series of choices that will affect the course of the story. These choices can be anything from choosing what to say to a character to choosing what action to take in a given situation.

The choices you make will affect your relationship with the other characters, and they will also determine which ending you get. There are multiple endings to Everlasting Summer, so you’ll need to play through the game multiple times to see them all.

Characters

One of the things that makes Everlasting Summer so special is its cast of characters. Each camper is a fully realized individual with their own unique personality and backstory. You’ll meet:

  • Semyon: The protagonist of the game. Semyon is a poster child of contemporary chan culture. He is cynical, sarcastic, and often dismissive of others. However, he also has a kind heart and a strong sense of justice.
  • Lena: A shy and bookish girl. Lena is intelligent and well-read, but she is also very insecure. She is often bullied by the other campers, but Semyon takes pity on her and becomes her friend.
  • Ulyana: The outgoing and popular girl. Ulyana is beautiful, athletic, and charming. She is the most popular girl in the camp, and she is always surrounded by a group of admirers. However, she is also very lonely and insecure.
  • Alice: The mysterious and enigmatic girl. Alice is a beautiful and mysterious girl who appears in Semyon’s dreams. She is always smiling, but her eyes are always sad. Semyon is drawn to Alice, but he doesn’t know anything about her.

Themes

Everlasting Summer explores a number of themes, including:

  • Nostalgia: The game is set in the late Soviet Russia, and it lovingly recreates the atmosphere of a Soviet summer camp. The game is full of references to Soviet culture, and it will evoke a sense of nostalgia for anyone who grew up in the USSR.
  • Friendship: The game is about the power of friendship. Semyon forms strong bonds with the other campers, and these friendships help him to overcome the challenges he faces.
  • Choice: The game features a branching storyline, which means that your choices will affect the course of the story. The game encourages players to explore different paths and discover new things.

Critical Reception

Everlasting Summer has received critical acclaim from both critics and players. The game has been praised for its beautiful art, its well-written story, and its lovable characters. The game has also been praised for its innovative use of the visual novel format.

Conclusion

Everlasting Summer is a beautiful and haunting game that will stay with you long after you finish playing it. It’s a game that captures the spirit of a bygone era, and it’s a game that will make you think about the choices you make in life. If you’re a fan of visual novels, or if you’re just looking for a great story to get lost in, then I highly recommend Everlasting Summer.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Profile photo of Nish

Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.

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