So, it's always a Risk - right? When you set your sights(and hopes) on a vn with predetermined MC and LI who you might not like - or they come across as shallow. But I'm Truly Glad I gave this one a go.
I came across you all and this game entirely by chance and was enamored by all the RESEARCH I saw put into it. There was a real Depth of Feeling - a Poignant Desire to express something Specific. Playing and completing A Summer's End; I feel you achieved what you were going for: Something Authentic; something Real. Something Raw and Painful and Wise.
I admit, the story started a bit slow in my mind - it started like every story. That's not a bad thing - but it didn't really catch Fire for me until Michelle and Sam met and starting bouncing off each other. Making those sparks. I don't know how others felt, but I LIKED that Michelle had this '...and - Why are you talking to me? Shoo.' vibe when they first met. I like when fated pairings start off bumpy like that. It shows they have no idea they're going to get together.
Honestly: Michelle was my baby - I felt so Mama proud with her life choices. There was something so Precious in seeing her Growth. She WASN'T Perfect - she F-ed up multiple times - but I RESPECTED she OWNED IT. She knew when she hurt Sam, she knew when she wasn't being True to herself - and while Denial reared its Ugly head more than a few times - she Always Acknowledged where/when she fell short. And Committed to being better. Even if it took a few times. Adored those FUN, RANDOM Feisty choices you could make as well (i.e. 'I'll take your CHAMPAGNE AND YOUR TEQUILA SUNRISE'). It made Michelle such a full-bodied flavor. I also appreciated she could stay True to herself in said choices; it seemed like I got the 'Good' ending even though, quite often, Michelle didn't like what Sam liked. I wasn't pandering for this character to love me, choosing what I thought THEY would want to make the relationship work. Respect.
Sam, tho - SAAAAAAM. (Young Sam can GET IT, btw - OOF~ <3) Speaking of, FAVORITE MOMENT of the game was when I saw that Rewind and then we got SAM'S POV. I - SCREAMED, hunny. I wanted to know her feelings SO HARD. And you pulled it off! It's not easy writing the same scenes over -- even with a new person's perspective -- but you gave just Enough without it being repetitive or overbearing. I feel like a Lot of these games Focus on the 'Michelles', the ones who are having existential crises over their sexuality. Not that it isn't important: But what about the Sams who found out on their own, who embraced it - who found their own Paths? Who Live their Truth. I loved Rewind because I got to see her Struggle; *That* was when she became Human to me. Not just this smiling, charming LI. There was so much behind that smile - Sam Hurt too - and while I would've Loved to have seen More of her Pain, I felt like you didn't make it so much about MICHELLE, that Sam wasn't lost. Also loved her friendship with Cecilia - FEMALE FRIENDSHIPS, AMIRITE?
The MOTHER. *Sighs* It never ceases to Amaze me how 'Mother' can cross cultural lines. The DISAPPOINTMENT. The GUILT. How they can precisely and effectively cut you down where you're weakest because they KNOW. In the end: I think we all just want our parents to be proud of us. A daughter and mother's relationship is one of the most complicated things in this world -- and you portrayed it with Vivid Realism. It was Painful. It was Hard. When Michelle finally got to 'I can't live my life for my parents' realization - PHEW. One of the Hardest Lessons to Learn; but so Worth It.
Jeffy-Jamie-Joey -- Bless Him: I Could Not STAND HIS FACE. Every time he talked, I just - GAH. I appreciate you didn't make him 'THE MAN' (though, in some ways he was), the 'VILLAIN'. He could only be himself. Still: Kick Rocks, Joey.
Also - can I just say THANK YOU for Adult patch? Like - I GET IT. I think it should Always be a choice, but I am a personal HATER of 'fade to black'. And playing Both with and without it, I found the story lacking Without. It wasn't as DEEP. Having Tasteful, non-Vulgar scenes doesn't mean CENSURE. Doesn't mean it can't be SEXY. Two women together are as beautiful as any other and it NEEDS to be shown. So, I STAN. So Proud of you for doing it.
All in All: Glad I paid for this. Glad I *Supported* this. Loved the Aesthetic, Loved the Music(GOSH - THE MUSIC). LOVED the OUTFITS! And that when a character DID something (like removed a scarf and gave it to blah) YOU SAW IT. The Sprites CHANGED. That's a small detail that's HUGE to me. Biggest Compliment I can give Any other Creative is that experiencing your work made me create as well. It made me *Think*; it got the juices flowing. I'm Very Picky about what I consume, so that's A LOT. Fabulous Job, OB. Keep living *YOUR* Truth.