I want to preface this with the following observation: 1) the overarching premise, what little has been given to us in the submission page, is compelling, even though we haven't got any plot details. I unfortunately need to leave a lot of my thoughts on the tracks to speculation as to what they can be. And 2) The artwork that has been provided here is super vibey and reminds me of certain types of doujin games; as someone who occasionally navigates the doujin music scene, this hits home.
With that out of the way, let's begin.
Sheru, which I am presuming is a menu theme or an opening cutscene theme. The crashing waves and other FX are deeply evocative and set the scene of me being on a childhood island. The guitar melody is something I would sing; I am not about to forget it anytime soon.
A day in town, the title feels fairly self-explanatory as an overworld theme, and has the kind of groove and pocket to suggest that. I hear the opening leitmotif coming in more background, but that's fine. It's nice that it hits me in the background, but it also has the capacity to hit me hard with that coming in. I love your playing and chords here too.
Ikari's Fishing Contest. Notwithstanding the FX, the theme conveys a good bit of hubbub and concentration, as would be expected from fishing; if the FX were absent it would suggest something more suburban.
Mana's Thoughts. It starts off slow and contemplative. Again, lovely chords and nice improvised feel. The plot details not being there can only leave it up to speculation for me, but given that the premise is about a terminally ill protag, and this is about her collecting her thoughts, it does convey a good bit of gravitas while also giving a laid-back feel, almost as if to say, I want to make memories.
Nao, kid love. I'm not exactly sure what story beat or moment in the theoretical game this is meant to accompany, it sounds either romantic or intimate, but nonetheless deeply emotional, as though navigating a tough situation.
Mana's Farewell. This one did coax out some tears. Judging by the title of this song, this plays when she inevitably passes. This also seems to double as a credits theme. I am a HUGE fan of classic rock, having done a fair bit of it myself, and when the guitars / bass / drums kick in, it brings in a kind of melancholy and emotion that I find is woefully missing in today's game soundtracks. This specific section has won this track a spot in one of my favourite tracks in this jam BY FAR. I only wish it resolved, rather than cut off where it did.
This is, in my estimation, one of the stronger entries in this jam by far (I'm aware I haven't rated very much). I rarely gush about tracks or OSTs or anything creative for that matter; if and when I do, I am pointing to something that I wish was done in more games and game soundtracks altogether, and you have done exactly that. Well done, and all the very best in this jam.