Loop8: Summer of Gods is a coming-of-age RPG set in 1980s rural Japan. The game follows the life of Nini, a newly earthbound teen who arrives in the quaint Japanese town of Ashihara in August 1983. The player explores the town, builds relationships with its inhabitants, and battles against the Kegai in turn-based fights where outcomes depend on the connections made and choices taken. Nini has a unique ability to reset the world, allowing him and his allies to repeat the month of August until they succeed, or until the Kegai defeats them. With the world ending in a month, the player’s actions and decisions directly impact the game’s course.
The game is characterized by its nostalgic and beautifully depicted rural Japanese townscape, engaging mechanics where everyday actions influence battles, and an emotion-driven AI system that responds to player decisions, providing a unique experience in each playthrough. The game’s graphics are stunning and capture the essence of rural Japan perfectly. The music is also well done and adds to the overall atmosphere of the game.
The gameplay is turn-based and involves completing tasks and building relationships in a small seaside town while also fighting invading spirits called Kegai. The game’s mechanics are similar to Persona’s social simulation elements but lack its engaging pacing or addictive nature of games like Hades or Neon White. The dialogue and relationship-building become monotonous after multiple playthroughs. The battle system is appreciated but frustrating due to limited control over teammates’ actions.
The story is centered around Nini’s repeated attempts to stop the Kegai from destroying the village of Ashihara. It lacks depth and fails to keep the player invested. However, it offers similar social dynamics and turn-based combat as Persona series.
The game has a few minor issues that detract from its overall experience. For example, there are some bugs that can cause crashes or glitches during gameplay. Additionally, some players may find that the game’s difficulty level is too high for their liking.
In conclusion, Loop8: Summer of Gods is an unconventional RPG that focuses more on social simulation than traditional RPG mechanics. It offers an immersive experience set in 1980s rural Japan with beautiful graphics and music. However, it lacks depth in its story and gameplay mechanics.
