Introduction: SUMMERHOUSE, a creation by Friedemann, is a visually captivating game that offers a tranquil building experience. It’s a tribute to the nostalgia of long-lost summer afternoons, providing a unique blend of creativity and relaxation.
Gameplay Mechanics: The game is essentially a house-building toy that contains an element of magic. It allows you to design your rough-and-ready-looking houses in any way you want, whether it’s a solitary cottage or a bustling row of shops and cafés. The game encourages creativity, with secret building blocks that are unlocked by placing certain blocks or performing unspoken tasks. This adds an element of surprise and discovery to the gameplay, making each building experience unique.
Artistic Design: The game’s art style is rough and rudimentary, with buildings constructed out of concrete-grey bricks. This gives the game a rustic charm, and the ability to stick graffiti on the side of your buildings just as readily as it does windows adds a layer of personalization. The game also offers three preset weather/day patterns – sunny, stormy, and nighttime, allowing you to set the mood of your creation.
Experience: Playing SUMMERHOUSE is a relaxing experience, perfect for unwinding when you’re feeling a little stressed. The game does not have stringent gameplay mechanics, allowing for a creative outlet. It’s the type of game that’s great for short bursts, but can also be enjoyed for longer periods due to its open-ended nature.
Room for Improvement: While the game shines in its ambiance and artistic design, it could benefit from more refined controls, clearer objectives, and enhanced accessibility features. These improvements could make the game more user-friendly and appealing to a wider audience.
Conclusion: SUMMERHOUSE is a fine little game to start out with, and we can’t wait to see what else Friedemann creates. If you fancy a sandbox where you can design exteriors of homes, cafés, hotels – whatever you want, really – SUMMERHOUSE is a seriously cool one. It’s a game that allows you to express your creativity and enjoy the process of building, all while immersing yourself in a tranquil and nostalgic atmosphere.
REVIEW : United Penguin Kingdom (PC)
