SUMMERHOUSE is a Marmite experience. I played it and put it down, played it and put it down, and played it again. First, I hated it! I couldn’t see the point behind the simplicity, the lack of depth, and the short levels. However, the more I played it, the more it made sense. This isn’t a game about progression and goals. Instead, it is about trial and error, relaxation, and seeing what life throws at you.
This odd, relaxing experience was developed by Friedemann and published by Future Friends Games. It is a single-player title that was well-received on PC. Consequently, console gamers now get a chance to see what the hype is all about. I’m not entirely sure console gamers will receive it as well, but I enjoyed the niche, albeit limited, experience.
SUMMERHOUSE tells no tale.
When a game offers no story, I shudder. I want to get my teeth into a riveting plot. A tale of doom, despair, or revenge. SUMMERHOUSE could have explained a moment of desperation, a failing within society, or a dream for an adult who had lost it all. Instead, it does none of these things. It lets your imagination run wild. With random building blocks and a sense of exploration, you are free to create a humble but interesting scene.
Alongside this, the more you experiment, the more surprises you uncover. Each tile and building block works hand-in-hand to generate a new scene. Bakers, writers, families, and more come to life as you create large, small, and interesting houses in each of the 4 game maps.
A lack of assets.
SUMMERHOUSE offers a relaxing experience unlike many other games. The freedom to create picture-perfect scenes that evolve in front of you was amazing! Although the developer has left you to your own devices, the game flows nicely as you place blocks and observe how things change.
With a day/night cycle and different weather to play with, the action leaves you guessing. However, a lack of assets was frustrating. Instead of freely creating industrial, warm and rich house scenes, you are left with a handful of different options. This limited approach was frustrating when you consider how short the game was.
SUMMERHOUSE has a soft and dated look.
SUMMERHOUSE delivers a sense of nostalgia with its soft and fuzzy colour palette. Each landscape is unique, and the field of view is limited. Consequently, taking in the whole image isn’t possible. This was annoying as I wanted to consume the whole scene. Instead, I had to absorb minor elements as things expanded.
The audio has that subtle hiss that reminds you of a tape deck or vinyl. This adds to the old-school edge while matching the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The music is laidback without a sense of drama or tension. This matches the chilled vibe and works extremely well with the visuals.
No tutorial!
The mechanics are simple, but SUMMERHOUSE should have had a tutorial. I worked out what I needed to do, but I had no idea why I was doing it. Placing blocks, changing the weather, and working through bits was a piece of cake, but I was lost. I wanted to find a reason behind everything, but the game failed to offer a solution. Although this didn’t matter in the long run, I would have liked a bit more detail when I first logged in.
Replay value leans heavily on your desire to create a unique space. If you don’t have a creative edge or you don’t like the core concept, you will not want to play this for very long. Sadly, there is no progression, no depth, and little reason to return. Subsequently, it is a little niche.
SUMMERHOUSE is an odd game.
I liked SUMMERHOUSE once I understood what was required. I’m not sure it’ll get the plaudits it wants, and I’m not sure it entirely deserves them. It is unique, but a little odd. Moreover, it is limited, repetitive, and lacking in depth. Therefore, it won’t be for everyone. Despite this, I thought it was okay, and I recommend buying it here! Can you create a dream landscape? Pick your tiles, build your houses, and watch the world evolve.
