Finding summer

设置界面，主页无中文 基本上靠眼神好，游戏性很差。

Finding summer is a small-scale 3D platforming adventure that builds its identity around childhood nostalgia and the desire to rediscover the warmth of summer. Developed by Vadd games and published by Conglomerate 5, it follows Aki, a young protagonist longing for the previous summer and setting out on an unusual journey to find that feeling again. It is a deliberately simple premise, but that simplicity suits the colorful presentation and gives the adventure an innocent, almost dreamlike personality. The gameplay revolves primarily around platforming through a collection of stages filled with obstacles, environmental challenges, and routes that demand careful movement. Its most interesting feature is the way levels are constructed across two layers. Aki can transition between these layers while navigating a stage, creating situations where the solution is not simply to continue moving forward. Players have to pay attention to their surroundings and understand how the two sections of the environment connect. This mechanic gives the game a recognizable identity and introduces a light spatial puzzle element into otherwise traditional platforming. The main adventure contains more than 25 levels spread across four colorful locations. Although four major environments might sound modest, the stages attempt to remain varied by introducing different mechanics and challenges along the way. The game is consequently better approached as a sequence of focused platforming courses rather than a large 3D world intended for unrestricted exploration. Progressing from one level to another provides a straightforward structure, while the changing mechanics help prevent the entire journey from feeling like a repetition of the opening stages. Despite its cheerful appearance, Finding summer is designed to provide a meaningful challenge. Accurate movement and timing become increasingly important as obstacles grow more demanding. Mistakes are naturally part of learning a stage, and players who enjoy repeatedly attempting difficult platforming sequences until they understand the correct rhythm are likely to appreciate this aspect more than those looking for an entirely relaxing adventure. The contrast between the bright visual style and challenging gameplay is actually one of the game's more interesting qualities. Aki's journey is also given additional personality through the characters encountered along the way. These friendly figures have their own personalities and motivations, helping the world feel like more than an assortment of obstacle courses. There is also a cat connected to Aki's adventure, reinforcing the lighthearted character of the experience. The narrative does not overwhelm the platforming with lengthy exposition, instead providing enough context and personality to establish why the journey matters. The instrumental soundtrack complements this direction particularly well. Rather than competing with the gameplay, the music supports the nostalgic atmosphere and colorful environments. Combined with the visual presentation, it reinforces the idea that Aki is traveling through an idealized recollection of warm and carefree days. The presentation is relatively modest from a technical standpoint, but the art direction matters more than graphical complexity here. Its visual personality is closely tied to the game's central theme. There are still limitations to consider. Finding summer is clearly a smaller indie production, and players expecting the extensive refinement, animation quality, environmental detail, or mechanical depth of a major 3D platformer may find it comparatively basic. The unusual two-layer level structure provides an appealing foundation, but the experience remains centered on navigating obstacles and completing stages. Consequently, its longevity largely depends on how much enjoyment the player gets from platforming itself. Steam Deck compatibility is currently best regarded as Unverified rather than officially confirmed as Verified or Playable. Its relatively lightweight nature may make handheld play technically feasible, but the absence of an official compatibility rating means Steam Deck owners should not assume completely trouble-free operation, controls, or interface behavior. Individual results can therefore vary depending on the current SteamOS and Proton configuration. Finding summer ultimately succeeds most through its personality and central gameplay concept. The combination of nostalgic storytelling, colorful locations, challenging platforming, two-layer stages, friendly characters, and instrumental music gives this modest adventure a distinct flavor. It may lack the depth and polish required to compete with the strongest platformers in the genre, but it offers an interesting journey for players who enjoy discovering unusual indie games and overcoming increasingly demanding stages. Rating: 5/10

Förvirrande kontroller då det tog mig minst tio minuter innan jag förstod hur jag skulle byta mellan förgrund och bakgrund. Hade varit väldigt underlättande att ha med i alla fall en introduktionsbana, som visar kontrollerna. De övriga kontrollerna är ganska awkward placerade i min åsikt. Tycker personligen det är svårt att vänja sig vid att byta mellan förgrund och bakgrund. Annars är det ett väldigt atmorsfäriskt mysigt spel.

그래픽은 좋지만 인게임 설명이 생각보다 불친절하다. 이 글을 쓰는 필자는 한 보스전에서 진행이 완전히 막혀버렸다. 컨트롤 문제인지... 여튼 컨트롤이 어느 정도 하드한 게임이라고 판단되니 주의하시길.