Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog

First and foremost: I enjoyed it quite some time, up until a certain point in the story were it seemed to fall apart. So heavy spoilers probably: [spoiler]We play as a security officer, after a brief introduction and exploration we get into our job and follow protocols. Everything fine so far. We experience drama, rivalry, an empty spaceship, stolen nut-mixes, a spaceship piercing super robot. Still kinda fine, weird but fine. We experience mutiny because of someone being stuck up and idiotic. We make decisions, explore, solve puzzles. And all that suddenly doesn't matter because we end up in a gunfight, a robot fight, and have the choice of rescuing our girlfriend or not, only to end up with one ending??? It feels like EVERYTHING we worked for doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if we forgave our rival, it doesn't matter if we solved puzzles, it doesn't matter if we did the best we could.[/spoiler] I want to like it, to recommend it, but this is actually bad in the last hours. A game should reward you, a story should have an ending that matters, and not just drop a "to be continued" kinda finish. To make it worse, here a quote "Stories from Sol was intended to be an anthology title but Gun-Dog got so big we decided to release it as its own standalone game." I would have preferred if it was clear from the beginning that it is intended to be an anthology. That it's just part of a bigger story. But hiding it in a community discussions behind spoiler tags? A discussion people wouldn't look up because it includes the ending of the game? WHY????? This game doesn't feel finished, it feels like a long extended demo, a prologue. Would I be pissed if it was actually just the beginning of a game? Just the first 10-15 hours of a 50 hours story? NO Am I pissed because it is what it is? YES

this is proof that VNs do need fanservice to be good actually

This is a visual novel first and foremost, the point & click puzzle elements are relatively light and most of the decisionmaking happen in social situations, not with logic puzzles. So I will consider this game as a visual novel, and it is definitely a good one. Not perfect, the story's tone is a little inconsistent and the story ends on a cliffhanger. Regardless, the story is still captivating, well-written, occasionally pretty funny (though humour is obv subjective), and it keeps you guessing on what'll happen next. Absolutely looking forward to the next installment (because there will be a sequel, right??)!

A visual novel where you're rewarded for paying attention that's further bolstered by a perfect 90's aesthetic? Sold! I pray that we get a sequel. I need to know how the story continues.

难以沉浸其中，背景音乐实在太过嘈杂。文字冒险游戏最重要的一部分就是音乐音效。开局一个明明非常悲惨恐惧的故事内容却搁哪无限循环一个轻快氛围的音乐。不如不放。暂时没心情玩这个游戏

Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog is a science-fiction visual novel that proudly embraces the style and storytelling traditions of classic Japanese computer adventures from the late 1980s and early 1990s. Developed by Space Colony Studios and published by Astrolabe Games and Meridiem Games, the title combines retro aesthetics with modern design sensibilities to create a narrative-focused experience that feels both nostalgic and surprisingly fresh. Rather than relying on action-heavy gameplay or cinematic spectacle, the game places its emphasis on atmosphere, mystery, character interactions, and thoughtful storytelling, resulting in an adventure that rewards patience and attention to detail. The story is set in a future where humanity has expanded across the solar system following a devastating interplanetary conflict. Players take on the role of a former soldier who is still burdened by the memories of war and the loss of trusted companions. Assigned to the patrol vessel Gun-Dog, the protagonist joins a mission to investigate a mysterious signal originating from a distant region of space. What initially appears to be a straightforward assignment gradually develops into a tense and dangerous mystery involving hidden agendas, growing paranoia, and a threat that places everyone aboard the ship in jeopardy. One of the game's most impressive achievements is its ability to create a powerful sense of place despite being largely confined to a single spacecraft. The Gun-Dog feels like a genuine military vessel occupied by individuals with their own responsibilities, histories, and motivations. Each section of the ship serves a narrative purpose, whether it is the bridge where critical decisions are made, engineering areas responsible for keeping the vessel operational, or quieter locations where personal conversations reveal deeper character details. The ship becomes more than just a setting; it evolves into a living environment that shapes the entire experience. The visual design is clearly inspired by the era of Japanese PC-98 adventure games. Pixel-art backgrounds, detailed character portraits, and retro user interfaces successfully recreate the look of classic science-fiction adventures while benefiting from modern production values. The artwork consistently captures the mood of the story, shifting effortlessly between moments of calm exploration and scenes filled with tension and uncertainty. Optional visual filters and display settings further enhance the nostalgic presentation, allowing players to tailor the experience to their preferred style. Gameplay focuses primarily on investigation and interaction. Players spend much of their time examining environments, gathering clues, and speaking with crew members to uncover information. Progress often depends on paying close attention to conversations and carefully exploring available locations rather than solving complicated puzzles. This structure creates a satisfying detective-like flow where every new discovery contributes to a larger understanding of the unfolding mystery. The game avoids overwhelming players with excessive complexity, making it accessible while still maintaining meaningful engagement. The character writing is one of the game's strongest elements. The crew of the Gun-Dog consists of individuals with distinct personalities, backgrounds, and perspectives. As the situation aboard the vessel becomes increasingly dangerous, relationships evolve and tensions rise. The interactions between characters feel natural, and the game does an excellent job of making players care about their fates. Even supporting cast members receive enough attention to feel important, which helps strengthen the emotional impact of major story developments. The narrative draws heavily from classic science-fiction anime and literature, incorporating themes of isolation, trauma, loyalty, and survival. Rather than relying on large-scale battles or constant action, the story generates suspense through uncertainty and psychological tension. Players are encouraged to question motives, interpret clues, and piece together the truth behind the strange events surrounding the mission. This slower and more methodical approach allows the mystery to develop organically, creating a rewarding experience for fans of story-driven adventures. Sound design also contributes significantly to the atmosphere. The soundtrack complements the game's retro presentation while helping establish the emotional tone of individual scenes. Whether exploring quiet corridors or confronting moments of crisis, the music enhances immersion without overpowering the narrative. Combined with strong visual direction, the audio design helps create a cohesive and memorable science-fiction setting. The game's main limitation is its deliberate pacing. Players seeking action-oriented gameplay may find the experience too slow, as much of the adventure revolves around reading dialogue, investigating locations, and following story developments. However, this measured approach is entirely appropriate for the genre and ultimately benefits the narrative. The game knows exactly what it wants to be and rarely compromises its identity in pursuit of broader appeal. Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog succeeds because it understands the strengths of classic adventure storytelling. It delivers a compelling mystery, a memorable cast, and an atmosphere that captures the spirit of vintage science-fiction while remaining approachable for modern audiences. Its combination of retro presentation, strong world-building, and engaging character interactions makes it a standout title for fans of visual novels and narrative-driven games. While it may not appeal to those looking for fast-paced gameplay, players who appreciate thoughtful storytelling and old-school science-fiction adventures will find a richly rewarding experience. Rating: 8/10

Overall a good story, except two moments where your character litterally says "must been the wind/must imagining thing" while it's quite obvious for the player that something sus is happening (but since your character is in disbelief, you can't bring this info to your "captain" in time...) Except for that, the story is well constructed and the "best" ending leave you wanting for more.

游戏的美术设计非常棒，不管是从画面到玩法还是音乐都非常有九十年代的感觉，非常有刚大木的感觉，甚至制作组名字就叫Space Colony哈哈可以的我爱了。游戏流程中的自由度也很不错，但是问题就是虽然流程里选择很多但是最后还是只能导向固定的结果。[spoiler]（虽然分支图里显示有俩结局但是他们其实本质上没有任何区别）[/spoiler] 这让我觉得蛮可惜的。故事里的很多疑问也没有得到解答，[spoiler] 比如神秘人背后的势力是？他们做这些测试和制造复制人的目的是啥？不管是故事还是世界观，到了开始扩展的时候就戛然而止了。作为玩家，二周目之后发现重要剧情没有任何变化，感觉还是挺沮丧的，就基本没有重复游玩的动力了。。。女主是很重要的角色，但是关于她的剧情很少，除了开头后面就怎么出来过了。。。[/spoiler] 几个角色里我最喜欢觉得最有存在感的就是汉森和轮机长了，这俩真的很有存在感，剧情也很多。 [spoiler] 对了，如果我走了臣服线选择向凡妮莎服软，舰长就会开始骂我，这里我真的百思不得其解凭啥骂我。。。这样的舰长到底谁想给你干事啊。[/spoiler] 总体而言就是最后有很多坑没填。不过如果你喜欢这种风格，还是值得一玩的。希望制作组以后能填坑

Super duper good. its a really nice space story and a really well thought out visual novel. anything you do will eventually take you to the end of the game, the only thing that differs each time is how you reach it. I really hope that this game gets a continuation because its super interesting space story that has potential to really go places.

Eu fui pela energia, vibes de RPGs japonês dos anos 90, aqueles superbizarros com mecânicas bizarras, sprites bonitos e diretores ocultistas (estou vendo você aí, diretor bigodudo dos Shin Megami Tensei). Eu fiquei pela história forte e imersão do jogo Capturou muito bem a vibe de anos 90 (com até opção de você piorar os gráficos para se imergir mais ainda), com porções em point-and-click, trilha sonora pixelizada, gráficos crocantes e, se você consegue chegar no final verdadeiro, consegue pegar todo o foreshadowing desde o início. Também gostei muito como o jogo te premia por prestar atenção. Eu não sei se é porque leio muitos livros de mistério (aliás, leiam Sherlock Holmes, O Massacre da Mansão Hope, Casas Estranhas, Agatha Christie e expandam suas mentes) e jogo muitos jogos de detetive (Tyrion Cuthbert e Ace Attorney são de advogado, mas vamos lá...), mas não precisei de um detonado para passar os enigmas, sacar as pistas certas e até mesmo pegar uma ponta-solta antes da própria história chegar. Enfim, gostei tanto que já tô seguindo a produtora (vão lançar mais sequências similares). Zerei num domingo inteiro e fui até o final. Queria muito salvar minha namoradinha virtual tarada em CHARGE (e a capitã-alcoólatra-loira-gostosa).