Half visible novel, half RPG, Loop8: Summer time of the Gods is an fascinating thought which sadly finally ends up caught in a little bit of a rut. All of it begins off effectively sufficient, with the sport’s protagonist Nini shifting to a small city and one of many few secure havens left on Earth. Humanity has been pushed to the brink of extinction because of creatures from the underworld, generally known as the Kegai, always invading.
Regardless of imminent destruction looming over everybody, the environment is remarkably relaxed. Nini will spend his days going to class and hanging out with mates somewhat than fretting in regards to the finish of the world. However issues don’t keep peaceable for lengthy. Each 5 days or so a Kegai will handle to slide by way of the barrier surrounding the city and possess somebody. With Nini’s distinctive Demon Sight capability you’ll should make your method by way of the underworld and face off towards the demons.
You’ll be able to take two mates with you to assist in the combat, and that is the place hanging out will turn out to be useful. Reasonably than gaining ranges by combating, characters will get stronger as you get to know them. This can enhance their stats and unlock new talents for them to make use of through the simplistic turn-based fight.
You’ll solely be controlling Nini throughout battle; the opposite characters will determine their very own actions based mostly on their bond with you. This will make fight a bit annoying at occasions, as your allies received’t all the time take advantage of wise of selections. And if your folks get killed, they received’t return till your subsequent time loop. This makes it actually essential to attempt to spend time with extra than simply a few your favourites — likelihood is a few of them aren’t going to outlive the summer season.
If Nini dies then the Gods will reset the world and also you’ll have to begin once more from the start of August. You received’t be beginning fully from scratch although, as any blessings you’ve been given by the Gods will nonetheless be lively. This offers you a little bit of a head begin in your stats and signifies that you’ll be stronger each loop.
A great time loop mechanic is meant to offer you sufficient selection in order that repetition would not set in. Sadly, that is the place Loop8 falls flat. You’ll be going over the identical conversations and so they’re simply not fascinating sufficient to make it worthwhile. It additionally doesn’t assist that there’s solely a small number of enemies, and that the underworld is usually simply the city with a special color palette. It is onerous to not get aggravated whenever you realise that you just’re nonetheless not sturdy sufficient to take out the following boss, and haven’t any alternative however to repeat the previous couple of weeks.