A visual novel is an interactive fiction game, featuring mostly static graphics, most often using anime-style art or occasionally live-action stills (and sometimes video footage). As the name might suggest, they resemble mixed-media novels.
In Japanese terminology, a distinction is often made between visual novels proper (abbreviated NVL), which consist predominantly of narration and have very few interactive elements, and adventure games (abbreviated AVG or ADV), which may incorporate problem-solving and other types of gameplay. This distinction is normally lost outside Japan, where both NVLs and ADVs are commonly referred to as "visual novels" by international fans. Visual novels and ADVs are especially prevalent in Japan, where they made up nearly 70% of the PC game titles released in 2006.
Visual novels are distinguished from other game types by their extremely minimal gameplay. Typically the majority of player interaction is limited to clicking to keep the text, graphics and sound moving (most recent games offer "play" or "fast-forward" toggles that make even this unnecessary).
Most visual novels have multiple storylines and many endings; the gameplay mechanic in these cases typically consists of intermittent multiple-choice decision points, where the player selects a direction in which to take the game.
Natsu Shoujo: Masato visited his friend's hometown during last year's summer holiday, and met three girls, Aki, Miyako and Ayami. He enjoyed his time there, and promised with them he would come back again when he left.... One year later, he visits there, and meets them again, who have grown up a little bit....
Natsu Shoujo - Promised Summer is the reworked PlayStation 2 edition of the PC adventure game, Natsu Shoujo (Summer Girl). This relationship-focused simulation adventure is similar to the PC original in story and game system, but as its new subtitle suggests, has gotten a few upgrades.
For one, there are now 40 different CG scenes in traditional Japanese anime style. There is also a new scenario with original characters. Gameplay consists mostly out of character conversations with multiple choice question and answers and plenty of pictures of pretty young things.
MANUFACTURER'S DESCRIPTION:
The ported to the PS2 love adventure depicting the whereabouts of love and adolescent girls to grow little by little. Added "Some" new event CG, new scenario, to capture possible character. While feeling the change in her who the main character came to play and to the country of friends in summer vacation, growing up every time there meeting, to reunite, to nurture and to pure love a little love.
FEATURES:
- First person perspective.
- 2D graphics
- Cartoon graphics
- High School, romance & Anime themes.
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