Sumire Reviews

Dull not deep. Schoolyard drama and some sort of inner demon revenge plot that didn't go anywhere. Unexplained talking animals dishing out fetch quests for coins and karma which don't really affect anything either. Looks nice but the 3D aspect had me frequently bumping into invisible walls. And why are her feet so damn small?

Sumire's art style is certainly a highlight, but its soundtrack is utterly sublime. I'm a sucker for games that build themselves around their music, and this is certainly one that does that. I couldn't imagine running through this game's beautiful world as an amoral cretin, but there's a "karma" system in play that I believe would require two complete play-throughs to get all the achievements, if one were so inclined.

This game's visuals, soundtrack, and story are emotional, validating, and relatable. I cried during multiple parts. The controls are easy and quest-lines are fairly easy to do if you interact with everything and judge your time wisely. I got a good ending and it left my heart beating heavy for the characters who I had grown to relate and feel for. Beautiful story-rich game. Might play again for a different ending if I can get my heart to do it all over again.

At first, I wasn't so sure whether I'd like Sumire, but the game surprised me: it's a bit more mature than the cute, colorful art style might suggest. The story feels real within the magical realism frame - it truly felt like a day in which magic can happen, and it's bound to hit close to home one way or another, covering several themes through the eyes of a kid who's got to deal with hardships that most of us had to (or will) deal with as human beings. Despite everything, it never gets depressing; it's just beautiful. The choices do matter. The scenery is gorgeous throughout the whole game. There's quite some walking, but it's a pleasant experience. I've been immersed every minute of my playtime. Definitely recommended.