Flowers -Le volume sur ete- (French: ‘The volume on summer’) is the second volume in the Flowers series of visual novels by Innocent Grey. Flowers -Le volume sur ete- features an interesting cast of characters — all women for this yuri romance visual novel — with varied personalities and appearances, all with their own story to tell that may leave many readers invested in how their tales unfold.
Story
Flowers -Le volume sur ete- primarily focuses on Erika Yaegaki, a student at the Saint Angraecum Academy, who previously appeared in the first game of the Flowers series, Flowers -Le volume sur printemps- (French: ‘The volume on spring’), though this game gives her a starring role and budding romances to brighten her summer. As with any good visual novel, the story takes top priority, and Innocent Grey wove a truly wonderful story.
Erika is presented as something of a misanthrope, a loner with very few friends. Her loner nature is likely due to her being bound to a wheelchair, unable to even bathe without assistance. As such, she spends most of her time reading books she borrows from Angraecum’s library. Her only other friend seen before the story begins in earnest is Suoh Shirahane, her ‘bookworm buddy’, and someone who spends more time in the library than Erika, nursing her own emotional wounds.
The story introduces other such characters, like the busybody class president and the excitable twins, the matronly nun, and the cold transfer student, but the world itself is just as fleshed out. The story introduces the concept of ‘Amitié partners’ (French: friendship), and the mystery of Suoh’s partner’s disappearance.
Mystery, friendship, and romance all in one story.
Art
Innocent Grey’s art style is superb. The characters are expressive, and the scenes are presented with perfection. The backgrounds were clearly given just as much attention as the characters themselves. The cut scenes employ freeze frames, so characters shift from place to place, and their expressions automatically change when a new line is read.
The style is unique, so no one can just point at it and call out some common anime or manga trope right away. The female characters aren’t exactly voluptuous, so the typical eroge tropes people might want for a ‘good time’ won’t be present, and the work itself is tame and decidedly ‘safe for work’, so potential fans should keep that in mind if they want a more exciting visual novel to enjoy.
Audio
The audio work is incredible in Flowers -Le volume sur ete-. The game is fully voice acted, and they do a phenomenal job of giving the characters depth and emotion. There is even singing, and not just in the main theme song.
Besides voice work, sound effects include details such as footsteps, Erika’s wheelchair, and the sound of hands clapping. Everything that can make a sound, will make a sound, making for a great, immersive experience.
Gameplay
Flowers -Le volume sur ete- presents readers with multiple choices to make during the game, and there are multiple endings to explore, offering plenty of replay value. Besides that, players can click to progress the scene or tap the space bar to remove the text screen and view the scene without any obstruction.
Conclusion
Flowers -Le volume sur ete- is a truly wonderful visual novel with plenty of characters to fall for, a story to pull readers in, and a selection of endings to explore. The story unfolds at its own pace, and time is taken to introduce each of the characters and the world they live in, so nothing feels rushed. Fans of romance novels may find plenty to enjoy with this title.
You can find the Flowers -Le volume sur ete- on JAST USA’s website, or buy the Collector’s Set on J-List.
