What parents need to know
Été is a narrative game developed by the Montreal studio Impossible. You play as a painter who comes to spend the summer season in Montreal. You explore the metropolis by bringing colour back to the environments, meet the inhabitants of the city and produce paintings inspired by your environment. By coloring an item seen in the city, it ends up in the list of objects you can paint on a canvas. Some of the people you meet will also ask you to paint canvases for them, and you will need to find the elements required to paint the canvas you ordered. It is also possible to paint freely to decorate your apartment and studio, in addition to buying furniture and decorations. Summer is above all a narrative and atmospheric experience that invites us to immerse ourselves in the life of Montreal’s neighbourhood.
Details
Level of experience required
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Evaluation
No form of violence. Été is meant to be soothing, as opposed to a scary game.
Nothing to mention.
Everything is in writing, so it is essential to know how to read to progress.
The characters use a very Quebecois language in the French version, which means that there are many typically Quebec coronations.
Été is a celebration of community, and of art as a way to make the world a more beautiful place. This is a message that seems very positive to us. However, there is also the mention of recreational use of alcohol and cannabis.
Été is the kind of game in which you can’t lose. The controls are simple, and you can paint at your own pace.
No additional monetization.
Local game modes
There is only a single-player mode in which you can explore the city and paint.
Online Game Modes
None.
Expansions/Add-ons (DLC)
None.
Our opinion
Été is a special genre of game, which will appeal to an equally special audience. It is a relaxing, even soothing game that presents a romantic vision of the Quebec metropolis. Those who live in the city are likely to smile at the many references scattered here and there. On the other hand, it is also important to understand that it is a slow and contemplative experience. Players looking for action and twists will be left wanting more, as will those who need clear objectives. The game offers missions to complete, but a good part of the fun is just walking around the environments while giving them some color. The characters are friendly and colourful, with a language that Quebecers will recognize. Visually, the game with its watercolor style is very successful, which seems essential for a game centered around the world of painting. Fortunately, the graphic style stands out and knows how to charm. Music and sound effects also help bring Montreal’s vibrant neighbourhoods to life. If you have an artistic soul and imagine yourself relaxing by restoring the city’s colours, Summer awaits you.
