Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog review: Soldiers of Shallow

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As soon as I stumbled upon Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog, I instantly felt the need to acquire it. This game, constructed using the visual novel engine Ren’Py and really testing its boundaries, is absolutely stunning. It evokes memories of PC-98 games and 80s hard sci-fi anime (particularly Mobile Suit Gundam), and Gun-Dog was ticking boxes in a manner that hinted at an enjoyable weekend ahead. However, despite a promising beginning, I found myself feeling more frustrated than satisfied by the story, which seemed so engrossed in referencing others’ works that it neglected to establish its own identity.

Old-school accuracy

In the wake of the Solar War, a brutal clash between Earth’s humans and the cosmic dwellers residing in space colonies and alien worlds, I find myself on a unique assignment. As a security officer aboard the Gun-Dog, a gritty vessel crewed by military outcasts, my task is to probe into puzzling signals emanating from a ship of comparable class and personnel. This voyage, however, isn’t just about solving mysteries that could alter the course of history; it’s also an opportunity for me to confront the ghosts of my past, as one of the scant survivors of a disastrous skirmish near the war’s end.

In this narrative, you’ll delve into the world of Gun-Dog, engaging with characters in a manner reminiscent of classic adventure games. The interaction is text-based, involving a set of actions like Move, Look, etc. There’s no fancy gameplay tricks or unnecessary elements; it’s a straightforward visual novel experience that exudes intentionality. Its authenticity is striking, perhaps even more so than another title with comparable vibes, Neurodiver, which I enjoyed last year. The characters are vibrant and unique, steering clear of stereotypes and archetypes. Some characters have depth that clearly underscores their significance within the broader storyline, while others may not, showcasing the varying levels of importance in the tale.

Walking among giants

In terms of its moment-to-moment writing, Gun-Dog is competently written in a technical sense. However, my main criticism is that the narrative as a whole lacks depth. Despite having dramatic scenes, a captivating romance, a suspenseful escalation, and internal conflicts within the crew leading to an unexpected climax, everything feels superficial. It’s as if each plot point is designed for loud, entertaining moments rather than contributing to a grand, serious space opera like Gun-Dog seems to aspire to be. The characters seem to bounce off one another in a way that resembles an episodic Saturday morning cartoon more than the complex character interactions found in mature space operas. Additionally, there’s minimal subtext beyond some brief references to the protagonist’s past, which feel more like bookends rather than integrated elements of the narrative.

Exploring the depth of Gun-Dog’s narrative without revealing spoilers can be challenging since it’s primarily focused on storytelling. However, I must say that at first glance, the writing in Gun-Dog is engaging and thrilling, despite ending on a downbeat cliffhanger which seems more intent on setting up a sequel rather than providing a satisfying conclusion. There’s an intriguing element of meta-narrative that emerges during repeated playthroughs, but unfortunately, it doesn’t lead anywhere significant. While you can select different choices to experience varying scenes or alternate scenarios, the main storyline and its outcome remain largely consistent.

Not having multiple routes or endings isn’t necessarily a flaw. A visual novel can still convey its tale effectively without requiring multiple conclusions. Gun-Dog manages to tell an engaging story, making it worth reading!

Wow, cool robot!

The main issue, though, is that Gun-Dog intentionally positions itself in a particular niche and makes obvious nods to significant works within this genre’s history, which can be quite forceful. It seems somewhat insincere when Gun-Dog exclaims something like, “Didn’t you watch Zeta Gundam? Absolutely, my friend!” followed by a narrative scope reminiscent of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. References and tributes should not replace storytelling, and while Gun-Dog pens an eloquent ode, it falls short in creating its own captivating tale. Regrettably, the initial comparison to Neurodiver doesn’t hold up here.

Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog beautifully pays homage to classic PC-98 visual novels and old-school hard sci-fi anime. Its graphics are spot on, featuring diverse settings that evoke distinct atmospheres, while its soundtrack is a symphony of ear-bursting chiptunes that intensifies the mood even more. However, the narrative falls short of the high expectations set by The Gun-Dog’s impressive visual presentation. Despite enjoying my experience, I left feeling deeply disappointed, as if I had been lured into watching a Disney Star Wars spinoff instead of the next Armored Trooper VOTOMS. I’d be eager to see what this team produces in the future, but with significantly lowered expectations.

On February 20, 2025, the video game ‘Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog’ will be released for PC, Nintendo Switch, and both PlayStation 4 and 5.

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2025-02-18 19:58