The Summer That Changed Everything: Episode 1 (Gay Romance Visual Novel)

"The Summer That Changed Everything" is an episodic gay romance visual novel based on the novel by Tina Isabel Leung. It narrates the love story of two former classmates that fall in love after a failed suicide attempt and writing together a bucket list.

"The Summer That Changed Everything" is an episodic visual novel that follows  former classmates Markus and Karsten, through a life-changing summer after high school. As they step into adulthood, combat emotional issues, support their friends, and seek themselves, they will also fall in love.

This game will feature 7 episodes, amounting to approximately 37,000 words of text. Follow Hasalynx Games on itch.io now, to never miss an episode.

Trigger Warnings: This game addresses sensitive topics such as suicide, depression, and anorexia, focusing on recovery and finding hope. Please consider this if you are affected by these issues. It also features strong language and as such it is recommended for older audiences.

In Episode 1, Markus, a German student enrolled in an international scholar program, faces overwhelming challenges: academic stress, bullying, unrequited love for his friend Susanna, and a knee injury that prevents him from playing football, his passion.

Feeling that life has become unbearable, Markus considers ending it all on his school's roof, on a cold January night. However, just in time!, his classmate Karsten arrives, ready to offer the support Markus desperately needs...

Though Markus never thought they were close, Karsten can't let him give up. After getting Markus off the roof, they deal with the aftermath of the crisis together...

Still, Karsten has his own issues, and his unrequited love for Markus, along with Markus's severe depression, is only one of them.

When summer begins, it becomes clear that Karsten also has to deal with his sister Judith's struggle with anorexia and his family's upcoming move to Australia.

But despite this, Karsten is committed to supporting Markus, whom he has been in love with for a while. Seeking respite, he attends a vibrant party at his openly gay friend Lukas's house.

Along with Lukas, their closeted gay friend Tariq, and their straight ally friend Ilse, they embark on a summer that promises to transform their lives forever...

In Episode 1:

• Enjoy 6,900 words of captivating text by published author Tina Isabel Leung, alternating between Markus and Karsten's perspectives to fully immerse you in their emotional journey.

• This episode features a vibrant cast of 8 characters, along with a variety of outfits for Markus and Karsten, enhancing the visual diversity and enriching the gaming experience.

• Make your mark with 3 pivotal choices that allow you to express your opinion and influence the story within the game. Canon choices (those that follow the novel's version) are marked with a star.

• Explore beautifully crafted backgrounds reminiscent of old Berlin, complete with DDR accents that add depth and authenticity to the setting.

• Experience the evocative soundtrack by Jason Shaw, Kevin MacLeod, and Sascha Ende, featuring delicate acoustic guitar pieces and occasional piano interludes.

This game was developed by a human and incorporates AI-generated resources. Read here how Hasalynx Games responsibly uses AI in its creations.

The game is controlled by mouse and keyboard. Beyond you can find information about keyboard shortcuts:

• Esc - Menu Screen
• Space - Progress the Game
• A - Auto Mode
• F - Skip / Fast forward
• B - Backlog (Check it out for a hidden artwork!)
• L - Load game screen
• S - Save game screen

Hasalynx Games is an indie game gig that doesn't have any external funding and mostly relies on founder's funds and private effort to create the games. If they spark your curiosity, please buy them (they're so cheap!), comment, and spread positive word. Also, don't forget to add this game to your collections and follow Hasalynx Games on itch.io, so as to receive updates when a new game is up!

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"The Summer That Changed Everything: Episode 2" is scheduled for release before or  on November 5. While you wait, dive into our collection of gay romance games. We have a wide array of captivating titles specifically tailored for those seeking heartfelt LGBTQ+ stories. Explore our offerings today and find your next favorite game!