Sumire Critic Reviews

I haven't been so deeply affected by a game as I have Sumire in a very, very long time. This is an artful experience with a valuable core message; don't take anything for granted. Sumire has a literal day to achieve what she needs to. Metaphorically we all only have one "day" on this planet, and we shouldn't waste it. You may be driven to tears playing Sumire, but that's not a message you'll soon forget. Not with the powerful way this game presents it.

Sumire isn’t quite like anything else out there, because that’s the nature of grief—it’s deeply personal stuff, despite being such a universal thing to deal with. It’s heartbreaking, in the way that losing a loved one can only be, but it’s also a bittersweet story of hope: of keeping the memory of loved ones alive in our actions, about living each day to the fullest, and cherishing all the little moments that we’re blessed with. It’s beautiful.

If you enjoy emotional stories with admittedly shallow gameplay, you absolutely should be giving Sumire a try.

Sumire’s themes are deep and challenging. While the gameplay itself is casual, the story and content are anything but. If you need a game that will tug at your heartstrings and that doesn’t shy away from making you consider difficult subjects, give this surprising little gem a chance.

Sumire is a beautiful and emotional roller coaster ride that is a balance of beauty and darkness like no other. The entire package - art, story, writing, sound design, and gameplay - reveals a lovingly crafted experience. Sumire is a game that could convince you that the first step to a whole new life is one perfect, courageous day.

Sumire is a short but brilliant emotional adventure about getting the most out of limited time by experiencing love, friendship, growth, loss, and more.

Sumire is absolutely stunning and is yet another extraordinary indie in the Switch library. It taps right into your feelings and allows you to take charge and perhaps help Sumire and her flower have their perfect day. Or not. It’s all up to you. But no matter what you choose to do, it tends to feel satisfying. And, if you’re feeling up to it, is worth a second or third run to play games with “friends” or try to make the the lives of people (and objects) better.

The first glimpse of Sumire's soft hues on the title screen indicate the strength of the emotional connection felt from Sumire's story. The messages arising from her adventure are powerful and will resonate with anyone who has suffered grief in any form, as well as help prepare people for how unique death is in its effects. The myriad choices that need making, plus the decent amount of challenges, encourage using the One More Day option once the game ends to this charming must-play title on Nintendo Switch.

Sumire is a beautifully told and emotionally resonant story about a young girl struggling to find reasons to be hopeful. A well-paced narrative full of character-driven growth delves deep into themes such as loss and growth, while its watercolor art style and acoustic soundtrack paint a beautiful picture of rural Japanese scenery. A charming world and simple but fun puzzles add variety and are almost enough to forget about issues like frame rate dips. Ultimately, Sumire makes the most of its brief runtime, and it’s a day trip I won’t soon forget.

Sumire may be a short game, but the character interactions, side quests, and challenges make each playthrough unique. Despite having experienced loss, the game shows us that Sumire could make her day better, one step at a time – that is, if you chose to give her a good day. Even though some parts may be arguably scary for children, important lessons are to be learned and beautiful artwork to be appreciated. With good replayability but no fast-forwarding enabled, you may not immediately feel the urge to start a new game. Still, someday if you feel like picking up a heartwarming tale and giving Sumire the worst day of her life, the game will be there, ready for your poor choices.

If you enjoy narrative driven adventures, make sure Sumire is on your radar. Packing in a powerful message in its two-hour run time, it’s the type of game that will inspire you and make you think about your own life in meaningful ways. It may be short, but this beautiful game will stick with you long after the credits have rolled.

Sumire mostly accomplishes what it sets out to do through its remarkable visuals and emotion-evoking narrative. It somehow manages to be both thought-provoking and soothing, despite some shortcomings with the dialogue options.

Sumire is an emotionally charged adventure, with some unexpected dark moments to keep you on your toes.

While Sumire was a short game, I truly enjoyed what it had to offer. The themes and characters were interesting, some of the minigames were fun, and the ending I got was pretty wholesome. It does have some minor flaws, among them its limited world and the nature of how some of the darker themes were handled, but for the low price-point and engaging experience, I wouldn’t let those things keep you from giving it a try. I am certainly glad I did, and look forward to future titles from GameTomo.

Sumire is the type of game that anyone who loves story-telling and visually stunning environments will be drawn in by. It doesn't reinvent any of its inspirations - and in some places, like its puzzles and its replayability, it's noticeably less impressive than some of its peers - but the experience as a whole exceeds these individual qualities. GameTomo delivers on the promise of its premise, and Sumire is an easy recommendation for those who enjoy visual novels or memorable narratives.

Sumire is a visual novel adventure that should appeal to anyone who has experienced loss or just ever felt disconnected from the world. It’s perhaps over too quickly for the price, but it’s an enjoyable, fulfilling adventure while it lasts.

Sumire is an adventure game with beautiful light-colored art and an acoustic music soundtrack. You play as a young girl who experiences a slightly special day in a somewhat mysterious setting, but that’s about it. You won’t find any deep settings and themes or an intriguing story here. If you like to enjoy admiring beautiful scenery on the way through a game without thinking too much, Sumire’s world might be one for you.