I’ve always liked text-based adventures, from old adventure games to modern visual novels. The mystery genre has always been a favorite of mine; nothing feels better than solving a narrative puzzle. I also always appreciate something that puts the narrative first but adds some puzzle elements. Add player choices that matter on top of that, and you get video game narratives that I fall in love with. I can feel that in Stories of the Sol: The Gun-Dog, and I can’t help but appreciate it.
Stories of the Sol: The Gun-Dog is a visual novel reminiscent of old PC graphic adventures. Anime and games of the 1980s heavily inspire it and tell a sci-fi tale about the crew of the JFS Gun-Dog. Explore the ship and experience a gripping narrative as you unravel the mystery of what exactly is happening to the JFS Gun-Dog. Developer Space Colony Studios begins a new series with Stories of the Sol: The Gun-Dog. One I hope stays around for a long time because they have something special here.
A Post-War Solar System
Stories of the Sol: The Gun-Dog takes place four years after the end of the Solar War. An uneasy peace continues to persist throughout the galaxy. Play as the protagonist, a security officer who was supposed to fight in the war. When they had to deploy, the rest of their unit dropped down, but their Armored Frame (mech) was not working for some reason. Now, they live with the shame of seeing their unit go down but have increased in rank in the years since.
As a lieutenant, you have been transferred to the JFS Gun-Dog as their security officer. It’s a smaller ship you aren’t used to, and the transfer was last minute, but you still have a job to do. It’s up to you to routinely check on the ship while it takes on a routine reconnaissance mission to check on another ship of its class that was also on a reconnaissance mission. Explore the shit and get to know the rest of your crew mates as this routine mission suddenly becomes a fight for survival.
The Crew of the JFS Gun-Dog
A ship is only as good as its crew and lucky for the Gun-Dog, it has a good one. It’s not a large crew, but most of your fellow shipmates are full of heart. There’s Lieutenant Commander Cassandra Quinn, the second in command, who is talented but irresponsible. She is also your girlfriend of two years, and this is the first time your job postings have been lined up. Mackenzie Cathays is the chief engineer, a no-nonsense woman who’s good at her job and goes by Chief. Seifer Rosarium is the ship’s doctor; he is straightforward and does not leave the sickbay.
Cadet Dalton Grange is the Junior Engineer interning here and is very smart if anxious. Gunner Dylan Dees is a kind man who keeps to himself and always has headphones on. Haru Rumney is one of the ship’s pilots. They are a bit brash but good at the job and always down for fun. Hansen Crywns is the other pilot. He was also on that mission with you years ago and still thinks it’s your fault it failed. There is Vanessa Lord, who talks over you like she’s Captain even though she isn’t anywhere near.
All that’s left is your captain, Mary’s Bartermews. She may seem distant, but she takes her job seriously. I love the Gun-Dog crew. Everyone is fleshed out, and I wanted to talk to and help all of them. They all feel like real people with real problems, which means not everyone will like you. Even if he’s supposed to hate me, I loved developing a friendship with Hanson. Cassandra is your girlfriend of two years and feels like it. The chemistry between everyone is excellent, and I love everyone here. Well, almost everyone, *cough* Vanessa *cough*.
A Day on the JFS Gun-Dog
Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog is a visual novel that resembles old PC adventure games. This shows in the UI, which is very stylized. You control the game by selecting an option on the side and then an item. Move has you move around, look has you inspect the room, use has you interact with something, while item has you present that item to progress. You also have a map to the side that tells you what you need to do next. The Gun-Dog is also fully explorable and will benefit you to look in every room.
Aside from exploring and interacting, you mainly talk to others. I recommend talking to everyone when the game allows you to, as the characters are fun to talk to and could help you later. The choices you make in this game are important and will impact the story you get. I was happy with my ending, but I’m already reviewing all my decisions to see what I could do differently. While it’s not very long, I want to play again and see how many scenarios I missed. I can’t wait for more people to play and see how their playthroughs differ from mine.
Space is Beautiful
The praise for Stories from Sol does not stop regarding the visuals. A clear homage and love letter to games and anime of the 80s, it nails the look of it all. The art is beautiful and feels plucked out of a classic anime. The environments all look great and make the Gun-Dog feel like a real place. Not to mention all the beautifully animated cutscenes as well. You can pick from three visual styles, each replicating the era in which it was inspired. The visuals are something I can’t stop praising and make it worth the price of admission alone.
From the moment the title screen starts, you will be treated to a spectacular soundtrack. The music fits each scene perfectly, and I have my fair share of tracks stuck in my head. All the music that plays during the ending cutscenes significantly elevates the already beautiful art. I still have all the songs that have played in my head, and I’m even humming one as I write this. The art and music are the biggest love letters here, and I can’t wait for more people to experience them.
I loved my time with Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog. It nails every note it’s going for and then some. There is so much to love, from the characters to the story to the visuals and music. It tells a sci-fi story reminiscent of adventure games and anime of the past anyone can enjoy. While short, I’m already playing it again and getting new scenarios I missed. I’m already looking forward to seeing what other players experience, and I can’t wait to see it thrive. Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog is a promising start to a successful series—one that I can’t wait to see more of.
Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog releases on February 20 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam.
Disclaimer: Astrolabe Games provided Final Weapon with a Steam key of Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog for review purposes.
