Why visual novels have become a viable genre in the West goes beyond the scope of this review. Somehow, Western gamers and game designers developed an appreciation for the genre, which has a rich history in Japan going back as far as the 1980s. These games allow players to immerse themselves in a story with simplistic graphics, atmospheric music, sound design, and interactive detailed flavor text.
The genre came into its own with the PC-9800, a personal computer distinct for its high resolution and color palette. This became the de facto platform for countless adventure games, visual novels, and eroge. Notable characteristics of these games were elaborate pixel art, decorative borders/UI, and lavish font styles. Eventually, Western gamers and developers took notice of the library.
Visual novels inspired by PC-98 aesthetics are an obvious direction to go these days since the style has become timeless. What happens when you combine PC-98 visuals with a Macross-inspired drama, with a little bit of mysterious intrigue? Find out in our Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog review!
Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog
Developer: Space Colony Studios
Publisher: Astrolabe Games, Meridiem Games
Platforms: Windows PC, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 (reviewed)
Release Date: February 20, 2025
Price: $19.99
Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog begins during the start of a hot war in space. Multiple large mechs are launching to battle and when it comes time for the protagonist to be set loose, a mechanical failure leaves him trapped in the hangar. Helpless, he witnesses his platoon crushed, leaving him branded as a coward despite his willingness to serve.
After the prologue, the protagonist is reassigned as a security officer on board the Gun-Dog. This small scouting vessel has tight quarters and a minimalist crew, but the second in command happens to be the protagonist’s girlfriend.
After getting to know the crew, the plot unfurls and snowballs into a dramatic thriller involving mysterious deaths, power outages, unidentified enemy mechas, and even mutiny. Players will make choices, explore the Gun-Dog via a menu-based layout, investigate, and solve some puzzles.
Regretfully, Stories from Sol ends when it starts getting interesting. This is a good first chapter to a story and setting, but it wraps itself up and leaves many questions open. Maybe the developers plan to expand on the setting with future games across different genres because there is a lot of work put into Stories from Sol‘s universe and characters.
Not counting the alternate possible endings, expect to reach the end of the story in about four to five hours. The puzzles and conversations unfold like something out of a Phoenix Wright game. Don’t expect frantic, heart-pounding, Danganronpa-style debates to prove someone’s innocence. Stories from Sol is a fairly laidback game for the most part.
Stories from Sol makes some half-hearted attempts at role-playing by allowing gamers to give the protagonist a first and last name. Curiously, his pronouns can be chosen but it doesn’t make any sense because he is always referred to as “they/them” during all third-person narration, despite always identifying as a man.
The protagonist isn’t some blank-slate dude. He has a defined character and personality, with a backstory too. The confusion further compounds with the third-person narration assigning another character with “they/them” pronouns. The narrations are already excessively wordy and the added confusion with pronouns makes it seem like multiple characters are doing stuff in any scene.
It is too bad that some of the writing fumbles. The narration is a good idea in theory, but the execution gives away too much information that players can figure out by themselves. Another issue with the writing is that the Gun-Dog crew comes off as extremely undisciplined. It’s understandable to have emotions run high, but the absurd emotional behavior of some characters felt forced and unearned.
Probably the biggest disappointment in Stories from Sol is the complete lack of fan service. Authentic PC-9800 games were never afraid to let players sneak peeks of cleavage or rummage through a cute babe’s underwear drawer.
There were plenty of opportunities for Stories from Sol to emphasize the sexy characteristics of its female cast, but it never does. The protagonist’s girlfriend practically throws herself at him, and he never grabs her butt or anything. All of the sexy females wore tight uniforms with pencil skirts, which were wasted since there were no panty shots or lingering views of their legs.
There is a moment where the protagonist lurks around his busty captain who is passed-out drunk. In any genuine PC-9800 visual novel, this would have had an optional scene where the hero could cop a feel. Sadly, the chance was squandered.
Stories from Sol‘s pixel art are deftly drawn and the various settings allow players to choose a monochromatic style or a monochromatic style with rougher art. The full-color style looks excellent and I’m not sure why anyone would choose anything else.
The bulky and ornate UI and frames look authentic. Getting around the ship is easy and understandable thanks to the map system and knowing what to do is always made clear. After a while, the Gun-Dog felt like home and I only wished there was more to do in the mess hall.
While the puzzles and mysteries are solid, it all feels like it is leading up to a bigger story. Sadly, Stories from Sol ends just as it becomes interesting. Don’t expect any shoot-em-up sequences with the mechs or any tawdry displays. Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog leans more in the direction of being a thriller than a sci-fi opera.
As an introduction to a grander story and universe full of possibilities, there is potential here. For its price, players get an OVA’s worth of story stretched to about three to four hours. This would have been an awesome first chapter, but the fact that it ends with a big question mark will leave players wanting in frustration.
Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog was reviewed on a PlayStation 5 using a code provided by Astrolabe Games. You can find additional information about Niche Gamer’s review/ethics policy here. Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog is now available for PC (via Steam), Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.
