Writing this after all levels reached S upon Boiling Point update, 23 Mar 2026.

If you are tired of COD and BF's fast-pace combat, short TTK and terrible PvP environment, but still looking for another alternative that has a similar gunplay. Or you are an old SWAT 4 fan longing a counter terrorists experience in 2020s, then Ready or Not might be your choice.

Lets talk about its L side first.
While ready or not having a smooth gunplay and animation, it has a way more slower pace combat experience. That is, you can't run, you can't heal yourself, and there are tons of situations forcing you to slow down.
After you headed in the field, you will meet unreasonable and annoying civilians, terrifying and hacker terrorists. But considering game's background it could be reasonable somehow. The civilians will run around during a gunfight, sometimes even run towards terrorists instead of SWAT squad, and some of them will resist arrest. As for your enemies, they can run/sprint (which grants them higher mobility than you), they can shoot pistol like a SMG and still fire 5 shots right on your head. Also, the devs programmed fine and sometimes OP logic for them, they will flank, roam, and set up ambush or traps, in New America level you can even see them use breach tactics.
An in-game NPC says that "We are outgunned, outnumbered, and out-planned." I think this is quite to the real experience, it's just unbalanced.

Some might concern about the censorship, well, there is, or are. Tracking back before Ready or Not 1.0 released, many in-game scenes are gore. For example, the second level of Home Invasion DLC, the objective you need to find is covered by his own blood all his body, you can even see his... little shaft? After the update, there's less blood and he's finally got a pant. The overall game environment and gunfight are less bloody, though you may be able to fix them via mods from Nexus, if you enjoy bloody hell I mean.

Now we turn to what's W.
Outstanding gunplay? CHECKED
Amazing animation? CHECKED
Customizable outfits? CHECKED
Tactic Cool? CHECKED
Immersive gameplay? CHECKED, can't be more focus and high pressure in any other games.
Fantastic storytelling? CHECKED, Boiling Point DLC does tell a good story.
Helpful mods? CHECKED, just go to Nexus, you can find many mods that enhance experience. Like new models, unlock guns, more slots... Even regenerate HP by breathing, which makes it a real COD alternative. What's more important, you can still unlock steam achievements with mods active.

All in all, this is the game I recently dived myself into. That is why I spent days grinding S rank, and finally wrote the review, W.

I would say that Summer Pockets is one of the best galgames I have ever played since I was born. Visual Art Key did its best again to make so good a game that shocked my heart.

Does it worth its price? Of course my boy, I would definitely buy it at full price even if it costs 100 bucks.
Here's something you should know before you buy it: it is not only a gal, it also has some interesting mini games inside like Pokemon. So that makes you enjoy more spare time with the game.
I will still write something about its story below, but if you just want to know whether you should get an amazing and enjoyable galgame, my advice is YES JUST GO BUY IT RIGHT NOW.

What is Summer Pockets?
Do you have a great time during your summer vacation? Do you still remember how you spent your days? The summer, your youth, it's just like something you don't even carefully pay attention to then put it somewhere else, but when you think about it, all you can do is just searching around. You look for it in your cases, boxes, pockets and want to find a little piece of your stuff. Finally you realize that there should be somewhere you can hide your old memories just like a little pocket.
Do you have such a pocket? What do you put in your pocket?

Summer Pockets gives you a journey to go along with Hairi, see what he sees, touch what he touches. He's a young boy that broken his wings and feeling down to the valley. Actually a bit similar to the MC of Aokana, but not all. He got healed in the island, by his friends, his loved ones, his future girl, then back to life.
Story's easy enough to be described without details and backgrounds. However, the Key's games are never famous for their story on the surface.

So, what can Summer Pockets bring to you?
Look, think about it. Do you still remember what your young ages be like? Again, do you still remember how you spent your summers? Do you think you were happy enough? The youth, the summers, they should be more than happy, right?
You got one life, a short life. You can't be back to your old days. A summer is a kind of treasure, it allows you to let all troubles go, forget your works and tiredness, all you should do is enjoying your time. Whatever you feel, this is a time you should relax and let go.
The summer should be spent happily and with no worries. You got one life, so just live it.

When you look back, you would realize your old days in those summer are just like lots of pockets. They should contain your happiness, your loves, your memories, and your own life.

This is Summer Pockets.

*edit 29.6.2025
Well, Reflection Blue edition was released on 27 Jun on steam, congrats. Guess I will tend to it later and write an exclusive review for it as soon as I finish. You know, enhanced Summer Pocket for another summer, sweet one. So, see you guys there.