gaming Visual Novels

[Jackleberry 1,923]

Visual novels. I don't tend to see much mention of them around here (as far as I'm aware), but I know there's others out there who like them and all. So, I wanted to make a thread about 'em, and a quick search didn't bring up anything, sooo here we are. If there really is another thread just like this, then I humbly beg your pardon!

 

Do you play/read visual novels? Which ones have you played/read? Your favourites? Any you're looking forward to? Etc.

 

EDIT: If you don't know what a visual novel is, just check out the Wikipedia page. That should hopefully give you an idea of what they are. :3

Edited March 26, 2015 by Sir Snowyberry

[ConcorDisparate 385]

What is a visual novel ? Is that like novels with images or something different ?

[Banul 3,831]

The only visual novel I ever played was Katawa Shouji at the urging of my otaku brother, but I enjoyed it quite a bit.

[HawkeyePierce 115]

We talking graphic novels? I'm a huge fan of graphic novels. Daytripper, Y: The Last Man, Sandman, From Hell, Alec, Lucifer, Hellboy (though that's more of a comic).

 

You say "play" as if there is a genre of interactive graphic novels to which I have been clueless. That seems amazing. What would be a good one to check out to start?

[Megas 27,785]

Predictable opinion, but the Ace Attorney series is my favorite, though I've always wanted to try Snatcher

[Tom Snyder 4,112]

What is a visual novel ? Is that like novels with images or something different ?

A visual novel is an interactive fiction game, featuring mostly static graphics, most often using anime-style art or occasionally live-action stills (and sometimes video footage). As the name might suggest, they resemble mixed-media novels

[ConcorDisparate 385]

@

Ow, I see now, thanks

 

I don't play these much unfortunately, I don't really like the style. If you know a good one though, I don't mind, the style won't matter to me as long as the story is worth it .

[HawkeyePierce 115]

I don't play these much unfortunately, I don't really like the style. If you know a good one though, I don't mind, the style won't matter to me as long as the story is worth it .

 

Seconded on both counts! Let's try something new!

[ReverseFaller 2,484]

VIsual novels are awesome! The only ones I've played are Nekopara, and Steins;Gate.

[nami438 90]

@

Ow, I see now, thanks

 

I don't play these much unfortunately, I don't really like the style. If you know a good one though, I don't mind, the style won't matter to me as long as the story is worth it .

 

Seconded on both counts! Let's try something new!

 

I think that "Planetarian" by Key/Visual Art's would be a good first VN! It's only 2-3 hours long depending on your reading speed, so it's not a huge time sink like other popular VNs often are. There's an English translation on the Apple App Store, and maybe on Android too. It will make you cry, but it's a cute little story.

 

And it looks like Sir Snowyberry likes Planetarian?

Edited March 26, 2015 by nami438

[Jackleberry 1,923]

Indeed, very much so! And, I second that recommendation.

 

Alright, given that this is my own thread, I should probably post here as well. :3 I'm still fairly new to the genre myself, mind you, but I'm looking to try out more visual novels over time. That being said, here's a short list of the ones that I have played/read, and my thoughts on them:

 

- Sakura Spirit

There's no choices here ... well, except one, though it doesn't amount to much. I had fun with it, especially because it was my first VN, but I don't think it has the greatest story around. Also, it has some suggestive themes, with cute fox girls, sooo ...

 

- Sakura Angels

AFAIK, this has no relation to Spirit story-wise, but it's made by the same team. There's some more choices to be made here and there, but they're not all that game-changing. I thought it was an overall improvement over Spirit, personally, and I really enjoyed it ... of course it has suggestive themes as well. No fox girls though. Also, Hikari is mine, so don't even think about it. >.>

 

- Planetarian ~The Reverie of a Little Planet~

Oooh man, this one is my favourite at the moment. No choices whatsoever, but it has an amazing story if you ask me, with a post-apocalyptic setting, and a super kawaii robot girl. I should also mention that there's definitely, most absolutely, no feels to be had here. Nope. None at all.

 

- Long Live The Queen

Plenty of choices to be made, that'll likely end in your death if you fuck up. There's also skills/stats that you need to keep track of, otherwise you'll likely fail something and die as a result. Basically, you will die. I still haven't finished it, but I think it's an interesting one so far.

 

- Fading Hearts

Hmm ... I wasn't too big a fan of this one, personally. Choices and stats are there, and the story is alright. Just not my cup of tea I suppose.

 

I'm also interested in checking out Nekopara at some point, as it looks very ... interesting ... Oh, and Sakura Fantasy as well, which I believe is on Steam Greenlight right now. =^.^=

Edited March 26, 2015 by Sir Snowyberry

[Away 2,077]

I'm actually Katawa Shoujo atm. I've been really enjoying it so far. :3 It's my first visual novel and I only started playing it for about a week ^^

[HawkeyePierce 115]

 

 

I think that "Planetarian" by Key/Visual Art's would be a good first VN! It's only 2-3 hours long depending on your reading speed, so it's not a huge time sink like other popular VNs often are. There's an English translation on the Apple App Store, and maybe on Android too. It will make you cry, but it's a cute little story.

 

Thank you for the recommendation! I'll check that out!

[Lunatic Cake 1,618]

I'm actually Katawa Shoujo atm. I've been really enjoying it so far. :3 It's my first visual novel and I only started playing it for about a week ^^

I was thinking about making a remark about you mentioning that, unfortunately you already posted here :/

 

As far as I'm concerned, I never really played them, or rather I never really finished one but they seem interesting.

[nami438 90]

I was thinking about making a remark about you mentioning that, unfortunately you already posted here :/

 

As far as I'm concerned, I never really played them, or rather I never really finished one but they seem interesting.

You never played Steins;Gate?

[Lunatic Cake 1,618]

You never played Steins;Gate?

Nope.  But I can see it's probably being a great visual novel.

[nami438 90]

Nope.  But I can see it's probably being a great visual novel.

It is, very interestingg.

[Jon C 229]

I've played through the Muv-Luv series of VNs. The first one, Extra, is pretty boring stereotypical highschool romance bullshit (but worth playing for the backstory to the other two). The Unlimited arrives and hits you in the face with awesome mecha, aliens and an epic war to save humanity. Then there's Alternative, which is fucking amazing and is packed with mecha action and feels. Lots of feels. Alternative is without a doubt the best of the three.

[Toaster Bot 183]

I've squeezed about every ounce of gameplay possible from the Ace Attorney series, and I've enjoyed Long Live The Queen as well. But that's really all I've played.

Looking forward to Asagao Academy, though.