Let's Discuss 2: Visual Novels

I don't announce many visual novels because I feel like the audience isn't here for it but they are gaining in popularity. I only announce when I feel it has a bit more to it than just clicking through. What are your thoughts on them?

Description: A visual novel is a genre of interactive, text-based fiction video games that combines literature with static graphics, sound, and occasionally voice acting. Originating in Japan, these games feature anime-style art, a first-person perspective, and branching storylines, where player decisions, made through dialogue choices, determine the plot’s outcome and ending.

Key Characteristics

Narrative Focus: They prioritize storytelling, often focusing on romance, drama, fantasy, or mystery.

Visuals: Stories are told through character sprites (portraits) over static backgrounds, with special "CG" art for significant events.

Interactivity: Gameplay usually involves reading text and selecting choices that branch the story.

Format: Popularized in Japan (often under categories like ADV or NVL), they are now popular globally, often played on PC and consoles.

Types of Visual Novels
Kinetic Novels: Strictly linear, featuring no player choices.

Dating Sims: Focused on building relationships with characters.

Hybrid Games: Combine traditional visual novel narration with mechanics from other genres, such as puzzles or RPG elements (e.g., Phoenix Wright).

Here is an example: The Bunker Notes

Thanks in advance for providing your thoughts!

Ana

As a rule, I am not a fan of making choices in games but I guess that is part of the point of Visual Novels. I have played a couple and I'm pretty sure I have at least a couple more. Some of them look pretty good. I think as long as you know that's what type of game it is, that they're fine for certain moods you might be in.

I will admit that my interest in visual novels is pretty close to zero. I am very fond of reading (with an actual physical book, no less) and have no interest in spending that much time with a game/visual novel on the computer. This may well be my loss, but I kind of doubt it.

Visual novels don't really do it for me either, although I do quite like making choices that determine the narrative path. Like Marian, if I want to read I will read a book. If I want to play a game I want more to do than just progress things along.

I'm with Marian and flotsam... If I want to read a book, I will read a book. If I want to game, I try to pick one that is enjoyable and I rather like making some choices in them.

Me too. Not enthralled by Visual Novels 😶

I’m not a fan of visual novels either, although I can see the appeal. I tend to think of them as digital comic books with extra elements like sound, music, and sometimes multiple choices, rather than visual novels. ”Choices matter” is a tag on Steam, but while some people see that as a feature, I prefer a predetermined story (both with games and visual novels).

I like the Vampire The Masquerade visual novel series though.

Ana, you can't say "Let's Discuss" and then not tell us your thoughts on the subject. That's not fair! So?

I'm not a fan of them personally, although there are many that are visually stunning. I could not care less about stories, I'm a puzzle girl!

I am pleased to see I can still "read the room" and know our members and thank you all for sharing your opinions. I wanted to be sure I wasn't keeping you all from info you may want to know. I will continue a few that I think bring a little more to the table than just clicking along.

Ana

I am more about puzzles also because, as I've stated before, I often don't even understand the stories.

Thank you Ana.

But for me, the story is everything !!

I just view puzzles as a means to get to the next bit of story

oldbroad, I'm glad I'm not the only one!

Mad, I'm surprised you don't care for visual novels then since story is a main focus!

Well, a good story IS important to me. After all a true “Adventure Game” is usually based on a strong story.

So, to earn the label “Game” I feel a Visual Novel would need to be much more “involving” than a lot of text interspersed with with some decision making.

I have played and like the game too but always classed it as an RPG (action game) Mikael ….
Do you look on it as an Adventure game then ??

I wasn’t referring to Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines (and its sequel) which undoubtedly are RPG games, but the visual novel series Vampire: The Masquerade. There are 3 ”games”, of which I’ve played the first two. I liked them very much. They have a similar vibe as the Bloodlines games.

Ahhhh.

And I was referring to "Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption" .... the oldie

Ahhhh.

I was thinking about mentioning that too. The RPG series is actually a trilogy starting with Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption. But if you liked that, you really should try the Bloodlines games, especially the first one, even if it’s a bit dated today.

Yes. I’m aware of the trilogy. But I never played a LOT of RPGs and certainly play even less these days. In fact I still have an unfinished Skyrim sitting in my Win10 machine

But who knows …. I might suddenly develop a passion for them !!