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Visual Novels Community Thread | A Little Something for Everyone
- Thread starter Yuuichi
- Start date
Oh sweet. I'm subbing to this. Great thread for someone like me. The only VN (not counting games like Danganronpa or Zero Escape) I have ever read was Katawa Shoujo. And it was fantastic!
I did hear about a Clannad and an Angel Beats VN will get released soon, I could definitely start again with those.
Although is there anything similar to KS or is that VN just its own beast? I'm not looking for anything in the super natural sort to speak.
I do also have that Steins Gate CE I never opened yet. I should probably get around to that now...is it any good? I never watched the anime either.
I did hear about a Clannad and an Angel Beats VN will get released soon, I could definitely start again with those.
Although is there anything similar to KS or is that VN just its own beast? I'm not looking for anything in the super natural sort to speak.
I do also have that Steins Gate CE I never opened yet. I should probably get around to that now...is it any good? I never watched the anime either.
Just bought this the other day! Also a Vita copy of the first Grisaia on a friend's recommendation. My VN backlog is getting out of control on that handheld.
Nice to see a VN thread. I'll definitely stick around. 
I'm pleasantly surprised to see Aoi Shiro listed under VNs with a female protagonist. I don't think it's that well known so I didn't expect to see it mentioned. Its predecessor, Akai Ito, is a much better VN imo. In fact, it is probably my favourite VN of all time. Everything about it is great. It is, however, only available on the PS2 and digitally on the PS3 (JP/Asia PSN).
VN wise, I play Japanese Yuri VNs exclusively (mostly commercial, a few doujins here and there, all Japanese) so if anyone needs any recommendations for Yuri VNs or wants a discussion, please don't hesitate to ask. Although I don't think there's much that yuri fans don't already know. There's so little in this genre. Which is why I'm glad Innocent Grey is continuing on with its yuri series. What I don't play, however, are VNs like SonoHana.
Next up for me will be the 2nd VN in Innocent Grey's Flowers series, due to be released early 2015 on the PC.
I'm pleasantly surprised to see Aoi Shiro listed under VNs with a female protagonist. I don't think it's that well known so I didn't expect to see it mentioned. Its predecessor, Akai Ito, is a much better VN imo. In fact, it is probably my favourite VN of all time. Everything about it is great. It is, however, only available on the PS2 and digitally on the PS3 (JP/Asia PSN).
VN wise, I play Japanese Yuri VNs exclusively (mostly commercial, a few doujins here and there, all Japanese) so if anyone needs any recommendations for Yuri VNs or wants a discussion, please don't hesitate to ask. Although I don't think there's much that yuri fans don't already know. There's so little in this genre. Which is why I'm glad Innocent Grey is continuing on with its yuri series. What I don't play, however, are VNs like SonoHana.
Next up for me will be the 2nd VN in Innocent Grey's Flowers series, due to be released early 2015 on the PC.
Folks that are new to VN"a should check out Kauyga's 50 VNS to play before you die as most of them have been pretty good if you don't mind the occasional sex scene. Here's a link: http://forums.fuwanovel.org/index.php?/topic/2151-50-translated-vns-you-should-read-before-you-die/. People new to VN's should visit fuwanovel and browse what they've got.
Great thread! I'm just going to list some of my personal favourites here that didn't make the cut for the OP.
- Swan Song - Just your standard apocalypse story. But what makes this one so great are the characters
- Remember 11 - Just like Ever 17, this game is made by the writer of the Zero Escape series. And I personally think it's the best game from him.
- Corpse Party & Corpse Party: Book of Shadows - Not pure VN's, but more hybrids. Really disturbing games, so not for the weakhearted.
Oh, that's awesome. I really enjoyed Kara no Shoujo, so I will definitely check this one out!
- Swan Song - Just your standard apocalypse story. But what makes this one so great are the characters
- Remember 11 - Just like Ever 17, this game is made by the writer of the Zero Escape series. And I personally think it's the best game from him.
- Corpse Party & Corpse Party: Book of Shadows - Not pure VN's, but more hybrids. Really disturbing games, so not for the weakhearted.
Oh, that's awesome. I really enjoyed Kara no Shoujo, so I will definitely check this one out!
Mauricio_Magus
Banned
Hopefully I'll finish Fate/stay night and Corpse Party before 2014 ends.
Basileus777
Member
I'm reading this now, just got my first bad end. I've never read KNS, but that seems fine given that Cartagra was made first anyway.
Oh, the smell of a new thread~! The OP turned out great, Yuuichi!
Now, regarding Cartagra and KnS, you definitely benefit from reading Cartagra first, as indeed, the protagonist of this one appears in KnS. In fact, at least three more characters besides the MC from Cartagra return in KnS in fairly decent roles, and one even gets an ending!
I still haven't finished Cartagra, so that's all I'm going to say about it. Should have finished it by the weekend.
EDIT: To those complaining about MuvLuv. I don't lie when I say that it is one of my favorite VNs. However, the novels are, quite frankly, somewhat beginner-unfriendly (Extra isn't exactly the best novel to recommend to a newbie if you want them to have a good impression of the medium), which is why it didn't made the cut to be in the OP. One of the conditions to create the new thread was that it shouldn't have too much information in the OP like the old thread which demanded to keep our recommendations short, and the reason why we tell people to ask for recommendations.
Now, regarding Cartagra and KnS, you definitely benefit from reading Cartagra first, as indeed, the protagonist of this one appears in KnS. In fact, at least three more characters besides the MC from Cartagra return in KnS in fairly decent roles, and one even gets an ending!
I still haven't finished Cartagra, so that's all I'm going to say about it. Should have finished it by the weekend.
EDIT: To those complaining about MuvLuv. I don't lie when I say that it is one of my favorite VNs. However, the novels are, quite frankly, somewhat beginner-unfriendly (Extra isn't exactly the best novel to recommend to a newbie if you want them to have a good impression of the medium), which is why it didn't made the cut to be in the OP. One of the conditions to create the new thread was that it shouldn't have too much information in the OP like the old thread which demanded to keep our recommendations short, and the reason why we tell people to ask for recommendations.
thequickandthedead
Member
One VN i have been recommended again and again is Kana little sister (i think that was the title). I googled it and apparently it is pretty NFSW. Can anyone confirm? It is still worth playing?
It's not safe for work, but you'll only see a max or two scenes for a 10-hour playthrough of one route (it has six endings), and they can be more or less safely skipped. I still recommend it: It was the first VN I ever read, actually. Some of the endings are really great, but also, damn if they don't make you feel sad for a while.
Basileus777
Member
JAST is putting out the Kana remake in early 2015. Maybe I'll check it out when that releases.
Huh, I didn't realize it was written by Romeo Tanaka.
Huh, I didn't realize it was written by Romeo Tanaka.
I wonder if there's ever been a sex scene that had any significance to the plot. Obviously two characters having sex will have an effect on the story more often than not, but a simple "and they made love to each other all night motherfucker" is a way tastier way to do it.
The Muv Luv games had probably the most hilarious, cringeworthy and out of left field sex scenes.
Basileus777
Member
The fact that characters had sex can be important, but yeah, seeing the porny details of it isn't, at least not in anything I can recall.
Actually it's the source of conflict during a few routes!
The MC gets caught during one: by either the titular Kana OR with Kana. Awkward doesn't even begin to cover the situation, since everyone agrees that the relationship is incestuous, even when they both know they are not related by blood
You need to know they happened at the very least to see why the caracteres are acting awkward between them. That's what I meant with "more or less". The action yes, it's skippable, that they happened no.
Tizoc
Member
Wasn't that a poorly received VN?
It is, but that's the only kind of visual novels Aksys is getting these days, same applies for XBlaze.
Wow, really? Guess there really are sex scenes that have at least some significance.
How great would it be if they started adding critical plot twists in the sex scenes? Like the girl you're making sweet love to is in so much pleasure she accidentally blurts out that she was the one who killed your family ten years ago. Then the MC smashes her head in in a violent rage.
Better yet if it asks if you want to skip the sex scene before it starts. It goes from two characters in love to a gruesome, bloody scene within seconds! Sure to leave you confused as fuck.
e: it would be comparable to (MLA SPOILERS) this (/MUV LUV ALT SPPLPLT) scene in shock factor. i should write stories tbh.
Sacchin's Route! Sacchin's Route!
Also, who the feck cares about Arc's skirt!? Yeah i like the granny skirt better, but its literally nothing in comparison to the offense that is taking away Ciel senpai's distinctive hair part . Now she looks like generic meganekko girl instead of Ciel senpai ;_;
NaDannMaGoGo
Member
So what's the generally more appreciated term, playing or reading a VN?
Either way, so far I've only gone through (hehe) Katawa Shoujo, which I consider absolutely fantastic, and then Saya no Uta. Unfortunately I was rather let down by the latter one. After hearing so much praise and recommendations about it I decided to check it out and sure enough, the initial premise and atmosphere were promising. But in the long run, the character and plot progression wasn't particularly good. On top of that the H-scenes were rather excessive, even though there was a—frankly cheap and generic—justification for that form the plot standpoint. I still just felt like there were somewhat designed/framed to be titillating, which makes it uncomfortable when
.
I also read a lot suggestions about Clannad but I ended up watching the anime and think it's rather awful.
After that I kinda lost interest in checking out more Japanese VNs. That said, I could imagine the ones focusing on story and plot instead of characters and execute well on their promise could be something I may enjoy. So, maybe I'll give 999 or so a go.
Either way, so far I've only gone through (hehe) Katawa Shoujo, which I consider absolutely fantastic, and then Saya no Uta. Unfortunately I was rather let down by the latter one. After hearing so much praise and recommendations about it I decided to check it out and sure enough, the initial premise and atmosphere were promising. But in the long run, the character and plot progression wasn't particularly good. On top of that the H-scenes were rather excessive, even though there was a—frankly cheap and generic—justification for that form the plot standpoint. I still just felt like there were somewhat designed/framed to be titillating, which makes it uncomfortable when
one of the entities is clearly depicted as a child, even though it isn't really (you know, the good old joke - it's fine if it's 'actually' a 5000 year old witch etc.)
I also read a lot suggestions about Clannad but I ended up watching the anime and think it's rather awful.
After that I kinda lost interest in checking out more Japanese VNs. That said, I could imagine the ones focusing on story and plot instead of characters and execute well on their promise could be something I may enjoy. So, maybe I'll give 999 or so a go.
Basileus777
Member
Either is fine. I use them interchangeably, same with calling a VN a game. I don't see much point in nitpicking here.
Great OP! Thanks for the thread
I'm a huuuuge otome fan ( I have about 30+ imported..I'm not fluent but I am learning, so it helps!) so it makes me sad that the selection of them in English is so slim. I'm not into the cellphone ones which makes it that much more difficult :/
Besides the obvious Hakuouki and Sweet Fuse, there's Dandelion by a Korean company called Cheritz (you can get it on Steam), and their 2nd game, Nameless, is up for greenlight as well at the moment.
Another Steam otome that'll be coming out soon is called Backstage Pass by Sakevisual of Alistair++. Alistair++ was decent for a free game, so I'm interested to see how Backstage Pass does.
Also can't forget about Hatoful Boyfriend, which has a really odd premise, but the "true" route is absolutely amazing. (Also the Shuu route. Amazing.) Highly recommended. It's also on Steam.
Mangagamer is going to be translating Ozmafia and releasing it digitally. I've played the game in Japanese..it has beautiful graphics, and the story is somewhat decent. Only downside is that it lacks a lot of polish that many other otomes have (it's extremely hard to get on routes) .. but it was the companies first game and I think they did a pretty great job overall. Will definitely be double dipping to support its release.
Not too many fan patches that I know of.. I know that a few of the Starry Sky games have them, but I've never looked into it since I'm not really too interested in the games. I've seen on Tumblr that there's a fan translation project of Ken ga Kimi from Rejet getting started up, and god I hope it happens. It's one of my favorites, but it's a historical otome so there's a lot of extremely difficult language and archaic words in it.
Aaaand I know there's probably very few otome gamers on GAF so this will probably get glossed over, but I figured I'd type it out for anyone who is actually interested
I'm a huuuuge otome fan ( I have about 30+ imported..I'm not fluent but I am learning, so it helps!) so it makes me sad that the selection of them in English is so slim. I'm not into the cellphone ones which makes it that much more difficult :/
Besides the obvious Hakuouki and Sweet Fuse, there's Dandelion by a Korean company called Cheritz (you can get it on Steam), and their 2nd game, Nameless, is up for greenlight as well at the moment.
Another Steam otome that'll be coming out soon is called Backstage Pass by Sakevisual of Alistair++. Alistair++ was decent for a free game, so I'm interested to see how Backstage Pass does.
Also can't forget about Hatoful Boyfriend, which has a really odd premise, but the "true" route is absolutely amazing. (Also the Shuu route. Amazing.) Highly recommended. It's also on Steam.
Mangagamer is going to be translating Ozmafia and releasing it digitally. I've played the game in Japanese..it has beautiful graphics, and the story is somewhat decent. Only downside is that it lacks a lot of polish that many other otomes have (it's extremely hard to get on routes) .. but it was the companies first game and I think they did a pretty great job overall. Will definitely be double dipping to support its release.
Not too many fan patches that I know of.. I know that a few of the Starry Sky games have them, but I've never looked into it since I'm not really too interested in the games. I've seen on Tumblr that there's a fan translation project of Ken ga Kimi from Rejet getting started up, and god I hope it happens. It's one of my favorites, but it's a historical otome so there's a lot of extremely difficult language and archaic words in it.
Aaaand I know there's probably very few otome gamers on GAF so this will probably get glossed over, but I figured I'd type it out for anyone who is actually interested
è£ ç²æªé¬¼ææ£
Banned
Been neglecting my VN-reading lately. Still found the time to finally get Senshinkan out of my backlog. And with the exception of the glorious audio and visuals I didn't really like it. It's basically about a group of friends lucid dreaming and getting involved in a power struggle with other lucid dreamers in a Taisho-Era Japan Dreamworld. The concept is so good and the execution so bad, it's a true shame.
The group of friends is super boring, they have no interesting group dynamics or small-talk going on between them, the protag is a Gary Stue with a robotic personality (he can be kind of entertaining ironically) and the "main heroine" barely gets any screen time. Even in her own fucking "route". It got so bad I started thinking there is more to her constant absence, like, she's totally doing something else while nobody is noticing but nope, writer just forgot she exists for a good part of the game. Taisho setting is also just there to make villains and protags wear cool looking uniforms, has zero bearing on the plot, a plot which also turns out to be way less interesting than the prologue makes it seem.
Currently reading through Nanairo Reincarnation because I heard it's from the same dude that did Gun Knight Girls and I liked that a lot. After doing a couple of the non- main heroine endings it's okay. It's about a dude who is tasked with leading ghosts and spirits who still cling to this world into the next with help from his own demons. The H-scenes are super half-assed which is a shame because the art is so pretty but a lot of the banter is entertaining and the plot-twist (while being super obvious) is nicely presented so it's worth a read so far.
SerTapTap
Member
The fuck is this I must have it
Cool thread. I used to lurk in the old one but I don't believe I ever posted there. I'm not too big on visual novels but I have played a few and do enjoy the medium. My favorite visual novel is actually an old one that Nintendo made: Famicom Detective Club: Part II. Check that out if that sounds cool, the Super Famicom version is available in English.
If anyone still wanted to know, Go! Go! Nippon is kind of...eh. It's fairly basic, but I like how they geared it as an informative source of Japanese culture for the otaku demographic. Sakura Spirit, another visual novel on Steam, is an even lower-hanging fruit. If you're not in for the fluffy tails, it's easily a pass. I didn't like the story in that one and it's a kinetic story at that.
Katawa Shoujo is surprisingly good and an easy recommendation. If it worries you, it's worth noting that the stuff that makes it 18+ can be skipped.
I recently gained an interest in checking out Narcissu 1st & 2nd and Steins;Gate and probably will at some point, looking forward to those. Can anyone share some thoughts about Hatoful Boyfriend? I was drawn by the unusual concept but my inexperience with otomege makes me unsure if I would enjoy it.
If anyone still wanted to know, Go! Go! Nippon is kind of...eh. It's fairly basic, but I like how they geared it as an informative source of Japanese culture for the otaku demographic. Sakura Spirit, another visual novel on Steam, is an even lower-hanging fruit. If you're not in for the fluffy tails, it's easily a pass. I didn't like the story in that one and it's a kinetic story at that.
Katawa Shoujo is surprisingly good and an easy recommendation. If it worries you, it's worth noting that the stuff that makes it 18+ can be skipped.
I recently gained an interest in checking out Narcissu 1st & 2nd and Steins;Gate and probably will at some point, looking forward to those. Can anyone share some thoughts about Hatoful Boyfriend? I was drawn by the unusual concept but my inexperience with otomege makes me unsure if I would enjoy it.
Muv Luv Alternative
Have fun going through Muv Luv and Muv Luv Extra before MLA though lol
Probably needless to say it's weird as all hell, but I remember enjoying it. Pretty sure it even had a "true route" with an actual batshit insane story, not just "pigeon dates and shenanigans"
Basileus777
Member
Is there a reason why Deardrops isn't on Kira Kira's "You might also like" list? That would seem like the most obvious connection
Especially since Deardrops is basically the best part of KiraKira (the band stuff) made into a full VN.
Is there a reason why Deardrops isn't on Kira Kira's "You might also like" list? That would seem like the most obvious connection
I think the reasoning was that it should be relatively easy to find afterwards and we wanted to put out more variety. I could change it, I guess?
Ultimate_Trainer
Member
I never would have thought that My Girlfriend is the President would be reccommended after KiraKira. I would much perfer Deardrops to that.
I always thought the Ace Attorney series would be recommended after Danganronpa, but I guess thematically it isn't the same.
The recommendations are genre-centric, and you won't find Ace Attorney anywhere but the intro because it's so well known, and we wanted to make space for other, more under the radar titles.
donutzsick
Member
I'm relatively early in Tears to Tiara 2 on ps3. Really enjoying it but haven't been playing as much because of some other stuff My goal is to finish before new years.
My goal is to finish before new years.Basileus777
Member
I'm relatively early in Tears to Tiara 2 on ps3. Really enjoying it but haven't been playing as much because of some other stuff
I finished it earlier in the week. I enjoyed the gameplay, but the story had some pacing issues and ended up being pretty standard fare for the genre. But the main character's voice was by far the worst thing about the game. Be prepared to hear Kirito (Yoshitsugu Matsuoka) screaming and crying half of his lines in a 60 hour game.
FelixOrion
Poet Centuriate
For the interested, I also had a short OELVN (Original English Language Visual Novel) thread that has a lot of interesting works listed that aren't originally Japanese in origin, like Katawa Shoujo. There are some interesting and stylistic differences that might perk you interest in some of them, like CAVE! CAVE! DEUS VIDET. which is a really bizarre ride that I quite enjoyed.
EDIT: Speaking of which, the next episode in CAVE CAVE just got a trailer released: http://www.cavecavedeusvidet.com/
EDIT: Speaking of which, the next episode in CAVE CAVE just got a trailer released: http://www.cavecavedeusvidet.com/
kiunchbb
www.dictionary.com
It is worth it, muv luv is so generic that it is safe to skip 70% of the content. Just finish the 2 main routes. Extra isn't that bad, and it is one route only.
After you suffered through both of them, prepare yourself for one of the best VN ever made, with mechs.
grim-tales
Member
Hey,
I'm wondering what to play next after finishing the (rather disappointing, all things considered) Killer Queen. It was OK, just could have been so much more, IMO.
I have yet to play:
Swan Song
I/O
Hirugashi (sp?) 1-4
Kara no Shoujo voiced edition
Danganronpa
- and a few others, I dont even know if I can be bothered to finish A Kiss for the Petals, even the good stuff ( ) is boring after a bit. It's just so dull.
I'm wondering what to play next after finishing the (rather disappointing, all things considered) Killer Queen. It was OK, just could have been so much more, IMO.
I have yet to play:
Swan Song
I/O
Hirugashi (sp?) 1-4
Kara no Shoujo voiced edition
Danganronpa
- and a few others, I dont even know if I can be bothered to finish A Kiss for the Petals, even the good stuff (
) is boring after a bit. It's just so dull.skLaFarebear
Member
The greatest story you'll ever read. Unfortunately gotta play Muv Luv Extra and Unlimited first, which are both pretty mediocre. It's super worth it though.
Oh yea sure, ML and MLE are fast reads when you realize most of the stuff is just pointless and you start skipping dialogue
I unfortunately never saw any of the supposed greatness in MLA
I thought it was a huge letdown honestly, but that might be mostly because it was not what I expected it to be. It was 100% character centric. And I hated the characters lol.
I know I went in with skewered expectations but it still boggles mind how it's so well regarded. But that's how opinions work, I suppose.
Hey,
I'm wondering what to play next after finishing the (rather disappointing, all things considered) Killer Queen. It was OK, just could have been so much more, IMO.
I have yet to play:
Swan Song
I/O
Hirugashi (sp?) 1-4
Kara no Shoujo voiced edition
Danganronpa
- and a few others, I dont even know if I can be bothered to finish A Kiss for the Petals, even the good stuff (
The fuck you waiting for, go play Danganronpa
Also skip I/O entirely
e: also also wait for me on higurashi, let's read it simultaneously. i've noticed you and i post a fuckload of impressions all the time when we're reading something so i'm pretty sure if we read higurashi at the same time, this thread would never leave the first page
skLaFarebear
Member
I'd never recommend muv luv to someone who's never played a visual novel. It is extremely beginner unfriendly. Go with ace attorney or 999 if you want a great first, or something Katawa Shoujo or F/SN if you want a VN with some romance (though F/SN has action and other genres included).
Basileus777
Member
Hey,
I'm wondering what to play next after finishing the (rather disappointing, all things considered) Killer Queen. It was OK, just could have been so much more, IMO.
I have yet to play:
Swan Song
I/O
Hirugashi (sp?) 1-4
Kara no Shoujo voiced edition
Danganronpa
- and a few others, I dont even know if I can be bothered to finish A Kiss for the Petals, even the good stuff (
Skip I/O unless you want to laugh at its utter insanity.
Crash Station
Member
As in good fast-paced tense insanity or just incoherent nonsense?
Basileus777
Member
Incoherent nonsense. I once compared the end to "what if Kojima wrote Evangelion and mixed in some Parasite Eve," but that's overselling it a bit.
I figure I just need to get around to finishing it before the summer volume comes out. I'll probably buy that on PC (and the new soundtrack assuming they put another one out) just because I really like the packaging for the first one. I'll probably end up having the whole series on both PC and Vita if they keep porting them.
I'm so excited to play this when it comes out. I read that it wasn't received all that well, but the art style alone makes me want to play it.
Hey,
I'm wondering what to play next after finishing the (rather disappointing, all things considered) Killer Queen. It was OK, just could have been so much more, IMO.
I have yet to play:
Swan Song
I/O
Hirugashi (sp?) 1-4
Kara no Shoujo voiced edition
Danganronpa
- and a few others, I dont even know if I can be bothered to finish A Kiss for the Petals, even the good stuff (
Well you can't go wrong with either of those (I haven't played I/O though so wouldn't know about that one), but, I would recommend playing Danganronpa first. Would be the perfect kind of game to wipe away the bad taste of KQ, since they're a bit similar. Also I'd totally be down to play Hirugashi with you guys too.