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Visual Novels Community Thread | A Little Something for Everyone

The more of Ever17 I read, the more
annoyed I get about Uchikoshi and Nakazawa handwaving The Kid's amnesia, the kicker of the can and the flickering life count. Those were some amazing mysteries and knowing they didn't have a solution really fucking sucks and hurts my enjoyment.
 

Marche90

Member
Commenting on those I've read and/or know:

Off the top of my head

Nekopara - Didn't really like this one. The game despite seemingly wanting to set up a story and world of some kind it went absolutely nowhere with it. In the end the entirety of the plot just felt like a shallow set up for fan service.

The whole point of this one is to pretty much stare at pretty catgirls, for better or worse. Definitely doesn't have any more going for it

Katawa Shoujo - First Visual Novel absolutely fell in love with it. I feel like there's a lot it could have done better from the choices being somewhat arbitrary and the limited interaction and art assets but the characters and story was just so good.

Everyone's first VN. Considering it's 100% free, I'm surprised at how far they managed to get.

Kamidori Alchemy Meister - I never finished this but I really liked what I played of it. I always enjoy VN's with a bit of meat to the gameplay. Also liked most of the cast despite them not getting a ton of screen time individually.

Shallow story, but decent gameplay. Only played one route and never looked back, tho.

Dangan Ronpa 1/2 - Pretty good: strong art style, memorable casts, and interesting story was a highlight. The story did sometimes devolve into stupidity though with how the plot twists were set up.

Get ready for DRv3 later this year :lol

If My Heart Had Wings - Played this but only finished one route. It left a fairly strong impact on me at first (even had a brief stint where I really wanted to ride in a glider) but after a few days and looking back on it objectively it was great but not mind blowing.

Translation of this one is a TRAINWRECK. I've never touched this one due to that

Da Capo III R
I really liked it a lot, too! Shame it seems like you never read the previous games of the franchise, because a lot of my enjoyment also came from seeing how Sakura's story ended (yep, she appeared in all 3 main games as a major character)

As to what to read next. If you have a Vita or PS3, seeing how it's currently on sale, you can't go wrong with Steins;Gate. It has enough choices to fit the bill about what you're searching for.

I'll add more recommendations at a later time when I get access to my vn list (I'm at work currently). I'm currently reading Hatsukoi 1/1, but this one, while surprisingly good, is more or less only slice of life without any supernatural going one or lots of choices. Art style is a bonus, too, since it's not something you can call generic.
 

Taruranto

Member
The more of Ever17 I read, the more
annoyed I get about Uchikoshi and Nakazawa handwaving The Kid's amnesia, the kicker of the can and the flickering life count. Those were some amazing mysteries and knowing they didn't have a solution really fucking sucks and hurts my enjoyment.

But they do.
 

Wichu

Member
Off the top of my head

Yeah, I think you'll like Zero Escape. I haven't played DC3R, but "multiple routes being key to the narrative" and "stayed up way too late after having my mind blown in the final route" instantly made me think ZE. The series has a lot of gameplay in the form of "escape the room" puzzles in between story sections. The characters aren't anything special, but the mysteries are gripping and the plot twists are spectacular. The soundtrack is great too.

And as has already been said, Steins;Gate is currently on sale in the US and is also really good. It doesn't reach the craziness of Zero Escape plot twists, but it makes up for that in characters and emotional highs (and lows). It's probably the only game that's made me cry multiple times T_T

Other stuff to check out:

Ever 17: We've just been discussing it above. It's the spiritual predecessor of the Zero Escape series - I think the big twist is better than ZE, but the quality is a bit inconsistent and I still prefer ZE overall. The first four routes are required for the true route.

Root Double: One of Ever 17's two main writers went on to make Zero Escape. Root Double is by the other guy. It never reaches the highs of E17 or ZE, but is still a solid sci-fi story overall. Has a pretty interesting route structure, following two different protagonists in wildly different environments before coming together for the final act. The choice system is pretty opaque, so you might want to use a guide.

To the Moon: Not a visual novel, but I think it's close enough to qualify and it's super cheap. Play this if you want to cry. No branching routes, but has some light puzzle gameplay.

VA-11 Hall-A: A small and personal story of a bartender in a cyberpunk dystopia. The characters and writing are really good, and the humour hit the spot for me. Serving different drinks gets you different dialogue, but there's no branching.

The House in Fata Morgana: VN-GAF's darling. It's really good, but doesn't fit your criteria quite as well. Heaps of intrigue and as far away from a high school setting as you can get, but isn't action or sci-fi and is a linear story with no gameplay. Stellar soundtrack and artwork, and a story that definitely stays with you long after you play it.
 

bomblord1

Banned
Yeah, I think you'll like Zero Escape. I haven't played DC3R, but "multiple routes being key to the narrative" and "stayed up way too late after having my mind blown in the final route" instantly made me think ZE. The series has a lot of gameplay in the form of "escape the room" puzzles in between story sections. The characters aren't anything special, but the mysteries are gripping and the plot twists are spectacular. The soundtrack is great too.

And as has already been said, Steins;Gate is currently on sale in the US and is also really good. It doesn't reach the craziness of Zero Escape plot twists, but it makes up for that in characters and emotional highs (and lows). It's probably the only game that's made me cry multiple times T_T

Other stuff to check out:

Ever 17: We've just been discussing it above. It's the spiritual predecessor of the Zero Escape series - I think the big twist is better than ZE, but the quality is a bit inconsistent and I still prefer ZE overall. The first four routes are required for the true route.

Root Double: One of Ever 17's two main writers went on to make Zero Escape. Root Double is by the other guy. It never reaches the highs of E17 or ZE, but is still a solid sci-fi story overall. Has a pretty interesting route structure, following two different protagonists in wildly different environments before coming together for the final act. The choice system is pretty opaque, so you might want to use a guide.

To the Moon: Not a visual novel, but I think it's close enough to qualify and it's super cheap. Play this if you want to cry. No branching routes, but has some light puzzle gameplay.

VA-11 Hall-A: A small and personal story of a bartender in a cyberpunk dystopia. The characters and writing are really good, and the humour hit the spot for me. Serving different drinks gets you different dialogue, but there's no branching.

The House in Fata Morgana: VN-GAF's darling. It's really good, but doesn't fit your criteria quite as well. Heaps of intrigue and as far away from a high school setting as you can get, but isn't action or sci-fi and is a linear story with no gameplay. Stellar soundtrack and artwork, and a story that definitely stays with you long after you play it.

Zero Escape/Steins Gate: I've seen these recommended a lot I've looked at them several times but I can't really say what holds me back from trying them and to this day I haven't.

Ever-17: I really want to play it but it seems impossible to obtain legally so I can't really see any way to.

Root Double: I've had this recommended to me by someone else outside the forum ironically. Considering it's on Steam this is a strong candidate to check out.

To the Moon: I can't really say I'm interested in it for the purpose of scratching a VN itch

VA-11 Hall-A: I've seen this but the art style really bugs me for some reason. I'm honestly not sure if I could get over it.

The House in Fata Morgana: Never even heard of it I'll look into it.

Commenting on those I've read and/or know:



The whole point of this one is to pretty much stare at pretty catgirls, for better or worse. Definitely doesn't have any more going for it



Everyone's first VN. Considering it's 100% free, I'm surprised at how far they managed to get.



Shallow story, but decent gameplay. Only played one route and never looked back, tho.



Get ready for DRv3 later this year :lol



Translation of this one is a TRAINWRECK. I've never touched this one due to that

I really liked it a lot, too! Shame it seems like you never read the previous games of the franchise, because a lot of my enjoyment also came from seeing how Sakura's story ended (yep, she appeared in all 3 main games as a major character)

As to what to read next. If you have a Vita or PS3, seeing how it's currently on sale, you can't go wrong with Steins;Gate. It has enough choices to fit the bill about what you're searching for.

I'll add more recommendations at a later time when I get access to my vn list (I'm at work currently). I'm currently reading Hatsukoi 1/1, but this one, while surprisingly good, is more or less only slice of life without any supernatural going one or lots of choices. Art style is a bonus, too, since it's not something you can call generic.

Thanks for the impressions! I always love to see other people's opinions on things like this I feel like an experience like this isn't complete without a bit of discussion.

Regarding the game suggestions.

I'm definitely look forward to DR3

Steins Gate I'll say the same as above I've eyed it several times but always end up going with something else. I really just need a push to make me play it.

Translation of this one is a TRAINWRECK. I've never touched this one due to that

There's a free retranslation patch for the Steam Version (even a handy guide on the Steam Community Discussion page on how to apply it) that fixes most of the issues. Also re-adds the eroge scenes.
 

Wichu

Member
Zero Escape/Steins Gate: I've seen these recommended a lot I've looked at them several times but I can't really say what holds me back from trying them and to this day I haven't.

Ever-17: I really want to play it but it seems impossible to obtain legally so I can't really see any way to.

Root Double: I've had this recommended to me by someone else outside the forum ironically. Considering it's on Steam this is a strong candidate to check out.

To the Moon: I can't really say I'm interested in it for the purpose of scratching a VN itch

VA-11 Hall-A: I've seen this but the art style really bugs me for some reason. I'm honestly not sure if I could get over it.

The House in Fata Morgana: Never even heard of it I'll look into it.

Cool cool. If you weren't aware, all the above, except Ever 17, are on Steam - Root Double in particular has been <$10 in Steam sales in the past. Zero Escape: The Nonary Games only released there recently, but it's a HD port of the first two games (with voice acting and some convenience stuff added to 999).

There's a demo of Fata Morgana on the MangaGamer website if you want to get a feel for the game before you buy. Be aware that it starts a bit slow, and obviously the demo doesn't contain the best parts of the game.
 

bomblord1

Banned
Cool cool. If you weren't aware, all the above, except Ever 17, are on Steam - Root Double in particular has been <$10 in Steam sales in the past. Zero Escape: The Nonary Games only released there recently, but it's a HD port of the first two games (with voice acting and some convenience stuff added to 999).

There's a demo of Fata Morgana on the MangaGamer website if you want to get a feel for the game before you buy. Be aware that it starts a bit slow, and obviously the demo doesn't contain the best parts of the game.

Cool thanks I might wait on a sale and get that. I'll look into the demo at some point.

I've been looking a this list of recommended VN's http://i.imgur.com/FYzeRww.jpg a couple I would like some opinions on

Rewrite

Little Busters (that's supposed to be on steam soon right?)

Yumina The Ethereal

Hoshizora No Memoria

Also not on the list but on another Edelweiss
 

Yuuichi

Member
Cool thanks I might wait on a sale and get that. I'll look into the demo at some point.

I've been looking a this list of recommended VN's http://i.imgur.com/FYzeRww.jpg a couple I would like some opinions on

Rewrite: it's pretty good, but the writing quality (tl is fine, the source material) is kind of all over the place and it has some serious tone issues as a result (still laughing at the Ryukishi07 route, he's such a bad writer)

Little Busters: it's also pretty good (I think I like it more than rewrite) but I'd wait on the new TL maybe? I've been slowly replaying this and one of the characters makes a bunch of obscure philosophical (aesthetics) jokes that I totally don't remember being in the English version

Yumina the Etherial: if you can handle the dated art and audio quality play Aselia the Eternal instead, it's better

Hoshizora no Memoria: average moege [punches Chinami in the face]

Edelweiss: I love overdrive most of the time, but just don't
 

bomblord1

Banned
Rewrite: it's pretty good, but the writing quality (tl is fine, the source material) is kind of all over the place and it has some serious tone issues as a result (still laughing at the Ryukishi07 route, he's such a bad writer)

Little Busters: it's also pretty good (I think I like it more than rewrite) but I'd wait on the new TL maybe? I've been slowly replaying this and one of the characters makes a bunch of obscure philosophical (aesthetics) jokes that I totally don't remember being in the English version

Yumina the Etherial: if you can handle the dated art and audio quality play Aselia the Eternal instead, it's better

Hoshizora no Memoria: average moege [punches Chinami in the face]

Edelweiss: I love overdrive most of the time, but just don't

Cool thanks

Rewrite: hmm maybe a pass then

Little Busters: I was planning on waiting for the Steam release but that's this month.

Yumina I'll see what I can find in English from an official site

Hoshizora - "Moege" straight pass

Edelweiss: I'll avoid that then.
 
Cool thanks

Rewrite: hmm maybe a pass then

Little Busters: I was planning on waiting for the Steam release but that's this month.

Yumina I'll see what I can find in English from an official site

Hoshizora - "Moege" straight pass

Edelweiss: I'll avoid that then.

Do you happen to have a link for the bolded? The Steam Greenlight page only says 2017.
 

Aaron D.

Member
Trying to remember the name of a Western-developed VN / Adventure hybrid due out Q3/Q4 2017.

The backgrounds rotate and characters animate, but they have speech bubbles over their heads and has a bit of a Choose Your Own Adventure feel to it.

Themes felt pretty modern day, but it did have a Noir vibe as well.

Any ideas?

EDIT:

Got it.

NECROBARISTA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npt80bWJmlQ
 

JulianImp

Member
So, I finished playing through one route of Hate Plus, and I've got to say the logs were interesting, but the game as a whole felt a lot more railroaded than Analogue, and the lack of a console-like function or anything like
the reactor meltdown
made it pretty boring.

It also felt pretty strange that you were presented 90% of available logs at first, and it seemed like the order I chose them in didn't matter at all. I began picking whichever ones I found interesing, so I ended up learning a lot more about later events before I even got to read logs from earlier blocks, and that didn't appear to change the story or the AIs' interactions at all...

As of now I'm still waiting for the final day to unlock on my solo Mute and Hyun-ae playthroughs, but things have been nearly the same so far. I'm expecting a certain sad event to actually go through with solo Mute as opposed to when I had both AIs on board on my first playthrough, but other than that the whole thing has been the exact same thing for both solo playthroughs, only Hyun-ae would be bashful and naive and Mute would always stand for the ideals of the society she grew up in, which feels like a waste of what could've been some way more meaningful character arcs like how the player explored Hyun-ae's identity in Analog.
 

bomblord1

Banned
Thanks for all the suggestions guys I ended up downloading Steins gate on PSTV since it was only $5. I'll definitely look back to your suggestions once I'm ready to play another though.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions guys I ended up downloading Steins gate on PSTV since it was only $5. I'll definitely look back to your suggestions once I'm ready to play another though.

Hope you enjoy it :D. The VN really is fantastic. Be sure not to just drop it after the first couple of hours though. It starts a bit slow but the start lays a foundation for later.
 
Holy shit, the guys modding PS3 content back into Higurashi's Steam release went fucking wild. They apparently got a new guy, automated the script, provided an installer option for all five arcs and they RELEASED THE MEAKASHI ASSETS PATCH TO BOOT. I can't believe the PS3 patch is out only a week after the game, holy shit. (Previously it could take close to a month.)

Google "07th-mod" to get any of the patches. I'm on mobile so I cannot link.
 

Taruranto

Member
I don't recall them at all, then - I think I forgot much of the game's plot. Only going to replay Sora's route either way.

I mean once the game explains
the events are repeating, Blink Winkel's influence and Coco being in a dead/alive status
they really didn't feel like mysteries anymore.


They aren't given a direct answer in the story, but they are pretty much self-explanatory once you have all the story elements.
 

Marche90

Member
Apparently someone ported the Ever17 translation into the PSP port.

holy shit

(can't link, I think the site might not be allowed...)

GBAtemp? Site's legit since they don't engage in piracy, so it's fine to link it, as far as I know. They link it all the time in the homebrew threads.

In other news: Holy shit at the translator of Hatsukoi 1/1. He translated an entire 30+ hours VN in little less than 5 months! And from what I've read the translation's fine. Now that's dedication!
 

takoyaki

Member
That's really cool, the PSP versions of the Infinity games are great.

I bought all four of them as digital PSP versions on Vita before they got de-listed after CyberFront declared bankruptcy.

The text is not as sharp as in a native vita game of course, but otherwise this is the best way to play the Infinity series imo.

Would be great if they did the other games next.
 

Shizuka

Member
Apparently someone ported the Ever17 translation into the PSP port.

holy shit

(can't link, I think the site might not be allowed...)

Maybe this is it. This is what I've been waiting for. This might be my time. If only I wasn't already playing a shit ton of visual novels already... I wonder if a certain team will ever release Utawarerumono Portable.
 

Knurek

Member
Apparently someone ported the Ever17 translation into the PSP port.

holy shit

(can't link, I think the site might not be allowed...)

Pity they haven't translated the PSP exclusive content.
Or that they didn't make an option to use X360 version remixed music.
Both would be appreciated.
 

Yuuichi

Member
GBAtemp? Site's legit since they don't engage in piracy, so it's fine to link it, as far as I know. They link it all the time in the homebrew threads.

In other news: Holy shit at the translator of Hatsukoi 1/1. He translated an entire 30+ hours VN in little less than 5 months! And from what I've read the translation's fine. Now that's dedication!

I'm morbidly curious if he's gonna be brave enough to do HoshiOri since it's like twice the length
 
Replaying Ever17's Sora route and this route is still wrecking my fucking shit

Her "system restore" scene in Day 6... guys FUCK

I can't deal with this shit
 

Marche90

Member
I'm morbidly curious if he's gonna be brave enough to do HoshiOri since it's like twice the length

Supposedly that's the plan after finishing translating Tsujidou-san (and maybe the 1/1 add-on discs)

Dude's insanely dedicated, but I'm wondering for how long he'll be able to keep up like that
 

Yuuichi

Member
Supposedly that's the plan after finishing translating Tsujidou-san (and maybe the 1/1 add-on discs)

Dude's insanely dedicated, but I'm wondering for how long he'll be able to keep up like that

I can barely handle reading hoshiori so godspeed I guess.

I have no idea how he kept pace with a job without burnout.
 

bomblord1

Banned
Ok so I just finished Steins Gate but there's no real resolution.

Usually this hints at multiple routes but there's no real choices in the game so how could I go on a different route?
 

Curler

Unconfirmed Member
Ok so I just finished Steins Gate but there's no real resolution.

Usually this hints at multiple routes but there's no choices in the game so how could I go on a different route?

The choices are all via phone answers. The real resolution is in the true ending.
 

Marche90

Member
Ok so I just finished Steins Gate but there's no real resolution.

Usually this hints at multiple routes but there's no real choices in the game so how could I go on a different route?

Wait, what? Already?

Re: choices, what curler said is the way you move around the routes. For the smaller ones, you'll one which ones will take you to them (hint, reject sending a D-mail). For the big ones, I do recommend using a spoiler-free guide.
 

Wichu

Member
Ok so I just finished Steins Gate but there's no real resolution.

Usually this hints at multiple routes but there's no real choices in the game so how could I go on a different route?

I assume you got Suzuha's ending? To get other endings,
you need to undo the D-Mail - when the game prompts you, press triangle to bring up your phone rather than continuing through the text. If you don't send the D-Mail to undo the previous one, you get locked into an ending.
 

bomblord1

Banned
I assume you got Suzuha's ending? To get other endings,
you need to undo the D-Mail - when the game prompts you, press triangle to bring up your phone rather than continuing through the text. If you don't send the D-Mail to undo the previous one, you get locked into an ending.


Wait, what? Already?

Re: choices, what curler said is the way you move around the routes. For the smaller ones, you'll one which ones will take you to them (hint, reject sending a D-mail). For the big ones, I do recommend using a spoiler-free guide.

That's the one it seems that's what caused it I tried to send it but gave up when nothing seemed to happen maybe I went through too much text before then?

The choices are all via phone answers. The real resolution is in the true ending.


Thanks that makes sense I thought they were inconsequential because you could just choose to not respond to any of them.
 

Curler

Unconfirmed Member
Thanks that makes sense I thought they were inconsequential because you could just choose to not respond to any of them.

I got my first ending going through with no walkthrough. I got all of the other endings with one, though. There's so many choices and with the length of getting to the true ending, you kind of need it. (I don't have time to spare to experiment with finding all the routes on my own).
 
I got my first ending going through with no walkthrough. I got all of the other endings with one, though. There's so many choices and with the length of getting to the true ending, you kind of need it. (I don't have time to spare to experiment with finding all the routes on my own).

What ending did you get on your initial run, and what ending was your favorite?

As far as endings, and re the quoted, same here - decided I wanted the plat early on and decided to just go with a walkthrough to get it done. Judging by what you need to do, it doesn't seem likely that most people (going in blind, that is) would get the true ending - I'd imagine it'd be either the
Mayuri
or
Kurisu
endings that are most common. That said, the true ending does provide a much bigger sense of complete-ness, and feels more meaty. If it's not too much trouble (or alternatively if you (bomblord1 that is) go to Youtube) it'd be worth seeing.
 

Curler

Unconfirmed Member
What ending did you get on your initial run, and what ending was your favorite?

As far as endings, and re the quoted, same here - decided I wanted the plat early on and decided to just go with a walkthrough to get it done. Judging by what you need to do, it doesn't seem likely that most people (going in blind, that is) would get the true ending - I'd imagine it'd be either the
Mayuri
or
Kurisu
endings that are most common. That said, the true ending does provide a much bigger sense of complete-ness, and feels more meaty. If it's not too much trouble (or alternatively if you (bomblord1 that is) go to Youtube) it'd be worth seeing.

I got Suzuha at first, too. It's probably the most commom one, given the choice you need to make on it. The true ending is definitely worth the wait. I watched the anime after I got it, and they sure did a great job with adapting the game as a whole (except for a few character storylines, which got way too condensed).
 
I got Suzuha at first, too. It's probably the most commom one, given the choice you need to make on it. The true ending is definitely worth the wait. I watched the anime after I got it, and they sure did a great job with adapting the game as a whole (except for a few character storylines, which got way too condensed).

I like the Suzuha ending except for the fact that it kind of chops the legs off of the other portions of the story and you miss out on quite a bit of character development and perspective that you'd get along the way. I guess it's kind of timeous that you don't spend as much time with Suzuha as you do with others so with her ending, you don't really get to spend time with others as much as you would otherwise. But that said, it does really do well in exploring the whole bit about
how easy it'd be to go crazy after a while
... I do really wonder what the writers had in mind in terms of
whether or not they'd be able to succeed, or even remember their mission.

Yeah... I've watched the first episode and so far it seems to *race* on by. Granted, it has to, but it does take some getting used to. Would you say the anime is worth the watch on its own merits, or?
 
Welp, finished Ever17's Sora route.

E17 was the third VN I ever read after the two Zero Escapes.

Sora's route was my first route in any VN, ever.

I was afraid it wouldn't hold up.

It did.

"Hey Sora... have you ever heard of the legend of Pygmalion?"

I FUCKING CANNOT DEAL WITH THIS

I CANNOT DEAL
 
How's the PSP port, decent?

The patch crashes at a point in Sora's route (apparently a fix will be released sometime this week), so I ended up finishing it on PC, but yeah it's pretty decent. The CGs are cropped (you can use the PSP stick to go up and down to see the rest of the CG) and the text's not really sharp (on a Vita at least), and the sprites are lower quality as well- you get used to it. Besides that, it works quite well! All the pluses of a portable VN! (would kill for a Vita remaster though.) I think the OST was rearranged too, but it isn't a big difference, you can't tell that it's a rearrangement after a while.

Couple nitpicks: The OP -there's a new one and it isn't as great as the original but still very good- only plays at the beginning of a route, not every time you open the game a la the PC version. They also changed the little icon at the end of a line, now it's just a hourglass. The HUD's a bit simpler (the hours don't show up in a text box and similar stuff), but whether you like that or not is simply a matter of preference. As I said, nitpicks.
 
I've been wondering - how come VNs are so PC-centric but so hard to find on home consoles? My impression has been that the Japanese market (at least up till the end of the PS2) has been mostly console-focused, and is now handheld focused, but while it seems like they get some of the bigger VNs (Clannad, Fate/Stay Night) on Vita, a lot of stuff remains PC-only.

Secondly, when it comes to English / Western localizations (Grisaia Trilogy for example, or Sharin no Kuni), how come it often winds up being Vita only instead of PS4 only (considering the smaller install base of the Vita) or PS4/Vita like many other titles? The latter might be due to cost, but wouldn't you hopefully recoup that thanks to the larger install base?

I guess, in a tl;dr sense, how come it's not so commonplace to find a home console VN, be it in English or otherwise?
 
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