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Authority · May 13, 2014

A great article regarding visual novels. I highly recommend reading the "Distinguishing Visual Novels" series that has been added at the bottom of the page as well as heading over here for English Translated Japanese Visual Novel/ADV Thread.

When clearing out some of my recent StreetPasses, I noticed that Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney has taken over the play time of the local 3DS owners. Its no surprise to see Laytons name cropping up given how successful that franchise is in the UK, but the visual novel genre has been slowly increasing in popularity. Its always been very hit-or-miss, and I dont think I know of any other genre that can strike such fear into the hearts of gamers whod rather get stuck into some action instead. There are a number of reasons why were warming up to wordier games. We have initiatives like Steam Greenlight that are putting niche titles into the view of the average gamer, as well as localisation companies and western developers adding to the pool of available English-language visual novels. Theres more for us to consume: as the catalogue grows, so does the fan base.

Its a hard genre to introduce yourself to, though - if youre interested, where do you start? Here are my top six visual novel picks, as well as a few extras for fans.

If youre running out of ways to satiate your pigeon addiction

Hatoful Boyfriend

Recommended: Jurassic Heart.

If there is one franchise you cant object to

The Ace Attorney Series

Recommended: Danganronpa, Ghost Trick, Layton Brothers: Mystery Room.

If youve spent too much time watching Battle Royale

999: 9 Persons, 9 Hours, 9 Doors

Recommended: Virtues Last Reward, Ever 17.

If you want to try something a little more indie

To the Moon

Recommended: Digital: A Love Story.

If you dont plan on sleeping tonight

Corpse Party

Recommended: Saya no Uta, Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni.

If you want a good, crazy story featuring bananas and a microwave

Steins;Gate

Recommended: Little Busters! and anything else by Key, Katawa Shoujo.

Credits to http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2014/05/13/introduction-visual-novel

Distinguishing Visual Novels

Burnburn · May 13, 2014

Nice article, I got into VN's thanks to 999 and I'm glad it did. I don't think I would've come in touch with VN's otherwise, which is, I think, the big reason it's still such a niche genre.

This is also a very good introduction to VN's

If you're interested I would say definitely check out these:

Kara no Shoujo
Swan Song
Saya No Uta
Remember 11 (Same writer as 999, VLR, Ever17)

Authority · May 13, 2014

Burnburn said:
Nice article, I got into VN's thanks to 999 and I'm glad it did. I don't think I would've come in touch with VN's otherwise, which is, I think, the big reason it's still such a niche genre.

This is also a very good introduction to VN's

If you're interested I would say definitely check out these:

Kara no Shoujo

Swan Song

Saya No Uta

Remember 11 (Same writer as 999, VLR, Ever17)

That is awesome and has been added it.

Rembrandt · May 13, 2014

God, I wish there were more VN on Android/iOS. It's the perfect platform for them, too.

Good thread, though. I've been looking for more to play, so I'll definitely check some out. Definitely a secret favorite genre of mine, lol.

Aaron-Lagann · May 13, 2014

I think I have to defend my love of visual novels more than any other genre I like. It's so difficult to get through to people that they're a different type of game or that a lot of the time there's very little gameplay at all and how that can be fun or rewarding.

Finally got around to starting Danganronpa yesterday, goddamn awesome.

ponpo · May 13, 2014

The first VN I ever played was Quartett! by littlewitch (snakesalute) in 2005 and I still think it's one of the best. The music is great, the storyboard popins are pleasing, and Ashito x Endo art is the best. Made me forever love the now dead littlewitch, even after their sort-of-shit final couple of releases, but oh well. I got to meet Oyari this past Fall after almost 10 years of being introduced to his work! (sheesh, 10 years) I have the PS2 version as well, somewhere.

Anyway, it was translated finally within the last year or two, so if you get the change you should play it. It had some porn in it but it's not a nukige or anything and it's pretty easy to skip

I'm not into it myself and most playthroughs of Quartett can be porn-free save for a scene or two which you can skip fairly quickly. Thank you based ctrl key

I don't play many now. I read about new monthly releases but I think the vast majority are garbage. The ones with 'games' in them are the most interesting for me now but even they are really hit or miss for me.

jon bones · May 13, 2014

My love for the genre starts and ends with The Ace Attorney Trilogy.... unless you count Ghost Trick, nothing's ever even come close to it.

GhostTrick · May 13, 2014

I want more VN on Steam... it's still pretty hard to get them legally. I really want to play Ever 17, but can't find a legal copy for less than 250 dollars...

HardRojo · May 13, 2014

I got into visual novels thanks to Ace Attorney, I've played through the Layton series, both Zero Escape games, Ghost Trick, TWD and can't wait to try Danganronpa and Corpse Party on Vita.

Tom_Cody · May 13, 2014

Upset that I will probably never get to play the Famicom Detective Club series. That title theme...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyfA9pq3KG0

jamsy · May 13, 2014

This game also deserves to be recommended. Probably my favorite DS game.

DiipuSurotu · May 13, 2014

The original Chrono Trigger followup

Orniletter · May 13, 2014

jon bones said:
My love for the genre starts and ends with The Ace Attorney Trilogy.... unless you count Ghost Trick, nothing's ever even come close to it.

Dual Destinies deserves to be played too.

And Apollo Justice is better than Justice for All .

moolamb · May 13, 2014

jamsy said:
This game also deserves to be recommended. Probably my favorite DS game.

I second this, beautiful characters and art.

t26 · May 13, 2014

I love Phoenix wright and 999, but they are more like adventure game than VN

Yuuichi · May 13, 2014

GhostTrick said:
I want more VN on Steam... it's still pretty hard to get them legally. I really want to play Ever 17, but can't find a legal copy for less than 250 dollars...

I paid ~$150 for my copy, just keep your eyes peeled for a good deal. Imports aren't hard to get at all;these I collected over a few months , and if you need help legaly geting games, I can show you the way.

As for the topic as a whole, I play a heck of a lot of visual novels, and I'm here to tell you that you should check out as a beginner:
Phoenix Wright
Stein's;Gate
Aselia the Eternal (hybrid srpg-ish gameplay, be warned, actually requires thought)

If you're looking for some lesser known/harder to find things, I highly recommend:
Rewrite (The best game I have ever played, no joke)
Little Busters
Ever 17 (GL finding a copy for less than $150)

And if you're not scared of a little 18+ (ctrl exists for a reason, skip all the things!) check out:
G-Senjou no Maou (The Devil on G-String)
Fate/Stay Night
Sharin no Kuni, Himawari no Shoujo (Wheel Country, Sunflower Girl)

Nightengale · May 13, 2014

ponpo said:
The first VN I ever played was Quartett! by littlewitch (snakesalute) in 2005 and I still think it's one of the best. The music is great, the storyboard popins are pleasing, and Ashito x Endo art is the best. Made me forever love the now dead littlewitch, even after their sort-of-shit final couple of releases, but oh well. I got to meet Oyari this past Fall after almost 10 years of being introduced to his work! (sheesh, 10 years) I have the PS2 version as well, somewhere.

Brofist, ponpo.

Quartett won't win any VN Oscars in storytelling, but it's probably one of the best VN in immersing you into the experience, due to its excellent storyboarding, ( very few VNs do what Quartett does in the first place ), great music and atmosphere.

jamsy · May 13, 2014

GhostTrick said:
I want more VN on Steam... it's still pretty hard to get them legally. I really want to play Ever 17, but can't find a legal copy for less than 250 dollars...

Didn't know it's worth that much. I bought my copy when it came out but I never played.

BinaryPork2737 · May 13, 2014

GhostTrick said:
I want more VN on Steam... it's still pretty hard to get them legally. I really want to play Ever 17, but can't find a legal copy for less than 250 dollars...

There's a few VNs on Steam, and there's some arriving in the future, like Steins;Gate and Fault Milestone One, so at least the situation is improving.

br0ken_shad0w · May 13, 2014

This was my first VN. It was a short, but left a lasting impression and got me into VNs.

Say what you will about the ending, but it was an amazing adventure from start to finish. It was literally the LOST of VNs. Crazy theories and speculations, anxiously waiting until Witch-Hunt releases a new episode, 'dem memes, and can't forget the god tier soundtrack. Those were fun times back then.

While I couldn't get into Tsukihime, FSN was what got me into Type-Moon's works. I actually played this on my DS thanks to some guys porting the visual novel into a DS format. The DS version was also a lot slower and buggier, so eventually I just completed the last route on the PC. I love it because of how batshit insane everything can get once the story gets moving.

I haven't played much VNs due to other obligations and don't know what the good ones are that's released/hopefully being translated the past few years. But I'm still waiting for the day Fate/Hollow Ataxia is completed....

TheGamer · May 13, 2014

jamsy said:
This game also deserves to be recommended. Probably my favorite DS game.

moolamb said:
I second this, beautiful characters and art.

I agree. I think this was my second or third game for the DS back when it was released and I absolutely loved it.

Dio · May 13, 2014

br0ken_shad0w said:
While I couldn't get into Tsukihime, FSN was what got me into Type-Moon's works. I actually played this on my DS thanks to some guys porting the visual novel into a DS format. The DS version was also a lot slower and buggier, so eventually I just completed the last route on the PC. I love it because of how batshit insane everything can get once the story gets moving.

If you couldn't get into Tsukihime, check out the manga adaptation. It's actually really damn good. Some people will tell you it's actually better in a lot of ways.

Burnburn · May 13, 2014

br0ken_shad0w said:
This was my first VN. It was a short, but left a lasting impression and got me into VNs.

I heard a lot of good things about this one, what's it about?

Basileus777 · May 13, 2014

Burnburn said:
I heard a lot of good things about this one, what's it about?

It's a sad story about a soldier in a post-apocalyptic setting encountering a robot. It's really short, and I found it quite good.

Burnburn · May 13, 2014

Basileus777 said:
It's a sad story about a soldier in a post-apocalyptic setting encountering a robot. It's really short, and I found it quite good.

Thanks, will try to check it out one of these days

br0ken_shad0w · May 13, 2014

Burnburn said:
Thanks, will try to check it out one of these days

Currently $4 on iTunes. =D

Gipsy Danger · May 14, 2014

Does anyone know if there are any decent VNs on Android? I feel like that would be one of the best ways to play them.

Mauricio_Magus · May 14, 2014

You should all play Saya no Uta

Malreyn · May 14, 2014

Muv-Luv Extra/Unlimited and Muv-Luv Alternative is worth a read/play

Moonkid · May 14, 2014

Where my Kara no Shoujo bros at? It's long and tedious but goddamn dat storytelling and soundtrack.

youtube.com/watch?v=Cixdr02942w

Not quite an entry level VN but a must-play in the horror/detective genre.

Marche90 · May 14, 2014

Moonkid said:
Where my Kara no Shoujo bros at? It's long and tedious but goddamn dat storytelling and soundtrack.

youtube.com/watch?v=Cixdr02942w

Not quite an entry level VN but a must-play in the horror/detective genre.

Definitely not an entry level VN and not for everyone (the gore is a bit too much in some scenes). But yes, it's awesome once you are used to the medium. Just keep a walkthtrough in-handy during investigation mode to avoid effin' up during a specific event, or at the very least, keep loads of saves!

EmpReb · May 14, 2014

Malreyn said:
Muv-Luv Extra/Unlimited and Muv-Luv Alternative is worth a read/play

This. A franchise that is really is amazing and Alternative is a total mind fuck.

rhizomatic · May 14, 2014

I have an on-again off-again thing with visual novels. There are a ton I've been meaning to play, but I never get around to them due to their length, not to mention the fact that a staggering number of truly great titles aren't even officially localized. Right now, I'm playing Steins;Gate, which, despite being really hyped for its official English release and preordering the limited edition, I haven't actually gotten that far in (I'm only in Episode 3, and haven't touched it in several weeks). I really like the localization so far, though.

I wish I could convince myself to get a Vita so I could give Danganronpa a shot (and finally get Persona 4 Golden, but that's beside the point). I'd say Virtue's Last Reward as well, but I can just get the 3DS version.

Admiral Woofington · May 14, 2014

Fate Stay Night introduced me to visual novels. It also introduced me as to how having sex with a female is for her protection.

Save her. Save her with your penis.

Needless to say it was my last VN. Not to say all are bad. But I couldn't save them. I COULDN'T SAVE THEM.

upandaway · May 14, 2014

VNs are really fun! I've gone into a ton of them blind (not even genres) and didn't get disappointed yet.

I'll mention Muv Luv Alternative, Higurashi, Steins;Gate, Ever17 as some, but really I love a bunch more also. In terms of what VNs can do the best compared to other mediums I'd say the atmosphere, the sheer detail, and how thoroughly they dissect the entire setting and concept in the story.
The stuff that took me 100+ hours are the stuff that really hit me in terms of atmosphere, it was great. I get sent back there mentally just by remembering some scenes, especially with stuff like Higurashi or MLA.

Next up I have DanganRonpa that I'll get too sometime soon and Prof. Layton vs AA (not sure if that even counts).

ponpo · May 14, 2014

Admiral Woofington said:
Fate Stay Night introduced me to visual novels. It also introduced me as to how having sex with a female is for her protection.

Save her. Save her with your penis.

Needless to say it was my last VN. Not to say all are bad. But I couldn't save them. I COULDN'T SAVE THEM.

They just needed your mana ;_;

Marche90 · May 14, 2014

Admiral Woofington said:
Fate Stay Night introduced me to visual novels. It also introduced me as to how having sex with a female is for her protection.

Save her. Save her with your penis.

Needless to say it was my last VN. Not to say all are bad. But I couldn't save them. I COULDN'T SAVE THEM.

You should really read Tsukihime one day!

SUPRESS ROA IN MY ASS SHIKI

... *ehem* *leaves*

More seriously, you should have patched your installation. There's a censoring patch floating in the interwebs which replaces all erotic content with something else. Either that or pick up another one which doesn't have sex at all, like Steins;Gate.

Admiral Woofington · May 14, 2014

I now am the proud owner of steins gate in blu ray but I've loved the anime for a while. And yes I highly regret not using the patch. As to what the patch replaced it with, I hope it's a dragon.

killatopak · May 14, 2014

Mauricio_Magus said:
You should all play Saya no Uta

This is disgusting....

disgustingly good.... I'm hungry.

---
Started playing VNs way back into 2008.
VNs I've played:
Tsukihime
Kagetsu Tohya
Melty Blood(somewhat VN but is an arcade fighter. Really addicting.)
Fate/Stay Night
Muv Luv 1/2
Clannad(I think I felt all possible emotions on this one.)
Saya no Uta
Edelweiss(Laughed my ass off so much)
Kira Kira(nearly cried on one end.)

There's a lot more but these ones are the most memorable for me. I still replay Tsukihime yearly :3

Ferrio · May 14, 2014

Glad to see To the Moon on there.

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

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