Visual Novels!

[Sapz]

Surprised there isn't already a thread for this - there's gotta be a few other VN fans around, right? Anywho, discuss any VNs you've played, are playing, are anticipating, etc etc. If you're new and looking for a starting point, that's cool too!

I recently read the Muv-Luv trilogy and god damn, that was awesome (don't judge it by the silly name). Extra was a bit of a slow start, although still more enjoyable than I'd expected, but I was completely hooked once Unlimited started up. I'd expected the genre shift but I was stunned just how drastically the tone changed, it was pretty excellent. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the first two given the general consensus was that they were largely there as a build up towards Alternative - the setting up the story aspect was pretty much why I went through the first two at all originally, but they're definitely worth doing if you're interested in this, both because there are an incredible amount of details in Alternative that won't really make sense unless you read the first two and because they were a fun read in their own right.

Having said that, Alternative was still the main event, and it was mind-blowingly good. The production values are absolutely ridiculous (there's effectively an infinite amount of CGs and character portraits, as well as multiple FMVs, depth, rendered 3D scenes, glorious widescreen, etc.), the OST was awesome, and I really liked how fleshed out the BETA and the history/politics/science of the war were. Probably the single most detailed story in a VN I've read - if you ignore the alternate routes in Extra/Unlimited (Alternative is linear), you've effectively got a single, 80~ hour story going from the start of Extra to the end of Alternative. Anywho, it was an awesome read, and I'd recommend it to pretty much anyone with an interest in VNs if the daunting time requirement isn't an issue, especially if you like sci-fi/mecha. Anyone else played it?

I had to cut myself short before it became a huge wall of gushing about MLA. :V

[Desu_Cake]

Weird coincidence, I was actually thinking of setting up a VN thread yesterday, but I forgot.
Anywho, at the moment I'm reading Muv-Luv since my friend wouldn't shut up about it. Only on extra, but enjoying it so far. (Although Sumika annoys me quite a bit)
Also in the middle of reading Kagetsu Tohya, which is hurting my brain every time I tryto understand anything about it. Especially Imogirisou.
Read an OELVN a few days ago called Cafe 0 ~ The Drowned Mermaid, which was completely awesome.
And I'm currently working on creating one of my own.

Obsessed? Me? Nah.

[qno2]

There wasn't one? Blasphemy!

Also in the middle of reading Kagetsu Tohya, which is hurting my brain every time I tryto understand anything about it.

The flowchart alone breaks through my mind, even systematically going through each choice-tree took forever. And I still remember "that" scene... should've disabled it. There was an option for it, there was that heroine. Why did I not disable it? Thrill of the forbidden?
At least Shiki was surprisingly gentle in that one, compared to Tsukihime at least.

Currently rereading Umineko because I'm just too scared to start Chiru. It certainly seems controversial what happened there.

I'm also kind of reading Aoishiro (= on standby). Not sure if I recommend it, the "locking" of routes and certain paths can get annoying (there is a lock right at the END of a certain storyline), the writing sometimes takes a huge leap downwards (can't tell if it's only the fault of the translation), especially towards the end of a certain route or a bad end (sometimes characters know or mention things that they don't know yet and that they will get to know if you don't choose to run towards your own doom... kind of strange). Speaking of those bad or dead ends: there are quite a lot actually, wouldn't have thought it when I started reading it.  My expectations/prejudices failed me!
It also has the FSN-disease; inconsequential talk about food (that unlike FSN doesn't really serve a whole lot of purpose as far as I can tell) and  rather lengthy discussion about the origin of certain words/phrases. Not that I mind but it's probably more interesting for a native speaker.
Kind of a a shame that the encyclopedia wasn't translated though, with all those references to history and mythology I would really like to delve into that.

Muv-Luv trilogy

Sounds good, got to admit that I never looked into it because of the name ("sounds like a generic bishoujo game, nah").

[Great Thing]

I've played approximately 1 VN, which was a demo of Katawa Shoujo, chosen because of its premise and because /a/ hated it (or loved it, I can't remember which). One day I'll crack and play through a bunch of them, but my free time's pretty much taken up trying to get through my anime/manga/game backlog right now.

[Desu_Cake]

And I still remember "that" scene... should've disabled it. There was an option for it, there was that heroine. Why did I not disable it? Thrill of the forbidden?
At least Shiki was surprisingly gentle in that one, compared to Tsukihime at least.

Does it have ... sea creatures? If it does, then I'm definitely skipping it.

[The Herculossal]

Does it have ... sea creatures? If it does, then I'm definitely skipping it.

I did an install of Tsukihime on my other computer to marathon during the long weekend, I am approaching those scenes with a sense of impending dread.

[qno2]

Does it have ... sea creatures? If it does, then I'm definitely skipping it.

I haven't read the complete scene, couldn't stand it anymore and just hugged the "skip"-button after half of it so it's definitely a sea monster (though I can't remember if there are direct seafood metaphors... no, wait, I don't really want to remember).
Oh those mollusks.

I did an install of Tsukihime on my other computer to marathon during the long weekend, I am approaching those scenes with a sense of impending dread.

What makes it worse is that all those scenes feel so forced in type-moon/Tsukihime+Kagetsu Tohya ("all VNs have them so we'll have them too.."). And that Shiki is the worst lover ever.
I actually just skipped them in FSN (so I can't judge them either). Not worth the time if I'm not in the mood.

@Ancient Dozer: Well if you (or anyone else) really wants to start with VNs: Ever17 is a solid start (regrettably the price kind of skyrocketed on amazon), even with the typos in the translated version ("Of course I knows my hackers!"). It's not too long, lacks an adaption (so it's new for you), gives you a lot of mysteries along the way till the "true" route makes sense of (mostly) everything and isn't too "difficult"*. Just be careful where and what you look up on it, might just spoil something for you, even harmless things like the setting. Certainly happened to me while checking if something was just another typo.

*What could be difficult about reading a story? Two words: death traps  .
A chain of choices (that begins when you are not even aware of it) leads to a situation in which only one combination of multiple choices (that can also be far apart from each other) will get you out of this situation alive, everything else will result in a bad end. Most of the time it's still logical what you could change but... just put down a save at every choice, it's a good habit for those games (even if it's not always necessary, depending on the game; makes it easier to navigate).
In the process of looking for the one way out of this (or while trying to get every single combination of choices) you will get to love the "skip to next unread scene" function. Cuddle it.

[Sapz]

Anywho, at the moment I'm reading Muv-Luv since my friend wouldn't shut up about it. Only on extra, but enjoying it so far. (Although Sumika annoys me quite a bit)

You'll like her in time - it has awesome character development, especially for Takeru (hell, Alternative is practically a 'Takeru route'). At any rate, you ain't seen nothing yet - each later part in the trilogy is exponentially more awesome than the previous.

I've played approximately 1 VN, which was a demo of Katawa Shoujo, chosen because of its premise and because /a/ hated it (or loved it, I can't remember which). One day I'll crack and play through a bunch of them, but my free time's pretty much taken up trying to get through my anime/manga/game backlog right now.

Essentials to start with, IMO: Fate/Stay Night (or Tsukihime; I vastly prefer F/SN but YMMV), Ever17, Sharin no Kuni. Excellent examples of fantasy thriller, mystery mindscrew and drama (with a very interesting world setting) respectively. You also might want to look at Saya no Uta (pretty popular 'horror', short) and Clannad (pure distilled Key nakige, although since it's such a huge time commitment [100 hours total?] you may want to give the beautiful Planetarian a try first, which is only around 5 hours long).

I started reading the recently translated A Profile lately; done the first route, not sure what I think of it yet. I'll post thoughts when I'm done, I guess.

And yes, the 'skip previously read text' feature in any VN with multiple routes is a godsent. Use and abuse it.

[Headphones Sacchi]

Does Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors count in this thread? I know it's more of a puzzle game, but it's so heavily based on the Visual Novel genre that it feels like one.

Aside from 999, I've never really played any straight-up visual novel Just a hentai one called "Hitomi, My Stepsister", I swear to you guys what attracted me to that was the gorgeous soundtrack, I swear so... Any recommendations that won't give me a huge mindfuck? Don't think I can handle another 999 level plot-twist.

[Suikama]

Ever 17 essentially has the same plot twist as 999, so it was a lot less mindfucky reading it after 999, although your mileage may vary on that one

[Sapz]

Well, if Ever 17 is too sane, you could give Remember 11 a try. Only two (longer) routes rather than E17's five, a little darker in general, and the conclusion is... interesting, to say the least.

[Aisha]

The only VNs I've read and liked were Umineko 1-7; still waiting on 8 to be translated. I once started Tsukihime, but I eventually lost interest most of the way through Arcueid's route since the sex scenes put me off; it didn't help that I don't really like them in general. For the same reason, I've been avoiding Fate/Stay Night, even though I'm interested in the characters and story. Oh well. I plan on reading Ever17 and Remember11 one day because I constantly hear that they're excellent. I also plan on reading through Higurashi, but I get the impression that MangaGamer's translation of it is less than stellar, so I keep putting it off.

[Luca Trancelywaath]

For those of you who know Japanese and have already read Ever17 and Remember11, give 12riven a shot as well. I also recommend almost all of propeller's lineup, as they are also wonderful reads.

The latest game in the series, code_18, was also recently released. I need to get around to it.

Also, am I the only one who finds badly written sex scenes hilarious as opposed to off-putting? Then again, Saya no Uta didn't really need the 18+ content that it did for the full effect of the story to be delivered anyway. I'm willing to go into comprehensive depth on some popular VNs here if people want me to.

[miracle★cookie]

despite being a fandisc, FHA was better than FSN imo. probably because of the way HA's story was presented, it felt more fun to read than FSN.
then there's Chaos;Head which was alright, but definitely wasn't worth buying. finished Steins;Gate when it was ported to PC; quite frankly the plot was pretty average but thankfully the characters made it worthwhile. Axanael was fun at times but otherwise nothing special.
Dies Irae -Acta Est Fabula- was a nice read, apart from the fact that a couple of the routes were still unfinished even after two or three revisions of the game. thinking about getting Kajiri Kamui Kagura, which seems somewhat interesting.
Aiyoku no Eustia had a nice atmosphere about it and was a good break from all the usual school drama and urban fantasy stories.
Subarashiki Hibi. the Lucky Star shoutout was a bit random but funny. the story was quite good
Yosuga no Soraaaaa. the pace was a bit too slow imo. the only two good things about the game were Sora and the ending song.
fortissimo EXA//Akkord:Bsusvier was...iunno, it was hilarious reading it cuz it's like a poor man's FSN with two characters looking like bad Flandre and Byakuren clones.
Sengoku Hime 3 was decent. there was certainly room for improvements but it was surprisingly enjoyable...for a while anyway

biggest regret is probably buying the limited edition of Baldr Sky Dive 2, which i lost all motivation to play right after i installed it.

Also, am I the only one who finds badly written sex scenes hilarious as opposed to off-putting?

pretty much the reason why i play eroge sometime. it's also sad when a nukige seemingly has better storyline than a supposedly serious VN

has anyone read the Fruit of Grisaia? probably will get around to reading it but just wondering what ppl thought of it

[Sapz]

The only VNs I've read and liked were Umineko 1-7; still waiting on 8 to be translated. I once started Tsukihime, but I eventually lost interest most of the way through Arcueid's route since the sex scenes put me off; it didn't help that I don't really like them in general. For the same reason, I've been avoiding Fate/Stay Night, even though I'm interested in the characters and story. Oh well. I plan on reading Ever17 and Remember11 one day because I constantly hear that they're excellent. I also plan on reading through Higurashi, but I get the impression that MangaGamer's translation of it is less than stellar, so I keep putting it off.

Sex scenes in F/SN are far less frequent and generally less, uh, 'weird' compared to Tsukihime - it's such a small part of the game, you'll really be missing out if you let that put you off.

I've never actually tried Umineko despite hearing about it all the time - how is it? I'm somewhat interested, but what's with that character art?

[miracle★cookie]

I've never actually tried Umineko despite hearing about it all the time - how is it? I'm somewhat interested, but what's with that character art?

Ryukishi07 and ZUN are drinking buddies

[Luca Trancelywaath]

Fruit of Grisaia, being a FrontWing game, is something I usually jump on the chance to play because I find most of FrontWing's stuff enjoyable to read even if they aren't the most well-written stuff in the library... The story itself is actually nothing special and pretty standard-fare for people who've played a lot of VNs such as myself (and probably to you as well, miracle★cookie, considering you've actually played fortissimo EXA) but what really grabs me is the Event CG background art (no, not the art of the characters themselves). Yes, I do mean it, the landscaping (minus the chicks) is actually gorgeous. I don't think the music is half-bad either, which really adds to the experience. Also an interesting note is that there are some people that consider Fruit of Grisaia to be a good enough game to be Kamige, which is... really quite a distinction.

I'd recommend reading it, personally. FrontWing didn't disappoint me with that one.

[Suikama]

but what's with that character art?

It's simply glorious that's what

[Desu_Cake]

Sex scenes in F/SN are far less frequent and generally less, uh, 'weird' compared to Tsukihime - it's such a small part of the game, you'll really be missing out if you let that put you off.

I've never actually tried Umineko despite hearing about it all the time - how is it? I'm somewhat interested, but what's with that character art?

I actually found the sex scenes in F/SN worse than those in Tsukihime, Since they don't have the lol-factor, while still being terrible.


Umineko's artwork is actually misleading, since once you get used to it, it's perfectly fine. The same cannot be said of Higurashi, sadly.  There's always the ps3 version if you really don't like it though.

[Aisha]

Umineko is a really fucked up murder mystery series. It really sucked me in; every time a new episode was fully translated, I'd inadvertently end up reading it all night .

The art is a bit off, but yeah, you get used to it pretty quickly. Or at least I did, but then again, I genuinely like ZUN art, so..

The music is also incredible. When the first episode really kicked off, and..that music..kicked into high gear (the shed scene), I was instantly sold.

[Sapz]

Thanks for the recommendations; I'd been wondering whether the popularity was justified for a while, and I guess it is judging from the reactions. Maybe I'll give it a try after A Profile.

[PC]

I haven't read that many but only very recently started at all soooo

9 hours, 9 persons, 9 doors was what got me interested, even though it's more of a puzzler, it was close enough to draw attention to others.

since read:

Saya no Uta- utterly fantastic, I'd love to see it as an anime although a bit of ...plot reworking might be needed for the nc-17 bits. So much love.
True Rememberance- meh, interesting concept although it was difficult to keep interest after a while.
Ballad of an Evening Butterfly- short, depressing, and the 'major plot twist' that was supposed to be gasp-worthy was more of a  '...wait, what' moment instead. rofl at supposed reverse trap protagonist that acted so feminine to begin with that nobody was surprised when the big reveal was BTW YOU'RE A WOMAN Amazing music, though.
OMGWTFOTL- to genuflect or not to genuflect. it's pretty funny but in a crude humor type manner

Started Tsukihime over the weekend but have yet to get very far past the introduction, save point's where we're still walking home from school. Probably going to start F/SN in a few days, too.

[Suikama]

OMGWTFOTL

oh shit how did i forget about this

best vn ever

[miracle★cookie]

Fruit of Grisaia, being a FrontWing game, is something I usually jump on the chance to play because I find most of FrontWing's stuff enjoyable to read even if they aren't the most well-written stuff in the library... The story itself is actually nothing special and pretty standard-fare for people who've played a lot of VNs such as myself (and probably to you as well, miracle★cookie, considering you've actually played fortissimo EXA) but what really grabs me is the Event CG background art (no, not the art of the characters themselves). Yes, I do mean it, the landscaping (minus the chicks) is actually gorgeous. I don't think the music is half-bad either, which really adds to the experience. Also an interesting note is that there are some people that consider Fruit of Grisaia to be a good enough game to be Kamige, which is... really quite a distinction.

I'd recommend reading it, personally. FrontWing didn't disappoint me with that one.

kamige huh, that is quite a distinction indeed; i dunno if there's any VN that i had played and thought to be a kamige. i will definitely get around to reading it sometime. the sequel Labyrinth of Grisaia is coming out next January isn't it

yeah i have played and own a lot of VNs, much more than the ones i listed here; though i tend to avoid ones that have been translated. but i didn't think fortissimo (both the original and EXA) were considered obscure tho?

[Ratikal]

The only VN I've played was Katawa Shoujo. I think my next one when I get time is Devil on a G-String (I think that's the name?). I also really want to try out CLANNAD but I heard the game is extremely long, like 400 hours long.

[Luca Trancelywaath]

yeah i have played and own a lot of VNs, much more than the ones i listed here; though i tend to avoid ones that have been translated. but i didn't think fortissimo (both the original and EXA) were considered obscure tho?

To us it's not really that obscure, but perhaps to some here it would be.

[Sapz]

The only VN I've played was Katawa Shoujo. I think my next one when I get time is Devil on a G-String (I think that's the name?). I also really want to try out CLANNAD but I heard the game is extremely long, like 400 hours long.

G-Senjou no Maou / Devil on the G-String is goddamn excellent (main route mainly, although the side routes are fun too), highly recommended - it's by the same people as Sharin no Kuni, and if you enjoyed one you'll probably enjoy the other, though Sharin is a little more character-focused compared to the more plot-focused G-Senjou. Clannad is probably the longest VN I've played, IIRC it's around 100 hours to get to the true end. Tons of routes and then a seperate After Story scenario which itself has a bunch of routes. Pretty great nakige though. I'd recommend trying Planetarian before Clannad just to give yourself a feel for how KEY's VNs work - it's only five hours or so so it's not much of a time commitment, and it's really excellent.

[PC]

oh shit how did i forget about this

best vn ever

YO DAWGS KANAGAWA BANCHO HERE

[The Herculossal]

Also, am I the only one who finds badly written sex scenes hilarious as opposed to off-putting?

I feel really, really weird because I got mildly turned on by some of the ones in Tsukihime in spite of how badly drawn and written they were.

About 70-80% done Near Moon, will go through Far Moon over the rest of the month. Will probably start Fate or something else around December or so.

Also, I'm going to make my obligatory plug for Eastern Starlight Romance, the Touhou VN that a few people here are working on. It's only a demo right now but it's pretty good.

[nintendonut888]

After over three weeks of near-daily playing, I finally completed Tsukihime last night - my first "proper" visual novel since Sakura Wars is a hybrid. I have to say, I was very impressed. Even though the game has some structural problems (such as there being way too many similar scenes between routes for revealing the same revelation for the fifth time), and some mind-boggling continuity issues (like what causes Roa to take over SHIKI's body or not between Far Moon and Near Moon, and how your affection towards what girl completely alters the plot divergence in Far Moon...), the game really sucked me in. I still can't decide if Nasu's writing style is good, bad or just weird, but it did a good job of stringing me along through all five routes. A very satisfactory way to sink my time. ^_^

I still don't think I'll try Fate/Stay Night until I have a nice long vacation though. ;>_>