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Post by MikuMatt on Feb 6, 2018 2:43:08 GMT
Visual Novels are, as far as I'm concerned, one of the most enjoyable game genres out there. As someone who likes a well-crafted narrative, the VN's focus on narrative means that a good one has a *very* well-crafted narrative.
Currently I'm playing through The Men of Yoshiwara, the first VN on Nintendo Switch, and it's... amusing. It's a VN for women about dating hot male courtesans, and yeah, its quite fun for all that.
My favourite VN of all has got to be Hakuoki though. I can't wait for Edo Blossoms to finally release in the west next month.
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Post by MoeGamer on Feb 6, 2018 9:18:22 GMT
Ah yeah, I saw this had released. Cool that the first VN on the platform is an otome game, while we're getting some of those these days they're still quite underrepresented outside of stuff like the Hakuoki series. I don't think I can pick a single favourite, but here are some that I've loved over the years, along with links to my writing about them: The Grisaia series -- moegamer.net/all-games/the-fruit-of-grisaiaIncredible. Thought-provoking. An amazing cast with relatable issues, but enough of an element of the unexpected to the overall narrative to keep things interesting. And some of the best use of sex scenes in the whole medium. Fate/stay night -- moegamer.net/all-games/fatestay-nightA true classic that lacks an "official" localisation, which is absolutely criminal. Three lengthy, imaginative narrative paths that blend fantasy with the mundanity of reality, pondering questions over what it means to be "heroic" and how you might be able to atone for what you perceive as your own sins of the past. Steins;Gate -- www.usgamer.net/articles/steinsgate-pc-review-time-after-timeThis game gets time travel and parallel universes right, along with one of the best ever uses of an unreliable narrator I've seen. My Girlfriend is the President -- moegamer.net/all-games/my-girlfriend-is-the-presidentCharming, adorable comedy in which an initially obnoxious protagonist gets a wonderful redemption arc thanks to a colourful cast of lovely characters. There's also a spaceship who turns into a cute girl, and an interesting choice of villain. Katawa Shoujo -- moegamer.net/all-games/katawa-shoujoEffectively a worldwide-developed "fan project", Katawa Shoujo is responsible for getting a lot of people into the medium in the first place. A charming, sensitively told tale of a young man with a heart condition, and five remarkable young women who do not let their disabilities define them. Sweet Fuse -- www.usgamer.net/articles/sweet-fuse-reviewA game in which you play Keiji Inafune's niece as she attempts to rescue a theme park from obliteration by a horrible pig monster. Actually far less ridiculous than its premise makes it sound, and a great example of otome games done well. |
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Post by MikuMatt on Feb 7, 2018 0:28:54 GMT
I would also like to put in a mention for Root Letter. That game had a powerful impact on me. Not only is it a deeply beautiful game, but it taps into a nostalgia for a kind of Japan that I feel every time I get out of the major cities in that country. If only the music were more true to the tone of the game I would say it's the perfect VN, but that music creates a tonal dissonance that gets in the way of some of the more emotive moments.
I also want to put a note in for Danganronpa, which people often don't think of as a VN, but it totally is. And it's brilliant. I don't just mean it's a great series of games (though it is). I mean it's brilliant as in actually among the most intelligent games that you'll ever play. You could easily do a philosophy phd on the stuff that the Danganronpa games check off.
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clem
New Member
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Post by clem on Mar 11, 2018 19:17:34 GMT
Have to agree with danganronpa a great series that kept me entertained all the way through even my wife liked it and everytime she heard monokuma's theme she was in to see what's happening next!
Though I have to say I really enjoyed utawarerumono the back and forth's between haku and the rest of the group I always found entertaining! Just hoping the remake of the original will get a western release!!
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Post by MikuMatt on Mar 13, 2018 3:06:41 GMT
Have to agree with danganronpa a great series that kept me entertained all the way through even my wife liked it and everytime she heard monokuma's theme she was in to see what's happening next! Though I have to say I really enjoyed utawarerumono the back and forth's between haku and the rest of the group I always found entertaining! Just hoping the remake of the original will get a western release!! Yes! I always seem to forget about Utawarerumono as a visual novel. Perhaps because it has the tactics RPG bits? It's weird, because it's 100% a VN first and foremost. It really is wonderful, too. Could not agree with you more :-) |
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