What is the appeal in Katawa Shoujo and other visual novels?
- Thread starter deanospimoni
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Katawa Shoujo specifically, yeah, it's pretty melodramatic and sloppily written. But you get VERY attached to the characters, which I think is why that game is so popular.
Visual novels in general are basically video games stripped of everything but the story, they're for people who want very engaging and involved storylines in their games and obviously don't particularly care about gameplay. Also, in some cases, KS being one of them, SEX EVERYWHERE. Which is another selling point, I guess.
Visual novels in general are basically video games stripped of everything but the story, they're for people who want very engaging and involved storylines in their games and obviously don't particularly care about gameplay. Also, in some cases, KS being one of them, SEX EVERYWHERE. Which is another selling point, I guess.
cause KS is very well written and if your not careful the 'game' will hit you right in the feels, it is totally normal to cry during a KS run, hell, depending on who you ened up with, if you don't feel something be the end of it you have no soul
I havnt played katawa shoujo but I have heard mixed thoughts about the game. However I cant say Ive played many visual novels and only completed one. I think the issue with them is the same issue I have with most written novels, the lack of interactivity makes it less engaging for me. A really really good story can keep me reading to see what happens next and thats the only reason why I finished that one visual novel game
If visual novels had more choices, or chance for interaction then I might be able to get into them more but if I judge them by just the ones I have played then I think they're mostly unengaging and rarely interesting
If visual novels had more choices, or chance for interaction then I might be able to get into them more but if I judge them by just the ones I have played then I think they're mostly unengaging and rarely interesting
Katawa Shoujo is the only VN I've played, so when someone recommended a download, I did it mostly for the lols. The only idea I had about it was negative bias that any outsider would have about a non-game game. The theme itself, dating disabled girls, set itself up for that terribly.
But then I actually played it. I was amazed at the depth of characters, and especially how it handled the idea of a school for disabled teens. It wasn't PC or over-the-top, and it was really touching to see how these characters are so beyond what people initially see.
I don't think I'll try another VN (simply because there was almost no choice in the plot other than which-girl-do-you-want-most, and that doesn't interest me enough), but if you feel like reading something on a lazy afternoon, it's great.
It helps if you're a fan of anime/manga as well.
But then I actually played it. I was amazed at the depth of characters, and especially how it handled the idea of a school for disabled teens. It wasn't PC or over-the-top, and it was really touching to see how these characters are so beyond what people initially see.
I don't think I'll try another VN (simply because there was almost no choice in the plot other than which-girl-do-you-want-most, and that doesn't interest me enough), but if you feel like reading something on a lazy afternoon, it's great.
It helps if you're a fan of anime/manga as well.
I think the appeal of katawa shoujo is you can get your mack on a burn victim or a chick with no legs, OP.
I will sy it once again:
All of you go and "play" Saya no Uta!!!!
It is only 2-3 hours long and and it will make you feel like sh*t in a good way.
All of you go and "play" Saya no Uta!!!!
It is only 2-3 hours long and and it will make you feel like sh*t in a good way.
I regret using the word "game" in my opening post. Now that I think about it, I have no problem with the format itself. I loved "Chose Your Own Adventure" books when I was a kid. I just started playing The Walking Dead and I am enjoying that so far. I suppose the thing that doesn't strike a chord with me is the subject matter.
every single VN i've ever tied has always resulted in a TL;DR from me
in the case of hentai i assume alot just skip to the good bits and in the case of something like katawa shoujo the pay off would be in the endings so i wouldn't expect much from the first 20 minuets
in the case of hentai i assume alot just skip to the good bits and in the case of something like katawa shoujo the pay off would be in the endings so i wouldn't expect much from the first 20 minuets
To be fair, the first chapter kinda sucks, but it does help set a tone. Its mostly there to act as a sort of informal questionare, as what choices you make during that part determine which girls arc you unlock, after which your bassicly locked into their story for the remaining acts, for better or worst. That being the case, I assure you the game gets alot more interesting once you actually pick a path, especially near the end when the story reaches a fever pitch, and you get treated to some EXTREMELY intimate (Not sexually) situations between Hisao and the girl in question, its touching stuff, especially Rin's story.deanospimoni said:
As for why people like them in general? I cant say cus it was the first one I ever played, and I dont have a single friend who has ever played one themselves. I liked it because it sort of represents the best of each medium without the bad, it has the size and depth of a book, and the personal your actually in this situation feel of a game, without the need to butcher the feel and story in the name of having actual gameplay.
...I really am not able to explain it, but that game practically changed my life. I still get goosebumps when I hear some of the songs in it, and I still pop in from time to time to reread scenes or immerse myself in the soundtrack.....or peruse the gallery. *Cough*.
Edit: it may be a good idea to use a guide to really get the most out of it though, as you could very easily miss the true endings otherwise. I did a total wing it runthrough first, ended up with Emi, got her good end, then stumbled around to find the bad one. After that I worked with a guide and just did all the endings systemically, worked out really well for me.
Its moderately depressing yeah, depending on the arc, Rin and Hanako's routes are fucked, Emi and Shizune are pretty well rounded, but its all still slightly sad. Cant speak for Lily, I havnt started hers yet.Cheesepower5 said:
The thing is though, the story gets you SO engrossed in the relationship that you kind of internalize that depression, which makes it pay off all the more when you get the the end (assuming you got a good ending). So far as I can tell all of the girls good endings are extremely good, as in pretty much all problems solved, standing on a hill with the beautiful flowers blowing (Literally) lovvy duvvy happy endings. So a good way to think about it is yes the ride is depressing, but the destination is beautiful and satisfying. Especially Rin's.
God I love Rin.
What do you mean by "subject matter"? Are you referring to the disability aspect, the romance aspect, or just the fact that is has an anime art style?deanospimoni said: