Why are visual novels even around? There's no point to them.

[Rawle Lucas]

One thing that has always puzzled me in the world of videogames is visual novels. They seem to be videogame-as-storytelling taken to its logical conclusion: all story, no gameplay. They have large file sizes, and sometimes they have voice acting to go along with them; however, with no actual game to play, what's the point? Why do they sell so well in Japan? Being able to make choices affecting the story is about as far as the gameplay goes, but it is still ultra-passive.

At least the related genre of dating sims has some element of gameplay -- you try to get the girl by beefing up stats and the like.

 

[Amnestic]

Why are visual novels even around?

Because some people enjoy them.

I could ask the same question about racing or sports games but I don't because I actually took half a picosecond to consider that other people enjoy things that I do not. How this befuddles people even to this day escapes me.

 

[NeutralDrow]

*strangled noises*

I don't quite get what you're asking. The gameplay is passive, but still interactive, and in the best ones, the stories are wonderful.

<url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.135672-Neutral-Drow-reviews-A-Drug-That-Makes-You-Dream>I <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.128851-TYPE-MOON-reviews-Tsukihime>could <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.223721-TYPE-MOON-Review-anniversary-Fate-Stay-Night>recommend <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.163769-Neutral-Drow-reviews-Kanon>many <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.206764-Neutral-Drow-reviews-Kana-Little-Sister>here.

 

[NLS]

Movies don't let you affect the story, neither do books, yet they sell quite well.

 

[Jack and Calumon]

It's an book with voiced acting, choice and sometimes the possibility of sex.

I'd buy it.

Calumon: Could I make one in LBP2? Jack already made a racer.

 

[Iandiaeufaieubfeuihfi]

Because Japanese games have a history of sucking.

LOL, I PLAY DATING SIM HENTAI!!! But it depends, some are good, others aren't depending on the storyline. But it is still like a book, it isnt a game. But one exceptional visual novel was Phoenix Wright and hentai.

Also, Katsumoto, that was rude in every way. All Japanese games aren't bad. You shouldn't judge so quickly you dick.

 

[dududf]

*strangled noises*

Ha ha, I knew you'd be in here early.

I always see you when people say that no one watches hentai/eroge/*other names for it I don't know* for story, and topics regarding visual novels.


Anyways on topic. They wouldn't still be made if there wasn't a market for them.

 

[icyneesan]

It's like reading a novel but on your PC with images and voice acting. Some times there sex, sometimes theres not. Some people enjoy them, some people don't. Sorta like with everything else in the world.

 

[NeutralDrow]

*strangled noises*

Ha ha, I knew you'd be in here early.

I always see you when people say that no one watches hentai/eroge/*other names for it I don't know* for story, and topics regarding visual novels.

They're my primary review topic. It's my main hobby, in a way.

Heh...I still remember when someone on Something Awful "reviewed" the Escapist, proclaimed us the most boring site ever, and screencapped my A Drug That Makes You Dream review. And then the threadviews went through the roof... ^_^

 

[meowchef]

Because JRPGs continue to sell.

 

[Rawle Lucas]

Why are visual novels even around?

Because some people enjoy them.

I could ask the same question about racing or sports games but I don't because I actually took half a picosecond to consider that other people enjoy things that I do not. How this befuddles people even to this day escapes me.

I know that, but I'm not judging people for liking visual novels. I just want to know how visual novels have an audience, since they have such minimal interactivity.

/-

*strangled noises*

I don't quite get what you're asking. The gameplay is passive, but still interactive, and in the best ones, the stories are wonderful.

<url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.135672-Neutral-Drow-reviews-A-Drug-That-Makes-You-Dream>I <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.128851-TYPE-MOON-reviews-Tsukihime>could <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.223721-TYPE-MOON-Review-anniversary-Fate-Stay-Night>recommend <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.163769-Neutral-Drow-reviews-Kanon>many <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.206764-Neutral-Drow-reviews-Kana-Little-Sister>here.

Thanks for the Fate/stay night recommendation. I've been meaning to look that one up, to tell you the truth.

/-

Movies don't let you affect the story, neither do books, yet they sell quite well.

However, interactivity is what most people sell interactive games on. This seems to be the only case where that isn't true.

 

[NeutralDrow]

Movies don't let you affect the story, neither do books, yet they sell quite well.

However, interactivity is what most people sell interactive games on. This seems to be the only case where that isn't true.

They are interactive, though. That's what makes most of them games. It's fairly passive compared to an RPG or a shooter, but a visual novel typically goes for the story immersion and uses the adventure game-like choice paths to enforce that. The best ones make the choices have genuine, noticeable effect on the game, and make them feel perfectly natural and consistent with situation and character. You're rarely going to get a sandbox level of control (except maybe in <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.139628-TYPE-MOON-reviews-Kagetsu-Tohya>Kagetsu Tohya), but a lot of the time that doesn't matter.

Granted, not all of them manage those last two things, and have to rely on the story keeping the player immersed. The first was one of my complaints about <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.146260-Neutral-Drow-reviews-Heart-de-Roommate>Heart de Roommate, which literally has only three choices in the game that have any noticeable effect, and the second is a bit of a complaint I have with Crescendo, for offering on occasion choices with <url=http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/2668/crescendo28.jpg>laughably obvious answers (I mean seriously, why would I get that far in her route and pick the first option??).

There actually are non-interactive visual novels, but the more popular term for those seems to be "kinetic novels;" Narcissu is supposed to be one of them, though I haven't gotten to it, yet. And then there are a few games that use the visual novel format, but incorporate other gameplay elements. <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.230960-TYPE-MOON-reviews-Melty-Blood>Melty Blood's story mode is basically a visual novel where your "choices" are the outcomes of your fights, and Princess Waltz is basically a linear visual novel broken with the action of a card-based dueling game.

 

[Evilsanta]

I would like to make some really intelligent comment but Drow has already pointed out one of the good things about it.

And of course there is the bad VN's for every Kanon or A Drug That Makes You Dream there are 10 Pretty soldier A.D, Let's Meow Meow and *shudders* Xchange.

Oh...And the angst in some VN's is really...Well if you dont get tears in your eyes....YOU DONT HAVE A SOUL AND YOUR HEART IS MADE OUT OF STONE!

 

[Rawle Lucas]

They are interactive, though. That's what makes most of them games. It's fairly passive compared to an RPG or a shooter, but a visual novel typically goes for the story immersion and uses the adventure game-like choice paths to enforce that. The best ones make the choices have genuine, noticeable effect on the game, and make them feel perfectly natural and consistent with situation and character. You're rarely going to get a sandbox level of control (except maybe in <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.139628-TYPE-MOON-reviews-Kagetsu-Tohya>Kagetsu Tohya), but a lot of the time that doesn't matter.

That makes sense. There is a certain appeal to watching a cartoon and being able to decide its outcome. Indeed, because there is less interactivity, meaningful choices in the story are imperative.

Most of my experience with visual novels has been from Ren'Py, so I haven't played a lot of professional ones. Still, even the professional ones can't be that much different in terms of functionality.

 

[NeutralDrow]

They are interactive, though. That's what makes most of them games. It's fairly passive compared to an RPG or a shooter, but a visual novel typically goes for the story immersion and uses the adventure game-like choice paths to enforce that. The best ones make the choices have genuine, noticeable effect on the game, and make them feel perfectly natural and consistent with situation and character. You're rarely going to get a sandbox level of control (except maybe in <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.139628-TYPE-MOON-reviews-Kagetsu-Tohya>Kagetsu Tohya), but a lot of the time that doesn't matter.

That makes sense. There is a certain appeal to watching a cartoon and being able to decide its outcome. Indeed, because there is less interactivity, meaningful choices in the story are imperative.

Most of my experience with visual novels has been from Ren'Py, so I haven't played a lot of professional ones. Still, even the professional ones can't be that much different in terms of functionality.

I've...heard of that program, though I haven't played anything from it, so I can't comment. Kawata Shoujo is in my playing list, though. You have any recommendations?

 

[Rawle Lucas]

I've...heard of that program, though I haven't played anything from it, so I can't comment. Kawata Shoujo is in my playing list, though. You have any recommendations?

For kinetic novels, I suggest Broken Hearted: A 9/11 Story. [http://www.renai.us/game/broken.shtml] It almost made me cry. Don't worry, though, it's not political.

For visual novels that allow choices to be made, I suggest Ori, Ochi, Onoe [http://www.renai.us/game/o3.shtml] far and away, hands down. Even I haven't gotten the best ending on that one yet.

 

[Nomanslander]

Why are visual novels even around?

Because some people enjoy them.

I could ask the same question about racing or sports games but I don't because I actually took half a picosecond to consider that other people enjoy things that I do not. How this befuddles people even to this day escapes me.

Because there's a lot of people in this world that just never learned how to think passed themselves.



Here are some commonly asked questions I've heard from these types of people:


Why don't you own Halo: Reach? It's the best game EVA!!

Why are there so many dark and gritty games? I hate that art style! Every game should be as colorful as Mario!

Why doesn't everyone pay attention to me, don't they know I'm special?

Why do other countries still have their own languages, isn't English now the international language?

 

[Gigano]

Some tell excellent stories (with music and background illustrations to further immersion), and they do have enough interactivity to conceptually set them apart from a digital book, even if the feel of them (or those few I've played) is decidedly more that of a "novel" than a "game".