I'm pretty new to the whole visual novel scene. I recently noticed that some of my favorite anime were all based on visual novels (Steins;Fate, the Fate/Stay Night world, Clannad, Little Busters). So I decided to try out the visual novel medium since everyone always says "the visual novels are better."

I had tried to play Fate/Stay Night in the past, but at the time my computer wouldn't play it properly.

So right now my first official visual novel is Rewrite. I'm really liking it so far. The humor is really on point and the voice acting is good too. I'm not too far in plot-wise yet, but I think it'll be heating up now.

Are there any visual novels you would recommend?

EDIT: I'm doing Lucia's route in Rewrite and things just got really creepy all of a sudden. It figures this stuff would happen when I"m playing at night.

 

Im only familiar with some of the more mainstream video game fusion types, Persona and Dangenropa. I would recommend both.

Generally I find a few of them to be a little too static in terms of what you do. A lot of just advancing text. Fate is one I have been meaning to try though.

EDIT: and Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine doors. Cant believe I forgot about that one

 

I highly recommend Katawa Shoujo (it's also a dating sim), it's character are damn good, the game was evidently made with great care and ability. It's smutty, but you can go past it, and it's never porn smutty, it's quite sweet sometimes, really akward at others, or even terrifying. But again, the characters are the stars.

 

Steins;Gate is fantastic. If you liked the anime, you'll like this. If you didn't, then I can't imagine why. Probably the least fucked up thing on this list.

Fate/Stay Night is worth a play, and the sequel's translation is finally finished.

Cross Channel is pretty good, in a psychotic, what-the-hell kind of way. The story follows a group of friends that somehow end up in a world exactly like Earth, but without any people. All of them are at least mildly unstable. Parts are funny, parts are cute, and it's all wrapped up in a lot of what the fuck and horror. Debatably as fucked up a Higurashi.

Higurashi is great, though the art is kinda crap. Umineko is by the people that did Higurashi, though the art is better. They're both horror, and filled with weird shit.

I'll also second Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors and Katawa Shojo. The second is definitely YMMV, though. If you get it, make sure you get the actual game. There's a demo the looks very similar, and in my experience saves aren't compatible.

 

I'll second Steins;Gate, Fate/Stay Night, 999, Danganronpa (and its sequel) and Umineko. I also enjoyed Muv Luv Alternative, despite not playing the first game, and Saya no Uta. If you enjoyed Rewrite, you'll probably enjoy key's other VNs like Clannad and Little Busters, and Katawa Shoujo might be right up your alley. Note that most VNs (including some that I listed) will include porn, it's not really something you can avoid unless you find one with a console release or an option to disable them.

 

Wait, the FSN VN has a sequel? Since when? Where can I get it?

 

Since long time.

Fate/hollow ataraxia

 

Generally the only problem I have with Visual Novels are the ones that don't allow you to influence the story in any way. Some are just.. books, and while that's valid and all, I really started to enjoy Visual Novels because of the influence of choice.

Like a better version of the choose your own adventure books.

 

That's not quite accurate. The sequel was released some time ago, it's true. However, the translation's completion is a relatively recent thing. Only in the last few months as I recall. I haven't gotten around to playing it myself, unfortunately.

 

If you liked Fate/Stay, you can try Tsukihime, also by Type-Moon and with the same structure (early branching of the routes). The art is quite basic, though.

I'd also recommend G-senjou no Maou, which is just amazing. It would probably be the best anime ever if done right.

 

What are Visual Novels (VNs)?

They are basically novels, written from the first-person POV, but with accompanying art and music. Some VNs also have interactive choices, and these choices, by incorporating you as a person into the story, can make the story richer. Be warned, however, that VNs often include adult scenes, because commercially, sex sells - think Game of Thrones and its boob quota.

Which VNs should I read?

Here's a list of the VNs I consider the best - my esteem for them is based on their riveting plots, or their deft handling of themes, or their sheer emotional impact.

1. G-Senjou no Maou

The best thing ever written by a human being. On the face of it, this story is a thrilling battle of wits (it is), - but dig deeper and you find that it is also a powerful portray of love and hatred and their duality as mirrored in the never-ending cycle of revenge - but dig even fucking deeper still, and in the end you will realize that what this story is ultimately, is an utterly compelling story of love.

You'll like this if you liked: Death Note, Code Geass

10/10 - you will first be thrilled, and then you will think, and finally you will cry.

2. Fate Stay Night

FSN likely needs no introduction. You get thrust into a battle royale, where your ideals get tested, and where everything you love might be taken away in an instant.

9.8/10

You'll like this if you liked: Fate/Zero, Attack on Titan, Battle Royale

3. Comyu

(ripped from an old review of mine)

"Comyu is incredible. In fact, it’s so good that I’m going to take a long break from reading any visual novel or any story of any sort. This feeling has been aptly described as Post Plot Depression. The story you just read was so great that you don’t feel that anything else you read will possibly compare to what you’ve just experienced. The power of words abandon me when I try to explain how fuck-tastically-awesome Comyu is, so I won’t even try."

You'll like this if you liked: Fate/Zero, Attack on Titan, Battle Royale

9.8/10

4. Narcissu

A tale of love and death.

You'll like this if you liked: Shigatsu no Kimi no Uso; Clannad

9.7/10

5. Yume Miru Kusuri

A school-based story dealing with the problems youth face - a very powerful story, which deals with stuff like bullying and drugs.

You'll like this if you liked: Oregairu

9.6/10

6. Muv Luv Alternative

This is the sequel to the considerably weaker Muv Luv, but the prequel is well worth reading, given that MLA is considered to be one of the best stories out there.

You'll like this if you liked: Attack on Titan (MLA was actually the inspiration for AoT's mangaka), Code Geass, any mecha story basically.

9.3/10

Note that Muv Luv Alternative is a sequel, so you have to read the considerably weaker prequel, Muv Luv, first.

7. Steins-Gate

Time travel and shitz

You'll like this if you liked: Madoka, and time travel shit

9.2/10

How do I get VNs?

Torrenting is the usual way, but if you like them well enough, consider supporting the VN companies.

I had links up, but then I checked the site rules, and as Rehio pointed out, piracy/warez isn't allowed on DLP. I've taken down the links, so PM me directly if you want them.

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I hope this post has been useful.

 

Okay, I love the hell out of your post and all the info, but yeah, No Warez talk. Nuke those links.

 

Now that the name is mentioned, I remember reading it that in the past.

How good is it? It doesn't sound particularly compelling. Worth the read? Keep in mind that Fate Stay Night is the only visual novel I've read before.

 

I liked it. I haven't finished it yet, but the story is interesting so far, much more so then you would think from the summary. Personally, I found it more engaging then the original, in places.

The thing is, it's not a constant clusterfuck like the original was. There's a lot more slice of life blended in with the main plot and the general weirdness going on, so your enjoyment depends on how much you liked the characters interacting and how much you just dug the grail war. A lot of fucked up stuff is going on in the background, but nothing like what you see in Fate/Stay Night.

Of course, my copy is from when the translation was only about 60%, and I never beat it. So I could be totally wrong.

 

Actually, that sounds surprisingly close to what I liked about the original VN.

The fighting and stuff is good, but I loved the characters. And the story.

However, on wiki I read that Rin goes through a complete personality change and... I'll just quote it.

Yeah, this sounds really bad and not like Rin at all. So I figured it was just some sort of fan service rip off and left it alone. Is this an inaccurate assumption?

(Cheers for the PM btw)

 

I didn't get far enough to interact with Rin very much, but I think I remember talking to her on the phone a few times, and she seemed alright then. I might be thinking of something else, it's been about eight months since I played it, so that's possible, but I would assume there's an explanation if her personality seems to change THAT drastically.

....They MAY have been talking about the unlockable shop, I think she's dressed as a Miko there. Throughout the game you get money from events, minigames, and a few other things, and you use it to buy stuff from a 'shrine' run by Rin and Archer. It's introduced as her attempting to make money quickly, though, and she's dressed that way in an attempt to get more customers or something, not just for fun.

Most of the direct fan service (most of the porn, for instance) shows up in a bonus gallery kind-of thing you unlock through events with various characters and story progression. I think those are all omakes, though.

Other bits are in story, but they come from the slice of life aspect of it. There's quite a bit of silly stuff, and it gets kind of weird. Gil turns himself into a kid, for reasons I don't remember. It's... The focus is on the fun and the interaction between characters, and the worst aspects of some characters were toned down a bit to allow that, but from what I understand it's usually done in a way that makes sense.

The characterizations I did see were fairly well done, though. I didn't have any problems with Saber, Illya, Sakura, or anyone else I remember clearly, so I'd be surprised to find out they fucked up Rin to badly.

You could always check youtube for a let's play and watch a few random scenes if you're worried, I'm sure someone's done one by now.

 

The story of Fate/HA in itself is pretty good, but the slice of life scenes give you quite a lot of background about the secundary characters.

The wiki quote is a bit exagerrated, IIRC. I think the magical girl part was only one scene played for laughs (and there are LOTS of scenes), and the miko cosplay was only in a side menu where she describes the art you can unlock.

I played it one or two monthes ago just after Stay Night, and I had no problem with the characterizations at the time.

All in all, if you liked the characters, don't hesitate and give it a try. If you only want to follow the main plot, only maybe one tenth of the scenes will be interesting.

 

The Ace Attorney series is also worth playing.