Hi all! Below I have collected the best visual novels, I haven’t tried them all, so if you have suggestions for a great novel, write in the comments the game and your opinion why it is good.
Muv-Luv
release date: 2006
Genre: Visual novel
A Japanese visual novel with an eroge twist, in which the player follows a predetermined plot, interacting with the main characters of the story and other characters. It is on the interaction of the player with the characters and the plot, presented in the form of mostly static pictures and text at the bottom of the screen, that the entire gameplay is built. All that depends on the player is making various decisions that affect the development of the plot, and choosing answer options in dialogues. As a result, there are several options for plot development and ending.
The game is divided into two story arcs, which are different phases in one overall story, with the second arc only available after completing the first. The project was warmly received by the fan community and even received two add-ons, several manga series and an anime adaptation.
Saya no Uta
release date: 2010
Genre: Visual novel
Japanese visual novel with elements of horror, mystery and hentai. The gameplay in the game is typical for the genre - we mainly see pictures with text, influencing the plot only through the choice of answers in dialogues, etc. The main emphasis here is on revealing a story with multiple endings. Some of the features of this project include the presence of computer graphics elements in the scenes, as well as the ability to enable options for blurring and darkening shocking images before starting the game.
In general, the project may appeal not only to fans of the genre, but also to anime fans, as well as fans of mystical stories. The plot here is well twisted, and during the course of the game, attentive gamers will be able to come across references to the work of the American writer Howard Lovecraft.
CLANNAD 1 and 2
release date: first - 2004, second - 2015.
Genre: Visual Novel,
A romantic visual novel with moderately interactive gameplay typical of the genre. The main emphasis here is on a fascinating story that gradually unfolds before the player’s eyes. The game's branching scenario allows you to play through it multiple times, achieving different endings, both “good” and “bad.”
The variability of the passage is achieved by making certain decisions by the player, where he must choose a certain answer in the dialogue, action or even train of thought of his character. The game has the ability to save at any time (which allows you to select best options choice), and there is also a “fast rewind” mode for text already encountered in previous walkthroughs.
Binetsu Kyoushi Chieri/Amorous Professor Cherry
release date: 2004
Genre: Visual novel, eroge
A visual novel from Japanese developers with hentai elements about school experiences and a high school student’s love for his school teacher. What adds drama to the overall picture is that in addition to the main storyline related to the teacher, there are several more, with two other girls (classmates of the main character). How this love quadrangle unravels is entirely up to the player!
Traditionally for the genre, the gameplay boils down mainly to viewing pictures, reading text and making decisions that in one way or another affect the plot, which in turn is beyond praise here. The advantages of the game also include beautiful picture, made in anime style, pleasant visualization and atmospheric soundtrack.
School Days
release date: 2005
Genre: Visual novel, eroge
An erotic visual novel from a Japanese developer with thriller elements, telling the story of how several girls fell in love with a simple guy named Makoto Ito. As in other games of this genre, interactivity here is kept to a minimum - the player can change the course of the plot only in the so-called “choice places”, where he will need to choose one of the character’s answer options, any of his actions, etc.
The project is distinguished by an innovative approach to presenting the plot, which here is not static pictures with text, but full-fledged animated scenes. At the choice points, the game is paused, and time to make a decision is limited. The game has many endings, and in especially bad endings, one of the characters always dies (sometimes in a very cruel way). Good endings depict the successful development of certain situations.
Tears to Tiara
release date: 2005
Genre: Visual novel, eroge, RPG
A series of tactical role-playing games with a mixture of genres such as eroge and visual novel. The game has a fascinating plot, presented in the form of 2D videos in a typical visual novel design. In turn, combat scenes take place in real time, where the player and the enemy (under AI control) control characters of various classes: warriors, magicians, archers, etc.
Such a variety of gameplay elements had a positive effect on the game, since it was able to interest both fans of tactics and RPGs, and fans of leisurely visual novels. In general, the project received rave reviews from players and critics, and therefore quite quickly acquired all sorts of accompanying “staff,” including a series of figures, manga, and even the release of an anime adaptation.
Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru
release date: 2005
Genre: Visual novel, eroge
Japanese romantic visual novel with elements of eroge, in which a girl-like protagonist finds himself studying in women's academy. The gameplay is based on reading the text that appears on the screen along with pictures reflecting the story, as well as the element of choosing answers in dialogues or character actions, which directly affects further development plot. Traditionally for the genre, this game has several endings.
In addition to the classic presentation of the plot for a visual novel, the game is conventionally divided into series (like in an anime series). Moreover, at the end of one series, the player will be able to see summary next. In addition, ten additional episodes were released for the game, as well as one special episode.
Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica
release date: 2006
Genre: Visual novel
A visual novel in which the plot centers on magical spirits born from the music performed by people and a musician who has entered into a contract with a pretty spirit girl. The fact is that some of these spirits can live in human society, and only special musicians can support their existence, one of whom is described in the game.
The gameplay here is no different from other representatives of the genre, so get ready for the fact that the plot will be presented in the form of pictures with text, and we will be able to influence it through choices in key places. The game has several endings, and a manga and anime adaptation were released for fans of the project.
Sono Hanabira ni Kuchizuke wo
release date: 2006
Genre: Visual novel, eroge, yuri
A series of Japanese visual novels with a yuri theme ( love relationship between female representatives) with hentai elements. Each of the games in the series is a complete story with its own characters and ending. The gameplay is traditional for the visual novel genre, i.e. The player's influence here is minimal, and the main emphasis is on the twists and turns of the plot.
Currently, the series includes 20(!) Games, as well as a short anime based on the third part. The project will be of interest, first of all, to fans of visual novels, anime fans, as well as those who love cute romantic stories with a little touch of erotica.
Koihime Musou
release date: 2007
Genre: Visual novel, eroge
A Japanese visual novel for adults with elements of parody, adventure and fantasy, based on the classic Chinese Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The gameplay here follows a storyline with a number of planned scenario branches, the occurrence of which depends on the decisions made by the player. A big emphasis in the game is placed on the attractiveness of the female characters and their relationships with each other, as well as with the rest of the story characters.
The game was incredibly popular among fans of the genre and received two re-releases with new characters and story arcs. In addition, based on this project, a manga was released, and a little later an anime series that lasted for three whole seasons.
Little Busters!
release date: 2007
Genre: Visual novel, eroge
A non-linear visual novel that follows a student high school– Riki Naoe, who is in a tight-knit group called Little Busters. One day, a few more girls join the group, and now the friends can start playing baseball! The player’s task here is to establish a relationship with one of six heroines, while the game (uncharacteristically for the genre) includes battles, baseball training, and even improving the characteristics of the characters in the form of mini-games.
Initially, the project was released under an “E” rating (designed for an audience of any age), but later a version of the game was released for adults with erotic scenes and big amount girls available for relationships (there are now nine of them). In addition, in the extended version the main story line and new mini-games.
Yosuga no Sora
release date: 2008
Genre: Visual novel
An anime-style visual novel in which twins Haruka and Sora are forced to move into their deceased grandfather's house as a result of the death of their parents. Now two souls, with the help of neighbors and friends, are trying to find their own way in the world.
The gameplay here is no different from most games of this genre. The main emphasis is on the plot, and the player's influence on the gameplay is limited to “flipping through” dialog boxes and periodically selecting response options or character actions. Traditionally, the game has many different endings that can be obtained by choosing certain options for the development of events. A manga and anime series based on the plot of the game were released.
Ookami Kakushi
release date: 2009
Genre: Visual novel, RPG
A fun visual novel game in which a fifteen-year-old boy who moves to a small mountain town is warned to stay off the old streets after sunset. Very soon the young man will learn about the ancient rituals that once took place here.
As for the gameplay, it is not particularly different from other representatives of the genre. The main task of the player is to read the dialogues that appear on top of the pictures reflecting the essence of what is happening, and periodically select answer options, the actions of the hero, etc. Traditionally, we are faced with several options for the development of the plot and many endings. Overall this interesting project for everyone who likes mystical stories, anime and visual novels.
STEINS;GATE
release date: 2009
Genre
A bright representative of the visual novel genre, which is a direct continuation of the game CHAOS;HEAD and tells a fascinating story about time travel. Most of the gameplay is reduced to reading the text that appears on the screen, which represents the thoughts of the main character or dialogues between characters. At key moments, the player is given a choice that influences the further development of the storyline.
An interesting feature of the game is the presence of a special “telephone trigger”. When a player receives a challenge from someone, he can either answer it or ignore it. In this case, received text messages will be displayed in a special way and will affect available options reply to text messages.
Mashiroiro Symphony
release date: 2009
Genre: Visual novel, eroge
A Japanese visual novel in which the plot focuses on the protagonist's romantic relationship with one of the four heroines. The gameplay here is very typical for the genre - the player takes minimal participation in the game, choosing from time to time certain actions or response options that affect the plot. The rest of the time we watch changing anime pictures and corresponding text, which reveal all the twists and turns of the plot.
There are four storylines in total, and to see them completely you need to replay the game several times, making different decisions that move the plot in a different direction. The project contains scenes of erotic content, which are revealed in the process of developing a relationship with one of the girls available in the plot of the game.
Koi to Senkyo to Chocolate
release date: 2010
Genre: Visual novel, eroge
A Japanese visual novel game with elements of comedy, romance and drama, which tells the story of a student at Takafuji Private Academy named Yuki Ojima. He is a member of a useless, in the opinion of most students, sweets study club, which one of the candidates for the post of student council president is threatening to disband. The hero has no choice but to become a candidate himself and try to prevent the dissolution of the club.
The game is built according to traditional patterns for the genre - the player watches changing pictures with text, reads it, delves into the plot and from time to time makes important decisions for the further development of the plot. Fascinating and funny story, as well as multiple endings guarantee the replayability of the project.
Grisaia no Kajitsu
release date: 2011
Genre: Visual novel, eroge
A Japanese eroge game in the visual novel genre, in the plot of which a young man from a dysfunctional family ends up in a private school, where his classmates are five sociopathic girls with whom he will have to establish relationships (and perhaps find the love of his life).
The main part of the gameplay consists of dialogues between characters, presented in the form of static pictures with text. Depending on the player's actions, the plot will develop in one of predetermined directions (there are five in total), which in turn will lead to one of several endings. However, some player actions may end the game prematurely (however, such moments can be replayed).
Katawa Shoujo
release date: 2012
Genre: Visual novel, eroge, anime
A visual novel in the dating sim subgenre, in which the main character must build relationships with five girls who have various physical or psychological injuries. Despite all the “romanticism” of the project, it contains rather depressive scenes, as well as scenes of an erotic nature.
The gameplay here is based on the player’s choice of certain options for the development of events that advance him along one of the plot branches. Moreover, each of the subplots has several ending options, when the main character resolves his contradictions with one of the girls (depending on whose story arc the player followed), breaks up with her, or simply moves away from her. Some decisions of the player can lead to the death of the main character.
Endless summer
release date: 2013
Genre: Visual novel, eroge,
A visual novel with eroge elements from domestic developers, telling the story of a lonely young man Semyon, who somehow miraculously finds himself in the role of a seventeen-year-old teenager in the Owl pioneer camp. Over the course of seven intense days, the main character must understand whether what happened was a chance for him to new life or an endless nightmare.
The gameplay here is typical for visual novels: the player reads text over static pictures, directing the plot in the right direction by choosing answer options in the dialogues. The game has an option that allows you to “rewind” already studied plot points, which allows you to quickly reach one of 13 possible endings during repeated playthroughs.
If My Heart Had Wings
release date: 2013
Genre: Visual novel, eroge
A high-quality Japanese visual novel with a simple but interesting plot that revolves around glider flights. The gameplay is no different from other representatives of the genre - the player watches changing pictures with text (sometimes there are even animated inserts) and periodically selects answer options in the dialogue. The plot has several global branches and a few more smaller ones, the occurrence of which directly depends on the player’s choice.
A good project for fans of the genre with traditionally high replayability (due to the presence of multiple endings). Nice graphics, high-quality voice acting and an atmospheric soundtrack, which is not a shame to purchase separately from the game.
Sakura game series
release date: 2014-2016
Genre: Visual novel
A series of visual novels from true masters of their craft at Winged Cloud, featuring charmingly unrelated plots, memorable characters and atmospheric music. The gameplay of all games is extremely simple and is intended more for relaxation. The player only needs to read the text and at certain game moments select answer options in dialogues, etc.
Multiple endings, delightful erotic scenes and enormous replayability of each part make this series one of the benchmark representatives of the genre. A must read for all fans of visual novels! Also, the project will surely appeal to fans romantic stories and anime.
NEKOPARA
release date: 2014
Genre: Visual novel, eroge
A series of excellent visual novels with eroge elements, telling about a world where people live side by side with neko (cat girls who are practically no different from people, with the exception of some visual details and cat-like habits).
As in other visual novels, the gameplay here consists of reading text and moving from one part of the text displayed along with pictures to another. All this is accompanied by atmospheric background music. There are no plot branches in the game, so the player cannot influence the development of the story. The characters are fully voiced and animated. In general, this project should be perceived more like an interactive cartoon with minimal (a kind of “meditative”) gameplay.
Amnesia: Memories
release date Date: 2015
Genre: Visual novel, anime
A magnificent adventure visual novel in which the player will need to return the lost memories of a nameless girl and help her return to her home world. The game has an original plot presentation: instead of the usual building of relationships, we are faced with the choice of one of several parallel worlds. In this case, the heroine will initially be placed in a situation where the player can only vaguely guess about her early choices. Each returned memory can literally turn the whole story inside out and makes you doubt your own choices.
Otherwise, the game is a traditional visual novel with appropriate gameplay. Among the advantages of the game, it is worth noting an excellent plot, nice animation, many good and neutral endings, an even greater number of bad endings (mainly with the death of the main character at the end) and the presence of mini-games that add variety to the gameplay.
fault – milestone two side: above
release date Date: 2015
Genre: Visual novel
An excellent continuation of another good visual novel, fault milestone one (or rather, the first half of the second part of the game). Moreover, if the first part was not bad graphically, then with regard to the second the developers literally outdid themselves. The game contains animation and various effects that make the picture very lively and voluminous. Of course, the gameplay here is traditionally kept to a minimum for the genre: the player’s participation here is literally reduced to “clicking” windows with dialogues. All. No choices that affect the plot, etc. Just a magical story, which for some unknown reason is called a game.
A heartfelt and touching project that can pull in the player like a good movie. Fans of kinetic novels, anime and fascinating stories are strictly welcome, everyone else is welcome.
Blood Code
release date Date: 2015
Genre: Visual novel, anime, simulation
A fascinating visual novel about an ordinary girl and her romantic relationships with princes and kings. The characters here can be passionate, gentle, attentive, unfriendly, etc. The variety of situations will delight fans of the genre.
In general, this is a traditional “dating simulator” subgenre for visual novels with all the ensuing gameplay features. We choose a character that we will pursue and establish a relationship with him, while simultaneously planning the day and organizing the study/work/leisure time of our main character. Most of the time comes down to reading dialogues, but often we will have to choose different actions of the heroine and answer options, which will directly affect the plot of the game.
Danganronpa 1 and 2
release date: 2016
Genre: Visual novel, adventure
Two parts of excellent detective visual novels in which the atmosphere DC voltage and despair is skillfully combined with humorous inserts and puns. The gameplay is divided into research (taking place mainly in text form with the ability to choose answer options or the hero’s actions) and mini-games that don’t let you get bored during the passage. Ultimately, the player will have to solve the main mystery and figure out who is behind the events unfolding in each part. Of course, there are several endings in both games and they depend on the choices made by the player during the passage.
Excellent stories, nice art and good musical accompaniment - what else does a fan of this genre need? Fans of detective stories and investigations should also not pass by.
Lucy – The Eternity She Wished For
release date: 2016
Genre: Visual novel, anime
A visual novel that tells the story of the near future, where androids have become quite commonplace, but the robot that the main character of the story found is different from the rest... Traditionally for the genre, this game places a lot of emphasis on the plot. Our character is constantly faced with choices and moral dilemmas, which we can directly influence, pushing him to one decision or another (and, accordingly, to a certain plot branch).
A very touching story that may well make the player cry after the final credits. It is clear that the developers have worked hard on the plot, which is beyond praise here. It is highly recommended to anyone who is at all interested in the topic of relationships between people and robots.
VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
release date: 2016
Genre: Visual novel, anime,
An original visual novel in which we will play as a bartender, Jill, serving a seedy Bar somewhere in the back streets of a futuristic metropolis. Our main function is to serve drinks to visitors, while at the same time communicating with them and learning their secrets, changing their mood, etc. At the same time, there is no traditional choice of answers in dialogues. We can influence the characters only through created cocktails from certain ingredients. Serving the right drinks will allow the conversation to continue or even help change the visitor's mood.
The game contains money that we can earn at the bar (satisfied visitors often leave tips) and spend on paying bills, decorating the house or things we like. Otherwise, the game is a classic representative of the genre, where the player most time to read fascinating dialogues.
ACE Academy
release date: 2016
Genre: Visual novel, anime
A kind and positive visual novel with a voluminous and rather branched plot, which tells the story of an academy that teaches how to control mechs. It is clear that the developers did not hesitate to experiment with various mechanics that are not typical for visual novels. So, for example, at the beginning of the game we can choose one of three key features for our hero, which will “suggest” suitable options for retaliation in dialogues.
The advantages of the game also include high-quality voice acting and good graphics. Otherwise, the game is a bright representative of the genre, so get ready for an abundance of textual information through which the plot is presented here.
Angels with Scaly Wings
release date: 2017
Genre: Visual novel, dragons
A unique dating simulator, presented in the form of a visual novel, in which our hero, being a representative of humanity, must interact with dragons entering our world, unravel a conspiracy against fantasy creatures and possibly find his love. The game has an addictive plot and surprisingly lively characters that you can empathize with. Multiple endings, the appearance of which directly depends on the choices the player must make at various key points in the narrative.
The gameplay here comes down to reading the text through which the plot is presented and viewing the corresponding art. From time to time we can make choices (actions, answer options, etc.) that “send” the story in one direction or another. Overall, nothing new has been added to the genre, but fans of similar games will certainly be delighted.
Nightshade
release date: 2017
Genre: Visual novel
A fascinating story, presented in the form of a visual novel, telling the story of a shinobi girl who, along with her friends, went on her first mission and, naturally, something went wrong. Now the heroine has to figure out who is the enemy and who is the friend, and what’s going on. And of course, find your love! The game has five storylines with different endings. Of course, the development of history directly depends on the decisions we make at key moments in the narrative.
Otherwise, the gameplay does not have any special bells and whistles and is quite traditional for the genre. We read text inserts, look at excellent art and periodically make choices that affect the further plot, which is very, very good here.
Dal Segno
release date: 2017
Genre: Visual novel
The spiritual successor to the Da Capo series, made in the visual novel genre. The game takes place on an island that is practically heaven on earth. Main character I only recently got here, but quickly met five different girls, one of whom, by the will of the player, he will end up with.
The plot of the game is fascinating, however, there are not enough stars in the sky. A classic story in which the hero needs to find the love of his life. The gameplay is the same as most games of this genre - we read text inserts against the background of static (sometimes animated) pictures and make decisions that affect the further development of events. There are several endings, which is not surprising. A great option for fans of romantic visual stories.
Lingering Fragrance
Release date: 2018
Genre: Visual novel
A short erotic visual novel in anime style, telling three different stories(two of which open after completing the first one). The game takes place in a school, and its main characters are high school students who, due to active study, begin to lose their memory. And in order not to completely forget each other, schoolchildren begin to create warm memories for themselves.
The gameplay here is no different from other similar games - we, in the role of one of three heroes, talk with various characters against the background of drawn static pictures and gradually move through the plot, choosing the appropriate answer options, which in a certain way influence the further development of events. The game has a pleasant visual component, an interesting plot and good background music.
Crystalline
Release date: 2018
Genre: Visual novel
An episodic visual novel in which we, as a simple guy, accidentally find ourselves in a fantasy world where magic and all sorts of fantastic creatures are commonplace. Now players, represented by the main character, will have to understand all the intricacies of the local plot, find their place in the new world and meet their love.
The game has classic visual novel gameplay, where the player must read a wide variety of dialogues, make choices at certain moments and follow the consequences of this choice. Among the advantages, we can note the pleasant voice acting of the characters, the presence of animation (characters move against the backdrop of static backdrop pictures), detailed backgrounds, a fascinating plot and good humor.
ISLAND
Release date: 2018
Genre: Visual novel
A complex visual novel with a branching plot, in which the story revolves around a young man named Santsenkai Setsuna, who ends up on an island and completely loses his memory. With the island's three major families at odds and the island itself in decline, it's up to a newcomer to change the fate of the island and its inhabitants.
Most of the gameplay here is spent reading dialogue, which reveals the story. The text in the game is accompanied by pictures depicting the character with whom the main character is talking and the background of the location where he is located. At certain moments, the player has to choose an answer in the dialogue or an action that the main character must take, which will directly affect the developing plot. There are three main storylines here, and some of the player’s actions can end the game prematurely, which is tantamount to losing.
Against the backdrop of the development of the interactive cinema genre, with the presence of such things as Life is Strange, The Walking Dead and other quality examples, the visual novel genre has somehow faded and diminished.
But, nevertheless, this does not mean that he disappeared completely. The portal site presents to your attention the TOP 10 visual novels that are worth paying attention to in 2017.
10.
The earth is no longer suitable for life. Earth is no longer trusted as a home, and the colonization of new planets now falls to the crew of the ship Everett, consisting of the brightest and the best people from Earth.
Quantum Suicide is such Danganronpa . There is a ship. There is a player. There are a bunch of characters stuck on this ship with the player and the opportunity to communicate, build relationships, think through plans, and... die.
Of course, there is also a mastermind. Everything is in place. And even a little character customization is also present. How long you can survive on the ship is your only concern.
9.
It just so happens that all the wildest dreams and goals require money. And the protagonist of World End Economica found himself in a similar situation.
What made this visual novel famous were its authors, including Isuna Hasekura, author of the beloved manga Spice and Wolf.
There are, of course, similarities in these two works - World End Economica is a rethinking of “Spice and Wolf” in the modern, capitalist world. This is what makes the novella unique and worth reading.
8.
Although Va-11 Hall tries very hard to position itself as a “bartender simulator”, it still has much more of a visual novel. And mixing a variety of cocktails is more of a way to get to know the characters and their taste preferences better than a separate, well-developed layer of gameplay.
This game flaunts a special aesthetic that simultaneously incorporates , anime and retrowave. A cozy picture made in the style of pixel art hides many stories about the visitors of your bar and their past.
It is worth saying that getting to know them and communicating with them is really interesting - as well as mixing a variety of cocktails for them. Va-11 Hall-a is a pretty good field for experiments and good way relax.
7.
In the near future, Anonymous;Code shows us, a second layer of reality awaits us - just like in The Matrix, it will be layered on top of the real world .
The simulation of the real world with people living there became the main theme of Anonymous;Code. new job from the authors of the legendary Steins;Gate.
This visual novel features colorful characters, among whom anyone can find their “favorite” and get to know them better. While it may be similar to The Matrix, the visual novel doesn't try to rest on its laurels and comes up with its own intriguing plot.
6.
Another wild fantasy about the future - with the only difference that in this case we are dealing with the human psyche.
In PSYCHO-PASS: Mandatory Happiness, a continuation of the atmospheric anime series, players will deal with a strange and slightly paranoid future world in which every person has a chip embedded with their psychic characteristics.
To overcome the dominance of maniacs and crime, the government thus monitors the mental state of people, “cutting off” those who show any instability. The main characters will again have to understand the secrets of this world and what a “psycho-passport” is.
5.
Hatoful Boyfriend appeared - and thundered with a flurry of funny let's plays, in which gamers really did not understand what was going on around them, and why they had to flirt in this dating simulator with... pigeons.
But yes, it is the pigeons in this game that are a replacement for the usual set of male characters. Hatoful Boyfriend, like some other projects, took a swipe at the entire dating simulator industry in its own way, and did it in such a memorable way that it naturally took off in the visual novel market.
It’s worth at least playing this strange life simulator, in which only pigeons study, and you are the only person among them and making fun of the vast array of stereotypes surrounding the visual novel genre. Maybe you will see... The bird of your dreams.
4. Amnesia: Memories
No, no, wait, no need to remember Amnesia: The Dark Descent. The visual novel Amnesia: Memories is in no way related to this universe, despite the similar name.
This is an otome novel, and from the genre it follows that you will be a beautiful heroine, choosing from a bunch of male characters your one and only. But despite the stereotypes about "harem men", Amnesia: Memories differs significantly from them, since in the novel the main role is played by psychology rather than anything else.
According to the plot, the main character loses her memory of her name, hobbies, tastes, lifestyle, family and everything else. And it is her decisions and actions that will be the very lever that will return her memories.
3.
Yes, yes, another novel with cute Japanese schoolgirls. But Tokyo School Life got third place in this TOP for a reason - believe me, there is a reason for it.
This is the story of an ordinary Japanese schoolboy who moves to a new place and meets a trio of girls who will meet him here and there.
Tokyo School Life is distinguished by elaborate 3D animation of the heroines, which is why the sprites in this game are not soulless images, but living 3D models.
The picture here is nice to look at; in addition, the plot is equipped not only with the usual , but also with kind, sincere humor that will brighten up any cold evening.
2. Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator
"Dream Daddy" was just as loud and funny as Hatoful Boyfriend - partly because of the banter built into the game's premise, partly because of its unusual concept.
You are a dad who comes to a quiet town for the Best Dads competition, and you are ready to prove that you are the Best Dad. Among the contestants there are enough contenders for victory, and in order to beat them all, you will have to recognize your opponents by sight.
Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator is worth attention because of its unusual pictures, drawing style and a well-absurd plot, which has enough memorable moments.
1.
And there was no need to even doubt the gold medalist of this TOP. The Danganronpa franchise is a crazy fantasy about a murder school, filled with unique, well-developed characters, and a seemingly ordinary plush toy running the show as the headmaster.
It sounds like nonsense - but, believe me, it plays very cheerfully and excitingly, given the presence of truly unique, inimitable characters.
In the new part of Danganronpa V3 Killing Harmony, the madness seems to be gaining momentum and reaching a climactic ceiling with the revelation of the secret of all previous parts at once.
Video: Danganronpa V3 Killing Harmony trailer
Like if you liked it
And Kojima is there too.
In the “Best of the Genre” section we have already talked about, and. In our new selection, we have collected the best visual novels that are worth getting acquainted with for those who are completely unfamiliar with such a specific genre or have just begun to master it.
Policenauts
The first game in the collection could be Hideo Kojima's Snatcher, but we will already go into detail about it in a separate article, so we will focus on another project of the master - Policenauts. The Snatcher genre is difficult to define: Kojima cleverly mixed elements of a quest, a visual novel, an interactive movie and a shooting gallery.
Policenauts, although it borrows mechanics from there, is perceived more as a cool sci-fi anime and visual novel than a traditional pixel hunting quest. The emphasis is on dialogue and animation scenes created by the Japanese studio AIC.
The story starts in an alternate year 2013. A large-scale colony, Beyond Coast, has just been built in Earth's orbit. For the security of the colony, a special squad of space policemen has been created - “Polysnauts” (from Police and Astronauts), in which the main character, John Ingram, is a member.
John's happy life ends when an unexpected breakdown occurs while testing the newest space suit, and Ingram is thrown into outer space. The life support system puts him into cryogenic sleep for 25 long years.
Over the past time, the world has changed a lot. The Polysnauts have been disbanded, life has been in full swing in the colony for a long time, and John’s acquaintances have grown very old. Ingram returns to Earth in Los Angeles, where he opens his own detective agency.
One day he comes to John's office ex-wife. After Ingram's disappearance, she remarried and is now looking for her husband, who also disappeared under mysterious circumstances. John has no idea that a simple kidnapping case will lead him to the Beyond Coast colony, involve him in crime and bring him into contact with his old partner Ed Brown.
Policenauts is outdated graphically and gameplay, but the novel is worth reading for the fascinating plot. The game features Kojima’s traditional manic love for little things, unexpected plot twists, regular conspiracies and meticulously written characters. The symbiosis of a smart detective story and science fiction is an extremely rare phenomenon in video games. - Semyon Kostin
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
In Ace Attorney, the player will take on the role of talented lawyer Phoenix Wright, who will have to participate in five major court cases. Each is divided into two parts - an investigation and a meeting. Wright begins by examining crime scenes, collecting evidence, and carefully questioning witnesses. When the trial begins, the game forces you to think carefully before challenging anything or pointing out important evidence. It is easy to lose a case due to incorrect answers during testimony and the wrong emphasis on evidence.
The game is linear, and trials are more like a spectacular show than a real court hearing. Although the latter is more of a plus. After all, in Ace Attorney it's damn exciting to watch cross-legal disputes with the already whooping Objection! While playing, you even get the feeling that you are watching an exciting detective series.
Based on the first part, Phoenix Wright was filmed by the famous Japanese director Takashi Miike. - Semyon Kostin
Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni
When reading “When the Cicadas Cry” (this is how the title of the short story is translated), the old Russian proverb “there are devils in still waters” constantly comes to mind. The events of the novel take place in the early 80s of the last century. An ordinary boy, Keichi Maebara, moves with his parents to the small village of Hinamizawa. Keiti goes to study at a rural school, where she immediately makes friends with several pretty schoolgirls. The days go by smoothly, the guy has fun with new friends and gradually gets used to quiet life in the village. Keichi later learns that Hinamizawa's past hides terrible secrets, and the good nature of the villagers is just a mask. "Friends" then sewing needle stuck in a rice ball, they will seriously try to kill you.
The series of short stories is divided into 8 chapters - the first four only hint at what is actually happening, and the second already answer most questions. In each chapter, events are restarted from the very beginning, and characters who died in the previous chapter are alive again. The series begins as a thriller, but over time it transforms into an interesting variation on the theme of “Groundhog Day” with murders, a bunch of mysteries and a pinch of mysticism. Each chapter begins with the rosy and cheerful everyday life of the main character, gradually sliding into despair and hopelessness.
It's important to note that Cicadas is more of a book than a game because there are no choices or different endings. You can safely turn on the automatic reading function and enjoy the story.
Based on the plot of the novel, two anime series, a full-length film and a mini-series with live actors were shot. On Steam, the first four chapters made a convenient toolkit for modifications. - Semyon Kostin
Saya no Uta
After the accident that took the lives of his parents, Fuminori sees the world completely differently. The guy’s brain is damaged: everything around him seems like shapeless mountains of meat, people look like disgusting monsters. Fuminori is studying to become a doctor, so he quickly realized his problem. To avoid ending up in a mental hospital, he hides his disorder from friends and doctors, but this is not easy for him. The brain distorts all signals, even smells and touch. Fuminori is locked in this cage, surrounded by stinking, slimy scraps of meat.
Everything changes when he meets a charming girl, Saya. She alone is not seen by the hero as a pile of guts. She is beautiful, mysterious and full of life. Fuminori undertakes to help Saya in search of her father, and Saya tries to ease the suffering of the hero. But the more Fuminori is consumed by Sai's beauty, the more difficult it becomes to tolerate the disgusting reality around her.
The cult “Saya's Song” has become a ticket to the world of visual novels for many, and for good reason. This is a short (five to seven hours of reading), unique story at the intersection of romance, psychological thriller, Lovecraftian horror and outright body horror. This is love melancholy and a chilling nightmare. A shocking, uncompromisingly cruel, but sad, full of light sadness love story, for once capable of truly changing the world... or not. Saya no Uta has three endings that complement each other perfectly. The novella leaves you the right to judge from which side to look at the events and what outcome its heroes deserve. And she brilliantly copes with her main task: to show the world from opposite angles. Once you accept its rules, any outcome of Saya no Uta turns into a piercing, devastating tragedy.
Gen Urobuchi took the story from Osamu Tezuka's children's manga Hi no Tori and rewrote it into a twisted, but never vulgar, cross between the most seemingly incompatible genres. And the beautiful illustrations of Chuo Higashiguchi and the enchanting music of Zizz Studio make you literally get used to the world of the novel, go all the way of Fuminori and fall in love with Saya as if all this is for real. It is not surprising that Urobuchi himself fell into depression after Saya no Uta and was unable to take on a new story for years, until Kinoko Nasu suggested that he write Fate/Zero. - Artemy Kotov
Kikokugai - The Cyber Slayer
Saya no Uta made Gen Urobuchi famous throughout the world. But his other work, “Cyborg Killer,” is undeservedly deprived of attention - despite the English and even Russian translation. However, it is not much inferior to “Saya’s Song” and is also ideal for introducing the genre. This is a small linear novel in which cyberpunk motifs are closely intertwined with oriental fantasy.
This is a world in which martial artists followed two paths: some developed the body, others developed the spirit. Progress does not stand still, and adherents of the first path happily become cyborgs. But by getting rid of body parts, they deprive themselves of the meridians along which Qi energy flows. Kong Taolo is not one of those. He is one of the few who still draws strength from his own internal energy. Among other things, this allowed him to learn the thunderclap technique: concentrating a powerful electromagnetic pulse in the palm of his hand. So Kong became the most dangerous killer in the Chinese triad, because not a single cyborg can resist his art.
But one day Kong was betrayed and tried to kill by his best friend, and his sister Ruili was killed in the most painful way: with the help of a forbidden operation, her soul was broken into several parts, destroying her brain. Soul shards now exist in the gynoid sex robots used by Kong's former friends: the soul shard makes the robot behave more naturally. But the cyborg killer survived, and now he has to destroy the top of the most powerful triad in China to find out what made his friends treat him this way. And bring back his sister: an underground neurosurgeon gave Kong a special gynoid into which fragments of Ruili’s soul can be pumped.
All in best traditions Gena Urobuchi. Kikokugai is an extremely dark, depressing, cruel tragedy in a dirty, violent, but enticing future world with its nuances. This is a swashbuckling action movie where people get along high tech with martial arts, and each fight is unique and reveals details of the world of the novel. The clouds are constantly gathering, opponents are becoming stronger, and Kong himself is weakening, exhausting himself and turning into a driven, bloodthirsty beast. The story is saturated with despair and grief, but leaves a dim ray of hope, which you want to cling to again and again in a naive belief in a happy outcome.
“Cyborg Killer” is the perfect excuse for cyberpunk fans to join the visual novel genre. This is a laconic, fast-paced, intense, unforgettable story in a non-trivial setting. Plus, Kikokugai has a soundtrack that immerses you in the lyrics. And in 2011, a remake was released, which gave the novel voice acting and new, luxurious graphics. - Artemy Kotov
Fate/Stay Night
The Fate/Stay Night visual novel was created by Type-Moon, which back in 2000 was a small circle of hobbyists selling their creations at themed festivals. Type-Moon became famous after the release of the dark novel “Moon Princess” (Tsukihime). Although the novella has gained distribution (its remake is currently being developed), Fate/Stay Night has become the most ambitious and recognizable work. Over the course of 13 years, the franchise has released a full-fledged sequel and prequel, several fighting games and a role-playing game. The Fate series brings in a steady income every year, so various branches are constantly being released in the franchise. Recently, the mobile role-playing game Fate/Grand Order received great success.
The main game in the series attracts with its scale and elaboration of the universe. In the world of Fate/Stay Night there are magicians and magic. There is also an association of magicians, hidden from the eyes of ordinary people. For several centuries, a bloody war periodically breaks out between magicians for the possession of an artifact - the Holy Grail. According to legend, the Grail can fulfill any wish of the winner. Mages fight with the help of Servants, who are summoned before the start of the war. Servants are divided into seven classes and represent the reincarnations of both mythical characters (for example, King Arthur or Hercules) and heroes of the past (Alexander the Great, samurai Sasaki Kojiro).
And everything would have been fine if a secret war had not begun in the small Japanese city of Fuyuki, the homeland of an ordinary schoolboy Emiya Shiro. An inveterate pacifist, Shiro not only finds himself drawn into the war, but also receives his own Saber-class servant. Whether you like it or not, you will have to fight.
It will take about 120 hours to complete the three giant story arcs. The game has five positive and 40 negative endings. Searching for the latter is especially exciting, because after another death the player will be shown a funny humorous story in which the characters will give valuable advice and laugh at his stupid actions. For example, choosing to flee during combat can lead to both the player’s death and long-awaited salvation. In this novella, it is difficult to determine which choices are correct and which will lead to a bad outcome.
Fate/Stay Night received a number of re-releases on different platforms (the best of them is Realta Nua) and several anime adaptations. We recommend paying attention to the film adaptation of the novel - a dark prequel to the franchise, the plot of which is quite comparable to the original novel. - Semyon Kostin
Clannad
The visual novel Clannad belongs to a specific subgenre of “nakige”. Derived from the verb nakimasu (from Japanese to cry) and game. The name of the subgenre hints that when reading the novel, the player will sincerely worry about the characters and most likely shed a stingy tear. The Clannad franchise is known all over the world for its touching and heartwarming romantic anime, which still ranks at the top of the list of popular works. For example, on the Russian website World-Art, the second season of Clannad is sixth in the top.
High school student Tomoya Okazaki hates his life, city and school. His mother died, and his father drinks heavily. Tomoya believes that nothing will ever change in his life, and therefore lives one day at a time and does not think about the future at all. Change begins after Tomoya accidentally meets a sweet but slightly strange student, Nagisa Furukawa, who dreams of opening a theater group at school. The hero begins to help Nagisa, and soon meets other students at the school. Life is gradually starting to get better.
Even soap opera haters should play Clannad. You constantly return to the game because of the lively characters and the cozy, almost homely atmosphere. On complete walkthrough The game (with all endings) will take more than a hundred hours. If in the anime Tomoya chooses Nagisa, then in the novel you can choose any girl (that's why there are more than 10 endings in the game). Each character has their own personal drama and unsolvable problem, so the novel does not turn into a banal dating simulator.
Clannad is a great high school rom-com with a good dose of drama and quality romance. The latest version of the game is recently on Steam. - Semyon Kostin
Swan Song
A novella of the utsuge subgenre (depressive novella), which adheres to realism and shows the dark side of human nature. “Swan Song” is the story of a group of people who survived a powerful earthquake during the winter frosts. A local post-apocalypse about survival among devastation, severe blizzards and complete lawlessness.
Swan Song is close in spirit to Golding's Lord of the Flies and many Stephen King stories. Fate places people in a closed space, mocks the attempts of sane heroes to maintain order on the verge of death, forces them to degrade and commit monstrous acts. Finally, it awakens the inner beast in them, ready to rush at people in the fight for the right to live at least another day.
In Swan Song one can feel mysticism and even religious themes, but it is alien to any kind of fantasy. This is a devastating tragedy about fighting the inevitable, about agony and the search for solace. - Artemy Kotov
Kara no Shoujo
Post-war Japan, 1956. Private detective Tokisaka Reiji undertakes to help an old friend in the investigation of a series of brutal murders of girls. The handwriting is reminiscent of a series of murders six years ago, when one of the victims was Reiji's fiancée. As the investigation progresses, the detective meets a strange girl, Kuchiki Touko, who asks him to help her find her “true” self. Reiji has a very complex, complicated case ahead of him, and the further he follows the trail, the more obvious the connection between the killer and Toko’s mysterious past will be.
"The Shell Girl" is a very creepy, frank, borderline horror detective story. It's full of strong imagery and cultural references, but for the most part it feels like a Western thriller, making it an easy read. Close to realism, a beautifully drawn and developed story that knows how to hold intrigue, surprise and make you think with your head.
Kara no Shoujo has elements of a detective quest: you examine crime scenes, study corpses, build logical chains and come to your own conclusions. At first, the game does not allow you to make mistakes, but in the later stages do not expect any help: you will unravel the matter only if you put the puzzle together into a single picture yourself.
Moreover, the novella is very branched. There are several main endings and more than a dozen “bad” endings, depending on the decisions you constantly make in dialogues. Kara no Shoujo even has a dating sim element, but it's also done in a very unique way. If you spend time romancing some girl and achieving erotic climax, you will likely miss the necessary clues, and the investigation will turn into a bloody tragedy.
On the other hand, the heroes and heroines have a lot to tell you, and the full picture of the plot of Kara no Shoujo can only be formed by seeing all the options. This somewhat brightens up the frustration, because the consequences of your decisions are not always logical, but always inexorable: getting the most correct ending without a guide is quite a task. But the story is worth it. Unraveling the tangle of vivid images and complex relationships between the characters is interesting until the very end.
Kara no Shoujo is a spin-off of Cartagra, Innocent Grey's earlier work. In a good way, it’s worth starting with Cartagra, but this is not necessary: it is inferior to its successor in all respects. Kara no Shoujo itself has already received an excellent sequel (Kara no Shoujo - The Second Episode), published in English the year before, and now the third part is in development. - Artemy Kotov
Steins; Gate
There are few large-scale time travel stories in general that are as volatile and complex as Steins; Gate - you almost won’t remember. A young student, Okabe Rintaro, who imagines himself to be a mad scientist, accidentally invents a time machine. This did not require plutonium and a DeLorean, because the main character created it using an ordinary microwave and a mobile phone. Okabe himself does not physically travel through time, but his messages sent from his cell phone to a converted microwave do.
Stein's Gate will satisfy the tastes of almost any player. Interesting science fiction about a time machine mixed with Groundhog Day, comedy and thriller. All these genres get along well with each other. The plot takes place in different timelines, and the messages sent entirely determine which one the player ends up in (there are seven endings in the game).
No matter what you like more: anime romance or bloody thrillers, there is a visual novel for you.
Visual novels are full of cliches, but the scope of the genre is not limited to hot romance or the everyday life of Japanese students. Over the past few years, more and more truly talented Developers have begun to create experimental games that resemble short novels and clever reimaginings of typical anime tropes - and that's when it all started. Now visual novels are super cool.
However, choosing where to start can be difficult. For those who have been on the fence up to this point and now want to understand what's what, we've put together a list of the best visual novels on PC, from the traditional Japanese games that started the genre to ambitious and unique experiments with the format.
There is no doubt that this is a complete list, and each visual novel deserves your attention. We wholeheartedly recommend taking a stroll through itch.io in search of hidden indie gems under the “visual novel” hash tag. But if you want to get started, this list contains the best options.
Clannad
Developer:Key
release date: November 23, 2015
In the West, Clannad was released only a couple of years ago, but during this time it managed to become one of the most popular visual novels ever released. There is anime, cinema, manga, even audio drama. The novel tells the story of Tomoya Okazaki, a “delinquent” (this is a quote, not my words) who is trying to cope with an existential crisis. He meets Nagiza Furukawa, another "delinquent" with whom he has much in common, and they begin working together to restart the school's drama club, inviting students to join along the way.
Clannad is the game for you if you like visual novel stereotypes. It was released back in 2004, and therefore shows the first shoots of the genre, even if it may seem familiar to someone in this regard. What really stands out about visual novels is the quality of writing, interesting characters, and a point of view that can't help but draw you in. Even without the minutiae of modern games, Clannad pulls this off admirably.
This is the story of a young man who learns to create his own happiness. Tomoya's story can be seen as analogous to depression without falling into the broad traps of sexy girls, but with a search for something that is marked with a tragic mark. It might sound cliché, but it's not because the idea is unoriginal: it's just that people have been copying Clannad for the last ten years.
The Nonary Games/Zero Time Dilemma (the Zero Escape series)
Developer: Spike Chunsoft
release date: March 24, 2017
If you like to get your hands dirty with puzzles, the Zero Escape series might be the best choice for you. There are three games in the series: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors; Virtue's Last Reward; and Zero Time Dilemma. The first two were only brought to PC in 2017 (with redesigned visuals and new voice acting) in a package called "The Nonary Games". Zero Time Dilemma was released as a standalone game.
In each game, nine people find themselves locked in a location by a mysterious man named Zero. Each of them has wrist watch with some number on the screen, and everyone is given the opportunity to escape after solving puzzles on 9 doors. It all becomes like Saw when people start dying in very gruesome ways, such as from standing in an acid shower or from having a bomb implanted in their stomach.
However, you don’t just read all the time. The point-and-click parts force you to solve puzzles to get through each door. Some of them become more difficult as you continue: for example, you will have to decipher an unknown language created from symbols. They never seem easy to complete, and it's rare that something as easy as, say, the Tower of Hanoi can be completed in an unlimited amount of time.
Zero Escape is dark, but the story is terribly exciting and well told. The choices you make are reflected in the different endings, and the puzzles fit together as well as any other visual set. The way you as the player (versus you as the character) know something the characters don't is played out with dark irony when considering different timelines and endings.
Ladykiller in a Bind
Developer: Love Conquers All Games
release date: October 10, 2016
The full title of Ladykiller in a Bind is: “My Twin Brother Made Me Swap Clothes with Him and Now I Have to Deal with a Geeky Stalker and a Hot Dominatrix Who Want to Bind Me Up!!” But try not to think about it. As what could be called a visual novel in the classic style, Ladykiller in a Bind is all about the social manipulation of a group of horny teenagers. The setting is what rich kids call a school trip and the rest of us call it a once-in-a-lifetime thing on a cruise. You are The Beast, a lesbian who is not shy about flirting or luring you into your bedroom. For mysterious reasons, her twin brother, a manipulative jerk, has forced her to pretend to be him on a cruise, and she really wants to "party" while maintaining her appearance so as not to arouse suspicion.
Social manipulation is the main essence of the game. You need to choose the right words and phrases in the middle of conversations to continue to maintain the illusion that you are your twin brother while trying to connect with every woman on the cruise. This mixture of social manipulation and acting as a jerk (the character herself is very overacting) is executed simply superbly, and if you're lucky, it will lead to more than a few hot scenes with other students.+
There is no doubt that Ladykiller in a Bind is a game for adults. While the sex scenes can be turned off and the nudity hidden, you get to know the characters much more intimately than you would in any well-written sex scene—though there's none of the calf tenderness you'd find at an auntie's in the library.
Steins;Gate
Developer: 5pb.
release date: September 8, 2016
Steins;Gate is a time travel story that explores the intricate relationship between cause and effect. Rintar Okabe, a mad scientist who plays the role of the protagonist, has created a time machine in which messages can be sent back in time. Using it, he and others begin to work to improve the future by influencing actions in the past.
Unexpected, branching lines are a must-have for the genre - Zero Escape does a great job of showing how this can be used to great effect - but Steins;Gate takes the theme of time travel in a completely wild way. Cause and effect become convoluted, with future actions affecting the past and placing characters in completely unpredictable circumstances. All major events can change even depending on whether you pick up the phone.
However, the storyline is never that confusing, and that's very cool. Steins;Gate gives meaning to every ending - even the ones where you royally screw up. Therefore, you can see characters from different points of view - from best to worst. After that, they seem so complete that you understand: otherwise it would not have been possible to achieve this.
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Developer: Spike Chunsoft
release date: February 18, 2016
Danganronpa may be responsible for visual novels becoming more popular outside of Japan. At least partially. Like Zero Escape, it combines visual novel and puzzle elements, and follows a group of students who discover that Japan's most prestigious private school is, in fact, a bloody arena.
To survive, the student must kill another and go through a trial arranged by their peers. When other students start killing each other, it's your job as protagonist Matoko Naegi to collect evidence, interrogate suspects, present the case, and find the culprits.
Court hearings are not just a series of dialogues, but real monologues. Armed with truth bullets, each representing a piece of evidence found, you can defend or challenge other students' claims. For example, if you found a murder weapon, you can argue with someone who says there wasn't one by clicking on the text as it appears on the screen. You need to be attentive to illogicalities in testimony, and have a good understanding of what evidence proves you are right.
Both the writing and character designs are very funny in contrast to the moody atmosphere of the game about students who kill each other out of hopelessness, while the mysterious and antagonistic Monobead provokes them into more and more cruelty. The characters are surprisingly absurd, but given such a dark setting, it is obvious that they are wonderfully written.
Simulacra
Developer: Kaigan Games
release date: October 26, 2017
The visual novel genre isn't as limited as it might seem, and Simulacra is one of the best proofs that it doesn't have to conform to the expected style. The game is described as a "found phone" game, a genre that has recently gained popularity with games like Bury Me, My Love and A Normal Lost Phone.
You find a mobile phone on your doorstep. Very soon you realize that it belonged to a woman named Anna, and she has disappeared. A short video taken shortly before her disappearance tells you that evil is coming, and the interruptions and static in the video leave you perplexed. Every video and every image has one. From the interface to the video selfies, the attention to detail is amazing.
After some time, you are already writing it to your friends, studying accounts in in social networks, even talking to people she flirted with through a dating app. This is terribly frustrating. Simulacra will endlessly push you into the abyss of voyeurism, making you wonder how deep you can go so that maybe - just maybe! - save her life.
The story only lasts a few hours and there are multiple endings that vary depending on the successful completion of your goals. You can pretend to be Anna, ask her friends questions, trying to imitate her character, or be an honest, open voice and look for her. Turn off the lights and phone and immerse yourself in the voyeuristic work of a rookie detective for one night, because the atmosphere is definitely worth it.
Long Live The Queen
Developer: Hanako Games
release date: November 8, 2013
While this spot may have been taken by a couple of other games from Hanako, Long Live The Queen remains their most successful title in every sense of the word so far. You are given the right to control the princess, who will soon be crowned and become queen. Oh yes, she is still just a baby.
It sounds very nice, but the throne is also needed by other people who are ready to do anything to win it - including killing a 14-year-old girl. Her coronation is only 40 weeks away, and it's your job to spend day after day with her to make sure she survives.
As part of the game, you will have to learn with her and control aspects of her life, turning the princess into a queen, giving her the skills to rule with splendor and courage. Like Crusader Kings 2 or Dwarf Fortress, Love Live the Queen is a great game for creating jokes as you control something that will definitely lead to a scary but funny ending.
It is not necessary to survive these 40 weeks - it is enough to fill the lack of subtext with your own imagination. There is also depth here. Life or death isn't as simple as rolling a die, and as the weeks go by there are different stats to keep track of.
VA-11 Hall-A
Developer: Sukeban Games
release date: June 21, 2016
Told from the point of view of a bartender in a utopian future, VA-11 Hall-A gives you a unique perspective on life from which you see people at their best, their worst, their highs and their lows.
VA-11 Hall-A has a well-written world (and was later explored well in 2064: Read Only Memories, a phenomenal point-and-click game from a different developer, but in the same world), but its main point is in the stories from various buyers. In Glitch City, corporations and White Knights enforce the law through nano-machines and brutality, and constant surveillance shows that the mythical independence of the virtual future has long been a thing of the past.
Of course, as a bartender, you hear people talking when they are not being watched. Rumors, personal stories, fears and dreams of every person. Where Simulacra is voyeuristic, VA-11 Hall-A makes you feel privileged as these people reveal themselves to you over a cocktail you made from cyberpunk alcohol.
Because of this somewhat dispassionate approach to storytelling, VA-11 Hall-A is not a single story, but a series of vignettes into the lives of its eerie inhabitants. However, this trip is not permanent, as each visit can always be marred by the possibility that they will never return.
The Yawhg
Developer: Damian Sommer, Emily Carroll
release date: May 30, 2013
Sometimes half a genre fits the genre and the other half doesn't. The Yawhg is one of those. This is a choose-your-path game for a group of up to 4 local players, each playing as a character living in a town that will be destroyed by Yawhg in 6 weeks.
The townspeople and your characters don't know Yawhg is coming, but you, the player, do. Will you live day after day as if nothing had happened? Or will you start telling everyone about it, appealing to people, fulfilling the prophet’s share? Each decision can lead to dramatically different consequences.
The Yawhg bypasses the usual rules of the visual novel, but still has a bit of heartfelt storytelling in it - which is why it's here. You're given scenes that feel more like improvisation than paragraphs of text, and it's all supported by great art and an incredible soundtrack.
This makes The Yawhg unique, as other games let you play as a character you've already created. You can create your own here. In total, there are 50 endings, and none of them can be called "correct". They vary depending on the choices you or your friends make. The situations created by the game are interesting, unexpected, and leave just enough freedom of action to add your own perspective on things. The Yawhg is a prime example of how a visual novel can create something completely wild, and perhaps the perfect representation of a tabletop RPG.
A visual novel (or visual novel) is computer game, which is a subtype of the text quest genre. The player can choose from several character behavior options and then watch how the story develops. Our top 10 visual novels will tell you about exciting games of this genre.
10 Phoenix Wright: Ace Lawyer
The character you will play for is aspiring lawyer Phoenix Wright. He gets a job in a law office owned by his mentor Mia Fey. The visual novel includes five cases. In each of them, Phoenix first investigates. He collects evidence and talks to characters connected to the case. After this, at the court hearing, Phoenix defends his client. To do this, the lawyer uses the collected evidence and cross-examines witnesses.
9 Kikokugai Cyber Assassin
The plot of this visual novel takes the player into the future. Cyber technologies have merged with people's lives. Now almost everyone uses some kind of implant. Gynoids live next to people - creatures created entirely thanks to cyber technologies. The main character of this visual novel is Kong Taolo, who is betrayed and tried to kill by his former best friend. Taolo leaves for a year, and then, upon returning, learns about another victim of betrayal.
8 Swan Song
The action of this visual novel takes place in a small town located in the foothills. At the end of December there is an earthquake there. Several people who managed to escape come to church. It remains the only building that more or less survived the earthquake. It is here that the long struggle for survival begins.
7 Ever 17: Escape from Infinity
The plot of this visual novel takes place in an underwater amusement park where a disaster occurred. The upper and some lower parts of the complex were flooded. Most visitors were evacuated, but a few people remained in the park. While waiting for help, they must escape the flood and figure out the strange things that surround the underwater park. Gradually they learn a lot not only about him, but also about each other.
6 Country of Wheels, Sunflower Girl
The main character of the novel is Morita Kenichi. The guy is going to become a Representative of a Special Class, that is, one of the people responsible for the punishment and rehabilitation of criminals. The final exam separates him from his goal. In order to pass it, the guy must return to the city where he spent his childhood. There he needs to help three girls reform, but completing this task will be very difficult.
5 Clannad
This visual novel spans two worlds. One of them is the Illusory World. The second one is ordinary modern world. This is where the main character, Tomoya Okazaki, lives. Teenage guy studying at graduating class schools. Tomoya lost his mother at an early age, and his father suffers from alcoholism. The guy was disappointed in life. However, on the way to school, Tomoya meets a stranger, whose meeting changes his way of life.
4 Girls with disabilities
The main character of the game, Hisao Nakai, led a completely ordinary life as a teenage schoolboy. However, after a heart attack, the guy has to go to another school where children with disabilities are taught. disabilities. Hisao faces many difficulties, but also a chance to find friends and love.
3 School Days HQ
The player will have to make decisions for schoolboy Makoto Ito. He doesn't even dare to talk to a girl named Kotonoha, whom he runs into on the train in the morning. His classmate Sekai Saienji decides to help him win Kotonoha's sympathy. Your choice will determine what kind of story this story will be for the characters - light and romantic or bloody and dramatic? This visual novel takes place in the future, where androids have become a common part of human life. The main character hates androids, but one day he finds a discarded android in a landfill. It turns out to be a pretty girl named Lucy, whom the guy, after thinking about it, takes to his home. This decision leads to the guy having to change his worldview... and also unravel many secrets associated with his new acquaintance.
The interesting plots of the above visual novels will give fans of this genre many exciting minutes of gameplay.