Showing posts with label A Year In Visual Novels. Show all posts
2024 – A Year In Visual Novels
With
another year about to leave forever let us turn and look back at
all that has been achieved in the visual novel space. This has been a
year of strong titles from all corners of the world and showcasing
the wide variety of people who find themselves drawn to the medium.
Each new release offered something completely distinct and the range of
genres and themes was greater than ever before as more people came to
appreciate the strengths of visual novels. It has been a relatively
drama free year with the medium seeing a period of continuity with
last year and those trends have gained momentum. Let’s
take a swim through the sea of memories and see what highlights we
can find from this past year.
Selection Of The Best Visual Novel Releases
Fate/stay night REMASTERED Steam / Tsukihime Nintendo Eshop
For
Type Moon fans this has been a particularly good year with the
English language releases of both Fate/stay night and the Tsukihime
remake. These are two influential and popular titles have long relied
on fan translations to carry their influence outside of Japan, but
now everyone can come to appreciate the qualities that made them so
special. They certainly hold the position of the Japanese visual
novels with the widest appeal released this year which has been
helped by the Fate franchise pushing into other mediums and exposing
new audiences to this distinctive universe. Having such a strong
urban fantasy world means these games have stood the test of time and
offer a memorable experience even to new players. If you have not
played either of these visual novels then you owe it yourself to buy
them.
Homicipher Steam
Mixing
otome with horror and a good dose of linguistic puzzles is a
surprisingly strong formula. Leaning into a spooky atmosphere which
is somewhat tongue and cheek lends a strangely whimsical feeling to
the violent deaths the player is likely to experience as they try and
work out the mysterious language. Needing
to pay such close attention to the words and context of the events on
screen without relying on a complex narrative makes Homicipher stand
out among this years releases. It is a visual novel which manages to marry
an intensity into each moment as the player picks away at the wall of
information they must overcome to interact properly with the handsome
monsters. There are few games in the medium capable of holding this
balance of corny and thrilling quite like Homicipher and it is worth
playing just for that unique blend alone.
Tsui No Sora Remake Patch Download
Tsui
No Sora has had an odd history of releases. After its original
release it received a full reimagining in the form of Wonderful
Everyday which took its core ideas and expanded upon them in a longer
format. Then for the tenth anniversary of the release of Wonderful
Everyday, Tsui No Sora received a direct remake which added more
content to the original while being distinct from Wonderful Everyday.
It is this remake which received a fan translation patch this year to
finally make this piece of Tsui No Sora accessible in English. The
remake offers the perfect opportunity for those interested in the denpa genre to play a shorter title with a lot of what makes the
genre so great on full display.
Hookah Haze Steam / Taven Talk Steam
The
legacy of VA-11 Hall-A continues to live on through the drink and
smoke serving games which came out this year. Stepping into the
realms of hookah and a fantasy tavern, these titles followed in the
footsteps of others like Coffee Talk in aiming for a cosy vibe where
the stakes are low and the personal conversations are lent a light
feeling. These elements have become the hallmarks of the genre and as
these titles branch out from being about just beverages into general
service industry fantasies, they are likely to become even more
important. Each tale told through a character’s preferences of
drink offers a unique chance to explore themes and ideas of our
everyday lives through increasingly different settings.
Kanon Steam
Slowly
but surely Key’s entire back-catalogue is being released officially
in English. Kanon is the latest title in this line and received a
much needed lick of paint and full voice acting in order to breath
new life into this 1999 classic. It is an interesting snapshot of
Key’s earlier design principles and shows how much they have
changed over the twenty years since its release. Yet there in an
undeniable continuity between Kanon and Key’s present works through
narrative quirks and recurring themes which make Kanon a must play
for fans of the studio. For everyone else this tale of love and
tears is a charming experience to relax and immerse yourself into.
Let’s hope the rest of Key’s titles are given the same treatment
in future.
Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II Steam
As
a direct sequel to the first Spirit Hunter game, Death Mark, rather
than the second title in the series, NG, Death Mark II had to balance
the legacies of both while leaning decidedly more on the side of the
first. Coupled this messy lineage with a sizeable shift in the
gameplay and the results could have been disastrous, but instead the
title landed firmly on its feet to be one of the strongest horror
games of the year. With its inventive monsters and tense scenarios,
it continues the series’ tradition of keeping the player on their
toes through not adhering to an overly rigid framework for the
smaller stories which form the majority of its playtime. If you are a
someone who has played the previous titles or are just a fan of
horror in general then you should give Death Mark II a shot as it
will make a shiver go down your spine.
Interesting Visual Novels From Game Jams
NaNoRenO 2024
Monochrome Pixels
Dealing
with burnout and workplace harassment through the eyes of a Senior
Game Developer, Monochrome Pixels is a perfect example of how game
jams can explore ideas and emotions a more commercial or long form
title would struggle to cover. Our protagonist Diana provides a
perfect window into these themes as she struggles against her
terrible boss and contrasts wonderfully with the optimistic and
ignorant Enya. The two make for an engaging dynamic duo as the player
navigates Diana’s life with all its stresses.
you're just imagining it
Framing
itself as a chronic illness simulator, this visual novel tackles what
it a complex and emotive topic with a touch that never lets it become
too depressing. It follows a journey to find a diagnosis for whatever
condition is causing you to live in constant pain all the while
trying to push through the challenges of everyday life. For what is a
very simple game it offers a chance to empathise with others in a way
only this medium could achieve.
Blood City Limits
Setting
your visual novel up with a striking art style can do a lot to
support the story’s core identity and drawing people to play it in
the first place. Blood City Limits sets itself apart with its
disorganised lines and contrasting blocky colours which helps sell
the broken state of this apocalyptic world. As the characters explore
this decayed world the visuals form a key part of their story.
Yuri Game Jam 2024
The end of an obsession
It
would not be an end of year round up without a least one Ebi-hime
title and this time it is a twisted yuri tale. It focuses around a
yandere centric relationship with a good few twists and turns as our
protagonist has to navigate around problematic witch. Over the course
of this short game it has fun with the ideas surrounding the yandere
and this leads to a strong title that is concise in its
implementation.
Oto-hime
Twisted
love seems to have been a running theme for this years Yuri Game Jam
as Oto-hime firmly presents itself as a horror game. Utilising the
folktale of the titular oto-hime through its own lens, it creates a
yuri visual novel set in the depths of the ocean. It gives the player
just enough agency over events so the game can invest them in the
outcomes they have brought upon the protagonist as they stumble
through the alien place they find themselves trapped in.
Otome Jam 2024
Under The Thorns
A
mystery centric title where a newly hired maid Clara must uncover the
truth about her new employer and discover what he is really like
behind all the rumours about him. It captures the fantasy and romance
of the Victorian style nobility and time period without having to go
into too much detail. Mood is the most important feature for Under
The Thorns and it manages to maintain it consistently over its entire
play time.
Love Limit
If
you have had enough of all those serious visual novels and
their complex themes then the over the top comedy of Love Limit has
you covered. Mixing the act of romance with saving the world from an
alien invasion is a perfect recipe for silly antics and the game
fully embraces this absurdity to hilarious results. It also manages
to be genuinely touching at times to help give the jokes some much
needed substance behind them.
Things To Look Out For Next Year
The Shell Part III: Paradiso
After
the shocking end of the second game, the wait for the third game has
been painful with the original English release of the second title being
in 2015. At long last the finale of this dark mystery tale will be
available for fans around the world. The distinctive and broody
1950’s murder mystery series follows the private investigator
Tokisaka Reiji as he grapples with a variety of grisly murder cases
he finds himself personally wrapped up in. The Shell works hard to create a
thick atmosphere that envelops the player from the moment they start
until the dramatic climax in an all-consuming way. If this third
instalment can continue the high bar set for the series then this
will be the best mystery game of the year.
Angelic☆Chaos RE-BOOT!
It
is another Yuzusoft game. This statement will either make you jump
for joy or roll your eyes since at this point the studio has been
around long enough for people to have made up their mind on their visual novels.
Angelic Chaos takes a more openly supernatural approach to the slice
of life/ romance genre the studio is known for with angels and demons
being key players in the narrative. It even has the reincarnation
trope since the protagonist was the demon lord in his previous life so
it is lining up a lot of commonly used concepts in a neat row. However, if there is
one thing Yuzusoft is good at it is taking familiar ideas and
creating an extremely solid game which is specifically catered to
their audience. If you are in that audience then Angelic Chaos will
no doubt be one of the best visual novels of 2025.
Corpse Party II – Darkness Distortion
‘Wait
isn’t there already a Corpse Party 2?’ I hear you cry and, yes,
there is indeed one under the title of Dead Patient. Unfortunately,
Dead Patient seems to be a dead project and from its ashes a second
Corpse Party II has been born. Darkness Distortion is also set in a
hospital but rather than a modern currently in use one like in Dead
Patient, it is instead a long abandoned location where everything has
decayed from its former glory. When three friends trespass on the
hospital they find themselves at the mercy of Ayame’s curse and the
countless horrors within its walls. So far from what little we have
seen of the game it appears to be a remix of the original Corpse
Party in a new settings with a new cast. It looks to be a return to the
developer’s roots after the distinct changes of Blood Drive and
Dead Patient so it will be interesting to see how they handle this
familiar formula.
Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog
This
is a game wearing its influences clear to see through its mecha
designs and 90’s anime aesthetic. It is setting itself up as a sort
of old style Gundam narrative with a more personal spin on the
overarching plot where the crew of Gun-Dog are the central focus. There
is a demo available on Steam that covers the game’s opening scenes
and gives a taste of the overall construction of the gameplay
experience. From this demo it is much easier to recommend its mixture
of adventure game mechanics and stylish storytelling to those who
crave the unique feel of 90’s anime. Even those who might not fit
into the target demographic should still give it a shot just to
understand how visual design can do a lot of heavy lifting for a
game.
2023 – A Year In Visual Novels
As
we see out another packed year, it is time to look back and appreciate
the bountiful and brilliant games we have been blessed with. 2023 was
a good year for the video game industry with big title after big
title and visual novels were no slouch in this department. Our
communities continue to support and critique the medium we all engage
with and love in new and exciting ways. The variety of genres, ideas
and characters present in the releases this year makes me proud to be
a part of it as we can engage with them in ways no other type of game
can. Let’s take a drive down memory lane and pick out the
highlights of this year while considering what 2024 might bring for
us.
Notable Events
Shiravune’s Rise To Prominence
This
year marks the explosion onto the visual novel scene of Shiravune
with a flurry of quality titles and an expansion onto new and
accessible store fronts. Shiravune is not a new entrant to the market
and has been releasing titles over the past few years but they have
had only a small selection of notable visual novels to attract
attention. They also tended to use the site Johren for most of their
releases which was not a popular pick for consumers and this limited their
sales and exposure. All this would change in 2023 as Shiravune would
output titles that turned heads with everything from a new release of
Kara no Shoujo, now called The Shell Part I: Inferno, to the classic
White Album to the remaster of One. On top of this they would expand
the stores from which their games would be available to include JAST,
MangaGamer and Kagura Games, greatly increasing their exposure and
allow the consumer to choose the avenue of their purchase. Another
publisher seeing success in the visual novel space is a good sign for
our medium and we can hope for excellent future
localisations from a more competative release schedule.
Tencent Acquire Visual Arts
July
saw Tencent gaining full control of Visual Arts, the parent company of
the beloved visual novel developer Key. This occurred due to the
representative director Baba Takahiro choosing to retire from the
company and becoming an advisor, in doing so he also transferred all
his shares to Tencent giving them control over the running of
business. Such a series of events is not entirely unsurprising given
Baba is now in his 60’s and managing Visual Arts must have become
increasingly problematic. As for what this change in ruler means for
Visual Arts, that is far more unclear. At the time of writing there
have been no public or noticeable alterations to the company’s
activities, but who knows what the future may hold. We can only hope
that the its continued profitability shields it from harm.
Interesting Visual Novels From Game Jams
If
you want to find the innovative and new from a medium then Game Jams
are where you should look first. This more experimental side of
visual novels continues to surprise in 2023 and be the beating heart
of the English speaking scene. Keeping people aware of development in
the medium is important and as such this section will cover some of
the most interesting title from Jams held this year.
NaNoRenO 2023
Reaper’s GoodBye
The
framing of the narrative as five patrons, each telling their tales at
a food stand as they wait for the midnight train, is well utilised to
engage their lives in a web of interconnected emotions. Coupled with
a cleaver use of comic style speech bubbles and the result is fresh
and evocative title.
Potions for Tomorrow
While
the idea of a potion shop is hardly an original one for games at this
point, the way Potions for Tomorrow lets its characters sell their
own short stories helps elevate the title and forms an adorable
atmosphere. The light potion making sections do just enough to keep
the player entertained without demanding too much from them.
A phone found in tall grass
Presenting
an apocalypse through the lens of a person’s twitter feed is a take
on the genre which has gone strangely unexplored. So much of people’s
lives is showcased on their social media that it makes sense to
explore the end of the world from this angle.
SuNoFes 2023
Hollow Victory
If
having to visit your ex in jail was not bad enough, what about if he
had tried to take over the world as well? This short visual novel
takes its limited resources as a challenge to produce the keenest and
sharpest personality on screen for the maximum amusement.
Pilla’s Paradise
A
sci-fi take on the narrative about the life of a streamer is a
surprisingly novel concept especially when paired with an energetic
and accident prone protagonist. Add in a soul searching quest which takes her out of
her comfort zone and the results should speak from themselves.
Yuri Game Jam 2023
Star Crossed
Contrasting
and complementing ideals are fertile ground for conflict and doubly so when
mixed with the chaotic element that is love. The two heroines, Clara
and Laila, are strong foils from one another and make for a powerful
ride as they pair clash against the realities of the world they
inhabit.
Adieu Those In Love
Red
is an emotive colour and it is used here to its utmost to sell the
characters feelings in an all-consuming manner. You cannot help but
inhabit their mental space as the visual novel prevents you from
looking away from the characters on screen.
Selection Of The Best Visual Novel Releases
Deciding
what visual novels to highlight from such a packed year was a task
which proved more difficult than I had first imagined. There are just
so many excellent games to pick from all showcasing a variety of
amazing genres. However, in the end there were a set of clear winners
that you should definitely have played this year.
Sona-Nyl of the Violet Shadows Refrain (Steam)
Probably
my favourite visual novel released this year as I have always been a
sucker for Liar-soft’s strong narratives, visuals and ability to
engage with the literary elements of the medium. Once again we return
to their steampunk world, this time to the deserted streets of New
York after all its residences simply disappeared one day. Following
the two perspectives of a pair of girls, Elysia and Lily, as they
each tackle their strange situations from vastly different angles and
both above and bellow the city. Liar-soft’s ability in Sona-Nyl to
play with all the cards the medium’s presentation has to offer in
order to sell the content and emotion of each and every moment is why
they are one of the greatest developers in this design space.
WHITE ALBUM: Memories like Falling Snow (Steam)
Dealing
with the success of your significant other can be difficult,
especially when the world seems to be pushing the two of you away
from each other. Exploring how someone copes or fails to cope with
this adversity is the core of WHITE ALBUM and leads to all the
emotion and entertainment it relies upon to keep the player engaged.
While the tedium of the common route’s dating sim elements leaves a
lot to be desired, the core heroine routes each bring something
distinct to the table both in terms of the heroine’s own arc and
the protagonist’s weakness as both work in tandem to keep tensions
high. WHITE ALBUM does not quite live up to its amazing sequel, but it
still stand head and shoulders above any of its peers.
Azrael on the Boundary of Life and Death (Patch Dowload)
When
I first downloaded Azrael I did not think much of it. The clearly low
budget title only had a small selection of character portraits and
CGs and altered photos for backgrounds which did not exactly set my
heart on fire. You would think that I would have stopped judging a
book by its cover at this point, but Azreal once again remained me
that it is strong ideas and emotions which make a good visual novel
and not the surrounding fluff. Taking a person’s life and showing
the best and worse versions of it and then asking if both are equally
worth living is surprising impactful and thought-provoking. It is
easy to say that all life is valuable in the abstract, but it is much
harder to do when confronted with the reality of their suffering. Even
in all the darker subjects Azrael tackles, there is a strong sense of
hope permeating throughout and helped along by a short playtime,
culminating in a satisfying pay off.
Witch on the Holy Night (Steam)
Seeing a Type-Moon visual novel available officially in English is surreal
experience after all these years of being denied their release.
Starting with Witch on the Holy Night was a smart choice given its
relatively self-contained nature, combined with its relatively low
stakes conflict compared to other more recent titles, and you have a
perfect entry point for the expanded world of Type-Moon to get its
claws into a player. Even for veterans it offers a new angle on the life of
mages and brings in a few fan favourite characters to show them off
in more details as the core of the narrative rather than side
elements not properly touched upon.
ANONYMOUS;CODE (Steam)
It
has been good to see that the Science Adventures series has not lost
its pedigree for outputting excellent visual novels with the release
of ANONYMOUS;CODE. Bring the series sci-fi talent to the world of
hacking fiction in order to take it into the futuristic 2030s, a
place near enough to be familiar but far enough away to be a little
alien. Keeping the character focus that was key to the success of
their previous titles allows ANONYMOUS;CODE to keep the player
invested in their struggles and prevent the larger conflicts from
losing their meaning among all the in-universe concepts. Add in a
good helping of eye popping visuals and the result is a
roller-coaster of a good time.
H2O√ after and another Complete story Edition (Steam)
Having
a blind protagonist in what is an inherently visual medium is a
unique type of challenge for a developer to undertake. The solution
H2O came up with is to present the images the player sees as what the
protagonist, Hirose Takuma, imagines the world to look like. This
makes him an interesting take on the unreliable narrator since it is
not that he is mentally unsound or has any malice, but instead he
simply lacks an important avenue of information and in turn so does
the player. Though this lens H2O asks what meaning and value can be
found in how people live their lives from the small actions to grand
feelings of love. No stone is left unturned in this tale about those
seeking reason and purpose to their continued existence.
Things To Look Out For Next Year
Tsukihime- A piece of blue glass moon-
Now
the appetiser, Witch On The Holy Night, is out of the way we can sit
in anticipation of the main course, the Tsukihime remake. Covering
the first half of the original game’s narrative, it expands on that
foundation and in particular Ciel’s route which had previously
lacked any meaningful identity of its own. If you want my extended
thoughts on the remake you can look to my review.
The short version is this reimagining does wonders for bringing the
title into the modern era for new and old fans with shiny visuals and
excellent new characters. It is not without issues such as the way
some sections exist to be paid off in the currently non-existent
second half of the remake. However, the quality of this package makes
it easy to overlook these problems and just enjoy this urban fantasy
ride.
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Look
for a good visual novel to start the year with, then look no further
than the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy releasing on January
24th. While not as widely loved as the original Ace
Attorney games, the Apollo Justice Trilogy continues the series’
humour and courtroom drama which made it so popular in the first
place. Given this single remaster offers three complete titles for a
reasonable price and in an accessible form rather than being tied to
the DS, now is the perfect opportunity for new players to find out
what they have been missing or to complete their collection as this
makes a nice pair with the previous trilogy. A promising way to begin
the year and remind people of the potential this medium has for all
kinds of games.
Angelic☆Chaos RE-BOOT!
Another
year and another Yuzusoft title to look forward to. This time they
have chosen to go with a reincarnation isekai style narrative where
our protagonist was the demon lord in his previous life. Soon enough
he finds himself surrounded by all manner of supernatural creatures
and chief among them is the angel who was responsible from bringing
his quiet life to end. Mixing in a good amount of magical hijinks
alongside the normal kind looks to be a refreshing change from the
straight forward slice of life elements that usually populates most
of the playtime. Beyond this new element the high bar of quality is
maintained and it marks Yuzusoft as the continued premier developer
of this genre.
2022 – A Year In Visual Novels
Another
year has come to an end and we can now look back on all that has been
achieved with wonder. 2022 was packed full of excellent releases,
from both big names and small indies, which helped grow the medium to
new audiences. The community has also been given a new injection of
life through the revival of old influences and the preservation of
existing ones. It has been a year filled with so many moments which
remind me why I love visual novels so much. Let me take you on a
journey through the highlights of this amazing year, both for those who make visual novels and those who play them.
Important Events
Community Comes Together To Help VN Game Den
It
was on 7th September that VN Game Den announced on their
Twitter they would be shutting down due to their attempts to obtain
support on Patreon/KoFi being unsuccessful. VN Game Den is a site which run by developers within
the medium and provides information, interviews and news about the
indie titles and Kickstarters which deserve their turn in the
spotlight. They serve an important function by giving these titles
some exposure and showing the community the innovation taking place
in these small games. However, this niche does not have the same
popularity as the more main stream big visual novel releases and as
such their supporters were always a small group. When the news of VN
Game Den’s impending shut down became more widely known there was a
ground swell of support for them. Utilising this momentum they were
successfully about to raising the necessary funds to keep going and
make others aware of their work. Here is to hoping that they never
run into same problems again.
Revival of Fuwanovel
From
a story about a site avoiding death to one which has been given an injection of life after being dominant. Fuwanovel
is site consisting of two sides, the
blog, review and news site and the forums. In the past it was once a
hub for the community, but the march of time has not been kind to it
and the focus of attention had shifted away. However, those
in charge of the site decided they would try and revitalise it
through exposing it to as many new people as possible. It was
presented as Fuwanovel getting back on its feet and has included the
resuming of many key activities on the site, such as the VNTS posts,
reviews and thought pieces. I have also been drawn into its orbit and
now upload condensed versions of my articles and reviews in the
forums. Overall, this initiative seems to be a success and it will be
interesting to see what Fuwanovel will do next.
Sunrider 4 Announcement
Sunrider
4: The Captain's Return
announced!!! Alright, this is not really a year defining event in the
grand scheme of things, but it is to me and this is my blog so I’m
going to make you all aware of it whether you like it or not. It is
hard to believe the previous game, Liberation Day, came out in
2016, this is a long time to have to wait for a continuation after
that world shattering ending. What has been shown off
about Sunrider 4 does look like it was worth the wait. The battle
system appears to have undergone a complete overhaul which it
definitely needed as you could feel the existing system creaking
under the strain of the increasingly complicated scenarios. On top of
this the new art is some of the best the developers have ever done and it has
come a long way from the basic style of the first game. Even with
what little has been shown it looks to be an exciting title and with
a release date set for 2023 the new year looks brighter already.
Interesting Visual Novels from Game Jams -
Another
year, another selection of Game Jams and another set of excellent
visual novels showcasing the more experimental side of the medium.
In order to make more people aware of the brilliant titles from these
events, this section will cover some of the more eye-catching games
from three of the year's notable Jams.
NaNoReno 2022
TEISATSU
– Everything about this game exudes fun. From being suddenly
recruited as a spy to the snappy character designs. TEISATSU knows it
is silly and just runs with it.
The Five Steps To Ensuring Momo Graduates Successfully!!!
– Sometimes you just want something simple, bright and colourful
and this game presents those things before pulling the rug out from
under you. The pastel colours hide a more substantial interior. Read
the warnings kids because I did not.
Pierced Veil / Distant Firmament
– Okay, I’ll be honest this was my submission to the Game Jam but
I do truly believe it is worth your time if you are in the right
mood. It is wistful tale about having a drink in a stylish bar as you
wait for the world to end and considering the importance of each
moment of our lives.
Otome Jam 2022
Diffraction
– This demo showcases an otome which emphasises photography as its
core narrative thread and coupled with a strong art style and some
fun banter leaves you wanting more.
ERROR143
– A hot snarky guy and hacking? Sign me up. This game leans heavily into
the hacking angle with its aesthetics and the complete focus on one
guy ends up allowing for him to gain a defined character even in the
short playtime.
SuNoFes 2022
Is it Wrong to Want to be Locked Up, Toyed With, and Tortured By a Hot Guy?!
– Yandere, comedy and BL are unusual bedfellows but here it is
surprising how well they merge together here for a short and
hilarious visual novel. This is very much a one trick pony and it
knows that with its exceptionally short length which works in its
favour.
Pitstop in Purgatory
– Having Purgatory and amnesia in the same story is not exactly an
original idea and there are certainly a few of the expected tropes of
this genre in this game. However, the execution is outstanding with an engaging
point and click element with vivid imagery that elevates it beyond
many of its peers.
Selection Of The Best Visual Novel Releases -
Choosing
which visual novels to put on this list was a hard task since this
year has been jam packed with amazing titles. In the end the games on
this list are all unique and interesting in some way while offering
coherent and complete narratives. So here are the six visual novels
which deserve your attention.
Chaos Head Noah (Steam)
There
are few titles which can simultaneously claim to have started a major
visual novel series while also seeming like it would never get an
English release, despite all its successors receiving the treatment.
2022 finally brought the wait to an end and we were given a chance
to officially experience this mind bending tale of paranoia and
mystery. Occupying the mind of Nishijou Takumi is a distinctive and
memorable experience even with all the time that has passed since the
games original release and the countless similar characters who have
appeared since. He is this strange mix of sympathetic and self
destructive and is a person who on paper should not be compelling but
in practice ends up stealing the show. Obviously this is helped along
by the engaging narrative and the additions of Noah go a long way to
help solve the issues of the original game. This is a must experience
game for anyone interested in visual novels and the types of stories
it can tell.
Witch On The Holy Night (Nintendo Eshop)
A Type Moon visual novel with an official English release, this
is one event which seemed like a pipe dream but here we are with
Witch On The Holy Night. Set in tail end of the Showa era it follows
the life of Shizuki Soujuurou as he finds himself mingling in the
mysterious and dangerous world of magic thanks to two exceptional
women. While this is not the longest Type Moon game what is here is
focused and spends its time well with the cast carrying the overall
narrative. Hopefully the success of this release will encourage Type
Moon to release their other works in English or at least allow a
third party to translate them.
All Ashes And Illusions (Steam)
There is something strangely powerful about this visual novel's
story and its the ability to stay with you long after its conclusion.
This is a story about one man’s extremely unhealthy obsession with
his nursemaid and the consequences that stem from it. Having a
relationship with an unbalanced power dynamic be explored in a
serious fashion makes for an engaging and morbidly fascinating train
crash to watch unfold. All Ashes And Illusions may make you feel
uncomfortable at times but this is all in service of one the years
strongest games in terms of themes and ideas.
Deus Machina Demonbane: Roar Of The Machine God (Patch Download)
Nitro+’s excellent lovecraftian mecha visual novel has already
had a fan translation but it was for a release of the game which was
showing its age. Roar Of The Machine God gives it a much needed face
lift by providing higher resolutions, full voice acting and
additional CGs. This new lick of paint makes the game more accessible
to a wider audience, helping them discover this classic visual
novel. There is something special about its unique mix of over the
top mecha action and its strange interest in the twisted world it
invokes which as many people as possible own it themselves to play in
its new glory.
Hello Lady! (Steam)
Despite releasing at the beginning of a very crowded year, Hello
Lady still stands out as one of the most thoughtful and enjoyable
games released. Its blending of supernatural action with a tale of
revenge and ideas about what it means to be noble creates a package
which keeps you on the edge of your seat while still managing to
demand a deeper examination. This is by no means a perfect game with
issues ranging from pacing to a confusing choice system, but Hello
Lady has the most heart and vision of any title on this list and it
is the sense of purpose that provides the compulsion to keep playing.
If there is one visual novel on this list you should play when you
want something with a soul then Hello Lady is definitely it.
Renai X Royale (Steam)
Let’s end the year with laughter and a comedy game which ramps up
the silliness to new heights. Renai X Royale takes the absurd idea of
love battle royale and puts it into the most mundane and low stakes
environment possible for maximum comic effect. The result is one of
the consistently funny games of the year with its creative take on
the slice of life genre and the trappings of romance. While its jokes
may not always land the fun characters more than make up for it by
also telling some truly heart warming tales of their personal
struggles. This is the cream of the crop when it comes to feel good
visual novels this year and an example of how to get the most out of
your premise.
Things To Look Out For Next Year
Anonymous;Code
Anonymous;Code is the upcoming new
entry in the Science Adventure Series and the first none sequel game
for quite some time. Rather than being set in the present day, the
game takes place in the near future of 2036 and plays up the hacker
sci-fi genre for its driving imagery and loose themes. Given the
pedigree of the series it is a part of there is a certain
expectation of quality. Even at its lowest points the Science
Adventure Series games have been above many of their peers, so Anonymous;Code
should be viewed with a certain degree of excitement.
DRACU-RIOT!
This is yet anther visual novel which seems to be stuck in release
limbo and even the publishers claim that it will be released in 2023
must be treated with some suspicion given how long it has taken to get here.
However, DRACU-RIOT is an older Yuzusoft game which I have hopes of
being the title that finally achieves the potential I see in every
one of their other games. It appears to have a good mix of the serious
vampire side and the slice of life elements to the point where
neither are actively rubbing against one another. Let’s hope it
really does come out this year so we can see if it lives up to my
assessment of it.
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly
Drink serving as a gameplay aspect was introduced by VA-11 Hall-A
and has since spawned its own genre. One of the most notable of these
games was the original Coffee Talk which doubled down on the character
story element of the genre and ran with it to great success. Hibiscus
& Butterfly is the direct sequel to that game and appears to
continue its predecessor work with seemly identical mechanics and
narrative structures. Of course this is not a bad thing as the
original was an inherently flexible framework to tell a wide variety
of stories and it will be interesting to see what the developers have
brewed up this time.
