[Mrs shelly Sugarplum]

His sister Yukari and friend Kyoko, when I'm supposed to be investigating I'd rather spend time with the two of them

Up to the beginning of March 10th, really don't want to rush it.

I'll be interested to see how they handle the presentation of mental health. It's a taboo subject and that's part of the problem. If they handle it deftly though not with kid gloves it ought to be good.

I tried spending time with characters I found interesting. Didnt know where they were, so I kept visiting the same places... Moon world and the park. Hatsune was so adorable.
I wonder how long you will last without the guide. You really need it, in that VN. Personally I liked Toko best, she just interested me most.

I just cant see it working out at all.

[Vickey Martinez]

I finally had a chance to give Katawa Shoujo a try (took foorever to DL) with one storyline. I went with the Hanako story & I liked it.

[Quick Draw]

I finally had a chance to give Katawa Shoujo a try (took foorever to DL) with one storyline. I went with the Hanako story & I liked it.

What ending did you get ? Suprised you didnt end up on the Emi or manly picnic paths first.
I have only playe Emi's and Hanako's. I enjoyed Hanako's most.

If your interested in more VN's I reccomend narcissu. It has no choices though and its only around 2 hours long. Just a heads up, its depressing.

[Jeffrey Lawson]

Okay, what would one recommend for someone who likes Bleach, enjoyed the When They Cry series, disliked Clannad and raged all through School Days?

[zoe]

What ending did you get ? Suprised you didnt end up on the Emi or manly picnic paths first.
I have only playe Emi's and Hanako's. I enjoyed Hanako's most.

If your interested in more VN's I reccomend narcissu. It has no choices though and its only around 2 hours long. Just a heads up, its depressing.

I got the "gift" from her in town after the good cry in the park (if that makes sense to you) & got her concept art during the credits

I did consider trying with Emi but Hanako seemed more interesting to me

And thanks for the Narcissu suggestion I already have the download page bookmarked (thanks to the link in your sig) for when I have the time to get it

[Da Missz]

Okay, what would one recommend for someone who likes Bleach, enjoyed the When They Cry series, disliked Clannad and raged all through School Days?

I havent really played many VNs, and dont watch much anime. But what do you like/dislike about those things exactly ?
Hopefully DEFRON, Narmy or someone else who watches more anime, will be able to sugggest you some stuff.

I got the "gift" from her in town after the good cry in the park (if that makes sense to you) & got her concept art during the credits

I did consider trying with Emi but Hanako seemed more interesting to me

And thanks for the Narcissu suggestion I already have the download page bookmarked (thanks to the link in your sig) for when I have the time to get it

Thats the good ending then. I was just wondering if anyone got the bad ending on accident. Seems easy to avoid.
Yay someone clicked it. There are some other free VNs I edited into the first post. They might interest you.

[luis ortiz]

Okay, what would one recommend for someone who likes Bleach, enjoyed the When They Cry series, disliked Clannad and raged all through School Days?

Well Higurashi (When They Cry) is based on a VN series, so maybe you could try those. I dunno how good they are though, since I haven't played any.

[JUDY FIGHTS]

Another VN caught my interest G-Senjou no Maou. I cant see any English version, I can wait (Still waiting for Saya no Uta), but TLWiki has transalted it. I havent delt with this stuff before. But could I just buy the VN, then download the patch those guys made ? Not sure how fan patches work.

Also wondering, do you guys consider VNs games ? Some people do, some dont. Personally I do, the VN is interactive (most times) and the story can change based on your actions, to me that makes them games.

[vicki kitterman]

Also wondering, do you guys consider VNs games ? Some people do, some dont. Personally I do, the VN is interactive (most times) and the story can change based on your actions, to me that makes them games.

I do, but they weren't commonly called VNs when I started playing them so maybe that's why.

[Robert Jr]

I do, but they weren't commonly called VNs when I started playing them so maybe that's why.

What were they called before ?

[Channing]

What were they called before ?

Bishoujo game/hentai game/dating sim/etc., they weren't as popular so there wasn't really a specific name to describe them.

[Lisa Robb]

Also wondering, do you guys consider VNs games ? Some people do, some dont. Personally I do, the VN is interactive (most times) and the story can change based on your actions, to me that makes them games.

to me they are a form of virtual book for example when I was talking to my brother about Katawa Shoujo last night I said "it's like one of those "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choose_Your_Own_Adventure" books that we read as kids.

He was intrigued about trying it.

but admittedly it's a thin line in this case

[Sami Blackburn]

Bishoujo game/hentai game/dating sim/etc., they weren't as popular so there wasn't really a specific name to describe them.

But they dont all have hentai/dating :/ Well atleast the name visual novel, makes it easier to discuss. Would be akward as hell to use the other names.

to me they are a form of virtual book for example when I was talking to my brother about Katawa Shoujo last night I said "it's like one of those "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choose_Your_Own_Adventure" books that we read as kids.

He was intrigued about trying it.

I consider those books games too. I like VNs more though, the music and art make it much better.
Which is odd, becuase whenever a book later had something visual I hated it.

Im suprised you would talk to your brother about KS. Just seems awkward, the dating part is bad enough. The moment you mention they are crippled most people would think you have a sick fetish. I love VNs now, but when I first heared about KS I thought "What the [censored] is wrong with these people." Only becuase I saw so much praise, did I give it a chance.

[Josee Leach]

But they dont all have hentai/dating :/ Well atleast the name visual novel, makes it easier to discuss. Would be akward as hell to use the other names.

Well yeah, that's why they were lumped into that vague category of similar games.

Admittedly, VNs today are less games than the ones from the 90's early 00's that I used to play. They had menu options like LOOK/MOVE/TALK instead of clicking through dialog and making choices every now and then.

[Portions]

Well yeah, that's why they were lumped into that vague category of similar games.

Admittedly, VNs today are less games than the ones from the 90's early 00's that I used to play. They had menu options like LOOK/MOVE/TALK instead of clicking through dialog and making choices every now and then.

Do you prefer those types of VN ? Is that what that "Yu no" (think tat was the name) played like ?
I think KLS is from around that time. Does it play like the older ones you mentioned ? (still havent got around to playing it, I will soon).

Im happy with the current style, I love how VNs focus on story, but let me have some control over it. Kara no shoujo had a bit more interactivity than most VNs I have played. Investigation scenes where you had to click around the crime scene. Was actually kind of annoying, becuase you could click something, that ends the investigation. Then miss important evidence.

[Sabrina Schwarz]

Im suprised you would talk to your brother about KS. Just seems awkward, the dating part is bad enough. The moment you mention they are crippled most people would think you have a sick fetish. I love VNs now, but when I first heared about KS I thought "What the [censored] is wrong with these people." Only becuase I saw so much praise, did I give it a chance.

He knows me and how my own disability (Cerebral palsy) has affected me. though I get the feeling he thinks I like it "just" for the advlt content

[Astargoth Rockin' Design]

Do you prefer those types of VN ? Is that what that "Yu no" (think tat was the name) played like ?

I do prefer that style, but I don't think they make them like that anymore... maybe that's why I haven't played that many modern VNs. YU-NO was similar except you weren't restricted to a menu, and could click on things directly like in a point-and-click adventure game.

I think KLS is from around that time. Does it play like the older ones you mentioned ? (still havent got around to playing it, I will soon).

Nah, it uses the more common NVL format where the text is shown on top of the CG. Like Tsukihime and Saya no Uta.

Im happy with the current style, I love how VNs focus on story, but let me have some control over it. Kara no shoujo had a bit more interactivity than most VNs I have played. Investigation scenes where you had to click around the crime scene. Was actually kind of annoying, becuase you could click something, that ends the investigation. Then miss important evidence.

With the adventure-esque games many of the choices are invisible, just by going to a certain location or talking to certain people you trigger a "flag" that moves the story a certain way. The end result is the same as having choices during text, but I think it helps the game to flow better when some of the choices happen naturally.

[Ben sutton]

He knows me and how my own disability (Cerebral palsy) has affected me. though I get the feeling he thinks I like it "just" for the advlt content

Sorry to hear about that.

Hopefully if he does play it. He will realise people do play it for other reasons. Most of the VNs I have played have advlt content, I dont play them for that reason. If it wasnt in the game I would still love them. Hell I actually think in most cases it detracts from the story. Only time I have seen it related to the plot is Hanako's path in KS. Even then they could just imply they had six, and not need to show anything.

I do prefer that style, but I don't think they make them like that anymore... maybe that's why I haven't played that many modern VNs. YU-NO was similar except you weren't restricted to a menu, and could click on things directly like in a point-and-click adventure game.


Nah, it uses the more common NVL format where the text is shown on top of the CG. Like Tsukihime and Saya no Uta.


With the adventure-esque games many of the choices are invisible, just by going to a certain location or talking to certain people you trigger a "flag" that moves the story a certain way. The end result is the same as having choices during text, but I think it helps the game to flow better when some of the choices happen naturally.

I may have to check some of the older stuff then. Allthough I would anyway if the story caught my interest, and translations tke a long time. So I doubt I will be playingthe newer VNs for atleast 2 years.

YU-NO just sounds confusing to me for some reason.

I havent played either of those yet, allthough I intend to play both eventually.

Thats an issue I had with Kara no shoujo. You had several locations on a map to visit. You choose one, then you can unknowingly end up on a certain path. I had no idea going to X would do that. And becuase of that gameplay I needed a guide. I had died several times,after ending up on a certain path. I had no idea that would happen, it just annoyed me.

[luke trodden]

It's ok, it's just one of my (many) quirks.

IMHO, If he (or anyone really) gives it a honest chance he should see it's a powerful story(set of stories?) with or without that little bit of naughtiness in

[Rachel Briere]

I may have to check some of the older stuff then. Allthough I would anyway if the story caught my interest, and translations tke a long time. So I doubt I will be playingthe newer VNs for atleast 2 years.

Season of the Sakura was considered the "best" at that time, although it doesn't have much of a story. I haven't played Katawa Shoujo but from the description it sounds pretty similar to that, except without the disabilities.

[Becky Cox]

It's ok, it's just one of my (many) quirks.

IMHO, If he (or anyone really) gives it a honest chance he should see it's a powerful story(set of stories?) with or without that little bit of naughtiness in

Yeah once I gave it a shot, I was suprised at how they handled the issue of disabilities. They didnt let them define the characters. Except maybe Hanako, but even then her story was good. KS got me into VNs, and now they have replaced gaming for me. People should atleast give VNs a shot despite their views, they could be missing out on something they really enjoy. Im sure glad I gave them a chance anyway.

Season of the Sakura was considered the "best" at that time, although it doesn't have much of a story. I haven't played Katawa Shoujo but from the description it sounds pretty similar to that, except without the disabilities.

Story dosent really matter too much, aslong as the characters are good. Most VNs I played, I think I cared more about the characters. The stories didnt all have huge twists. Those that did were already after I invested a long time in the VN, even before the story kicked off I found myself enjoying some. E.g Kirakira and Deardrops.

[Connie Thomas]

Another VN caught my interest G-Senjou no Maou. I cant see any English version, I can wait (Still waiting for Saya no Uta), but TLWiki has transalted it. I havent delt with this stuff before. But could I just buy the VN, then download the patch those guys made ? Not sure how fan patches work.

Usually it is that simple. Just download and install the patch. There is also usually simple instructions for those who need them, and an irc channel if you need help

Also wondering, do you guys consider VNs games ? Some people do, some dont. Personally I do, the VN is interactive (most times) and the story can change based on your actions, to me that makes them games.

Some are games most are just interactive stories. There are books like this too. The difference being a game is about the fun or challenge whereas an interactive story is about the interactions, relationships, and story.

Bishoujo game/hentai game/dating sim/etc., they weren't as popular so there wasn't really a specific name to describe them.

None of those are necessarily VNs, and VNs aren't necessarily one of those. Those are common terms to distinguish between VNs, but VNs has been around as a term to distinguish them from video games as long as I can remember. It's just that it's a pretty useless term between VN fans.

Edit: god it took me forever to type this out on my phone. Why did I have to forget my USB cable today?

[Peter lopez]

None of those are necessarily VNs, and VNs aren't necessarily one of those. Those are common terms to distinguish between VNs, but VNs has been around as a term to distinguish them from video games as long as I can remember. It's just that it's a pretty useless term between VN fans.

I know, VN is just a blanket term used in the west anyway. I'm talking about before VNs existed as we know them know... outside of Japan, at least.

[The Time Car]

Usually it is that simple. Just download and install the patch. There is also usually simple instructions for those who need them, and an irc channel if you need help


Some are games most are just interactive stories. There are books like this too. The difference being a game is about the fun or challenge whereas an interactive story is about the interactions, relationships, and story.


None of those are necessarily VNs, and VNs aren't necessarily one of those. Those are common terms to distinguish between VNs, but VNs has been around as a term to distinguish them from video games as long as I can remember. It's just that it's a pretty useless term between VN fans.

Nice. Now I wont have to wait until Jlist sells a translated version. Thats defintely one of the next VNs I play then.

Can you name a few you consider games ? I wouldnt mind trying them, allthoug I think I will prefer the character/story focused VNs.

[butterfly]

Can you name a few you consider games ? I wouldnt mind trying them, allthoug I think I will prefer the character/story focused VNs.

I think this counts as both a game and a VN:
http://www.destructoid.com/review-sakura-wars-so-long-my-love-173330.phtml