The Visual Novel Megathread: Reading till your eyes bleed - Games

[QUOTE=Rahkshi lord;35734663]Stop talking about Hitler, he has nothing to do with VNs[/QUOTE] That's what he said. [editline]27th April 2012[/editline] Can't wait to finish Heaven's feel so I can start watching Fate/Zero.

On the subject of VNs (to get rid of the Godwin stuff), remember the Missing Stars project? [url]http://somnovastudios.blogspot.com.es/2012/04/something-or-other.html[/url] [QUOTE]It's been about a month since our last character release (excluding Parrot-tan). As you may have noticed, the blog has been rather empty since then. Truth be told, it may be like that for a while. See, general development updates are rather boring (They usually amount to, scenes written today, art assets made today, programmers doing some incomprehensible tech stuff today), and finicky besides. The problem with posting progress is that it's liable to change very suddenly and very often. Besides that, we've also been a bit wobbly getting on our feet. With all the fun pre-production stuff mostly out of the way, the shift into the long slog of actual production hasn't been exactly smooth. There's been a bit of internal weirdness (all sorts of arguments and hurt feelings that arise from working with a large ass team where no one makes decisions) besides, but all in all I think we're starting to get the pace of it. [B]I might as well give you guys some development progress so: Act 1 pretty much finalized Paths for most girls finalized Sprite production started Scene writing started[/B] So if there's nothing interesting to tell about development, besides declaring the occasional milestone reached, what do we use this blog for? Answering fan questions? The forums and IRC are rather more suited for that. I suppose that the purpose of it will form and evolve into something in and of itself in time. It'll most definitely vary greatly depending on which dev is writing the posts, as well. If you're stuck with me you'll get those long form diatribes about what it's like to make Missing Stars. With others, who knows? I suppose that's what this will be for; little soapboxes for whatever the dev wants to talk about. It'll be a little chronicle of our minds as we continue down this insane journey we've undertaken. It might be interesting. Foux da fa fa -Worthington[/QUOTE] This is a bit late but I haven't seen it posted on the thread, I think. I'm personally glad to see the project healthy and on a good shape

Act 1 demo soon?

[QUOTE=Akasori;35734818]Act 1 demo soon?[/QUOTE] I hope so, I'm really looking forward for this project and see if it's going to be a good VN

Also, anyone ever played [URL="http://scoutshonour.com/digital/"]digital: A love story?[/URL] It was pretty much a visual novel sort of game where you had to cope with pre 2000 internet. It was pretty great, too. You had to use IP addresses to connect to websites and all. Still free, I believe. Made by the woman who did the game on steam and "Don't take it personally" [editline]27th April 2012[/editline] So those guys are going to pull out a Katawa Shoujo in less than 10 years? Impressive.

Can anyone give me a quick overview on Missing Stars?

[QUOTE=iLife_Aftermath;35736565]Can anyone give me a quick overview on Missing Stars?[/QUOTE] There's not really much information past their news page right now [url]http://somnovastudios.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=46&sid=ed03afd16e8b1c879378706fb04280ee[/url]

Oh it's the "mentaru shoujo" game I didn't recognize it

[QUOTE=Feuver;35734878]Also, anyone ever played [URL="http://scoutshonour.com/digital/"]digital: A love story?[/URL] It was pretty much a visual novel sort of game where you had to cope with pre 2000 internet. It was pretty great, too. You had to use IP addresses to connect to websites and all. Still free, I believe. Made by the woman who did the game on steam and "Don't take it personally" [editline]27th April 2012[/editline] So those guys are going to pull out a Katawa Shoujo in less than 10 years? Impressive.[/QUOTE] it was more like pre-1990 internet it was a pretty good vn, one of my favorites.

I played the demo of Analogue: A hate story. I have to say it shares similarities with Digital: A love story, though there's way too much text about Korean history and dynasty. It bores me to hell until it started to make sense with the characters. Of course, when that happens the trial ends. so meh. Also, be prepared for a lot of fucking feminist tones. It's really forced on us and it doesn't feel like you're actually part of this story, you're just there to learn about it, and it's boring as shit.

[QUOTE=Feuver;35742019]I played the demo of Analogue: A hate story. I have to say it shares similarities with Digital: A love story, though there's way too much text about Korean history and dynasty. It bores me to hell until it started to make sense with the characters. Of course, when that happens the trial ends. so meh. Also, be prepared for a lot of fucking feminist tones. It's really forced on us and it doesn't feel like you're actually part of this story, you're just there to learn about it, and it's boring as shit.[/QUOTE] I've just finished the full game, and I disagree - I thought it was pretty good. It's not very long, but it was enjoyable and intriguing. I thought the storytelling was interesting, though, being that it's built up in pieces in a non-linear fashion, as opposed to a traditional linear narrative, and therefore most of it is told through messages and notes. I always liked that sort of thing, though. However, you are right - you're not really involved with the story very heavily. Indeed, you barely have any impact beyond how you treat the two characters you interact with. It's worth noting you're never told who you're supposed to be, so when you're asked questions you can answer however you like without punishment. Anyway, being that the actual story happened 600 years ago and you're there to piece it together, it's kind of a given that you don't have much impact. But, if you're the sort of reader who prefers straight narratives (as most VNs are), then I can say this probably wouldn't be for you. The Korean names are a pain, I guess...I just kinda have trouble remembering characters if I don't have a face to attach to them, and you only ever see two people (they are the main characters, though). I, however, found it interesting to learn about a different culture, and things get a lot more interesting beyond the trial. It also gets darker and more scandalous. As for the feminism, really if you read the stuff that happens in this story and aren't even slightly bothered by it...I dunno, I can't complain about the feminism. It didn't feel forced to me, in fact I barely noticed it - it just came with the culture you're exploring. There's 5 endings to get, though I don't know how re-playable it is - I got the second ending and was satisfied enough with it. All in all I think it's a good little VN; However, I can see why people might not like it. It's not for everyone. If you're interested in it, try the demo out. If the storytelling format works for you, then get the full thing, as the story gets more interesting after the trial ends. Besides, maybe success here might encourage more VNs to come to Steam, and that can't be a bad thing.

It's over! I completed Fate/Stay Night. Now I need to watch Fate/Zero. To be honest, Heaven's Feel was the worst of the three. Maybe just because all I thought the whole time was "Oh god when will this end..." [editline]29th April 2012[/editline] Then again, today I didn't do anything except read the damn vn. For 12 hours! Urgh..

[QUOTE=Akasori;35761515]It's over! I completed Fate/Stay Night. Now I need to watch Fate/Zero. To be honest, Heaven's Feel was the worst of the three. Maybe just because all I thought the whole time was "Oh god when will this end..." [editline]29th April 2012[/editline] Then again, today I didn't do anything except read the damn vn. For 12 hours! Urgh..[/QUOTE] I liked the end of Heaven's feel and how badass it is, but way too much cooking in the arc. Who the fuck cares about eating Western or Eastern Breakfast anyway! [editline]29th April 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=DMY;35758710]I've just finished the full game, and I disagree - I thought it was pretty good. It's not very long, but it was enjoyable and intriguing. I thought the storytelling was interesting, though, being that it's built up in pieces in a non-linear fashion, as opposed to a traditional linear narrative, and therefore most of it is told through messages and notes. I always liked that sort of thing, though. However, you are right - you're not really involved with the story very heavily. Indeed, you barely have any impact beyond how you treat the two characters you interact with. It's worth noting you're never told who you're supposed to be, so when you're asked questions you can answer however you like without punishment. Anyway, being that the actual story happened 600 years ago and you're there to piece it together, it's kind of a given that you don't have much impact. But, if you're the sort of reader who prefers straight narratives (as most VNs are), then I can say this probably wouldn't be for you. The Korean names are a pain, I guess...I just kinda have trouble remembering characters if I don't have a face to attach to them, and you only ever see two people (they are the main characters, though). I, however, found it interesting to learn about a different culture, and things get a lot more interesting beyond the trial. It also gets darker and more scandalous. As for the feminism, really if you read the stuff that happens in this story and aren't even slightly bothered by it...I dunno, I can't complain about the feminism. It didn't feel forced to me, in fact I barely noticed it - it just came with the culture you're exploring. There's 5 endings to get, though I don't know how re-playable it is - I got the second ending and was satisfied enough with it. All in all I think it's a good little VN; However, I can see why people might not like it. It's not for everyone. If you're interested in it, try the demo out. If the storytelling format works for you, then get the full thing, as the story gets more interesting after the trial ends. Besides, maybe success here might encourage more VNs to come to Steam, and that can't be a bad thing.[/QUOTE] Meh, I guess I'll take your word for it. I just find the whole blocks of reading about things that didn't matter at all boring, while documents about the main characters were interesting. It's like having two documents, one is about something you can use, the other is about something that you have no need to know at all (Like the dynasties and shit). I don't want to read the no need to know, I want to read about what I can use.

Played through Saya no Uta all day. I actually became desensitized to a lot of the content about a quarter through the game, a little before [sp]You have to make the decision to either return your vision as it was before the accident or keep it as it is now[/sp]. Despite how short it was, I really thought it was remarkably well-done.

[QUOTE=Blitzkrieg Zero;35767795]Played through Saya no Uta all day. I actually became desensitized to a lot of the content about a quarter through the game, a little before [sp]You have to make the decision to either return your vision as it was before the accident or keep it as it is now[/sp]. Despite how short it was, I really thought it was remarkably well-done.[/QUOTE] Eventually you get used to it, but there's still some disturbing parts throughout the game. The worst part is everything up to that first choice, then it's pretty much just story focused with a few weird parts till the ending.

Need a new VN to play, any tips? Have only played Clannad (only one girl though so far) and katawa shoujo.

Do you want romance? Also check the OP

[QUOTE=Starship;35768797]Need a new VN to play, any tips? Have only played Clannad (only one girl though so far) and katawa shoujo.[/QUOTE] How about trying an another route? Almost every single one is really interesting.

[QUOTE=iLife_Aftermath;35768839]Do you want romance? Also check the OP[/QUOTE] Yeah I checked op but I'm not sure which one I should try, I'd prefer an opinion from someone who actually played one of the VNs. Romance is optional but I've only played VNs with romance so It could be fun to continue that way.

Why can I not install Fate/stay night properly? Whenever I try it asks for a Japanese disk and I can't find anything about it.

[QUOTE=Starship;35769051]Yeah I checked op but I'm not sure which one I should try, I'd prefer an opinion from someone who actually played one of the VNs. Romance is optional but I've only played VNs with romance so It could be fun to continue that way.[/QUOTE] Kanon is made by the same company that created CLANNAD, but some people can't stand the art. Also has the small-fantasy influence, but still stays semi-realistic. The "Da Capo" (Da Capo, Da Capo II) series is good in my opinion, both games are pretty easy and carries a good story, not as good as Clannad but it's pretty great. "Hoshizora no Memoria" is a game I recently finished and was really long, had great characters and art, and the final arc gave me a little tear in the eye. [editline]30th April 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Fenriswolf;35769094]Why can I not install Fate/stay night properly? Whenever I try it asks for a Japanese disk and I can't find anything about it.[/QUOTE] Are you installing it from a CD?

Playing Saya no Uta and jesus christ this is creepy. I'm home alone and [sp]the little girl just ate MC's best friend, what the flying fuck. [/sp]

So did [sp]the MC[/sp].

Just finished Saya no Uta [sp]What the fuck, that was the most disturbing shit I've ever seen, literally. And I've seen some shit, some really weird shit, like decapitated children and stuff, men getting executed on video and shit. This VN was so fucking disturbing I might have trouble sleeping. Help. [/sp]

[QUOTE=Starship;35772924]Just finished Saya no Uta [sp]What the fuck, that was the most disturbing shit I've ever seen, literally. And I've seen some shit, some really weird shit, like decapitated children and stuff, men getting executed on video and shit. This VN was so fucking disturbing I might have trouble sleeping. Help. [/sp][/QUOTE] It's really not that bad after the first choice, although it was pretty disturbing overall.

[QUOTE=iLife_Aftermath;35769939] [editline]30th April 2012[/editline] Are you installing it from a CD?[/QUOTE] No, I downloaded the installer off of Mirror Moon's website.

Most of the VNs in the OP have been played by either me or members of the thread. If there is an Opinion tab, then you can read one of the player's opinion about it. Aka I didn't add a visual novel I or the facepunch VN community wouldn't recommend. [editline]30th April 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Starship;35772924]Just finished Saya no Uta [sp]What the fuck, that was the most disturbing shit I've ever seen, literally. And I've seen some shit, some really weird shit, like decapitated children and stuff, men getting executed on video and shit. This VN was so fucking disturbing I might have trouble sleeping. Help. [/sp][/QUOTE] Yeah, I remember the first time I playthrough the entire thing and got the 'good' ending. Seriously, sleeping was fucking hard, I was like "What if I wake up and be like that" And I consider myself a hardened horror game player.

[QUOTE=Starship;35772924]Just finished Saya no Uta [sp]What the fuck, that was the most disturbing shit I've ever seen, literally. And I've seen some shit, some really weird shit, like decapitated children and stuff, men getting executed on video and shit. This VN was so fucking disturbing I might have trouble sleeping. Help. [/sp][/QUOTE] Welcome to manhood.

[QUOTE=Fenriswolf;35772952]No, I downloaded the installer off of Mirror Moon's website.[/QUOTE] It's only the English patch. You need to own the game before applying the patch.

I have almost entirely completed Steins;Gate now. Just a bit left of the different endings. But let's just say that I have cried a lot because of the ones I have seen so far.