Visual Novel Database

[Ussi]

As an avid visual novel player, I play these frequently. I like to talk about what I play, but visual novels by themselves probably aren't popular enough to have their own thread so I thought i'd make one to discuss about them in general.

So some ground rules:

1. No spoilers without spoiler tags
2. Talk about any visual novel you want besides pure eroge ones
3. Don't talk about the eroge part of visual novels
4. No linking people downloads of games, patches are fine. If you want to find out where to download games, give me a VM/PM


While i said there are no spoilers without spoiler tags, do be warned that there will still be minor spoilers such as names of hidden characters and hidden routes.


so I guess I'll start it off saying I played Clannad over thanksgiving break, finished it completely besides the extra baseball route and Sunohara end. Such a wonderful visual novel i recommend it to everyone and there is no eroge in it as well, so those who want to read a visual novel that is completely story based with no eroge, in fact no direct fanservice, this is a visual novel to play. (There is some hidden fan service in Yukine's route involving some other characters)

Clannad is a very basic high school setting visual novel, nothing can really be said about it besides its a great first visual novel to get into. You play as Okasaki who is a delinquent student and you interact with various kinds of girls. There is also an after story that is a continuation of the main heroine's story, Nagisa.

Each (required) route has a touching story to go with it. If i have to say my favorite routes they'd be Tomoyo's, Kotomi's, then Kyou's route.



I'll probably edit the OP with other visual novels i've played later on.

 

[fkacyan]

We can't discuss the absolutely hilariously bad wrting of the sex scenes?

What the **** is the point then?

EDIT: On that note, Fate/Stay Night and Tsukihime are good starter VNs that also have some excellent tie-ins in more interactive gaming / movies/ anime.

 

[Ussi]

Well i'm assuming that any form of discussing eroge would be against the forum rules.


I still need to play Fate/Stay Night and Tsukihime, its on my list of VNs to play during winter break.

I'mma make a list of good starting VNs so do shoot some suggestions as well.

 

[Kuraudo]

We can't discuss the absolutely hilariously bad wrting of the sex scenes?

What the **** is the point then?

EDIT: On that note, Fate/Stay Night and Tsukihime are good starter VNs that also have some excellent tie-ins in more interactive gaming / movies/ anime.

Oh god. It's like they hired a completely different writer for the smut scenes. Lmao

 

[fkacyan]

Well i'm assuming that any form of discussing eroge would be against the forum rules.


I still need to play Fate/Stay Night and Tsukihime, its on my list of VNs to play during winter break.

I'mma make a list of good starting VNs so do shoot some suggestions as well.

The bizarre fact about many VNs is that the erotic content actually figures into the story. Not even kidding, I can't make this **** up.

 

[Minato]

A visual novel thread? I'm okay with this. I've beaten a lot of VNs and there are some I'm still in the process of going through.
First VN I've ever played was Radical Dreamers way back on my computer.

Some of my favorites are Clannad, Kanon, Umineko no Naku Koro ni, Saya no Uta, and 999.
I'm still trying to finish up stuff like F/SN, Higurashi, and catch up with Little Busters.

A lot of the stuff I haven't finished are due to waiting on translations or because I've seen the anime so it's lower on my priority list.

The bizarre fact about many VNs is that the erotic content actually figures into the story. Not even kidding, I can't make this **** up.

Tsukihime's scenes are pretty bad so I'm dreading F/SN's whenever I reach them.

 

[F8AL]

Well i'm assuming that any form of discussing eroge would be against the forum rules.


I still need to play Fate/Stay Night and Tsukihime, its on my list of VNs to play during winter break.

I'mma make a list of good starting VNs so do shoot some suggestions as well.

Yes, I'll be keeping a close eye on this thread.

 

[fkacyan]

Yes, I'll be keeping a close eye on this thread.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand there goes any chance of my further posting.

Feel free to PM me to ask me about VNs, though, I've played quite a few.

 

[Rutger]

I'm a fan of Type-Moon stuff, and that's about it. F/SN would b my favorite.

I've wanted to give Umineko a try but not having a computer of my own for this past year has really hurt that.

I am also ready to clear the true end for 999 sometime soon.


Oh, and I guess Phoenix Wright games kind of fall into this too. I like those.

 

[Ussi]

A lot of the stuff I haven't finished are due to waiting on translations or because I've seen the anime so it's lower on my priority list.

I make it a rule to myself to play the VN before watching the anime. When i watch an anime based of VNs i just go "AIUHNfiewjgvloew I like this heroine better!" and get angry. Playing the VN first, i then see the story with the girl i like then go alright lets go watch the anime.

 

[Minato]

I make it a rule to myself to play the VN before watching the anime. When i watch an anime based of VNs i just go "AIUHNfiewjgvloew I like this heroine better!" and get angry. Playing the VN first, i then see the story with the girl i like then go alright lets go watch the anime.

Yeah. Generally I try to read the VNs first since I love VNs, but beggars can't be choosers due to translations.
But that is a good rule though, especially since most (if not all) VNs are better than their adaptations.

 

[jamlosingthegame]

Heh, Ussi putting the God of Conquests as the first picture on this thread.

People I talk to don't generally like VNs, but they did say good things about Umineko and Sharin no Kuni (which I need to get again after reformatting my laptop). Anyone else played SnK? I wanna know if my friends' words are true.

Ones I ever really completed is Shuffle!! and 999, and I did most of Da Capo and Da Capo II (no 100% CG though). I have F/SN, but I'm not too interested in VNs to bother with them. Give me some really good ones that would hook me back to them. I might read some over winter break.

EDIT: I actually want to know the girls in that picture. I only know about half, and recognize half of who I don't know.

 

[asianaussie]

For VN virgins, I'd just go ahead and recommend Phoenix Wright (under 18s) because it's sort of westernised, or Shuffle (over 18), since it's quality (you play Clannad first and every highschool VN after it becomes dull).

Fate/Stay Night is amazing, incomparable to either Da Capo or Shuffle (all three of which I've forced myself through). Well, Da Capo 2 and Shuffle are quality, but still not on the same level. Sharin no Kuni is similarly amazing, it starts off a bit wtf but it is legitimately one of the best I've played, and I've played most of the 'top' titles.

Sunohara end is THE BEST END, CANON END DEFINITELY (i liked kotomi end best, but im a sucker for both the book girl and

Spoiler

childhood friend

heroines)

the best VN i've played to date is Muv-Luv Alternative (ridiculously amazing stuff), the drawback being you have to yawn your way through Muv-Luv Extra and Unlimited first

so

1) Muv-Luv Alternative
2) Clannad
3) Sharin no Kuni; Himawari no Shoujo (Wheel Country, Sunflower Girl)
4) Fate/Stay Night
5) G-Senjou no Maou (Devil on the G-String)

Phoenix Wright 3 goes in there somewhere.

I'm really looking forward to Little Busters...waiting for the TL to finalise itself.

Note: everything I mentioned sans Clannad, Little Busters (not Ecstasy) and some of the console Japanese-only ports of the above titles are 18+, don't say I didn't warn you.

 

[Ussi]

I've played Sharin no Kuni, but not the afterstory one though sadly.

Its a 1 time play VN though, the only replay value is to see H-scenes of the other girls, otherwise its the same situations always. The story is still fairly good, but I wouldn't really put it that high. Its nice though that the protagonist is a genius for once though.

Another 1 time VN i'd recommend Sekien no Inganock. I think its cute, though it has a few H-scenes, its quite the poetry the VN


Da Capo I/II really pale in comparison to Clannad. Clannad really puts the standards high for high school VNs. I thought Da Capo I/II used to be good, but after playing Clannad, the story in Da Capo I/II really lacks..

 

[asianaussie]

A lot of people say that G-Senjou no Maou (directly comparable, given it's the same engine, same producers, etc) is just a lot better, but I liked SnK more. There are enough huge plot twists to shunt it up there. The surreal story and the raw emotion in some of the characters (particularly Masaomi) really made the story for me. Also, one plot twist in particular let me experience a real jaw drop for the first time in my life (I'm sure you know the one).

I wouldn't judge a VN by replay value, Muv-Luv Alternative is a linear story with only minor choice deviations.

The fandisc 'sequel' is meh. Shows how Masaomi became the ******* that he is. The other 'after stories' are parades of HCGs, from what I know, though I am curious about the other side story.

 

[Ussi]

I haven't played G-Senjou no Maou, but its on my list of VNs to play over winter break. I've heard good things about it.

I don't consider replay value when it comes to playing a VN, but it is a boost to a VN's likability to have replay value.

 

[asianaussie]

The best part of playing Tsukihime and F/SN is being able to enjoy Carnival Phantasm in its entirety.

Oh, and they're spectacular in their own right etc

 

[Kuraudo]

The best part of playing Tsukihime and F/SN is being able to enjoy Carnival Phantasm in its entirety.

Oh, and they're spectacular in their own right etc

True. So darn true. I'm having a hard time deciding between Tsukihime or Fate/Stay Night as my favorite of the two tbh...

[EDIT]

Fate/Stay Night has one of my favorite villains

Spoiler

(Kotomine....KIREIII!!!)

while Tsukihime has Arcueid. ...damnit. lol

 

[Minato]

That might be considered a spoiler for F/SN, Kuraudo. lol. I'd edit that just in case.
And while I finished Tsukihime and I haven't finished all of F/SN yet, I think the writing is a lot better in F/SN.

Plus Tsukihime has a lot of slow parts compared to F/SN.

 

[PsychoIncarnate]

So, this is some kind of porn game?

 

[asianaussie]

everything from japan is porn in some way

and once you play heavens feel (with or without apostrophe), nothing in tsukihime will feel long, lol

 

[jamlosingthegame]

Yep that's definitely a spoiler there.

 

[Ussi]

So, this is some kind of porn game?

I'd say 70% of all VNs have eroge in it, but half the VNs made are probably pure eroge due to how easy it is to make compared to a real novel. That said, the eroge part of the game isn't being discussed here.

everything from japan is porn in some way

and once you play heavens feel (with or without apostrophe), nothing in tsukihime will feel long, lol

yea Japan has porn in everything

 

[Ussi]

VNs tend to get adapted as animes, and well I'm watching the Clannad anime and I must say they converted it from a VN quite nicely. In fact its better to play VNs before watching the anime because you understand whats going on in the anime, what route is what and so on.

Its quite funny seeing Tomoya in a harem when in the VN that doesn't happen, so its like a harem route imo xD

 

[Sky Pirate]

If it's a database, shouldn't there be a listing? =P

Cross Channel is a pretty good VN. It's an eroge, but there's an option to completely omit the ero scenes (which should be an option on all VNs with good storylines T_T).
It also has a slow start and repeats itself a lot, but it's really good when it gets going.

 

[Ussi]

Anyone whose a veteran to playing VNs should understand the title of the thread

That's nifty that there is an eroge skip. All eroge scenes are same really, i'm just interested in the story.

 

[jamlosingthegame]

Anyone whose a veteran to playing VNs should understand the title of the thread

http://vndb.org/ Tee hee

I have heard that there are VNs with important plot in eroge scenes (Shuffle!! >_>).

Cross Channel is another one I've heard good things about.

 

[asianaussie]

F/SN has plot in eroge scenes

And you could argue Kotomi route is harem route. Sorta.

Kanon 06 is better than the VN

 

[Minato]

Same goes for Saya no Uta.

Kanon 06 is better than the VN

Pretty much. I did enjoy the VN though, even if all of it was adapted aside from some parts that couldn't fit into the anime like Nayuki's, Mai's, and Sayuri's endings. I think the other endings were about the same as they could be from what I remembered.

 

[Ussi]

Kotomi is no harem end, he ends up with Kotomi o-O;; the other characters in Kotomi's route

Spoiler

emphasis on Kotomi's progress from having no friends to having friends. The route isn't only about Kotomi's relationship with Okazaki, but also her change in herself to talk with others and make friends.

I figured some eroge would be plot related, but haven't read a VN where it was yet.


Clannad's anime adaption had some OVAs where they did Tomoyo's and Kyou's ending instead. Too bad it was only 1 episode for each.

 

[asianaussie]

i still have to play ever 17, saya no uta and that game from age which isn't muv-luv

and higurashi/umineko

and ok, not harem, but kyou/ryou/nagisa's presences in kotomi's route really strong in comparison to heroines in other routes

kotomi da bess

 

[Ussi]

Very true, but that was because of what I said in the spoiler.

I could say Nagisa's presence is also strong in Fuuko's route as well.

 

[Minato]

Oh right, Ever17. I keep forgetting to play that. I'll do that after I finish all the VNs that are currently installed.
Can't wait until this quarter is over so I can play some more.

 

[jamlosingthegame]

Ever17 has a similar setting to 999. I remember that when I looked it up after playing 999 I wanted to try it.

 

[Ussi]

Is it fine to talk about anime in here? (at least comparing it to the VN)

Clannad's after story in the anime is still the normal story's other routes.. Episode 1 was the baseball route and episodes 2, 3, and 4 are Mei's route... when am I gonna see the after story? lol

 

[asianaussie]

the anime doesn't have Akio or Sanae route in proper detail iirc, went straight to the dramatic part

i get chills whenever i even think about ushio's theme

 

[Ussi]

Misae's ending in the anime makes her look like a furry.

 

[jamlosingthegame]

You know what we should play? This.

 

[Lore]

No one here has played Ever 17? That's my favorite game ever, hands down.

I've also played Tsukihime, Kagetsu Tohya, and Yume Miru Kusuri, and they were all fantastic.

I'm playing Remember 11 now, and it's amazing. It's the same universe as Ever 17. :3

 

[asianaussie]

Yume Miru Kusuri wrung some emotion out of me. A lot of good emotion. And some evil, violent bullying emotion that I never want to see surface again. You know exactly which scene I'm talking about.