Novels on Russian PC. Best Visual Novels
Visual novels are a rather peculiar phenomenon, representing a kind of synthesis of manga and computer games. From anime and manga they inherited a characteristic graphic style, and from games - the interactivity of the narrative. Today, the variety of genres and themes of visual novel storytelling allows everyone to find something they like, but in this rating we will try to highlight the ten most successful and beloved works by players.
10
Lost among the dark streets of the city of the future there is a Bar, where only dark personalities go. The heroine of the novel, Jill, meets them at the bar so that, after mixing a cocktail according to her own recipe, she can find out other people’s secrets or otherwise influence the behavior of the characters. Everything happens in a stylish cyberpunk setting, the main goal of the player is to interact with visitors.
9
The heroine, who has lost her memory, travels through parallel worlds in search of her memories. Talking with different characters, she gradually restores fragments of the lost past, but each new meeting at any moment can destroy the entire already established picture. The exciting quest is complemented by an excellent visual component - the elaboration of all the characters is excellent.
8
Hope's Peak Academy became a prison for fifteen schoolchildren. The sinister creature, appearing in the form of a toy bear, will allow only those schoolchildren who can secretly kill one of their comrades to leave the walls of the institution. But this is not enough - the crime must not be solved, otherwise the killer will face trial and retribution for his deed. The plot of the novella is built on the principle of a hermetic detective story.
7
The small town of Joga is hidden in the mountains, and teenager Hiroshi Kuzumi moves here. At first, the place does not seem strange to him, but very soon a representative of the school committee opaquely hints to the boy that it is better to stay away from the streets of the old settlement and under no circumstances appear there after sunset. Hiroshi is intrigued, and gradually it becomes known to him that sacrifices were once made to terrible wolf gods in the town.
6
An extraordinary survival game, an exciting thriller that keeps you in suspense from beginning to end. Ziro, the antagonist of the story, is a mad genius. He plays with people's lives, locking them in a room from which it is not so easy to find a way out. They all must take part in a cruel roulette game in which the bet is life. Unpredictable plot twists and exciting climaxes set the novel apart from similar games.
5
This popular visual novel is based on the classic Chinese romance of the Three Kingdoms, only here it is not stern men who stand up to defend the homeland, but beautiful sexy beauties. The warrior maiden Kanu, together with her fighting friends, participates in various adventures, fights, and gets into trouble. A lot of attention is paid to the interaction of characters.
4
In the world of Cyborg Killer, martial arts developed through the education of the body or the education of the spirit. With the advent of future technologies, those who rely only on their own flesh in battle readily replace parts of it with cybernetic prosthetics. But in this way they weaken their spiritual energy. Kong Taolo developed his fortitude to the limit, which allowed him to become the most dangerous killer in the world, able to cope even with cyborgs.
3
In a world where magic reigns, a group of wizards have been fighting for centuries for the right to own the Holy Grail. There is a belief that an artifact can make absolutely any desire of its owner come true. Fights are fought through the use of summoned servants - famous characters from the myths of the peoples of the world, as well as historical heroes, such as Alexander the Great.
2
Gloomy and dark visual novel reveals the most base sides of human nature. The story of a group of people who survived a devastating earthquake in the midst of a harsh winter. Stuck in the middle of the ruins, freezing, with no hope of salvation, the heroes of the story gradually lose their human appearance, plunging more and more into the abyss of madness.
1
The iconic visual novel Song of Saya tells the tragic story of a young medical student, Fuminori. After the death of his parents, he slowly descends into madness: the world turns into a nightmare due to terrible hallucinations. The appearance of the charming girl Saya becomes a ray of light for the hero. He undertakes to help her in search of her father, but Fuminori’s condition is getting worse...
In the world of Naruto, two years flew by unnoticed. Former newcomers joined the ranks of experienced shinobi at the rank of chunin and jonin. The main characters did not sit still - each became a student of one of the legendary Sannin - the three great ninjas of Konoha. The guy in orange continued his training with the wise but eccentric Jiraiya, gradually ascending to a new level of combat skill. Sakura became the assistant and confidant of the healer Tsunade, the new leader of the Leaf Village. Well, Sasuke, whose pride led to his expulsion from Konoha, entered into a temporary alliance with the sinister Orochimaru, and each believes that they are only using the other for the time being.
The brief respite ended, and events once again rushed with hurricane speed. In Konoha, the seeds of old strife sown by the first Hokage are sprouting again. The mysterious Akatsuki leader has set in motion a plan for world domination. There is turmoil in the Sand Village and neighboring countries, old secrets are resurfacing everywhere, and it is clear that bills will have to be paid someday. The long-awaited continuation of the manga has breathed new life into the series and new hope into the hearts of countless fans!
© Hollow, World Art
Swordsman Tatsumi, a simple boy from the countryside, goes to the Capital to earn money for his starving village.
And when he gets there, he soon learns that the great and beautiful Capital is just an appearance. The city is mired in corruption, cruelty and lawlessness that comes from the Prime Minister, who rules the country from behind the scenes.
But as everyone knows, “Alone in the field is no warrior,” and nothing can be done about it, especially when your enemy is the head of state, or rather the one who hides behind him.
Will Tatsumi find like-minded people and be able to change something? Watch and find out for yourself.
Fairy Tail is a Guild of Hired Wizards, famous throughout the world for its crazy antics. The young sorceress Lucy was sure that, having become one of its members, she had found herself in the most wonderful Guild in the world... until she met her comrades - the explosive fire-breathing and sweeping away everything in his path Natsu, the flying talking cat Happy, the exhibitionist Gray , the boring berserker Elsa, the glamorous and loving Loki... Together they will have to defeat many enemies and experience many unforgettable adventures!
18-year-old Sora and 11-year-old Shiro are half-brother and sister, complete recluses and gambling addicts. When two loneliness met, the indestructible union “Empty Space” was born, terrifying all Eastern gamers. Although in public the boys are shaken and distorted in ways that are not childish, on the Internet little Shiro is a genius of logic, and Sora is a monster of psychology who cannot be fooled. Alas, worthy opponents soon ran out, which is why Shiro was so happy about the chess game, where the master’s handwriting was visible from the first moves. Having won to the limit of their strength, the heroes received an interesting offer - to move to another world, where their talents will be understood and appreciated!
Why not? In our world, nothing holds Sora and Shiro, and the cheerful world of Disboard is ruled by the Ten Commandments, the essence of which boils down to one thing: no violence and cruelty, all disagreements are resolved in fair play. There are 16 races living in the game world, of which the human race is considered the weakest and most untalented. But the miracle guys are already here, in their hands is the crown of Elquia - the only country of people, and we believe that the successes of Sora and Shiro will not be limited to this. The Earth's envoys just need to unite all the races of Disbord - and then they will be able to challenge the god Tet - by the way, an old friend of theirs. But if you think about it, is it worth doing?
© Hollow, World Art
Fairy Tail is a Guild of Hired Wizards, famous throughout the world for its crazy antics. The young sorceress Lucy was sure that, having become one of its members, she had found herself in the most wonderful Guild in the world... until she met her comrades - the explosive fire-breathing and sweeping away everything in his path Natsu, the flying talking cat Happy, the exhibitionist Gray , the boring berserker Elsa, the glamorous and loving Loki... Together they will have to defeat many enemies and experience many unforgettable adventures!
University student Kaneki Ken ends up in a hospital as a result of an accident, where he is mistakenly transplanted with the organs of one of the ghouls - monsters that feed on human flesh. Now he himself becomes one of them, and for people he turns into an outcast subject to destruction. But can he become one of the other ghouls? Or is there no more room for him in the world now? This anime will tell about the fate of Kaneki and the impact he will have on the future of Tokyo, where there is a continuous war between two species.
The continent that lies in the center of the Ignola ocean is the large central one and four more - Southern, Northern, Eastern and Western, and the gods themselves look after it, and it is called Ente Isla.
And there is a name that plunges anyone on Ente Isla into Horror - the Lord of Darkness Mao.
He is the master of the other world where all the dark creatures live.
He is the embodiment of fear and horror.
The Lord of Darkness Mao declared war on the human race and sowed death and destruction throughout the continent of Ente Isla.
The Lord of Darkness was served by 4 powerful generals.
Adramelech, Lucifer, Alciel and Malacoda.
The four Demon Generals led the attack on the 4 parts of the continent. However, a hero appeared and spoke out against the army of the underworld. The hero and his comrades defeated the troops of the Lord of Darkness in the west, then Adramelech in the north and Malacoda in the south. The hero led the united army of the human race and launched an attack on the central continent where the castle of the Lord of Darkness stood...
Yato is a wandering Japanese god in the form of a thin, blue-eyed youth in a tracksuit. In Shintoism, the power of a deity is determined by the number of believers, but our hero has no temple, no priests, all donations fit into a sake bottle. The guy in the neckerchief works as a handyman, painting advertisements on the walls, but things are going very badly. Even the tongue-in-cheek Mayu, who worked as a shinki—Yato’s Sacred Weapon—for many years, left her master. And without weapons, the younger god is no stronger than an ordinary mortal magician; he has to (what a shame!) hide from evil spirits. And who needs such a celestial being anyway?
One day, a pretty high school girl, Hiyori Iki, threw herself under a truck to save some guy in black. It ended badly - the girl did not die, but gained the ability to “leave” her body and walk on the “other side.” Having met Yato there and recognizing the culprit of her troubles, Hiyori convinced the homeless god to heal her, for he himself admitted that no one can live long between worlds. But, having gotten to know each other better, Iki realized that the current Yato did not have enough strength to solve her problem. Well, you need to take matters into your own hands and personally guide the tramp on the right path: first, find a weapon for the unlucky one, then help him earn money, and then, you see, what happens. It’s not for nothing that they say: what a woman wants, God wants!
© Hollow, World Art
There are many dormitories at Suimei University Arts High School, and there is also the Sakura Apartment House. While hostels have strict rules, everything is possible at Sakura, which is why its local nickname is “madhouse.” Since in art genius and madness are always somewhere nearby, the inhabitants of the “cherry orchard” are talented and interesting guys who are too far out of the “swamp”. Take, for example, the noisy Misaki, who sells her own anime to major studios, her friend and playboy screenwriter Jin, or the reclusive programmer Ryunosuke, who communicates with the world only via the Internet and telephone. Compared to them, the main character Sorata Kanda is a simpleton who ended up in a “psychiatric hospital” just for... loving cats!
Therefore, Chihiro-sensei, the head of the dormitory, instructed Sorata, as the only sane guest, to meet her cousin Mashiro, who was transferring to their school from distant Britain. The fragile blonde seemed like a real bright angel to Kanda. True, at a party with new neighbors, the guest behaved stiffly and said little, but the newly minted admirer attributed everything to understandable stress and fatigue from the road. Only real stress awaited Sorata in the morning when he went to wake up Mashiro. The hero realized with horror that his new friend, a great artist, was absolutely out of this world, that is, she was not even able to dress herself! And the insidious Chihiro is right there - from now on, Kanda will forever look after her sister, because the guy has already practiced on cats!
© Hollow, World Art
In the 21st century, the world community finally managed to systematize the art of magic and raise it to a new level. Those who are able to use magic after completing the ninth grade in Japan are now welcome in magic schools - but only if applicants pass the exam. The quota for admission to the First School (Hachioji, Tokyo) is 200 students, the best hundred are enrolled in the first department, the rest are in the reserve, in the second, and teachers are assigned only to the first hundred, “Flowers”. The rest, the “Weeds,” learn on their own. At the same time, there is always an atmosphere of discrimination in the school, because even the forms of both departments are different.
Shiba Tatsuya and Miyuki were born 11 months apart, making them the same year in school. Upon entering the First School, his sister finds himself among the Flowers, and his brother among the Weeds: despite his excellent theoretical knowledge, the practical part is not easy for him.
In general, we are waiting for the study of a mediocre brother and an exemplary sister, as well as their new friends - Chiba Erika, Saijo Leonhart (or just Leo) and Shibata Mizuki - at the school of magic, quantum physics, the Tournament of Nine Schools and much more...
© Sa4ko aka Kiyoso
The "Seven Deadly Sins", once great warriors revered by the British. But one day, they are accused of trying to overthrow the monarchs and killing a warrior from the Holy Knights. Subsequently, the Holy Knights stage a coup d'état and seize power into their own hands. And the “Seven Deadly Sins”, now outcasts, scattered throughout the kingdom, in all directions. Princess Elizabeth was able to escape from the castle. She decides to go in search of Meliodas, the leader of the Seven Sins. Now all seven must unite again to prove their innocence and avenge their expulsion.
2021 An unknown virus "Gastrea" came to earth and destroyed almost all of humanity in a matter of days. But this is not just a virus like some kind of Ebola or Plague. He doesn't kill a person. Gastrea is an intelligent infection that rearranges DNA, turning the host into a terrible monster.
The war began and eventually 10 years passed. People have found a way to isolate themselves from the infection. The only thing that Gastrea cannot tolerate is a special metal - Varanium. It was from this that people built huge monoliths and surrounded Tokyo with them. It seemed that now the few survivors could live behind the monoliths in peace, but alas, the threat has not gone away. Gastrea is still waiting for the right moment to infiltrate Tokyo and destroy the few remnants of humanity. There is no hope. The extermination of people is only a matter of time. But the terrible virus also had another effect. There are those who are already born with this virus in their blood. These children, the "Cursed Children" (Exclusively girls) have superhuman strength and regeneration. In their bodies, the spread of the virus is many times slower than in the body of an ordinary person. Only they can resist the creatures of “Gastrea” and humanity has nothing more to count on. Will our heroes be able to save the remaining living people and find a cure for the terrifying virus? Watch and find out for yourself.
The story in Steins,Gate takes place a year after the events of Chaos,Head.
The game's intense story takes place partly in the realistically recreated Akahibara district, a famous otaku shopping destination in Tokyo. The plot is as follows: a group of friends installs a device in Akihibara to send text messages to the past. A mysterious organization called SERN is interested in the experiments of the game's heroes, which is also engaged in its own research in the field of time travel. And now friends have to make enormous efforts to avoid being captured by SERN.
© Hollow, World Art
Added Episode 23β, which serves as an alternate ending and lead-up to the sequel in SG0.
Thirty thousand players from Japan and many more from around the world suddenly found themselves locked in the massively multiplayer online role-playing game Legend of the Ancients. On the one hand, gamers were physically transported to a new world; the illusion of reality turned out to be almost flawless. On the other hand, the “victims” retained their previous avatars and acquired skills, user interface and leveling system, and death in the game only led to resurrection in the cathedral of the nearest large city. Realizing that there was no great goal, and no one named the price for exit, the players began to flock together - some to live and rule by the law of the jungle, others - to resist lawlessness.
Shiroe and Naotsugu, in the world a student and a clerk, in the game - a cunning magician and a powerful warrior, have known each other for a long time from the legendary “Mad Tea Party” guild. Alas, those days are gone forever, but in the new reality you can meet old acquaintances and just good guys with whom you will not be bored. And most importantly, an indigenous population has appeared in the world of Legends, who consider the aliens to be great and immortal heroes. Involuntarily, you want to become a kind of knight of the Round Table, beating dragons and saving girls. Well, there are plenty of girls around, monsters and robbers too, and for relaxation there are cities like hospitable Akiba. The main thing is that you shouldn’t die in the game, it’s much more correct to live like a human being!
© Hollow, World Art
The ghoul race has existed since time immemorial. Its representatives are not at all against people, they even love them - mainly in their raw form. Lovers of human flesh are outwardly indistinguishable from us, strong, fast and tenacious - but there are few of them, so ghouls have developed strict rules for hunting and camouflage, and violators are punished themselves or quietly handed over to fighters against evil spirits. In the age of science, people know about ghouls, but as they say, they are used to it. The authorities do not consider cannibals a threat; moreover, they view them as an ideal basis for creating super-soldiers. Experiments have been going on for a long time...
The main character Ken Kaneki faces a painful search for a new path, because he realized that people and ghouls are similar: it’s just that some literally eat each other, others figuratively. The truth of life is cruel, it cannot be changed, and the one who does not turn away is strong. And then somehow!
In the world of Hunter x Hunter, there is a class of people called Hunters who, using psychic powers and trained in all manner of fighting, explore the wild corners of the mostly civilized world. The main character, a young man named Gon (Gun), is the son of the great Hunter himself. His father mysteriously disappeared many years ago, and now, having grown up, Gon (Gong) decides to follow in his footsteps. Along the way he finds several companions: Leorio, an ambitious medical doctor whose goal is to get rich. Kurapika is the only survivor of his clan, whose goal is revenge. Killua is the heir to a family of assassins whose goal is training. Together they achieve their goal and become Hunters, but this is only the first step on their long journey... And ahead is the story of Killua and his family, the story of Kurapika’s revenge and, of course, training, new tasks and adventures! The series stopped with Kurapika's revenge... What awaits us next after all these years?
The action takes place in an alternate reality where the existence of demons has long been recognized; There is even an island in the Pacific Ocean - “Itogamijima”, where demons are full citizens and have equal rights with people. However, there are also human magicians who hunt them, in particular, vampires. An ordinary Japanese schoolboy named Akatsuki Kojou for some unknown reason turned into a “purebred vampire”, the fourth in number. He begins to be followed by a young girl, Himeraki Yukina, or "blade shaman", who is supposed to monitor Akatsuki and kill him if he gets out of control.
The story tells of a young man named Saitama, who lives in a world ironically similar to ours. He is 25, bald and handsome, and, moreover, so strong that with one blow he can annihilate all dangers to humanity. He is looking for himself on the difficult path of life, simultaneously handing out slaps to monsters and villains.
Now you have to play the game. What kind of game it will be will be decided by roulette. The bet in the game will be your life. After death, people who died at the same time go to Queen Decim, where they have to play a game. But in fact, what is happening to them here is the Heavenly Judgment.
A visual novel is a subgenre of text quests, where the gamer participates little in the gameplay, mainly being an observer, a spectator. Sometimes he is required to make a decision that will affect the further development of events.
What genre is it
Visual novel is not a virtual dating simulator, as it is characterized by a large gaming audience. In such entertainment, the player mainly follows the development of events on the other side of the screen. The plot is revealed through text inserts, pictures, animation, sound and musical compositions. Also, fragments of anime-style videos began to appear in the novels.
A genre appeared in the land of the rising sun. It also develops there and is popular mainly among teenagers.
Peculiarities
Visual novels have unique features that distinguish them from dating simulators.
- A short story can include several genres: fantasy, horror, science fiction, love story.
- The story is an important part of the gameplay, unlike quests.
- The presence of ecchi scenes (anime with elements of erotica and explicit scenes with a hint of sexual intercourse, without its demonstration).
With the advent of Western countries on the market, games in the romance genre began to be transferred to portable devices on Android and consoles with the removal of erotic scenes.
Game process
The story is told from the first person, the protagonist is an observer of the development of events. The visual part consists of a background that changes every day, part or location, and sprites - the characters. Often the story is divided into days rather than chapters, allowing progress to be assessed each evening.
Important moments are accompanied by the visualization of large images with a lot of small details and may differ in style from the main scene. These inserts can be viewed at any time after they are opened. To see them all, you will have to play through the game several times, making different choices at branching points in the plot.
Some representatives of the genre (Symphonic Rain is an example) require the user to solve a simple task performed in the form of a mini-game. In this case, you need to play the specified melody on an unknown musical instrument.
Branches in the genre
Novels are divided into several types; among all, we will consider the most popular.
Sound
A very mediocre picture is actually completely replaced by high-quality sound. Music is often written specifically for the game, and the roles of the characters are voiced by professional voice actors. There are very few such games in Russian.
Adventure (ADV)
Text is displayed in a small window in the corner (usually bottom left), the rest of the space is occupied by a background with characters. Brief, frequently changing sentences, colorful effects, beautiful windows for selecting actions are the characteristic features of the subtype.
Otome
Games for girls, where one lady is surrounded by bishounen men - young and femininely handsome.
Kinetic
The player is only a spectator; due to the lack of plot branches, he is unable to influence the course of events.
Hi all! Below I have collected the best visual novels, I have not tried everything, 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 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 the best choices through trial and error), and also has a “fast forward” mode for text already encountered in previous playthroughs.
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 pictures made in anime style, pleasant visualization and an 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
A Japanese romantic visual novel with elements of eroge, in which a girl-like protagonist finds himself studying at an all-girls 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 the further development of the 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 episode, the player will be able to see a summary of the next one. 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 on the theme of yuri (love relationships between female representatives) with elements of hentai. 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 about high school student Riki Naoe, who is part of 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 a large number of girls available for relationships (there were nine of them). In addition, the extended version expanded the main storyline 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 is an interesting project for anyone 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, he can either answer it or ignore it. In this case, received text messages will be displayed in a special way, and will affect the available response options for 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. An exciting and funny story, as well as many 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. In seven intense days, the main character must understand whether what happened was a chance for a 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 certainly appeal to fans of 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 of constant tension 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 spends most of the time reading 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 is 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. The main character only recently got here, but quickly met five different girls, one of whom, by the will of the player, he will remain with in the end.
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 are unlocked after completing the first). 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 nice 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.
