It’s not uncommon to see people argue whether or not visual novels are even video games and that’s fair. To understand whether or not a visual novel is a video game, we first have to define what a game is. Games are first and foremost an interactive medium, but a medium nonetheless designed to tell a story. Just like TV, film, novels etc. The difference between video games and any other medium is the degree of control you have over the kind of story you experience. Since the user can control certain parts of the game, everyone can experience the same narrative differently. Now what is a visual novel?
A visual novel is a primarily text based game featuring mostly static graphics (sometimes with idle character animations). Character sprites of characters appear on screen but generally there’s hordes of text and pictures. Think of it as an interactive manga or graphic novel. Most of the ‘game’ is spent reading walls of text then occasionally having the player make a decision which affects what happens, and eventually, the outcome of the game. Some examples are Steins;Gate and Fate/Stay Night. However, lots more visual novels have come to gaming platforms that involve the same formula with large gameplay segments and decision making. For example, Danganronpa and Virtue's Last Reward. It’s still debatable if visual novels like Fate/Stay Night and Steins;Gate are games but the other two are DEFINITELY video games.
A visual novel is a primarily text based game featuring mostly static graphics (sometimes with idle character animations). Character sprites of characters appear on screen but generally there’s hordes of text and pictures. Think of it as an interactive manga or graphic novel. Most of the ‘game’ is spent reading walls of text then occasionally having the player make a decision which affects what happens, and eventually, the outcome of the game. Some examples are Steins;Gate and Fate/Stay Night. However, lots more visual novels have come to gaming platforms that involve the same formula with large gameplay segments and decision making. For example, Danganronpa and Virtue's Last Reward. It’s still debatable if visual novels like Fate/Stay Night and Steins;Gate are games but the other two are DEFINITELY video games.
Visual novels are a pretty niche genre. Either you play them or you don’t. But they offer very good story telling and great characters. The better ones have intriguing and creative stories. Fate/Stay Night is about an event called the Holy Grail War. Every few years, seven Mages summon 'Heroic Spirits' as familiars to fight for the Grail. The summoned ‘Servants’ are well known people from folklore, legends and history (like Hercules or Alexander the Great). The winner of the Holy Grail War is then given a wish. There are three routes the game diverges into and has lots of great characters throughout the story which takes me to my next point. Visual novels have great characters that get properly explored because they make an effort to give everyone a thematic role and different personalities. Sometimes you get silly over the top characters that are a joy to experience. Even minor characters get chances to show what they have to offer the narrative and it’s a treat.
Another reason why people should be playing visual novels is because they offer some of the best types of gameplay. Brain stimulating gameplay. Ace Attorney: Phoenix Wright is a game where you take on the role of a rookie defense attorney. Every episode is a different murder case and you must investigate, interrogate and then prove your client innocent in court. The player has to pay attention to the information they’re given, sort it out and determine when to present the right pieces of evidence to contradictory statements made by NPCs (Non Player Characters). Professor Layton offers similar intellectual gameplay by constantly bombarding the player with tons of diverse puzzles to solve. For example a math problem or a puzzle that requires the player to use deductive reasoning in order to find the correct answer. Of course other games have puzzles and brain teaser segments but not many games center their gameplay on brain activity, actively believing in the player's competence. Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright were even popular enough to get a crossover game that combined both law cases and puzzle solving.
Another reason why people should be playing visual novels is because they offer some of the best types of gameplay. Brain stimulating gameplay. Ace Attorney: Phoenix Wright is a game where you take on the role of a rookie defense attorney. Every episode is a different murder case and you must investigate, interrogate and then prove your client innocent in court. The player has to pay attention to the information they’re given, sort it out and determine when to present the right pieces of evidence to contradictory statements made by NPCs (Non Player Characters). Professor Layton offers similar intellectual gameplay by constantly bombarding the player with tons of diverse puzzles to solve. For example a math problem or a puzzle that requires the player to use deductive reasoning in order to find the correct answer. Of course other games have puzzles and brain teaser segments but not many games center their gameplay on brain activity, actively believing in the player's competence. Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright were even popular enough to get a crossover game that combined both law cases and puzzle solving.
These types of games are jam packed with real world knowledge: psychology, science, philosophy, language, mathematics, history and more. The Zero Escape series is a complex and convoluted narrative but it’s well thought out. It has tons of engaging theories, thought experiments and paradoxes in the game such as the Ship of Theseus, Schrödinger's cat and the many-worlds interpretation. It offers an in depth look at the theories of renowned intellectuals and encourages you to have opinions about a variety of topics. I learned a lot playing Virtue’s Last Reward. The gameplay segments are about using the information and clues the player finds to escape the various locked rooms. Then there’s Valhalla, a cyberpunk bartending visual novel where you play as a bartender in a cyberpunk landscape just trying to make ends meet. Yet I learned a lot from that game just talking to various customers who came in for a drink because the dialogue is impressive and engaging.
Danganronpa is one of the visual novel that feels the most like a video game. Exploration (free roaming), RPG leveling up systems, equipping skills, investigation segments, puzzle solving, retaining and applying information and mini-games that take skill. Danganronpa is about 15 students at the prestigious Hope's Peak Academy, the greatest school in the world. But it’s truly a place full of despair. The only way to graduate is to murder one of your classmates and get away with it! After a murder takes place, the principal holds a class trial where the class tries to figure out whodunit. If the class accuses the correct person only the killer is executed. If they guess incorrectly everyone but the 'blackened' is executed. This game is the most well rounded visual novel, it has everything. Walls of text, plot, good characters, brain stimulation and actual skill based gameplay.
Danganronpa is one of the visual novel that feels the most like a video game. Exploration (free roaming), RPG leveling up systems, equipping skills, investigation segments, puzzle solving, retaining and applying information and mini-games that take skill. Danganronpa is about 15 students at the prestigious Hope's Peak Academy, the greatest school in the world. But it’s truly a place full of despair. The only way to graduate is to murder one of your classmates and get away with it! After a murder takes place, the principal holds a class trial where the class tries to figure out whodunit. If the class accuses the correct person only the killer is executed. If they guess incorrectly everyone but the 'blackened' is executed. This game is the most well rounded visual novel, it has everything. Walls of text, plot, good characters, brain stimulation and actual skill based gameplay.
Eroge visual novels heavy with sexual themes and fan service exist too. So if that's the kind of thing you're into, there are hentai or eroge packed games for all kinds of fetishes. I've played me a few: Space Pirate Sara, Kawata Shojo and Bible Black are some pretty well known examples.
In summation, while I get that visual novel can be a bit intimidating to get into, I highly recommend you try some. There are so many types that cover various genres. They are story rich, offer great brain food, compelling characters with depth and you should give some a chance. Ace Attorney, Professor Layton, Dangaronpa, Steins;Gate, Fate/stay night, Valhalla or the Zero Escape series are some great places to start. There’s a visual novel out there with your name on it, waiting to be discovered.
In summation, while I get that visual novel can be a bit intimidating to get into, I highly recommend you try some. There are so many types that cover various genres. They are story rich, offer great brain food, compelling characters with depth and you should give some a chance. Ace Attorney, Professor Layton, Dangaronpa, Steins;Gate, Fate/stay night, Valhalla or the Zero Escape series are some great places to start. There’s a visual novel out there with your name on it, waiting to be discovered.
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