The popularity of visual novels is on the rise in America. An increasing number of old and modern Japanese visual novels are being localized thanks to companies like Sekai Project, and Western developers such as Inkle are increasingly exploring the genre and expanding on it in the PC and mobile spaces. Visual novels are fascinating in that they rely heavily on text, but often use their visuals or design structure to engage the player and further advance their stories in ways that aren’t possible in traditional books.
If you’ve never experienced a visual novel and are uncertain about what they are, know that there are many different kinds, and many of those available in the U.S. include traditional gameplay components. Pure visual novels in the traditional sense often consist of clicking through dialogue boxes (as you see often in RPGs) or auto scrolling through the text. These traditional visual novels can feature voice acting and often provide dialogue choices that send you through different routes through the story. A majority of the visual novels in this guide are hybrids that are still text-heavy, but also feature gameplay components like puzzles or action scenarios. However, the focus is usually on the story and characters.
If you are curious about the genre and seeing its often amazing potential, this guide focuses on where to start. I’ve assembled it from my favorite visual novels, as well as with the input from the Game Informer editors and interns. Read on and you might just discover one of your new all-time favorite games.
Zero Escape: 999 and Virtue’s Last Reward
Platforms: 999 (DS, iOS*), Virtue’s Last Reward (3DS, Vita)
In 999, the protagonist is a college student named Junpei who is kidnapped from his apartment late at night by someone wearing a black jacket and a gas mask. He wakes up in an abandoned cruise ship that will sink in 9 hours. Eight other people have been brought there with him, and they are all asked to participate in the "Nonary game," with the prize being the right to escape. The narrative is broken up by a variety of escape-the-room puzzles, and the story diverges when you decide which of the puzzle rooms to tackle and the characters you bring into each room. The characters of 999 and its sequel, Virtue’s Last Reward, don’t adhere to standard archetypes and clichés, which makes you want to learn more about them and their motivations. Both novels feature different structures to enforce the themes of their story and use the medium to offer fantastic surprises.
*Note: Unless you absolutely have to, I don’t recommend 999 on iOS as that version strips away the puzzles and is weaker than the original DS experience. You will want to play 999 before its sequel Virtue’s Last Reward.
Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney series
Platforms: DS, 3DS, WiiWare, IOS, Android
The Ace Attorney series offers completely over-the-top courtroom drama and lovable characters. In the original game, you play as rookie defense attorney Phoenix Wright as he investigates crime scenes and argues his case in court. After you gather all your evidence, the main gameplay is in the courtrooms, where witnesses take the stand. The witnesses recount what they know, but inevitably their statements contradict the evidence. At that point you need to shout your objections and dismantle their argument via evidence and logic. My favorite part of the Ace Attorney series is how simple cases often evolve into scenarios far grander and crazier than they initially appear. As the stakes continue to rise, the infectious excitement grows. The characters that journey with you across the series make each adventure that much more enjoyable.
Frankenstein and 80 Days
Platforms: Frankenstein (IOS, Android), 80 Days (IOS, Android, Kindle)
Some developers like Inkle have remade classic stories as visual novels and have done so in fascinating ways. For example, Inkle’s Frankenstein has you playing as Victor himself as he creates his monster. Paragraphs of the story are presented to you, but you choose Victor’s responses to other characters in conversation, and the story develops from there. Inkle’s version of Around the World in 80 Days is very ambitious. 80 Days challenges you to navigate the world in 80 days, and if you’re online you can see the paths of others navigating across the globe. You get to meet and talk to people at all of the places you visit, which helps make each adventure your own and gives the game replay value.
Steins;Gate
Platforms: PC (coming to PS3 and Vita in 2015)
Steins;Gate is a time-travelling adventure with a very unusual protagonist. Rintaro Okabe is a self-proclaimed mad scientist, and he has unknowingly invented a time machine that can send text messages back in time. The sinister undertone of the story is delivered over time. Steins;Gate is one of the most pure visual novel on this list; it contains no gameplay whatsoever. The story does diverge in an interesting way, however, revolving around Okabe’s cell phone. If you get a phone call or a text message, you can ignore it or choose how to answer it. You learn about the many different characters and unravel the overarching mystery of the story depending on how you respond to others. Steins;Gate is a fantastic visual novel, and it also has a very good anime adaptation that’s worth checking out.
Up next: Danganronpa, Gamebooks, and more...