Otaku who want a change of pace from the usual manga and anime experience are likely to appreciate the gaming angle of visual novels. After all, visual novels (VNs) go beyond the usual storytelling niche of light novels through choices. In turn, VNs provide a unique replay value for readers by letting them choose their favored outcome to a story.
However, this "choose-your-own-adventure" gimmick can lose its luster in stories with rather long opening arcs. While a long exposition can become a dealbreaker to storytelling fans, some VNs do offer a huge payoff by the time they go full-throttle. Just which visual novels offer a crazy ride by the time readers finally grasp the narrative?
Updated on May 25, 2022, by Rhenn Taguiam: With visual novels coming in 2022 such as Ghostwire: Tokyo - Prelude and Persona 4 Arena Ultimax shining light into other acclaimed games in their respective franchises, fans might want to get to know other visual novels that could pique their interest. Among recommended visual novels include stories revolving around death games, a serial murder, a haunted house, or even a cyberpunk bartender. With these games offering their fair share of intense stories and odd minigames, which of these visual novels are must-plays for players regardless of their rough opening hours?
15 Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Fans of the “death game” concept will find something similar in Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, especially with its premise. Ordinary student Makoto Naegi thinks he’s out for greatness after enrolling at Hope’s Peak Academy, only for a murderous bear named Monokuma to subject him and his classmates to death games. With their lives on the line, Makoto would have to investigate just who Monokuma is.
Thing is, the game tries to get away from the typical visual novel formula and instead uses a whodunit approach to identify the killer through various minigames. Some players out for serious stories might find this concept a bit disconcerting, but spending a few hours into the game can make the mini-game-fueled murder mystery quite a gimmicky approach to the genre, making Danganronpa a rather unique take that players who love the genre may want to give a shot.
14 Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward
In an alternate take on the death game, players of Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward take control of the character Sigma as he and other abducted victims try to investigate the nature of their disappearance. Unfortunately, they need to survive the Nonary Game first, which is a game that puts them in life-or-death situations that test their perseverance.
Similar to Danganronpa, Zero Escape has escape sections featuring puzzles that players need to complete in order to “survive” the Nonary Game, and there are novel sections where players can read through the story. While the game’s story is something of note, the rather immersion-breaking nature of the escape sections can make it a challenge for players to appreciate the game to its fullest. However, players who try to push through despite these segments can find Zero Escape a thrill to enjoy.
13 VA-11 Hall A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
Players looking for a change of pace in the visual novel genre might appreciate VA-11 Hall A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action, which its developer Sukeban Games made primarily as a non-linear adventure title. Unlike other visual novels where players traverse a storyline through dialogue, players simply prepare various drinks for their patrons and progress through various storylines based on how well they create these drinks.
While the unorthodox nature of the game can attract some fans, this rather open-ended formula can make it seem like VA-11 Hall A doesn’t have a concrete storyline. However, players who go with the flow and start playing through the game’s everyday routine can find themselves enjoying the stories of Jill’s many patrons - and especially how subtle details of their adventures seem to connect.
12 The House In Fata Morgana
In a rather unique twist in the visual novel concept, The House In Fata Morgana is set in a mansion across alternating time periods. Starring an amnesiac spirit, they meet a Maid who helps them explore their past, with the players in charge of helping the spirit regain its lost memories through time.
While the scattered timeframes can definitely make players a bit confused on the get-go, playing casually through the story can help players piece together relevant details that cement the personality of their amnesiac spirit. And while some story elements seem to be missing, out of intentional storytelling, players can find The House In Fata Morgana a more complete experience once they give the game the opportunity to complete itself.
11 The Silver Case
Despite the rather old age of The Silver Case, it’s arguably one of the more compelling visual novels ever released on the market. Set in contemporary Japan, The Silver Case takes place in a city called 24 Districts at a time when a string of weird murders will have players take on the role of two detectives to solve the case. Soon, they’ll realize that the murders are linked to the enigmatic Kamui Uehara, a supposedly-dead serial killer.
The game is unique in its combination of visual novel elements on top of interactive segments, point-and-click mechanics, and other mini-games. And while some might complain about how these mini-games can hurt the immersion in the story and the way players can fully explore the plot, going with the flow and engaging the game in these mini-games for the first few hours will be worth the while, especially when The Silver Case begins unfolding its more surprising twists.
10 Muv-Luv
Fans of VNs might see Muv-Luv as the typical light-hearted tale. In it, protagonist Takeru Shirogane wakes up to find a woman sleeping in his bed. Things escalate hilariously as Takeru, his childhood friend Sumika, and the sleeping woman Meiya get embroidered in a love story where the two women compete for Takeru's heart.
Despite its rather quick 40-hour story, frustrations can arise from fans who realize that the more interesting parts of Muv-Luv happen in its sequel Unlimited, and final part Alternative. It's only by playing the three-part story that players can make sense of this light-hearted story, which evolves into an alien invasion.
9 Fate/Stay Night
Being part of the massive Nasuverse franchise, Fate/stay night is just one of many entries in an interconnected series. Essentially, Fate is set in an alternate reality where a secret conflict called the Holy Grail War takes place. In it, mages called Masters contract the service of heroic spirits called Servants in a clandestine city-wide death battle, with the winner being granted a wish. Unfortunately, protagonist Shirou Emiya accidentally summons the female Servant Saber and has to survive the ordeal - or die trying.
Unlike other VNs, Fate doesn't demand a lot of interactions on part of the player. Despite the slow uptake before it sets its stakes, the heavy modern fantasy narrative will require Shirou - also the narrator - to establish concepts on the get-go. However, players will appreciate Fate's story by the time they reconcile all the story arcs to arrive at its true ending.
8 Tsukihime
Written by the same person who wrote Fate/stay night, Tsukihime is regarded as one of Kinoko Nasu's most prominent works. Its story, taking place in an alternate timeline separate from the Holy Grail War, talks of the story of Shiki Tohno, a high schooler who can see "death lines" that can destroy things and people when touched. His life changes after encountering supernatural creatures, as his powers seem to be intrinsically tied to facing them.
As with Fate, Tsukihime doesn't demand a lot of interactions from the reader. Fans of the supernatural will appreciate Tsukihime's premise, but still admittedly is a slow burn throughout its 50-hour story.
7 The Fruit Of Grisaia
When Yuji Kazami gets into Mihama Academy, he's surprised to discover the prison-like academy only contains five female students. Despite his "cool" and laid-back nature, Yuji eventually becomes involved in each of the girls' lives. Soon, he realizes that behind each girl's cheerful persona is a tragic and traumatizing past.
Players who leisurely play Grisaia can easily get 95 to 100-hours' worth of gameplay by completing each route. However, by the time Grisaia starts to gain momentum, players might get dragged into each girl's surprisingly grisly backstories, remarkably violent bad endings, and surprising resolutions to their respective story arcs.
6 Code: Realize - Guardian Of Rebirth
Granted, fans who see Code: Realize - Guardian of Rebirth for the first time will love its steampunk visuals and take on alternate history. In the story, Cardia, following her father's wishes, lives isolated as her skin melts or rots anything she touches. However, Cardia's life changes when her father disappears and the authorities try to capture her. For some unknown reason, the legendary thief Arsene Lupin breaks her away. And thus begins her journey to look for her father.
Despite its short 30-hour run, Guardian of Rebirth has quite a slow burn for its few opening hours. Fans who want a compelling romance tale will appreciate Guardian of Rebirth upon finishing, but only if they have the patience to manage it.
5 Higurashi: When They Cry
Fans with a flair for murder mystery will appreciate Higurashi: When They Cry. Its story takes place in 1983, around the time when the fictional remote village of Hinamizawa experienced bizarre events that will change the lives of a group of youngsters forever.
Given its murder mystery nature, Higurashi isn't clear with its story on the get-go. In turn, the first four Higurashi "games" present themselves as question arcs, designed to establish mysteries in separate timelines. Meanwhile, its latter four stories serve as answer arcs, designed to resolve the stories. Granted, its air of mystery might be enough to captivate some readers. However, having to get through four question arcs before the game starts to unravel its true plot can become a drag early on.
4 Umineko: When They Cry
As with Higurashi, Umineko: When They Cry falls under the purview of a murder mystery. This time around, Umineko takes place in 1986, when dying patriarch Kinzo Ushiromiya sends for his family to gather on the prominent family's island to discuss his belongings. Soon enough, the legend of the "Golden Witch" and her treasure resurfaces. However, when a storm locks up the 18 guests in the manor, murders occur that correspond to a legend attached to the Golden Witch.
Given its more typical murder mystery premise, Umineko sends players straight to its "murder" element on the get-go. However, its rather long exposition and the continuous "human tricks versus supernatural" debate can leave players wanting more out of this remarkable story.
3 Steins;Gate
At its core, Steins;Gate is a time travel story that boasts quite a gripping narrative despite its humorous premise. After self-proclaimed "mad scientist" Okabe Rintarou gets into an argument with researcher Makise Kurisu at a black hole conference, he finds her dead on the premises. Thing is, she's perfectly fine the next day. To make things weirder, Okabe, Kurisu, and his friends eventually get involved with conspiracy theories, bananas that turn into goop, and a cellphone that sends messages back in time.
Granted, Steins;Gate has the narrative punch guaranteed to keep readers on the edge of their seats. That is assuming they manage to get past a few hours of funny quips, extended albeit necessary exposition, and basic quantum physics that will inspire players to reread more than a few lines.
2 Little Busters!
Why just settle for a slice of life story when it can have its own version of saving the world? At its core, Little Busters! takes from other slice-of-life VNs where narcoleptic Riki and his high school friends try to form a baseball team in their school called the Little Busters. To go beyond the narrative-heavy trends, Little Busters! also relies on some minigames to diversify the presentation experience for readers to enjoy.
Sadly, some readers might find the 75-ish hours' worth of story a bit dragging while exploring each heroine's story. However, readers who get the patience to persevere will get to a riveting and compelling second act that adds a flair of heroism and goes against the odds to make for an unforgettable experience.
1 Clannad
Slice-of-life stories don't always appeal to everyone, but Clannad fans know that the VN has its ways of dragging readers into its riveting story. In this 2004 VN (also from the creators of Little Busters!), players explore the life of Tomoya Okazaki and his growth from adolescence into adulthood. As with typical VNs, he interacts with five girls in his last year at school, each of which will change his life in numerous ways.
The VN's first and second parts both have unique takes on the ideas of family and overcoming life's challenges. Players patient enough with its story can get to a final arc, which involves Tomoya in a dream world struggling to reconcile all his paths with the aforementioned heroines to save someone.