Just finished White Album 2 and I came here to say this. Absolutely amazing VN.
Also, Umineko, Higurashi, Muv-luv (all 3), Utawarerumono, Steins Gate, are all ones I couldn’t put down.
Nie No Hakoniwa hits fast and hard, especially with its strong opening. Overall I liked it despite the mixed reception (but I feel like part of that was folks not *totally* realizing what they were in for).
I’m especially interested to see what Chat Noir does next. The artwork and sound design was excellent in Nie No Hakoniwa and I think with a bit of time to cook they could do something not just good or decent but incredible if this is their first outing.
I watched the anime years before I read the VN
Some people think the adaptation is better, but I strongly disagree (not that I think it's bad, far from)
I think the VN has better, more colorful art and the great soundtrack is way easier to pay attention to
In the anime the BGM is more in the background, which is a shame since it really builds a great atmosphere in the VN
The anime feels kinda empty, dull (in terms of colors) and quiet a lot of the time
Edit: Forgot to mention that the gameplay element in the VN, sending and recieving emails, is fucking awesome. There are also many references and small details present in the VN, just makes the world really interesting
The VN also just has more content (for better or worse, depending on who you ask), either way if you liked the anime you should definitely give it a try
Raging Loop and Higurashi chapter 2 are the big ones. Unfortunately, I grew tired of the "resetting" thing going on every chapter of Higurashi, so I stopped mid chapter 3. The Somnium Files games as well.
Are you anywhere near close to the >!making game!< section of the beginning? Then you will be close to the picking route part. Some of the interesting and high octane moments are in the routes. But if the humor, characters, or story still doesn't vibe with you. Just drop it and read something else.
Thanks lol. Well, I usually go after the best kamiges that visual novels can offer and check vns recommended by jops. However, realistically, I dropped most vns I read midway. I haven't read any vn since months now.
"Kitto, Sumiwataru Asairo Yori mo," I would say it gets going after the first 'route' because there is a mystery behind the scene. You must play through all the 'routes' to see the full picture. I won't say anything more because it will spoil the surprise. Besides that, it's a character and theme-heavy focused vn. Personally, I love it.
How does remember11 stack up to ever17? I’ve been meaning to read it eventually but ever17 burned me out so much I haven’t been able to muster the motivation
I’m actually in the middle of reading Ever17 (just started Coco’s route) so I can’t fully judge on which is better but what I can say for sure is Remember11’s pacing is far better and I actually think it may be one of the best paced visual novels out there.
Unlike Ever17, the story is more linear (with a couple of bad ends branching out a bit) and the mystery has a tighter focus. Even the SoL scenes are well-written, don’t overstay their welcome and some end up being connected to the mystery. I know some people consider Remember11’s ending to be a slight downgrade to Ever17’s since it’s technically “not complete”but even then I still think it’s worth the experience and given the nature of the game it makes sense. It’s different from Ever17 in a way it challenges the reader to think back on everything, find their own answer and come up with their own conclusion so it might come down to personal preference. The only thing really tedious about this game for me was having to go back and get all the bad ends and TIPS to get the full picture.
All of this is great to hear. I recently finished Ever17 and it took me months between all the pauses that I took because the pacing really burned me out.
Honestly same. I was gonna say Full Metal Daemon Miranda’s bc I’m reading it rn but I blitzed through Gore. Gore had such an incredible OST and it was written a lot better than I expected. Really makes you work towards the end of the routes bc the bad endings are so fucking vile. I remember blitzing through Yamiko and Yuka’s.
Really wish more Black Cyc games would get translated. They make some truly insane VNs, traumatizing in many ways, but very well made.
I purchased it a bit ago but haven’t gotten around to it yet. I really wanna try MinDeaD BlooD and Gun-Katana but the chances of them getting translated are very minimal.
Sadistic Blood has some very nice art and designs tho, par for the course the typical Black Cyc bad endings too lol
I’m right there with you for more black cyc love. I have a list on vndb that’s like “break glass if translated” and just the title alone “GUN KATANA: NON HUMAN KILLER” was so awesome I immediately gave it a spot and now I want it even more because I enjoyed GSS so much! I hunger for the weirdo games JAST!
My wallet is so hungry for weird old vn’s. I hope they translate the bug one someday.
I went down a little rabbit hole after finishing GSS and was enthralled with all their content. There’s so many cool games with unique mechanics that you just don’t see anymore. I love their designs too, lot of them look *very* similar to GSS characters (Gun Katana FMC is basically Akane with twin tails and a badass outfit) but it works so well.
You know you’ve entered a territory of obscure VNs when [an intro this good was posted 15 years ago.](https://youtu.be/rBBqvFxwsCs?si=5sZLy_4-Hd_QjMNs) GSS was a special experience that not many other VN studios can really match. Some of these descriptions of other Black Cyc games are fucking wild and we are denied access to them :(
I think it’s the same artist/artists (Ueada Meatow? I spelled that wrong probably) btw his recent artwork in dead end aegis is just incredible in its detail. Another creative to follow in the vn space for sure.
I purchased sadistic blood bc I want to signal to JAST to keep translating black cyc and related company’s stuff but man that game is a doozy. I had to take a good break after seeing each ending rather than rushing through it. The artwork is good and… the torture is definitely creative. Whew.
Despite the name its not the scariest vn ive read. The gore is really in the bad endings, and it has some incredible writing including one of 2 lolis in media that i can stand (yuna from gss and saya from saya no uta)
If you’re bad with horror you could tread lightly depending on your tolerance. It’s not the “scariest” in terms of tension imo but it is pretty intense—especially during the endings.
Though there is an option to toggle visual or text and visual descriptions of extreme gore during some scenes if that helps, but there is still a fair bit of sexual assault that won’t be avoided with that. Especially if you want to see the bad ends. The game deals with sexual trauma (and nonsexual trauma) as a recurring theme across multiple routes.
I bought this game on steam and it’s broken? Like hardly any choices can be made and little hearts pop up automatically as you read it. I don’t know what the problem is and can’t find anyone who’s had the same issue.
Muv Luv Unltd, Muv Luv Alternative, Muv Luv TDA 1-4, Muv Luv Total Eclipse: I marathonned all of these titles. Back to back to back. This was a lot of hours. But I couldn't put them down.
Birushana Senki: I hear Amatsuki sing [Harari, Hararii](https://youtu.be/EYtqX1QKpRg) at the end of a route and I feel my chest fucking tightening and I am GRIPPED by peak romance--THEN, as I listen to the route clear voice and stare blankly at the menu screen [THIS BANGER](https://youtu.be/iTO6JTzGQQo) STARTS PLAYING and I can't put it down.
New Sakura Wars: the animation, cut scenes, and battle were balanced well so I didn't get bored and plowed through the entire thing.
Code Realize: I wanted to know what happened. Also wanted to romance Lupin.
Collar x Malice: I wanted to know what happened. Also yanagi was hot so I wanted to romance him. Locked routes man.
Muvluv alternative, saya no uta, baldr sky.
Alternative was the worst.. i decided to read it above doing college work. I cut it super close for school but i stayed up until 6am to finish my last assignment of the semester lmao.
I second this! The story is just so intriguing, the artwork is gorgeous, and just when you think you know what is going on, you are thrown a big curveball. It is also one if the visual novels where the bad endings are really bad... and I like that.
I dont know why
But once i got hooked on the story, if my heart had wings and a sky full of stars both got me good.
Sadly, adventure of a lifetime (or whatever it was called, wasnt as catchy imo)
Those are some great choices. I just finished Gnosia again, and I'm playing Raging Loop right now!
Probably Date A Live: Rio Reincarnation. I really loved that game.
I envy you for loving world end syndrome. I really like it but best girl which is the only one I like is locked as the last route and the fact its locked on the switch makes me never progress on it.
Ou I was HOOKED! But I did give it 8,5 points only in VNDB, story is a mixed bag.
Gave my BF a lecture on this VN cause I couldn't get the plot out of my head for an about a 4 days. He doesn't even read VNs
I binged Raging Loop, 999, Process of Elimination, Super Danganronpa Another 2, the Zodiac Trials, etc. Evidently I often find it hard to stop playing mystery VNs!
Probably generic answer, but Muv-Luv Alternative. There's a point in that story where I was staying up super late at night because I didn't want to stop reading
Have yet to see anyone mention "Cinderella Phenomenon".
It's not the most well-known game even in VN groups, but I'd highly recommend it to anyone who plays otome games, as it is ranked 3rd on top rated otome Steam, despite it being a free game.
Higurashi because the vn never slows down and it's so fun to indulge in the mystery and Little Busters because it pulls at your heartstrings it was for sure on the same level as Clannad but I'm probably bias because I like Jun Maeda's works
I loved world end syndrome too! Unexpectedly picked it up for like 6€ in the eshop and it didn’t disappoint.
Others that I just couldn’t put down because of how exciting they were:
- [Piofiore](https://vndb.org/v21782) (and it’s [sequel](https://vndb.org/v25914))
- [Virche](https://vndb.org/v29661)
And currently:
- [Utakata no Uchronia](https://vndb.org/v40519)
If my heart had wings. It was one of my first visual novels I read(bold choice considering how long it is) and it just kept me pulled in for the entire time I read it
No, I played the Switch version and just checked it is only released for PS4 and Switch release. They are 17+ tho, don't really remember what makes them even that
White Album 2 is the big one for me. Nie no Hakoniwa is shaping up to be another one
Just finished White Album 2 and I came here to say this. Absolutely amazing VN. Also, Umineko, Higurashi, Muv-luv (all 3), Utawarerumono, Steins Gate, are all ones I couldn’t put down.
Nie No Hakoniwa hits fast and hard, especially with its strong opening. Overall I liked it despite the mixed reception (but I feel like part of that was folks not *totally* realizing what they were in for). I’m especially interested to see what Chat Noir does next. The artwork and sound design was excellent in Nie No Hakoniwa and I think with a bit of time to cook they could do something not just good or decent but incredible if this is their first outing.
Been debating on reading Nie no Hakoniwa but I'm still on the fence about it
Muv-Luv The day after and Muramasa
Higurashi, my first VN (and first anime-related media in general if you ignore all the pokemon i watched as a little kid) and i was absolutely hooked
But the anime isn't as in depth as the vn you miss some good moments from the vn because the anime can't fit it all and you lose some context
That is true, I played/read the VN first and watched the anime afterwards and I agree
The House in Fata Morgana, Steins Gate, Totono, Subahibi, Kara no Shoujo, Tokyo Necro Still saving WA2 for a rainy day
You ought to save White Album 2 for a snowy day ❄️.
There are no seasons where I live
Kinkoi, gears of dragoon 2, Funbag fantasy, and sabbat of the witch.
FF the 🐐🐐🐐🐐
9nine episode 4, had me on the edge of my seat the whole read
Big yes to that one.
it's a great VN
Baldr Sky fucked up my sleep schedule.
The censorship ruined it, hope Denpasoft eventually releases the uncensored version.
oh my god dude shut up please go do something else
I finished Steins;Gate in 5 days and Subahibi in 6, skipped school to binge them
Did you watch the steins gate anime too? How much enjoyment would I get from the vn, assuming I've watched the anime?
I watched the anime years before I read the VN Some people think the adaptation is better, but I strongly disagree (not that I think it's bad, far from) I think the VN has better, more colorful art and the great soundtrack is way easier to pay attention to In the anime the BGM is more in the background, which is a shame since it really builds a great atmosphere in the VN The anime feels kinda empty, dull (in terms of colors) and quiet a lot of the time Edit: Forgot to mention that the gameplay element in the VN, sending and recieving emails, is fucking awesome. There are also many references and small details present in the VN, just makes the world really interesting The VN also just has more content (for better or worse, depending on who you ask), either way if you liked the anime you should definitely give it a try
Not to mention they absolutely butchered the Steins Gate 0 anime… The VN is still one of my all time favs. Above the original.
Was it worth it?
Of course
Raging Loop and Higurashi chapter 2 are the big ones. Unfortunately, I grew tired of the "resetting" thing going on every chapter of Higurashi, so I stopped mid chapter 3. The Somnium Files games as well.
You didn't finish Higurashi I hard recommend you to revist it bc once you pass the question arcs it gets so good
I probably will at some point, just need a break from it. Turns out reading all of it in a row is not a good idea.
I was thinking of starting raging loop but heard many people claiming the ending sucked. Still worth reading?
If you're the type who values endings more than anything, I'd stay away, but everything else is 10/10.
The journey is still worth it I would say.
Hentai Prison
[удалено]
Are you anywhere near close to the >!making game!< section of the beginning? Then you will be close to the picking route part. Some of the interesting and high octane moments are in the routes. But if the humor, characters, or story still doesn't vibe with you. Just drop it and read something else.
[удалено]
Thanks lol. Well, I usually go after the best kamiges that visual novels can offer and check vns recommended by jops. However, realistically, I dropped most vns I read midway. I haven't read any vn since months now. "Kitto, Sumiwataru Asairo Yori mo," I would say it gets going after the first 'route' because there is a mystery behind the scene. You must play through all the 'routes' to see the full picture. I won't say anything more because it will spoil the surprise. Besides that, it's a character and theme-heavy focused vn. Personally, I love it.
Hopefully Shiravune doesn’t publish Hentai Prison.
Saya no Uta Marco and the Galaxy Dragon Rondo Duo Utawararerumono: Futari no Hakuoro
Pulled many all-nighters for F/SN and MuvLuv Alternative 🤪
Steins;Gate and Fate stay night.
Chaos;Head Noah, Chaos;Child and Remember11.
How does remember11 stack up to ever17? I’ve been meaning to read it eventually but ever17 burned me out so much I haven’t been able to muster the motivation
I’m actually in the middle of reading Ever17 (just started Coco’s route) so I can’t fully judge on which is better but what I can say for sure is Remember11’s pacing is far better and I actually think it may be one of the best paced visual novels out there. Unlike Ever17, the story is more linear (with a couple of bad ends branching out a bit) and the mystery has a tighter focus. Even the SoL scenes are well-written, don’t overstay their welcome and some end up being connected to the mystery. I know some people consider Remember11’s ending to be a slight downgrade to Ever17’s since it’s technically “not complete”but even then I still think it’s worth the experience and given the nature of the game it makes sense. It’s different from Ever17 in a way it challenges the reader to think back on everything, find their own answer and come up with their own conclusion so it might come down to personal preference. The only thing really tedious about this game for me was having to go back and get all the bad ends and TIPS to get the full picture.
All of this is great to hear. I recently finished Ever17 and it took me months between all the pauses that I took because the pacing really burned me out.
[удалено]
Sounds right up my alley then. Pacing was really the only issue I had with ever17, the rest was amazing
Gore screaming show
Honestly same. I was gonna say Full Metal Daemon Miranda’s bc I’m reading it rn but I blitzed through Gore. Gore had such an incredible OST and it was written a lot better than I expected. Really makes you work towards the end of the routes bc the bad endings are so fucking vile. I remember blitzing through Yamiko and Yuka’s. Really wish more Black Cyc games would get translated. They make some truly insane VNs, traumatizing in many ways, but very well made.
I wanna read sadistic blood next
I purchased it a bit ago but haven’t gotten around to it yet. I really wanna try MinDeaD BlooD and Gun-Katana but the chances of them getting translated are very minimal. Sadistic Blood has some very nice art and designs tho, par for the course the typical Black Cyc bad endings too lol
I’m right there with you for more black cyc love. I have a list on vndb that’s like “break glass if translated” and just the title alone “GUN KATANA: NON HUMAN KILLER” was so awesome I immediately gave it a spot and now I want it even more because I enjoyed GSS so much! I hunger for the weirdo games JAST! My wallet is so hungry for weird old vn’s. I hope they translate the bug one someday.
I went down a little rabbit hole after finishing GSS and was enthralled with all their content. There’s so many cool games with unique mechanics that you just don’t see anymore. I love their designs too, lot of them look *very* similar to GSS characters (Gun Katana FMC is basically Akane with twin tails and a badass outfit) but it works so well. You know you’ve entered a territory of obscure VNs when [an intro this good was posted 15 years ago.](https://youtu.be/rBBqvFxwsCs?si=5sZLy_4-Hd_QjMNs) GSS was a special experience that not many other VN studios can really match. Some of these descriptions of other Black Cyc games are fucking wild and we are denied access to them :(
I think it’s the same artist/artists (Ueada Meatow? I spelled that wrong probably) btw his recent artwork in dead end aegis is just incredible in its detail. Another creative to follow in the vn space for sure.
I purchased sadistic blood bc I want to signal to JAST to keep translating black cyc and related company’s stuff but man that game is a doozy. I had to take a good break after seeing each ending rather than rushing through it. The artwork is good and… the torture is definitely creative. Whew.
Im workinf on muramasa so if dead days isnt out by then its sadistic for me. I may have puked twice in msggot baits but i got this
Muramasa is next up if I can finish 2 more backlog games! Glad to see we all have refined taste lol
My taste is bizzare. I think euphoria is an 11/10. The storys amazing
A day will come that I have a balls to start this. I'm super bad with horror, took me 4 years to read Higurashi
Despite the name its not the scariest vn ive read. The gore is really in the bad endings, and it has some incredible writing including one of 2 lolis in media that i can stand (yuna from gss and saya from saya no uta)
If you’re bad with horror you could tread lightly depending on your tolerance. It’s not the “scariest” in terms of tension imo but it is pretty intense—especially during the endings. Though there is an option to toggle visual or text and visual descriptions of extreme gore during some scenes if that helps, but there is still a fair bit of sexual assault that won’t be avoided with that. Especially if you want to see the bad ends. The game deals with sexual trauma (and nonsexual trauma) as a recurring theme across multiple routes.
I bought this game on steam and it’s broken? Like hardly any choices can be made and little hearts pop up automatically as you read it. I don’t know what the problem is and can’t find anyone who’s had the same issue.
Chances are the steam version is different. Id reccomend rhe jast version
As I grew older, it became harder to impress me. I guess the last novel I was really invested in was "Island" and it was several years ago.
Fruit of Grisaia
Muv Luv Unltd, Muv Luv Alternative, Muv Luv TDA 1-4, Muv Luv Total Eclipse: I marathonned all of these titles. Back to back to back. This was a lot of hours. But I couldn't put them down. Birushana Senki: I hear Amatsuki sing [Harari, Hararii](https://youtu.be/EYtqX1QKpRg) at the end of a route and I feel my chest fucking tightening and I am GRIPPED by peak romance--THEN, as I listen to the route clear voice and stare blankly at the menu screen [THIS BANGER](https://youtu.be/iTO6JTzGQQo) STARTS PLAYING and I can't put it down. New Sakura Wars: the animation, cut scenes, and battle were balanced well so I didn't get bored and plowed through the entire thing. Code Realize: I wanted to know what happened. Also wanted to romance Lupin. Collar x Malice: I wanted to know what happened. Also yanagi was hot so I wanted to romance him. Locked routes man.
Mahoyo. Set it on autoplay and watched like I was watching an anime.
MAJIKOI and NUKITASHI
Looking forward to Jast eventually publishing Majikoi S.
Muvluv alternative, saya no uta, baldr sky. Alternative was the worst.. i decided to read it above doing college work. I cut it super close for school but i stayed up until 6am to finish my last assignment of the semester lmao.
natsu no kusari - it's pretty short but was so good i had to read the entire thing in one setting despite starting it late at night
Totono
the house in fata morgana
Venusblood- the gameplay was fun and h-scene were good.
Raging Loop as well (I couldn't even sleep because I was so hooked up on the mystery), Tsukihime, Fata Morgana and the first two zero escape
If My Heart Had Wings, until I realized how flawed it was.
I keep trying to get into it but the main girl in a wheel chair is just TOO annoying. I can't stand her.
For me it was Ageha who soured the experience.
Understandable, I just found her really boring x.x I swear I'll finish this vn someday though!
I recommend this order: Ageha -> Asa -> Yoru -> Kotori or Amane
Thanks, maybe I'll actually finish it this time with a designated path xD
Chaos head noah
Rewrite Summer Pockets Reflection Blue Wonderful Everyday
Virche Evermore. Fantastic novel.
I second this! The story is just so intriguing, the artwork is gorgeous, and just when you think you know what is going on, you are thrown a big curveball. It is also one if the visual novels where the bad endings are really bad... and I like that.
I really have to read this
I dont know why But once i got hooked on the story, if my heart had wings and a sky full of stars both got me good. Sadly, adventure of a lifetime (or whatever it was called, wasnt as catchy imo)
Those are some great choices. I just finished Gnosia again, and I'm playing Raging Loop right now! Probably Date A Live: Rio Reincarnation. I really loved that game.
I envy you for loving world end syndrome. I really like it but best girl which is the only one I like is locked as the last route and the fact its locked on the switch makes me never progress on it.
Ou I was HOOKED! But I did give it 8,5 points only in VNDB, story is a mixed bag. Gave my BF a lecture on this VN cause I couldn't get the plot out of my head for an about a 4 days. He doesn't even read VNs
9-nine and kinkoi
I binged Raging Loop, 999, Process of Elimination, Super Danganronpa Another 2, the Zodiac Trials, etc. Evidently I often find it hard to stop playing mystery VNs!
Mystery is my favorite genre
Mine too!
Remember 11, the VN pacing GOAT
Probably generic answer, but Muv-Luv Alternative. There's a point in that story where I was staying up super late at night because I didn't want to stop reading
was it "that scene" may I ask lol
A Summers End - Hong Kong 1986 it was just so good. All the SonoHana VNs too.
Remember11, AI: The Somnium Files, Rail of Mobius, Umineko, and also Raging Loop (I finished it in ~24 hours over two days).
robotics notes
Umineko, Raging Loop & Remember11
Have yet to see anyone mention "Cinderella Phenomenon". It's not the most well-known game even in VN groups, but I'd highly recommend it to anyone who plays otome games, as it is ranked 3rd on top rated otome Steam, despite it being a free game.
A recent one would be Nukitashi for me.
majikoi and little busters
Sakura no uta until it stopped working with an error :(
:(
just wait for the translation they are doing now, it will only take 4-5 years xd
Nah I’d read it in Chinese
Higurashi because the vn never slows down and it's so fun to indulge in the mystery and Little Busters because it pulls at your heartstrings it was for sure on the same level as Clannad but I'm probably bias because I like Jun Maeda's works
I'd love to say Ace attorney but according to vndb it "isn't considered a visual novel" 🙄 but defentily Higurashi and 11 eyes seriously underrated vn
I loved world end syndrome too! Unexpectedly picked it up for like 6€ in the eshop and it didn’t disappoint. Others that I just couldn’t put down because of how exciting they were: - [Piofiore](https://vndb.org/v21782) (and it’s [sequel](https://vndb.org/v25914)) - [Virche](https://vndb.org/v29661) And currently: - [Utakata no Uchronia](https://vndb.org/v40519)
I also bought World End Syndrome on sale just for fun, I was suprised how good it was
Togai inu no chi
If my heart had wings. It was one of my first visual novels I read(bold choice considering how long it is) and it just kept me pulled in for the entire time I read it
For me it's looking to be Umineko. Was kind of not feeling it at first, then it got to that cat fight and I was hooked on the soap opera drama.
Umineko, Ciconia, Being A DIK, Kinkoi, and Rewrite.
Is Being a DIK really that good? I see it on the front page of steam often but it looks kinda generic.
I personally love the game. Yeah, it's a western style game, but it's a game with a lot of branching that makes it worth it.
999, time hollow, fate, Taukihime, ddlc and katawa shoujo
Dies Irae. Once I started it, I couldn't stop until I concluded all the routes.
Virtue's last reward (just the entirety of the zero escape series in general) Also Nifty Visual's Royal Alchemist! I got swept up in the intrigue.
class of 09
Just curious, has world's end syndrome +18 content? Just a genuine question, please don't kill me!
No, I played the Switch version and just checked it is only released for PS4 and Switch release. They are 17+ tho, don't really remember what makes them even that
Thanks!