What is a Visual Novel?

Imagine a story where you control the outcome, where your decisions shape the narrative, and every choice can lead to a different ending. This is the world of visual novels—a unique genre that combines the storytelling of a novel with the interactivity of a game. If you enjoy getting lost in a good book or love the thrill of making choices in a game, visual novels offer an experience that brings these two passions together.

But what exactly is a visual novel, and why are so many people drawn to them? At first glance, they might seem like simple games with text and pictures, but they offer much more. Visual novels pull you into their world, allowing you to become part of the story. Today, we’ll explore the fascinating world of visual novels. We’ll break down what makes this genre special, look at how they work, and highlight some of the best visual novels you can play.

What is a Visual Novel?

A visual novel is a type of video game that tells a story using text and pictures. While most games focus on action, visual novels are all about the story and characters. They are similar to reading a book or watching a movie, but with a key difference—you get to make choices that affect how the story unfolds. The visuals often use anime-style artwork or other unique designs that help bring the story and characters to life.

In a visual novel, the story is told mainly through text that appears on the screen, along with images and sometimes music or voice acting. As you read the story, the game will sometimes ask you to make decisions. These choices change what happens next in the story, leading to different paths and endings. Though visual novels started in Japan, they have become popular around the world. They cover many different themes and genres, from romance and drama to mystery and fantasy.

Gameplay

In visual novels, gameplay centers around engaging with the story. Unlike many other genres, there’s no need for fast reflexes or complex controls. Instead, the primary activity is reading. As the narrative unfolds, text appears on the screen, often accompanied by character portraits, background art, and music that sets the tone. You progress by clicking through the dialogue, which is similar to turning the pages of a book.

Moreover, a major aspect of visual novels is the decisions you make. Throughout the story, you’re given choices that can change the direction of the narrative. These decisions might be as simple as selecting a response in a conversation or as crucial as determining which path the story takes. Also, the choices you make impact the outcome, leading to different endings. Many visual novels feature multiple endings, ranging from happy to tragic, with some even hiding special “true” endings that can only be unlocked by making specific choices.

Because of the branching storylines, visual novels often encourage multiple playthroughs. Each time you play, you can explore new routes and discover different aspects of the story and characters. This replayability adds depth to the experience, making it more interactive than just reading a book or watching a movie. So, the satisfaction of seeing different outcomes based on your decisions is a key draw for players.

In addition to this, some visual novels also include additional gameplay elements, such as puzzles, mini-games, or character management systems. These features add variety to the experience, but the focus remains on the story and your role in shaping it.

Best Visual Novel Games

5. Fate/stay night Remastered

Fate/stay night Remastered is a refreshed version of the visual novel that launched the Fate series. Originally released in 2004, the game draws you into the high-stakes world of the Holy Grail War. In this secret battle, seven mages, known as Masters, summon legendary heroes from history to fight on their behalf. The ultimate prize is the Holy Grail, a mystical artifact that can grant any wish. The story follows Shirou Emiya, a young man with dreams of becoming a Hero of Justice, who suddenly finds himself caught up in this deadly conflict.

4. Detective Grimoire

Detective Grimoire is a mystery visual novel where you take on the role of a detective solving a murder in a strange swamp tourist attraction. The game mixes the point-and-click adventure style with visual novel storytelling. As Detective Grimoire, your job is to explore the swamp, talk to quirky characters, and gather clues to uncover the truth. The story pulls you in, with each suspect hiding something that might connect them to the crime. In this game, you’ll spend your time collecting evidence, solving puzzles, and interrogating suspects to get closer to the truth.

3. The House in Fata Morgana

The House in Fata Morgana is a visual novel that takes you on a haunting journey through the history of a cursed mansion. You start by waking up in a decaying mansion with no memory of who you are or how you got there. A mysterious woman with jade-colored eyes appears, introducing herself as your Maid. She tells you that you are the Master of the house, but you have no sense of identity or even the certainty that you are alive. The Maid invites you to explore the mansion’s past, showing you tragic stories of those who lived there before, in hopes that you might discover something about yourself.

2. Until Then

Until Then is a visual novel that puts you in the shoes of Mark Borja, a high school student living in a world slowly recovering from a past disaster. The game lets you dive into Mark’s everyday life—waking up in his room, practicing piano, rushing to finish homework, and managing friendships. You’ll interact with various characters, from close friends to classmates, through conversations, texts, and emails. Also, your choices matter, as they shape the story and your relationships with others.

1. Slay the Princess

Wrapping up, Slay the Princess is a visual novel that subverts genre expectations with its dark, psychological narrative. The game begins with a simple premise: you, the player, are tasked with slaying a princess locked in a remote cabin. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems. The game plays with themes of choice, consequence, and reality, challenging players to question their decisions and the nature of the world around them.

So, have you tried playing a visual novel before, or are you curious to dive into one for the first time? Let us know on our socials here!