Visual novel: Difference between revisions
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A '''''visual novel''''' is a Japanese adventure game that only remains a game in the loosest sense of the word. As the name might suggest, they resemble mixed-media novels or stage plays more than anything else. Minimal player intervention is required, only clicking to keep the text, graphics and sound moving (some |
A '''''visual novel''''' is a Japanese adventure game that only remains a game in the loosest sense of the word. As the name might suggest, they resemble mixed-media novels or stage plays more than anything else. Minimal player intervention is required, only clicking to keep the text, graphics and sound moving (some novels offer 'play' or 'fast-forward' toggles that make even this unnecessary) and an occasional decision that affects the final outcome of the story. |
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Visual novels have been compared to [[Choose Your Own Adventure]] novels. Most, however, strive for a higher level of plot & character depth than the aforementioned series of interactive children's books. These can be more closely compared to story-driven [[interactive fiction]]. Many fans of visual novels find them a welcome oasis in the often-desolate landscape of traditional video game storytelling. |
Visual novels have been compared to [[Choose Your Own Adventure]] novels. Most, however, strive for a higher level of plot & character depth than the aforementioned series of interactive children's books. These can be more closely compared to story-driven [[interactive fiction]]. Many fans of visual novels find them a welcome oasis in the often-desolate landscape of traditional video game storytelling. |
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Visual novels were a subset of [[renai game|ren'ai games]] in the past, and almost all contain [[hentai]], which English-speaking fans tend to regard as a sort of unpleasant and unnecessary cliche (think of the 'obligatory sex scene' in Hollywood action films.) However, many recent ones have placed both titillation and romantic interaction decidedly low on their agendas, and they can be regarded as a distinct genre from ren'ai and [[H game|H games]]. |
Visual novels were a subset of [[renai game|ren'ai games]] in the past, and almost all contain [[hentai]], which English-speaking fans tend to regard as a sort of unpleasant and unnecessary cliche (think of the 'obligatory sex scene' in Hollywood action films.) However, many recent ones have placed both titillation and romantic interaction decidedly low on their agendas, and they can be regarded as a distinct genre from ren'ai and [[H game|H games]]. |
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==Kinetic novels== |
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A ''kinetic novel'' is a visual novel without any choices. It is separate from an [[ebook]] only by its artwork, which may be minimal. The idea of a kinetic novel was invented fairly recently, but from the beginning kinetic novel authors have broken out of the restrictive "romance" genre, with modern novellas and short stories. Fan-produced kinetic novels have become increasingly common thanks to software such as NScripter. |
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==Fan translations== |
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As of 2005, all major visual novels are produced in Japan. A few [[bishōjo game]]s have been licensed in the United States, but mainly international visual novel fans rely on fan translations. Some [[doujinshi]] and one commercial kinetic novel have been translated so far. Translation is impeded by the sheer size of text in a novel; often, translators are faced with hundreds of hours of work, as opposed to [[fansub]]s which can take as little as one hour to finish. |
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==Famous visual novels== |
==Famous visual novels== |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[ |
* [[Bishōjo game]] |
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* [[H game]] |
* [[H game]] |
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* [[renai game|Ren'ai game]] |
* [[renai game|Ren'ai game]] |
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Revision as of 00:20, 9 September 2005
A visual novel is a Japanese adventure game that only remains a game in the loosest sense of the word. As the name might suggest, they resemble mixed-media novels or stage plays more than anything else. Minimal player intervention is required, only clicking to keep the text, graphics and sound moving (some novels offer 'play' or 'fast-forward' toggles that make even this unnecessary) and an occasional decision that affects the final outcome of the story.
Visual novels have been compared to Choose Your Own Adventure novels. Most, however, strive for a higher level of plot & character depth than the aforementioned series of interactive children's books. These can be more closely compared to story-driven interactive fiction. Many fans of visual novels find them a welcome oasis in the often-desolate landscape of traditional video game storytelling.
Visual novels were a subset of ren'ai games in the past, and almost all contain hentai, which English-speaking fans tend to regard as a sort of unpleasant and unnecessary cliche (think of the 'obligatory sex scene' in Hollywood action films.) However, many recent ones have placed both titillation and romantic interaction decidedly low on their agendas, and they can be regarded as a distinct genre from ren'ai and H games.
Kinetic novels
A kinetic novel is a visual novel without any choices. It is separate from an ebook only by its artwork, which may be minimal. The idea of a kinetic novel was invented fairly recently, but from the beginning kinetic novel authors have broken out of the restrictive "romance" genre, with modern novellas and short stories. Fan-produced kinetic novels have become increasingly common thanks to software such as NScripter.
Fan translations
As of 2005, all major visual novels are produced in Japan. A few bishōjo games have been licensed in the United States, but mainly international visual novel fans rely on fan translations. Some doujinshi and one commercial kinetic novel have been translated so far. Translation is impeded by the sheer size of text in a novel; often, translators are faced with hundreds of hours of work, as opposed to fansubs which can take as little as one hour to finish.
Famous visual novels
Many of these also have associated anime series.
You can find more on List of visual novels