Download - Visual Novels
Visual Novels
Presentation by Sarah and Ryan
ION:
This is the main text area for a visual novel.
ANISE:
Visual novels are full of dramatic scenes like this.
Ryan:
But what is a visual novel? Is it like a picture book? Or a video game?
Sarah:
A visual novel is an interactive fictional game featuring still graphics and usually uses anime-style art.
Ryan:
Is there a distinction between visual novels and adventure games?
Sarah:
In Japan, there is!
Sarah:
In visual novels, there is minimal game play, and most of the game is made up of text on screen, accompanied by still images.
Ryan:
Oh, I recognize this! It’s like Clannad, isn’t it?
Ryan:
So where’s our nameless protagonist?
ALL:
...........
Sarah:
You know, it’s kind of weird how the player character can have lines, even if they never speak up...
Ryan:
Link never speaks up...
Sarah:
No, that’s an adventure game! Visual novels are in the first person point of view, and the protagonist is rarely, if ever, seen.
Ryan:
With some exceptions, of course.
Sarah:
Oh, of course.
Ryan:
...so are we going to do this the whole time, or can we branch this into a non-linear storyline where this is a regular presentation?
Sarah:
...(thinking)
Sarah:
What the hell are you talking about?
STORYLINES
Linear Style Novels
• One path, one ending
• Sometimes no game play, often limited
• Player choices minimally influence characters
• More akin to an interactive comic than a video game
• Most examples are fan created
• Recent linear works by Key have been called Kinetic Novels
Non-linear Style Novels
• Often multiple endings
• Player choices influence characters and outcomes
• Common in mystery genre and bishoujo games
• Blurs the line between visual novels and video games
• More popular in recent years due to technological advances
• Good end, bad end, true end, false end...
GENRES
(Ecchi) H Games
• Porn with plot, hentai games• Bishoujo titles, harem themed• Pro-tag chooses to get close with one of the female
characters• Some of Japan's first "adventure" games• Square and Enix, prior to making their world-famous
role playing games (Final Fantasy) were known for their H games in the 80s
• Many H game titles are re-released in all-ages versions• Examples: Fate/Stay Night, AIR, Kanon, Little
Busters!, To Heart
Sarah:
So all these games have a male protagonist, right? What the hell?
Ryan:
Most of them do, but that doesn't mean they're only targeted at men.
Sarah:
Are there any variations to the boy-gets-girl theme?
Ryan:
Well...
Sarah:
Oh! That’s right, they have BL titles. But the only one that's well-known in the US is probably Absolute Obedience. And there’s a few others too, like...!
Ryan:
...moving on.
Science Fiction
• First Science fiction games released by Square, point and click interface
• Portopia Serial Murder Case in 1983
• Inspired Hideo Kojima (of Metal Gear Solid fame) to go into the gaming industry
• 1988, released Snatcher, his first adventure game
• First "visual novel" to come to the US on the Sega CD
Crying Game (Melodrama)
• Generally slice of life, may include fantasy elements
• Influenced by Leaf's To Heart series
• Designed to make player feel emotionally connected to the characters
• Each follows a common theme
– Heart-warming beginning, tragic separation, emotional reunion
More Melodrama
• Invokes emotion through sudden plot twists
• Involves mood-whiplash
• Visual Arts and Key often use this genre
• May overlap with other genres
• Kanon, Clannad, D.C.: Da Capo
• Clannad often considered best bishoujo game of all time
Horror
• Nightmare fuel
• Uses Crying Game formula of investing emotional attatchment
• Instead of making the player cry, wished to instill fear in the hearts of millions
• Most well-known example: Higurashi no NakuKoro ni by Ryukishi07 of 07th Expansion
• Also known as the"When They Cry" series
• (Do you get it, do you get it??)
Ryan:
So what's the pacing like for these games? Why are they so... frightening?
Sarah:
Here, let me show you...
Ryan:
...that was terrifying.
Sarah:
You know, there are a lot of people in Japan who are terrified by this common theme.
Sarah:
Have you ever heard of School Days?
Ryan:
No...?
Sarah:
...(tee hee hee)
Sarah:
School Days is a visual novel whose anime adaption was famously censored following a gruesome murder committed by a high school student.
Sarah:
Do you want to know how they censored it?
Ryan:
That really was a...
Ryan:
Ryan:
...NICE BOAT.
ALL:
.......
Sarah:
So what about in the US? Are there any visual novels over here?
Ryan:
Sure, but... most of them are...
Ryan:
H games.
ALL:
.......
Ryan:
(cough) Fan translation projects are the easiest ways to get them in English...
Sarah:
Wow, that must mean no one in the US really likes them, huh.
Visual Novels and Consoles
• Many started on the PC as H games, became all ages when ported to various consoles
• To Heart on the PlayStation had all erotic scenes removed
• DS titles became popular in US
• Examples: Ace Attorney, Professor Layton, Trace Memory, Hotel Dusk, Ghost Trick...
• Distinction between visual novels and PCs is blurred in the US
Visual Novels vs. RPGs
• Less "game play" in the sense that the novels are mostly text based decisions
• Emphasis on story over game play
• RPGs may resemble visual novels.....
Visual Novels vs. RPGs
• Less "game play" in the sense that the novels are mostly text based decisions
• Emphasis on story over game play
• RPGs may resemble visual novels
• For the most part, this similarity is found in Japanese RPGs
• JRPGs can even be denied as being "true" RPGs because of their linear pre-decided outcomes
• Examples: Tales of Series, Fire Emblem, Persona...
Impact of Visual Novels
• Many go on to become successful multi-media series
• Anime, manga, drama CDs, light novels, fan works, etc.
• Examples: Fate/Stay Night, AIR, Clannad, To Heart, When They Cry series
• Ace Attorney Series, mirrors the long-running debate in regards to reforms of the Japanese court system
• 2009, Japan’s first trial by jury since 1942
Ryan:
This presentation is strange. Our dialogue feels forced and contrived.
Ryan:
It's almost like we're reading from a script!
Sarah:
You should be made aware that many visual novels are infamous for their poor and often wordy translations.
ALL:
.......
Ryan:
Shall we conclude the presentation?
Sarah:
Yes.
Sarah:
I am pleased to have finished the presentation thing.
Ryan:
And I as well.
Sarah:
...wait, what the hell!?
The End
Sources and Credits
• http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_253/7530-Phoenix-Wrights-Objection
• http://en.rian.ru/world/20090803/155715148.html
• http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/088/088501p1.html
• http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/31090/Layton_Series_Hits_95M_Ace_Attorney_39M.php
• Tales of the Abyss: Anise and Ion drawing from Pixiv user にけ
• All character drawings by Sarah
• Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, Professor Layton, Tales of Symphonia, AIR
• Nice Boat: Durarara!! From NicoNicoDouga
• WTF Cat: No idea.