It’s (Almost) Monday ~ Love, Etcetera
I intended to post Monday to share the love as the 18th me and my partner celebrated our 11th anniversary with my partner. so before anything, I would like to share how we met and how we became really close (bonus: It’s game related). But - or rather butt - my Steam account got compromised and I spent most of the day stressing over it and waiting for the support to answer to my request to recover it. The only things I wrote about was roleplay, practically the only thing that can gets me to relax in such situation.
How me and my Partner met ♥
For those who like love stories, we met in a game (Lineage II) and discussed very little for over a year. Then one night, as I was trying to avoid my ex who was very persistent and aggressive toward me, I saw he was online and decided to speak to him a little more. We continued to discuss over MSN and the next days as well.
I believe it was somehow a love at first sight for him, but on my side I was deeply scarred by this past relationship and terrified about the simple idea to have a lover.
As he was about to share his feeling, I asked him to not. I knew that as soon as the word “love” would be pronounced, I would run away.
He didn’t get angry nor did he leave. He told me “Okay, when you’ll be ready to hear me, tell me. I will take the first train and say it directly to you. And there is no limit date for that.”
So the next months I learned more about him until ultimately I fell for him and needed to meet him to know if that could work. As promised, he took the first train and told me his feeling and we’re a couple since 11 years now.
The moral to this is there is no specific place to fall in love and for it to be true. Trust your heart and not what other says, love happens everywhere.
Dating Sim and Visual Novels
I’m still surprised that there isn’t a category for them on Steam yet, seeing the amount of those growing over years, I admittedly home that the category will be added soon rather than looking by tags which are not always accurate unfortunately.
My very first visual novel was Hakuoki which was released in 2012 on PSP. At the time, there were really few VN available in English, to the point there was an official Wikipedia list of those which (from memory, don’t quote me on this) was even including the unofficial patches made by fans.
Nowadays, Dating Sim and Visual Novels are so present on Steam that it’s now possible to be picky and to choose which sort you really like when it comes to that style.
Cliché and Standards
The problem with that type of game is a lot of them are pretty similar and are targeting a very specific kind of players. Here are a few examples:
- It’s really rare in a VN to be able to choose the gender or even the name of the main character.
- VN targeting male players usually have a male MC. They often plays the card of the sexy, submissive girls of choice. Some of them are more harem style.
- VN targeting female players usually have a female MC. The males surrounding the only attractive girl in town (aka MC) are often of the same type: Cold, arrogant, kind, brotherly, protective, geek, you name it. Hentai patch is sometimes available or can be deactivated.
- VN targeting both audience are more axed on the story, there may be some romance route but those are entwined to the story and you play both to see how the relationship will go and how the story will unfold.
Of course, you also have to deal with the MC cliché, I can’t speak a lot for male ones, even though the few games I played with a male MC it always seemed like the dude is a completely normal, even lacking of charm, somehow a bunch of girls suddenly surround him for a reason or another and he get the choice to have one or all in his bed.
As for female MC, she’s often shy, has a personal ability to put herself in dangerous situation, male of choice always being there to help, of course, as female MC seems to be unable to stand on her own. It becomes quickly annoying to see female MC accepting the douche actions some of the route confront them, because the dude is hot or because the romance is already engaged.
A Few Suggestions (Yours are Highly Appreciated)
Because of those quite annoying and frequent cliché, it becomes hard at some point to enjoy the style and people simplify VN and Otome to simply being those clichés. Fortunately, there are a lot of VN which don’t follow those standards, here are a few of them.
- Cinderella Phenomenon
Strong MC • Hidden Side Story • Choice Matters - Amnesia™: Memories
Choice Matters • Hidden True Route • Weak MC - Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds
Historical Facts • Side Romance • Interesting MC - Hakuoki: Edo Blossoms
Historical Facts • Side Romance • Interesting MC - Cinders
Choice Matters • Strong MC • Important Nuances - Solstice
Dystopian Mystery • Strong MC • Thriller - Along the Edge
Strong MC • Mystery • Thriller • Side Romance - Seers Isle
Choice Matters • Interesting characters - Purrfect Date
Watch the intro video •
DO IT • JUST.. DO IT !
Your Suggestions (Love you guys ♥)
- Ambre
Free • Kinetic Story • Deeper Than It Seems - Steins;Gate
Time Travel • Multiple Endings • Emotional - CHAOS;CHILD
Mystery • Serial Killer • Multiple Endings - Princess Evangile
Deep characters • Serious Topics • Good as 1st VN - The Fruit of Grisaia
Emotional • Funny Scenes • Serious Topics • Trilogy - CUPID
Horror VN • Original Narrative • Mature Filter - Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator
Dad Creator • LGBTQ+ • Funny • Mini Games - Roommates
Unique Characters • LGBTQ+ • Choices Matter - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Interactions • Unique Characters • Investigation - Higurashi When They Cry
Emotional • Mysterious • Theories • 7 Chapters
- fault - milestone one
Immersive • Short (~4h) • Kinetic Story • Mystery
- Highway Blossoms
Yuri Romance • Kinetic Story • English VA
Do you play Visual Novel (Dating Sim or not) ? Do you have more to add to the cliché I wrote down (which are pretty personal) ? What VN would you recommend to try out ? Which FIRST VN would you recommend to someone who want to have a taste of the genre ? Also.. Why is Cinderella Phenomenon FREE ?
That is so true with visual novels. I had to chat with someone before but like with the girls they always get end up in a situation of sex where it sounds forced theres actually a vn my secret pets where they admit that idea as well so they weren’t trying to hide the fact they basically force the girls into it every story. I havent really played that many otomes but the ones I have its as you said. Someone keep following the douchiest of the bunch and then lets ignore consent cuz you clearly want me!
When I read the free vn cupid it kinda just turned that all upside down. It gave a reason for why everything was happening as it was. We werent just watching this fraile girl need a man in her life
For a recommendation i would have no idea. My first happened to be princess evangile. I loved the idea of having a chance to read but with pictures and as I always do if it looks pretty go into my wishlist. However I really enjoyed it and then that just became my thing. Despite reading so much they are all cliches. The grisaia series i fell in love with since it was different but as usual in the end the guy will get with the girl even in the anime he still gets with one and hes a sister lover so stay away from that even if kazuki is best girl. what should be first though but cant out of loyalty I got hit hard with the higurashi series. I went in knowing about the gore and stuff so it was great. However even though it stayed away from cliches its a whole thing of hmm not the best 1st to read unless they really into that
Ah yes. That certainly happened. I was about to write you here about it, but ultimately forgot. Sry about that.
I got very suspicious the moment you called me bro though :D
I still love your lovestory! Although having a bad one just before is… meh :(
But you overcame the obstacles! And now you can live happily ever after - or such! ;) \o/
Oh yes, we sure need a VN/Dating Sim gaming genre!
But then we would also need a HOF genre which we don’t have yet either, right?
I do play VNs! I also play Dating Sims.
Maybe it’s the other way round. I started out with Dating Sims and ultimately that turned into VNs?
I totally have two games I’d recommend, but that’s honestly a question about how you’d enjoy gay love. In case you do: “Dream Daddy”! Really, you just have to do this! And then there is “Coming Out on Top”. Which is very… detailed and sexy and stuff. Could be, I might have played one or two routes more then once… maaaaaaaaybe! innocent
Also, yes, I totally agree with you. I sometimes hate the MCs. It just doesn’t always make sense to me. Neither the female MCs nor the male. Unless you have some who are way more real.
I actually started out with “Always Remember me” by Winter Wolves. Yes, I am a Winter Wolves lover. Ever since I played a few of their games. My favourite still is “Roommates”. You have both here. A male and a female MC - though you can’t name them - and both straight, gay and lesbian love. Which I’m very happy about. Thank you very much. There are other good WW games, but I still like this one the best :)
Oh, btw, both gay games I mentioned above: You can choose names for your MC. Plus in Dream Daddy you can make a custom Dad! <3
And I’m currently playing/reading Higurashi 1 - which I feel Cece might have mentioned? glances up
Yes I totally did. I havent played any winter wolves but I am interested in them
Sounds good to me :)
Although I am a bit surprised you haven’t played one yet o.o
Well i just checked. All but room mates are ignored. I would play them if I got given the chance but i wouldnt go out of my way to buy it
Why though? O.O
Well im sure it would be different when i try one but i cant get it in my head to spend money on stories from them when the idea around them dont suit me. Im not fan of stat type games. So I ignore them. However I am interested just not enough to spend money on iy when theres plenty of others id rather buy 1st
Ah yeah. Ok, that makes sense. I actually enjoy the stat part. Mostly I guess. On C14 I never managed to get the right combination for one achievements so it can as well be annoying, but I most of the time enjoy them being different :)
And the stories are good - imho :D
Yeah I had a hell of a time doing dandelion. Trying to make sure I got the right stats up for the right guys and hope that whatever I do is the right action towards them and that I even get them. So much stress and so long for not much of bad ends
I love the story about how you met. It’s great that you can find a relationship (or even just friends) online. I found a good friend that way.
I haven’t really played that many dating sims. I’ll definetely check out the one’s you suggested though! I’m very picky about Visual novels but some I really enjoyed were:
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc: I just finished the first one and it was great. It’s a VN with a lot of interaction (investigate, walk around, give gifs.) It also had an interesting story throughout and strange memorable characters.
Higurashi: When they Cry: These games can be slow at first but once you let the ball start rolling, they’ll take you on an emotional, confusing, and mysterious rollercoaster. Creating theories for what is happening is my favorite part about the games. I’m currently on chapter 6 and I’m invested. There are no choices in this one though. It’s pretty much a book.
Dream Daddy: I found a dating sim! Dream Daddy is cute, goofy, and well written. There are plenty of choices and lots of endings.
Fault Milestone One: Not about dating, but a well written fantasy VN that involves friendship. The sequel is good too.
Highway Blossoms: Doesn’t have choices like a dating sim, but it is a romance! This is such a cute story with very likable leads. I haven’t played since he udate with the voice acting so I’m not sure if that improves the game or not.
Missed Messages: A short free VN about friendship and depression. Worth checking out!
The Lion’s Song: This Anthology tells four great short stories. Def check it out if it
Which FIRST VN would you recommend to someone who want to have a taste of the genre
I think it really depends on their taste. Some of my firsts were really terrible which is why I was turned off from the genre for so long. From my list I’d recommend Danganronpa first if they like crime or darker stories with interaction. I’d recommend something like Fault Milestone or Higurashi if they like a slow burning story with no choices. or Highway blossoms and Dream Daddy if they like romance.
I’m glad you’re here to spread the love for… online love :D Somehow, even in this day and age when more of us are online than not, not many people believe emotions can transcend computer screens; I’ve yet to experience that, but it always warms me to know it’s possible.
As for visual novels - heck yeah, I play them! The character clichés you wrote down are pretty accurate - not just your opinions - so to avoid them, it would be best to keep an eye out for a visual novel that is neither an eroge, nor an otome game, but rather just story-driven - then the gender of the protagonist usually won’t matter too much.
My personal VN recommendations overall would be: Ambre (too many people can’t get past the surface and see the true story, it’s so sad), Corpse Party (the PSP version) and possibly Steins;Gate (I haven’t finished reading it yet, but I think after obtaining half the endings and reading further on, I can say I am fully invested), but if one is not afraid of fooling around with fan patches, I recommend starting with Chaos;Head, which I also love dearly.
However, if I were to focus on otome games, I think the best recommendation would be Hakuoki - as long as length isn’t a dealbreaker for you, you’ll be able to watch the cast grow and mature over the years. There isn’t much lovey-doveyness, which I know could be a turn-off for some - you really work for a guy’s love in this one. Coupled with the historical basis (which I hear is very accurate to real life!), I think that just might be the best recommendation - even for guys, who would usually feel skeptic when it comes to the genre.
EDIT: One thing you might see somewhat often is people confusing visual novels with choose-your-own-adventure games. To avoid blurring the line between the two in your head, please use VNDB! Thank you in advance :D
And to answer your last question… I don’t know. I don’t think anyone knows. One thing I do know though… is that the developer is working on a fandisc!