The Western visual novel is a growing genre that adds a literary approach to gaming.
What Is a Visual Novel?
Most visual novels feature branching narrative structures, where player decisions dictate how the games storyline will advance.
Some even use complex gameplay mechanics, such as puzzles, role-playing statistics, and combat sequences.
Today, visual novels are highly popular with both Western and Eastern gamers.
However, the genre itself has a long historymuch of which predates the Wests interest in the format.
Unique for its time,Portopiarelied on text-based inputs for crime scene investigations and dialogue scenes.
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Of course, romance titles werent the only genre available in Japan.
In 2010, developers both new and old began creating brand new stories for Western players.
Analoguewasnt Loves first visual novel, of course.
But it certainly was one of her most provocative releases.
Developing the game as a visual novel was simply a natural fit from the start.
In fact, the game was largely inspired by the formation and development of countries.
The game features life management gameplay mechanics and six possible endings for the player to achieve.
To me, thats a feature.
I tend to feel that something isnt really a game if you cant lose.
Indeed, Bee, Love, and Bensleys games are not exactly happy stories.
This, Bensley suggests, is absolutely vital to the storytelling experiences she creates.
Bee, meanwhile, argues that the tone a visual novel establishes is vital to its success.
I dont necessarily think its a bad thing, just a thing to think hard about.
Indeed, its not an issue to develop a visual novel for a new audience.
Certainly, the Western visual novel market is only just beginning to make itself heard in the gaming industry.
Lets hope its here to stay.
Ana Valens is a freelance contributor.
