I'm going to give my opinion on VNs I've played with great character writing in the form of a tier-list. I'm fairly dissatisfied with lists like this: https://f95zone.to/threads/story-first-games.86340/ which you guys can check out as a comparison.
Here's the criteria:
S-Tier: You really get the sense that the writer understands each character as a distinct individual, and is able to draw you into his/her life in a realistic way. The story and dialogue are conveyed at a professional level, like a literary writer and not a pulp writer.
A-Tier: Similar to the above in terms of the writer understanding their characters well, but have weaknesses in execution and delivery. This might mean less wit or original insight. But still, the characters should feel real enough that you are drawn into them in an almost parasocial way. That's how real they seem.
B-Tier: Dialogue starts to feel perfunctory, loses realism, and characters start to have similar personalities. However probably still enjoyable even if not as expertly crafted.
C-Tier: Characters are psychologically uninteresting, overly tropey, flanderized, or samey. You get the sense that the writer hasn't met enough people to understand how different humans think and function or lacks the EQ to really internalize it. Personally don't enjoy these stories for the characters' personalities, but rather how sexy they are or what wicked things you can do to them. You get the sense that the characters exist to serve the plot and fulfill a role rather than be real people. Things like a good plot and interesting choices could still make for a good game even if the character writing is relatively weaker.
D/F-Tier: Downright unbelievable characters, at this point the writing is unenjoyable and the game would have to be played for other reasons than character writing. Some games I enjoyed do fall into this category, but the porn or gameplay would have to be excellent. Not even really trying, just porn tier. There is a distinction here between D and F but I don't feel like trying to sort them.
The Games
Of course I haven't played every game...
*Having an asterisk next to their name means I'm not sure about the placement, could go up if further character development happens later on in the story.
Disclaimer: Some of these I played early on and haven't gotten up to the latest update.
S-tier:
Shattered, Harem Hotel, Cure My Addiction, White Album 2
A-Tier:
Mythic Manor, The Deluca Family*, Tsukihime
B-Tier:
Hail Dicktator, School Days, College Daze, Long Live the Princess, Being a DIK, Sisterly Lust, Lessons in Love, Bad Memories*, Gates Motel, Wartribe Academy*, V.I.R.T.U.E.S*, High-rise Climb*, Free Cities*, Umineko, Once Upon a Time
C-Tier:
MIST, Now and Then, Take Over, Lucky Paradox, Waifu Academy, Corrupted Kingdoms, Sorcerer, Hillside, The Visit, Where the Heart is, Wife Trainer Files*, Depraved Awakening, WVM, One More Chance, Bell Master, Holstein Girls, Sweet Affection*, Due Process, Tessa (And all other games by author), Healslut*, Genesis, The Company, Love & Sex Second Base, The Repurposing Center, Dark Magic, SWe1: Warrior's Heart, Chains of Pleasure, Starless, Taimanin Asagi
D/F-Tier:
Corruption, Bimbo Life Coach*, Shelter, Apocalypse, Lab Rats, Sex Note*, The Professor, Superpowered, Venus Club, Something Unlimited, Become Alpha, 4 Elements Trainer, Strive4Power, Deviant Discoveries, Princess Trainer, Witch Trainer, Stationmaster
What do you guys think? How would you rate the games you've played?
Here's the criteria:
S-Tier: You really get the sense that the writer understands each character as a distinct individual, and is able to draw you into his/her life in a realistic way. The story and dialogue are conveyed at a professional level, like a literary writer and not a pulp writer.
A-Tier: Similar to the above in terms of the writer understanding their characters well, but have weaknesses in execution and delivery. This might mean less wit or original insight. But still, the characters should feel real enough that you are drawn into them in an almost parasocial way. That's how real they seem.
B-Tier: Dialogue starts to feel perfunctory, loses realism, and characters start to have similar personalities. However probably still enjoyable even if not as expertly crafted.
C-Tier: Characters are psychologically uninteresting, overly tropey, flanderized, or samey. You get the sense that the writer hasn't met enough people to understand how different humans think and function or lacks the EQ to really internalize it. Personally don't enjoy these stories for the characters' personalities, but rather how sexy they are or what wicked things you can do to them. You get the sense that the characters exist to serve the plot and fulfill a role rather than be real people. Things like a good plot and interesting choices could still make for a good game even if the character writing is relatively weaker.
D/F-Tier: Downright unbelievable characters, at this point the writing is unenjoyable and the game would have to be played for other reasons than character writing. Some games I enjoyed do fall into this category, but the porn or gameplay would have to be excellent. Not even really trying, just porn tier. There is a distinction here between D and F but I don't feel like trying to sort them.
The Games
Of course I haven't played every game...
*Having an asterisk next to their name means I'm not sure about the placement, could go up if further character development happens later on in the story.
Disclaimer: Some of these I played early on and haven't gotten up to the latest update.
S-tier:
Shattered, Harem Hotel, Cure My Addiction, White Album 2
A-Tier:
Mythic Manor, The Deluca Family*, Tsukihime
B-Tier:
Hail Dicktator, School Days, College Daze, Long Live the Princess, Being a DIK, Sisterly Lust, Lessons in Love, Bad Memories*, Gates Motel, Wartribe Academy*, V.I.R.T.U.E.S*, High-rise Climb*, Free Cities*, Umineko, Once Upon a Time
C-Tier:
MIST, Now and Then, Take Over, Lucky Paradox, Waifu Academy, Corrupted Kingdoms, Sorcerer, Hillside, The Visit, Where the Heart is, Wife Trainer Files*, Depraved Awakening, WVM, One More Chance, Bell Master, Holstein Girls, Sweet Affection*, Due Process, Tessa (And all other games by author), Healslut*, Genesis, The Company, Love & Sex Second Base, The Repurposing Center, Dark Magic, SWe1: Warrior's Heart, Chains of Pleasure, Starless, Taimanin Asagi
D/F-Tier:
Corruption, Bimbo Life Coach*, Shelter, Apocalypse, Lab Rats, Sex Note*, The Professor, Superpowered, Venus Club, Something Unlimited, Become Alpha, 4 Elements Trainer, Strive4Power, Deviant Discoveries, Princess Trainer, Witch Trainer, Stationmaster
What do you guys think? How would you rate the games you've played?
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