What visual novel features do you enjoy?

[GrumpyMuffin]

While visual novels are primarily about text and choices, the medium still has the potential for many other features that help engage the player more with the story and world of the novel/game.

For example, I personally think the money system in Being A DIK is cool, it gives you some more things to consider when making choices.

What features would you like to see more of in visual novels? Feel free to share ideas too.

 

[Meaning Less]

I enjoy free-roam mechanics in visual novels because they add a layer of exploration and gameplay to them even if limited.

 

[GrumpyMuffin]

I enjoy free-roam mechanics in visual novels because they add a layer of exploration and gameplay to them even if limited.

I agree. I also like that they break up all the reading for a bit. Gives a little mental break.

 

[♍VoidTraveler]

One could do tons of things to improve a generic vn, hardly anyone does though.

There's interactivity. Put some interesting items for the player to find. Could even make elaborate puzzles by hiding various items.
There's sound. Things like car sounds, birds chirping sounds, some other background noise where appropriate.
And there are things like - animating birds sitting on a tree, or a rain droplet running down a window, or a steam rising from a kettle..
Porn animation doesn't have to be the only animation...

Like come on, you can bring your VN to life quite literally if you got the skills and are ready to dish the effort, Dev-kun.
Turn that creativity on already, and show me the world that you see in your mind.

Many vn devs just add some pics, mediocre text, some irrelevant choices... and think they got some hot shit all done and ready.
Don't make me laugh.

 

[GrumpyMuffin]

One could do tons of things to improve a generic vn, hardly anyone does though.

There's interactivity. Put some interesting items for the player to find. Could even make elaborate puzzles by hiding various items.
There's sound. Things like car sounds, birds chirping sounds, some other background noise where appropriate.
And there are things like - animating birds sitting on a tree, or a rain droplet running down a window, or a steam rising from a kettle..
Porn animation doesn't have to be the only animation...

Like come on, you can bring your VN to life quite literally if you got the skills and are ready to dish the effort, Dev-kun.
Turn that creativity on already, and show me the world that you see in your mind.

Many vn devs just add some pics, mediocre text, some irrelevant choices... and think they got some hot shit all done and ready.
Don't make me laugh.

Absolutely agree with you! There's a ton of potential in these games!
Thank you for taking the time to write this

 

[redknight00]

Choices that matter.

 

[woody554]

anything that makes getting the girl not trivial. it should feel difficult, there should be setbacks and ways to fail.

 

[GrumpyMuffin]

Choices that matter.

A vital part of any visual novel, in my opinion!

anything that makes getting the girl not trivial. it should feel difficult, there should be setbacks and ways to fail.

Yes! It should totally feel like a reward in some ways!

 

[Deleted member 6385753]

Animated sex scenes and well-written stories. Good looking renders are also a nice bonus.

 

[GrumpyMuffin]

Animated sex scenes and well-written stories. Good looking renders are also a nice bonus.

These are definitely essentials in my book!
But what about more unique features you don't see too often?

 

[Doorknob22]

What I don't see many AVNs do (and I try to add in my own game where it's applicable) is to convey some emotions or plot using images only with little or no text.

For example: If two characters are confronting each other and one of them submits or gives up, you can simply show that character lowering their head and/or slumping their posture without adding the text "All right, I give up", because the body language says it without needing words. The VN medium shares a lot of storytelling techniques with comics and this is something I wish I saw more of in AVNs.

Example: the next series of images describes a scene in my game where the MC and a girl go to the woods to fuck and the parents are not too happy about it. There is almost no text in this scene.

Spoiler: Odi and Karder

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[GrumpyMuffin]

What I don't see many AVNs do (and I try to add in my own game where it's applicable) is to convey some emotions or plot using images only with little or no text.

For example: If two characters are confronting each other and one of them submits or gives up, you can simply show that character lowering their head and/or slumping their posture without adding the text "All right, I give up", because the body language says it without needing words. The VN medium shares a lot of storytelling techniques with comics and this is something I wish I saw more of in AVNs.

Example: the next series of images describes a scene in my game where the MC and a girl go to the woods to fuck and the parents are not too happy about it. There is almost no text in this scene.

Spoiler: Odi and Karder

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Oh hell yeah! I think more games needs to put more emphasis on showing more rather than telling everything through text. I don't need to read that she's happy, I can see it!

Same thing story-wise, I don't wanna read the entire backstory of the character or their family. Give me hints, clues and information in smaller fractions so I can piece it all together as I go along.

 

[Deleted member 6385753]

These are definitely essentials in my book!
But what about more unique features you don't see too often?

Wdym with unique features? Like point n' click thingies? If that so, well.. no. I always prefer "straight forward" games like freshwomen or eternum. Purest AVN experience, if you know what I mean.