/r/visualnovels
A community for discussing visual novels and the visual novel medium.
Go HERE to set your flair.
(last updated on Aug 13, 2022)
This is a community for discussing visual novels. We welcome posts and comments in English, Japanese, or a mixture of the two.
アドベンチャーゲームについて話し合うためのコミュニティです。日本語での投稿は大歓迎です。
Read the sidebar and the full rules before posting.
If you read VNs in Japanese you can get a flair describing your Japanese level.
日本語でお読みの方はこちらで日本語能力を示すflairを手に入れることができます。
Where to buy Visual Novels
You can find a guide by clicking here
Need a new VN to read or are new to them?
- Check out our subreddit recommendation website!
- /vn/ has a list of various plot VNs and a list of moe VNs if you're looking for similar types of VNs
What if I'm interested in reading Visual Novels in Japanese?
- A Guide to Choosing A First Untranslated VN by /u/NecessaryPool
- Our subreddit recommendation site for reading visual novels in Japanese
- Older List of Recommended VNs to read in Japanese
Spoiler tags and Furigana
Spoilers in submissions:
If your submission contain spoilers, mark it as spoilers after submitting, like this.
If there are untagged spoilers in your submission, mark it as spoilers.
When to use spoiler tags:
In threads not marked as spoilers always use spoiler tags everywhere in the comments.
In threads that are marked as spoilers: no need to use spoiler tags, but keep the submitter's level of knowledge about the VN in mind. Play it safe.
Always use spoiler tags in threads that are not about one specific VN. The only exceptions are series (e.g. Ace Attorney), but only if OP makes it clear that discussing all games in a series without spoiler tags is okay.
How to use spoiler tags:
Hide spoilers like this: >!hidden spoilery text!< which shows up as hidden spoilery text. Make sure there are no spaces at the beginning and end of the spoiler tag because this will break it for users on http://old.reddit.com/. In other words do this: properly hidden spoiler, but not this: >! broken spoiler tag !<
Furigana:
To use furigana in your posts, use the following syntax:
[正義の味方](#fg "せいぎのみかた")
which will display 正義の味方 on old Reddit. The quotation marks are not optional.
Submitting a post
Announcements:
If a VNDB page for a newly announced VN is available, make sure to post it in the comments when you've submitted the post.
NSFW:
After submitting, mark the submission with the NSFW tag if unhidden 18+ material is contained in the post.
Unallowed Posts:
No non-VN related submissions, no reposts from within under a year, no low-effort submissions. Details.
Images:
Images, Screenshots, and Memes related to Visual Novels are currently fine to post. Just make sure to space out your posts in moderation. If you post a screenshot, you are required to post a name of the visual novel in the title as well as tagging the topic with spoilers.
Self-promotion, crowdfunding, and Kickstarters:
Make sure topic title has Visual Novel name, make sure Project has narration and emphasis on reading, make sure updates are only major milestones, space out new asset/poll updates once every 2 weeks. Details here.
Giveaways & selling stuff:
Giveaway and selling posts are fine. Just make sure to post some kind of picture proof if selling anything physical. Tips here.
General
Piracy:
Don't ask for or link to illegal downloads, don't mention sites where illegal downloads are hosted, and don't encourage illegal downloading. Translation patches are allowed.
Non-VN related threads
Submissions unrelated to VNs are discouraged. Use the weekly Off-topic threads or the Weekly Question threads for personal things like saying hello, thanks, goodbye, or asking to be Steam friends. News about VN adaptions is allowed.
18+ Content
We welcome discussion about VNs containing 18+ content, but please bear in mind that this subreddit itself is not marked NSFW, and the focus of this subreddit is on VNs with some sort of literary value. Discussion of VNs with no literary value and with a large focus on 18+ content would be better suited to r/eroge.
Useful Links
VNDB - Visual Novel Database Visual Novels General Wiki Buying VNs Subreddit rules More
Guides
Guide to Japanese Technical problems Text Hookers - guide for handling untranslated VNs Terminology
Related Communities
Visual Novel Subreddits 4chan /vn/ itch.io - Following Developers
Filters
Discussion only News and Releases only Images only
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/r/visualnovels
577,336 Subscribers
VN's to pick up in Akihabara
Hello, will be doing some shopping in the Tokyo Area and was hoping to pick a VN or 2 to enjoy back home. The preference would be something that has an Fan Translation but no Official Translation ie White Album 2. Bonus points for reccomendations of shops to look through. Thanks
For more details, I'm a big fan of Aquaplus (So Sad I missed the event), Fate (GO/Stay), Grisaia, and Vanillaware. I have a pretty backlog, but that's never stopped anyone from buying more.
14:18 UTC
I ported YU-NO to one of those Chinese retro handhelds (credits to nunuhara for creating the AI5WIN engine reimplementation that made it possible)
14:10 UTC
Weekly Discussion #45 - NOVECT
Upcoming Weekly Discussions
11/17 - NITRO PLUS/Nitro+CHiRAL
11/24 - 07th Expansion
12/01 - This Year Visual Novel Scene in Review
As always, thanks for the feedback and direct any questions or suggestions to the modmail or through a comment in this thread.
13:02 UTC
Weekly Questions and Recommendations Megathread - Need some help? - Nov 10
Welcome to the /r/visualnovels Weekly Questions and Recommendations Megathread!
Any and all questions/recommendations related to visual novels are permitted in this thread. This includes recommendation questions, technical questions, as well as meta questions about the subreddit. No matter if your question is small, big, or seemingly impossible to solve. Anything.
But please don't forget that our rules still apply. Summarized, that means no unmarked spoilers, no piracy in any shape or form, give warnings for 18+ stuff, and be nice!
Useful links to check out before asking questions or for recommendations
General:
- VNDB: The Visual Novel Database - A fantastic resource for anything and everything visual novels. The visual novel equivalent to IMDB or MAL. It's where you'll find the answers to 90% of your questions.
- Guide to Japanese
- This recommendation site may be useful if you're new to reading visual novels!
- Consider this recommendation site if you're interested in reading a visual in Japanese.
- Looking for a relatively easy VN to read in Japanese? Click here!
From our wiki:
- Having trouble with a visual novel? - A page with some possible solutions and links.
- How to Hook and Extract Visual Novel Text - A how-to on dealing with untranslated visual novels.
- Buying visual novels - Where and how to buy visual novels, translated and untranslated.
More awesome and useful links can be found here.
13:01 UTC
Aquaplus really hates White Album huh?
30th anniversary event is over to my knowledge and I’ve looked anywhere for some announcements and absolutely nothing. Toheart got the remake, Utawarerumono got a new game. A old long dead VN got revived and a new game was announced but WA? *Crickets
12:59 UTC
VN Listening Test - Can you guess them all ?
12:46 UTC
trying to play Aki Ito, but for some reason the game appears like this to me. does someone know how to fix it?
05:21 UTC
Guys I connected my TV to the microwave like it said, help?!??
23:12 UTC
I wish that there was an official English release of AXL’s VN Racial Merge. Could there please be an English translation for sale on MangaGamer or GOG?
18:09 UTC
Cancelled Aquaplus visual novel “jasmine” is being revived
16:23 UTC
Destiny Star Girlfriend 2 Review | The Airhead Magical Girl Route
14:37 UTC
What's the name of every character in this photo? I found this photo in a fashion book.
14:02 UTC
How do I fix this error
This is the first time I got this Game:drama queens
10:24 UTC
Are the 2000s VNs with SLG and RPG elements difficult or hard to grasp using MTL?
While I know this is a broad question, I still want answers from this community (if possible, because I assume old VNs with not only untranslated dialogue but untranslated gameplay elements as well are bound to be unpopular).
Been doing some searching around on EGS under the "（熱く燃える）熱血系ゲーム" tag and was wondering if yall have played the older VNs in the list. I just find some of them very interesting.
07:53 UTC
Favorite overhated heroine?
Basically, a heroine that gets a lot of hate, but you yourself personally like?
My personal choice would be Hiyoko Saionji from DR2. My favorite character in the entire series, but probably one of the least popular characters for the western fandom. I find her genuinely funny and cute at times, not to mention her backstory revealed in her FTE makes me sympathetic towards her.
I’m curious in hearing everyone else defend their personal favorite controversial picks in anime women
04:45 UTC
[Recommendation] Are there any good VN's with this specific theme about parents
I really fucking hate my parents they're oppressive and dislike me for no real reason. Ik it's weird to ask but I wanted a VN with a theme similar to this that maybe includes a way to deal with it so that i could relate to it yk? Thanks
02:45 UTC
between Aoishiro and Akai Ito, which should i start first?
from what i heard, they take place in the same universe but have no relation to each other. is there a reccomended one to start with?
00:57 UTC
Any VN’s with heroines similar to Rikako (Raging Loop)?
I love this dumb, pervy, clumsy woman. I feel like her character archetype is usually split between multiple characters (like having the clumsy airhead as one heroine and the crazy perv as another). So was just wondering if there’s any heroine out there that’s similar
20:42 UTC
If you value music and sound design over visuals, check out The Rose of Cravenmor! Out now for free.
20:22 UTC
Announcing Crypterion, an open-world management visual novel!
Crypterion has been in development for a long time, but I've decided to announce it today. It's reaching that final phase of development. Last month you helped me pick out a character outfit. Thank you!
I really wanted a visual novel with a mix of choices, endings, romance, and surprises. I wanted a game with secrets that some, but not all players, would find. So I did that. I tried, guys, and this is what came out. Though it's viewable from the Steam page, I'll add a few images not found there:
Game Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1048860/Crypterion/
Rimshot. A system where everything is possible, thanks to the Iclantian Comets, relics of a past civilization. Their discovery attracted millions of colonists, opportunists, thrill seekers, scholars and more, all trying to gain wealth and power. You are one of them, seeking your fortune, whatever it may be. Do it right and you might become an emperor. Fail and you might just find out what a debtor's prison looks like.
Crypterion is a new approach to visual novels, mixing open-world adventuring with a complex plot where every choice matters and no two playthroughs will ever be the same. Start by defining your character, navigate down a myriad of branching paths, and become the most powerful person in Rimshot.
That is, unless you slip and lose everything.
https://i.redd.it/1qfw2bsr1qzd1.gif
- Unique blend of visual novels, point-and-click adventures, and open-world exploration, with open-ended gameplay allowing you to decide which way to rise to the top.
- Over two hundred choices branching the plot into multiple non-overlapping story arcs, fleshed out by a script totaling over 200,000 words.
- Customizable main character with selectable preferences, dislikes, and more, which the game will react to - and more changes occur as you progress through the game.
- Explore 6 unique planets of the Rimshot system, seeking a path to riches and power. Build a business, look for spoils, become a TV celebrity - and more!
https://i.redd.it/qa7jfq312qzd1.gif
Interact with nearly 40 distinct characters, including eleven unique crewmates. A Saboteur, Genius, Stowaway, Mechanic, Security Officer, Informant, Cook, Doctor, Pilot, Guardian, and Secret Agent. Build relations, forge lasting friendships, and even entertain marriage proposals.
https://i.redd.it/fzygttt23qzd1.gif
Players can submit questions on our Discord for a chance to be featured on the in-game TV show, Face To Face®! Join Sunny Dae, everyone’s favorite TV host, as he asks hard-hitting questions to his guests. Plus, share your fan art with the community—your work might be displayed in-game at locations like the gallery, auction house, treasury, and other points of interest!
18:59 UTC
I present to you... School Days Android
16:49 UTC
Need help finding this one VN(?)
I don't remember the name of it. I do remember that it had a combat of sorts where you would be fighting with a 2d circle with your character icon. Something like knocking them off a platform to win.
15:15 UTC
Select Oblige | Released on Steam/Other Platforms Today
Select Oblige by Madosoft released on Steam, JAST, and possibly elsewhere today.
It's Hikari Field's first release of a solo English localization (aside from a demo with an iffy translation), so would be interesting to hear any feedback on that.
Blurb
Select Oblige is the latest title from the popular Japanese visual novel brand Madosoft. The game includes Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, and Japanese language options and supports features like Steam achievements and trading cards, along with a wealth of additional content. The Steam version is set to launch on November 8, 2024.
Select Oblige features character design and artwork by renowned illustrator Hiyo Yuzuna, with the story crafted by Shoukei Wakaba. The main heroines are voiced by popular voice actresses Hana Akino, Kanau, Ren Sagami, and Yuuka Nanakusa. The theme song is performed by the well-known singer Faylan.
11:56 UTC
Sharing Maggot Baits Drama CD
I don't know wether sharing this is allowed or not.
I saw phantomthief00 posted about Maggot Baits Drama CD.
I found it in Suruga-Ya with quite affordable price.
Here's the Download link if anyone interested: https://gofile.io/d/557tAb
08:53 UTC