What is a visual novel?

A visual novel is a type of interactive fiction game, typically characterized by its strong narrative and branching storyline. In a visual novel, the player reads text on a screen and makes choices that affect the course of the story.

Visual novels are often compared to Choose Your Own Adventure books, as both allow the player to control the direction of the story. However, visual novels typically feature more sophisticated graphics and animation, and often include voice acting and music.

Visual novels are a popular form of entertainment in Japan, where the genre originated. However, the genre is gradually gaining popularity in the West, with a number of high-quality titles being released in recent years.

Visual novel examples

Some of the most popular and well-known visual novels include,

Steins;Gate: A science fiction visual novel that tells the story of a group of friends who accidentally create a time machine.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – A courtroom drama visual novel in which the player takes on the role of a defense attorney.
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc: A murder mystery visual novel in which the player must solve a series of murders.
Life is Strange: A coming-of-age visual novel in which the player must make choices that affect the outcome of the story.

Why are visual novels popular?

There are a number of reasons why visual novels are popular. Firstly, they typically feature strong narratives and branching storylines, which allow the player to influence the course of the story. This makes visual novels an engaging and immersive form of entertainment.

Secondly, visual novels often include high-quality graphics and animation, which can enhance the player’s experience. Finally, visual novels often feature voice acting and music, which can add to the overall atmosphere of the game.