Misconceptions About Visual Novels

Visual novels carry a negative connotation to the uninformed anime fans in the west. Just saying the word immediately conjurs up associations to hentai. While it is true that bishoujo/eroge games are visual novels, not all visual novels are bishoujo/eroge. Imagine visual novels as a big circle. A smaller circle for bishoujo games is nested in the visual novel circle. Likewise, an even smaller eroge circle is embedded in the bishoujo circle. Hope that explains my point adequately.

I would define a visual novel as any game that is primarly story driven through conversation and decision making from the first-person perspective of the main character. Unlike more conventional games, you fully assume their role and define what decisions are taken. Most visual novels are open-ended with all the choices possible but usually end up being very linear once you’re set on a specific path. Visual novels don’t necessarily need choice branches to advance the story though, as some can be very linear in nature like Phoenix Wright/Gyakuten Saiban. This is an example of a visual novel franchise with no bishoujo elements.

A bishoujo game is a sub-genre of visual novel centered around a group of pretty gals. You, as the main character, go around solving their problems with the intent of getting into a relationship with them (and maybe more…). Many bishoujo games contain erotic content as a reward for playing the game. However, good bishoujo games can stand on their own without the hentai content as evidenced by the success of several all-age releases. Examples of pure bishoujo games include Clannad and uh… Otaku really do play these for the hentai after all.

The reason why visual novels have such a bad representation in the West is because we’ve gotten so many bad games centered around the nasty with obviously atrocious titles (courtesy of Peach Princess and G-Collections). Since we have had such a hugh influx of terrible h-games, it’s easy to be of the mindset that all visual novels are this bad. Don’t let a few bad apples spoil the bunch though. Bringing over so many bad games has hurt the image of this market in the west, so chances are slim that we’ll ever see titles from developers such as Key, Leaf, Circus, minori, and Nitro+.

If Peach Princess and G-Collections got their act together, they would know that there are plenty of good bishoujo games that will definitely net a profit in the US. Maybe we should start a petition to see Kanon or something. Until then, I suppose there’s always the fan translation segment.

Want to know more about what’s available over here? There are some good titles among the sea of crappy h-games. Links coming up for the curious. You should totally be 18 or over to surf these sites, not like I really care.

Something Awful Hentai Game Reviews
G-Collections Site
Peach Princess Site