Visual Novels

[notorietus]

The founder of VNDB, Yorhel, has unfortunately passed away. VNDB is probably one of the best and most comprehensive sites I've seen for information on a game genre bar none. The amount of detail that goes into which versions/patches/etc. is astounding and the only thing I'm hoping is that things don't get worse from here. Forum thread here.

VNDB put out an additional update statement (archive) on 2026-03-30 at 17:11:

I have been contemplating how to tell you all what has been happening since Yorhel's passing.
The short answer is quite a lot, and not much at the same time.

It has been more than a week since the news broke and we are still trying to come to terms with Yorhel's absence. We have been in close contact with two of Yorhel's close(st) friends, who have a good grasp on the technical situation. Through them we have also been in communication with Yorhel's family.

On Tuesday, March 24th, Yorhel was laid to rest surrounded by family and friends. His friends passed on one last message from the VNDB community, for Yorhel to take with him to The Great Visual Novel in the Sky.



As briefly discussed in the vndb preservation thread, there are several obstacles ahead of us. Yorhel's friends are aware of our predicament and are dedicated to preserving VNDB. As they have access to Yorhel's property and systems, we are hopeful for our future. The financial situation is still up in the air, but Yorhel's e-mail is being monitored for any missed payment warnings.

We have the intention to continue VNDB in its existing form, ensuring respect for Yorhel's decisions and philosophies. It will take us some time to adjust to the new responsibilities that will now fall upon us and are carefully considering our further steps.

In the upcoming days/weeks, we will know more. Any questions that you may have can be asked here. Please, remember that it can take some time before we have a definitive answer for you.

*

Yorhel's sister Marieke saw many of your reactions in the RIP Yorhel thread and expressed her gratitude. She wanted me to pass on a message from Yorhel's family to the VNDB community:

"We are deeply moved by all the responses to the passing of our son and our brother Yoran (known to you as Yorhel). To be honest, we didn’t know he had created a website that plays such an important role in the world of visual novels. We are proud that he leaves behind something that brings joy to so many people, and we hope that VNDB will continue to exist for a long time.

Thank you for your kind words, from his mother and two sisters."

Yorhel's friends are aware of the predicament. They have access to his computers/property and his email is being monitored for any missed payment warnings.

 

[Gamepads]

Sequel to Return to Shironagasu Island announced.

 

[HexFag]

Sequel to Return to Shironagasu Island announced.

View attachment 8816372

Really have to get around to reading Shironagasu Island, looks interesting and it's short enough where I can probably power through it in a weekend.

I finished Sumaga's second route and while I enjoyed it more than the first one, I think Shimokura Vio hates glasses girls. I just ended up feeling terrible for Garnet by the end of her route. This game needs to be translated so bad because there's literally nobody online who talks about this VN.

 

[MAAAD]

Interesting thread, I've currently put reading Katawa Shoujo through on hold due to studying but I was really enjoying it and have completed both Emi and Lilly character arcs, so far. Very touching stories that hit you right in the feels.

10 months later, I have finally finished all of the remaining routes, in the following order: Hanako, Shizune, Rin. I made sure to take months-long breaks between every character route to let the impressions each story left on me linger for a while.
Man... feels like there's a lot to say, yet there's no need in that. There's only one thing really worth saying: the girls and their stories will now forever live in my heart.
One of the most memorable, heart-warming, tear-inducing reads in my life.

 

[ShitLurker]

OK, question for the rest of the class. I'm with Utawarerumono Mask of Deception. I'm like 10 hours in. Twink archer just joined and party has caught the bandit boss (again). when does it get good?

The characters here for the most part feel like Temu versions of the first game. Haku is so shit, specially compared to hakuowlo, I expect a payoff to this but my god is the writing making it hard. Drives me up a wall that he NEVER asks why the beastmen are all so much stronger than him or why NOBODY notices or cares that he's a human. Hakuowlo I didn't zero in on this as much since he had the mask and was not removable as well as very quickly becoming an owlo, so I see why most people would shut the fuck up. But for some random whiny pussy? I can only assume people don't just abandon him is due to the beastmen being generically rigged to have deference for humans. but after such a compelling start with the slime, that it's just "oh, you such dum dum Haku, oh you so ecchi Haku *smack*" is wearing thin my patience. Specially with how unfunny and long winded these scenes are, I already knew what to expect as the punchline for the windmill and went straight to mashing through the dialogue to get on with it and it's not the only time I've done this.

Kuon is just... such a cunt sometimes that kind of ruins the mystery of who she is. The rest of the girls are harem fodder except Nekone which has her own bag of annoyances. Only character I enjoy is Ukon as of now.

I've heard people oooh and aaah about this series. The first game was great and I'm not a stranger to slow burns, but this one is just annoying me and from some google searches, most of the game is this horrible slice of life, so, is all that set up really worth it for the third game or lile the last 2 hours it decides to focus?

 

[wtfNeedSignUp]

OK, question for the rest of the class. I'm with Utawarerumono Mask of Deception. I'm like 10 hours in. Twink archer just joined and party has caught the bandit boss (again). when does it get good?

The characters here for the most part feel like Temu versions of the first game. Haku is so shit, specially compared to hakuowlo, I expect a payoff to this but my god is the writing making it hard. Drives me up a wall that he NEVER asks why the beastmen are all so much stronger than him or why NOBODY notices or cares that he's a human. Hakuowlo I didn't zero in on this as much since he had the mask and was not removable as well as very quickly becoming an owlo, so I see why most people would shut the fuck up. But for some random whiny pussy? I can only assume people don't just abandon him is due to the beastmen being generically rigged to have deference for humans. but after such a compelling start with the slime, that it's just "oh, you such dum dum Haku, oh you so ecchi Haku *smack*" is wearing thin my patience. Specially with how unfunny and long winded these scenes are, I already knew what to expect as the punchline for the windmill and went straight to mashing through the dialogue to get on with it and it's not the only time I've done this.

Kuon is just... such a cunt sometimes that kind of ruins the mystery of who she is. The rest of the girls are harem fodder except Nekone which has her own bag of annoyances. Only character I enjoy is Ukon as of now.

I've heard people oooh and aaah about this series. The first game was great and I'm not a stranger to slow burns, but this one is just annoying me and from some google searches, most of the game is this horrible slice of life, so, is all that set up really worth it for the third game or lile the last 2 hours it decides to focus?

I do remember it's more of a slow burn, with most of the game setting up the background for the last 25% and sequel, but it does get good either when you get the twins or when you get to the war.

I personally liked Haku, he is very different from the previous protagonist, being lazier and more cunning. He is more whiny at the start (the Tidus syndrome) but he is in a difficult position. As for why no one mentions his lack of ears, it's probably due to the settings being the more massive China with much larger diversity. Also the dude wasn't at the peak of health before the game.

Kuon also has her own depth that is more explored in the sequel, but I have been pre conditioned to love tsunderes.

I guess my only recommendation is to turn your brain off and enjoy the slice of life, since you will miss that levity later.

 

[Poop A Loop]

OK, question for the rest of the class. I'm with Utawarerumono Mask of Deception. I'm like 10 hours in. Twink archer just joined and party has caught the bandit boss (again). when does it get good?

It's long as hell but all that buildup is worth it. Up to you if it's worth the time to you, though. At the end of the journey I appreciated the slice of life since it made the latter parts of Mask of Deception and Truth overall worth it. Haku went from a middling protagonist to one of my favorites. There's a scene in Truth that I'll never forget and half of the impact is because Haku is such a whiny hanger-on in Deception. Depends on how much you like what you experience with Deception, but Prelude to the Fallen is also pretty good and serves as a prequel. Though you can get away with watching the anime if you want. I think the prequel game/anime made Mask of Truth even better.

Kind of related to Utawarerumono but I'm playing The Hundred Line and it's pretty good so far. I guess you'd call it a VN...

I beat The Hundred Line 1 and now am onto getting the endings that seems interesting. 2nd Scenario: Farewell, Last Defense Academy was pretty well done so I'm hoping that the other two major routes are just as good. Not really interested in getting the joke endings right now but we'll see if I convince myself to get all 100 endings.

 

[HexFag]

I beat The Hundred Line 1 and now am onto getting the endings that seems interesting. 2nd Scenario: Farewell, Last Defense Academy was pretty well done so I'm hoping that the other two major routes are just as good. Not really interested in getting the joke endings right now but we'll see if I convince myself to get all 100 endings.

As somebody who has read Hundred Line in it's entirety I think it's a mixed bag but I respect the hell out of Kodaka and not really Uchikoshi for getting something like this out in the first place. That being said, not all routes are created equal and there are some routes that are WAY FUCKING BETTER THAN OTHERS while some are straight up filler to get it to that 100 ending mark. If you want a recommended list of routes to do if you don't want to do all the game has to offer then do:

Killing Game
Retsnom
Multiple Eitos
Cult of Takumi
Goodbye Eito
S.F. (This one is kind of on the edge because of all the shit you have to do to finish it but if you're gonna do it do it last)
V'ehnexess
Coming of Age


The rest of the routes are kind of a mixed bag in terms of quality but personally I wouldn't go out of my way to do them. Stay away from the box routes unless you're doing S.F.

I also took an evening out and read To The Moon and while it's an RPGMaker game, I'm counting it as a VN.
All I have to say is:

 

[triggersliver]

Anyone heard of Nami no iro?

 

[HexFag]

Anyone heard of Nami no iro?

No but it looks weird. Added it to my backlog.

 

[wtfNeedSignUp]

It's long as hell but all that buildup is worth it. Up to you if it's worth the time to you, though. At the end of the journey I appreciated the slice of life since it made the latter parts of Mask of Deception and Truth overall worth it. Haku went from a middling protagonist to one of my favorites. There's a scene in Truth that I'll never forget and half of the impact is because Haku is such a whiny hanger-on in Deception. Depends on how much you like what you experience with Deception, but Prelude to the Fallen is also pretty good and serves as a prequel. Though you can get away with watching the anime if you want. I think the prequel game/anime made Mask of Truth even better.

Kind of related to Utawarerumono but I'm playing The Hundred Line and it's pretty good so far. I guess you'd call it a VN...

I beat The Hundred Line 1 and now am onto getting the endings that seems interesting. 2nd Scenario: Farewell, Last Defense Academy was pretty well done so I'm hoping that the other two major routes are just as good. Not really interested in getting the joke endings right now but we'll see if I convince myself to get all 100 endings.

I watched the anime for Deception before playing the game. And while it works better as a slice of life, it really irked me how it changed the ending, it's small but significant.

Prelude is a fantastic game but has a ton of stuff you only understand if you play Deception beforehand.

I can't recommend Hundred Line routes. It's a game that just disrespects your time, and there are very little reveals that justify dozens of hours to plow through it. Only the Truth route is worth it for getting an ending without needing to finish half of the total routes.

The main issue with the route writing is that rather than being done to justify moments in the original game, it's to justify moments in other routes that are completely disconnected to the original story.

 

[Poop A Loop]

Okay, I think I'm finished with The Hundred Line. Decided not to do all endings because I'm just ready to move on to other stuff.

Spoiler: Spoilery Thoughts

The three main routes - The Hundred Line 1, 2nd Scenario, and SF routes are all good. Though I'm disappointed that they didn't do much with the artificial satellite I did enjoy the reveal that all the timelines are being experienced rather than just being alternate routes separate from each other. The various routes interacting were all relatively well done too.

Before I got to the SF route all I could think of was "man I wish this wasn't open-ended because this game would be so much better if the various timelines were played in a linear fashion. There's all this cool stuff that you could do with Takumi realizing that he's living the same timeline over and over again...so that was a nice reveal haha.

While I like the SF route's happy ending more because I'm a sucker for happy endings, the 2nd scenario was done way better and had a better assembled ending. Given the 2nd scenario's implications for how Takumi and Nozomi met I also wish they would have gone full bore into pairing them up or at least presented a more certain romance in SF. Once again, I'm a sucker for happy endings and romance so take that perspective with a grain of salt.

Overall, I think the game is pretty good. The biggest issues are that the battle system becomes irrelevant after a certain point (since you can just skip it), and the story can feel overly indulgent. While most routes add interesting ideas, a lot of them could have been trimmed down without losing much.

This is very much a game that values telling its story on its own terms. That means it can waste your time a bit, and it really demands a heavy commitment if you want to see everything. Even without getting all endings, I still put in over 90 hours. “Indulgent” is probably the best word to describe both the writing and the overall experience. I can appreciate that approach, but it’s definitely going to turn some people off if they’re not fully on board. The Hundred Line is a big commitment to finish even the bare minimum of "true endings".

Personally, I’m glad The Hundred Line exists. It feels like a passion project and I’d rather have something messy and overindulgent like this than not have it at all. I want more games like it even if they're not perfect.

 

[mirai gadget 8]

Finished Danganronpa 1 and 2 for the first time. I liked both of them, but I think 1 is probably the better game. I wrote some posts in the danganronpa thread. Thoughts on DR1 and on DR2. The light novels I'll eventually read, and I am currently going through UDG and the 3 anime, which I will finish before starting V3.

 

[HexFag]

Overall, I think the game is pretty good. The biggest issues are that the battle system becomes irrelevant after a certain point (since you can just skip it), and the story can feel overly indulgent. While most routes add interesting ideas, a lot of them could have been trimmed down without losing much.

This is very much a game that values telling its story on its own terms. That means it can waste your time a bit, and it really demands a heavy commitment if you want to see everything. Even without getting all endings, I still put in over 90 hours. “Indulgent” is probably the best word to describe both the writing and the overall experience. I can appreciate that approach, but it’s definitely going to turn some people off if they’re not fully on board. The Hundred Line is a big commitment to finish even the bare minimum of "true endings".

What routes did you end up doing? If you didn't I'd still give the Multiple Eito's, KIlling Game, and Retsnom route a read because they're considered to be the best non-true ending routes the game has to offer. If you like romances two of the three recommended routes I put in the spoilers have the best romances in the game. The Romance route ironically enough is pretty half-baked when it comes to romances, but it's the closest we're getting to a Kyoshika route until the DLC never comes out.

Finished Danganronpa 1 and 2 for the first time. I liked both of them, but I think 1 is probably the better game. I wrote some posts in the danganronpa thread. Thoughts on DR1 and on DR2. The light novels I'll eventually read, and I am currently going through UDG and the 3 anime, which I will finish before starting V3.

I hope you enjoy V3. Even with Hundred Line out I'd still argue that some of those trials are Kodaka at his best. Good luck with UDG.

I finished up the main three routes of Sumaga and it is peak fiction. Despite being a Nitro+ VN, it's probably the most upbeat and positive VN I've ever read and the happy ending that Unkoman died many many many times for was absolutely worth it. I still have some side routes and the true ending but there are literally no route guides so I'm wading in the dark for the last 25% of this VN. It's absolutely fucking comical that after 50-60 hours of reading they finally gave the protagonist a voice. I'll let it slide because the explanation was pretty funny and I hate unvoiced protagonists in VNs but it takes some balls to keep your main character completely silent for 70-80% of the VN. I really hope JAST gets this one out in English eventually because even amongst those autistic enough to learn a language to read vinnies, nobody talks about this one.

 

[Poop A Loop]

What routes did you end up doing?

I did the 2nd scenario ('cuz it's required), SF, Box of Calamity, Mystery, Slasher, and Reset.

I was ready to wind things down by the time I started in on the story lock requirements for SF so I'll definitely have to do those other routes once I feel like jumping back in.