Yeah Way

Didn't read the entire OP. xD

Also, we can clearly see that big titles in Japan are still treated as such: "On the day of its release, two video game retailers in Akihabara opened two hours early for advance sales of Rewrite. The main Gamers store opened at 7 a.m. to a line of about 200 people. The Sofmap Amusement store opened at 9 a.m. and used two floors in the eight-story building for sales of Rewrite: the fifth floor was used for general sale and advance orders of the game, while the eighth floor was used solely for those who had reserved their copy." -Wikipedia

I think one problem with localising VN's in the west is the "Video Game" label that even people here give it. For newcomers, I think it should be marketed as an "Interactive Manga" or something like that.

If you play "Rewrite", you'll have done your first three in the exact same order as I. "Rewrite" is fantastic, so I legitimately recommend that.

bore the pants off me..... Actually, that's far too mild a phrase for the mind-numbing tedium these sorts of stories bring forth in my psyche, but it will have to do. I'm not at my best right now. I suppose different strokes for different folks and all that. And why do the spoiler tags take up an entire line? Not complaining, it's just weird.

Depends: in the "Lucky Star" VN, you could do that, but the characters were voiced, so you'd get lines like "What about *SILENCE*?"

In my opinion, a game should voice none or all of its characters. Every voiced VN has the option to disable individual characters' voices, so those who prefer role-playing don't suffer whatsoever from an MC voice actor, whereas people who enjoy thinking of their MC's as individuals of their own like me lose out on the option not being there. The only example I've experienced myself was "Rewrite"; the final act's giving Kotarou a voice was simply amazing, one of my favourite things about the entire game. Did it detract from the experience of those who had been role-playing as Kotarou? No, they could turn it off; meanwhile, in every other VN and game with non-voiced protags, I've had to imagine a voice for them, which is slightly awkward when I needn't do so for any other character. Of course this isn't a problem in silent VN's or those silly 'Book' things, because rather than the most fundamental character with whom the reader spends most of his imaginary time being mysteriously mute and presumably speaking through telepathy or Sign Language to the rest of the cast, they're all reliant on the reader's imagination.

Whilst 97% of the VN fandom have played it, and the other three are fully aware of what it is.

I know, right? I mean, it makes sense to me now that

Yeah, don't get me wrong, I love it too: it's amongst my favourites.

I'VE FAILED TOMOYA'S ROUTE. I've consulted the walkthrough, and am now replaying from the very start.

I should like to think that most people who've played both think so. "Persona 4" is a great game; it just wasn't "Persona 3". I also personally love the PSP remake of the original; but hate the second game, if anyone cares.

OH MY GOD, Tomoyo's route is fucking hilarious! What's a "Hindu Squat" anyway? xD

It's the same with me, only my frustration was solely caused by Kyou's horrible route, and "Rewrite" had me on the edge of my seat for so damn long that my arse and chair were both broken.

Just out of curiosity, on what league are you in SC?

So I can do the rest of the original game later? Brilliant.

I was just wondering, would one be able to play Tomoyo's route and then move immediately onto "Tomoyo After"; or would they need to have finished the entire original game to enjoy it fully?

Really? I've always gotten the idea that "Rewrite" had surpassed it in people's eyes, but maybe that's because I prefer it. (For now: I've not finished "Clannad".)

Hanako's from "Katawa Shoujo", because it was actually a significant plot device; and therefore more memorable. Yume's from "Hoshizora no Memoria", because after going through all the rubbish about stars and fairies, I was in ecstasy throughout her entire route.

Ugh, I hated what they did with "Skyrim". Love "Elder Scrolls" 2, 3 & 4 to death.

In no particular order, my favourites are: "Persona 3" "The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind" "Pokemon: White" "Call of Duty: Black Ops" "Portal"

Welcome to the House of Fun, BTW. Write a bit in the "Introduce Yourself" Forum.

I'll just give you some big names that're common around here: "Rewrite"; "Katawa Shoujo" & "Hoshizora no Memoria". If you liked "Clannad" and want an epic story, go for "Rewrite": it's made by the same people. If you'd like to see a unique game made by English speakers, try "Katawa Shoujo". If you'd like cute moe girls and sex tied together with a decent plot, play "Hoshizora no Memoria".

I'm strongly against using "Tomb Raider" as an example, but everything else is certainly what I'd consider truth on our current state in the industry. It isn't all at once heading in any direction in particular: there's so much variety nowadays. I think if there's one common goal to which the majority of developers are heading, it's player immersion.

Surely if your looking for complex, deep writing, you should be looking for novels and such which have no ties to Manga whatsoever.