Are VNs still being made? Any standouts in the past decade?

[B3A2T]

I have fond memories of VNs since Baldr Sky and Aiyoku no Eustia was what made me learn Japanese. I think the last ones I played were Baldr Heart and Senmomo. I know August pretty much transitioned completely to their gatcha game Iris Mysteria since I played that for about 2 years. I noticed that their DMM advertising has gotten way more explicit over the last year so I assume that's just what sells in their niche. Is that the state of the rest of the industry - either no longer in business or making nukiges only? Or are there still occasional gems being released. If so, what are they, I might give them a shot as a change of pace.

[LostPomegranate]

https://vndb.org/v?q=&ch=&f=0272_0bSiAa2Nv&s=24w

 

There's been quite a few highly rated games released in the last ten years. Qruppo's games (Nukitashi 1 & 2, Hentai Prison), tone work's had two releases and a fandisc (Ginharu and Tsukikana / Tsukikana SSR), the 9-nine- series, at least the last episode of Clockwork Leyline, Summer Pockets, Cyanotype Daydream, and Jeweha & Jewena all released. Largely just depends on what you're looking for. A lot of the "old school" developers have been driven out due to various reasons though - COVID probably killed the most companies and we're still dealing with the effects of that due to the slowed development cycle.

[B3A2T]

Thanks, some of those look intriguing. I'll probably try out Cyanotype Daydream once I finish my current JRPG.

[Clephas]

Sadly, in terms of games being made, the numbers started steadily decreasing back in 2019 and Covid pretty much killed the industry in Japan.  As for VNs made between 2015-2020, there were a pretty good number of excellent releases.  However, there is very little worthy of note made after 2020.  

[Zakamutt]

In terms of stuff that was considered at least notable in non-moe focus circles, besides several already mentioned after 2020 there is
Hira hira hihiru
Tsui no stella
Black Sheep Town
Meikei no Lupercalia

For the people that can get into ye olde darke BL there's also Ooe (very recent) and Slow Damage.