Question/Discussion about Enforced Playing Orders dynamic in VN's

[torbin12]

So, I've been playing a certain VN now (left omitted for fact of this sort of being a spoiler for it, maybe) for a little while, and love the setup, I like the battle system (Its one of those kind, with combat, a battle system, etc), the characters, the play style, all around enjoying the game. Then reading online, I found out it was an Enforced Playing Order (You have to play through each heroine in a specific order, etc) and I pretty much immediately decided to drop the VN right there.

My real question is this, am I weird for absolutely hating enforced playing orders? I detest them, one of the things I love most about VN's is the ability to make choices that usually affect the outcome of the game and ending, but to me, it's like I feel that Enforced Playing Orders take away at least some of that choice, that ability, does that make me the weird one? What do you think about them, do you like them, dislike them? Not care one way or the other about them? If you dislike them, and found out the VN you were playing had it like that, and liked everything else about the VN, would you keep playing it?

[Down]

I had an answer typed but hit the wrong key and it disappeared. I hate my life.

Sorry for the useless post, i'll post something again when i'll be done insulting my computer.

[Mikel]

I don't think I'd really mind playing an Enforced Playing Order.

Well, I understand how you feel, though, I wouldn't like starting a game, and realise it was Enforced Playing Order in the middle of the game, but if I know it is since the beginning I wouldn't mind.

[Clephas]

A lot of people find enforced playing orders irritating. However, in some games it is a necessity due to the degree of detail in an individual heroine's path or due to certain details in another heroine's path not making sense without playing the previous one. Ruitomo's story is a perfect example of a game with a legitimate reason for having an enforced playing order, and most of the best VNs have at least one heroine or path that is not available on the first playthrough. Almost all gameplay-focused VNs have an enforced playing order in the sense that they have at least one ending that can only be accessed on the second playthrough. This doesn't mean that your irritation is unjustified (it's really irritating to have an enforced playing order in a straight moege or a gameplay-focused that doesn't have new game+ that makes the second cycle much easier), but it does mean that when it is used properly in order to tell an overarching story, it can be a good thing.

[Ryoji]

A lot of people find enforced playing orders irritating. However, in some games it is a necessity due to the degree of detail in an individual heroine's path or due to certain details in another heroine's path not making sense without playing the previous one. Ruitomo's story is a perfect example of a game with a legitimate reason for having an enforced playing order, and most of the best VNs have at least one heroine or path that is not available on the first playthrough. Almost all gameplay-focused VNs have an enforced playing order in the sense that they have at least one ending that can only be accessed on the second playthrough. This doesn't mean that your irritation is unjustified (it's really irritating to have an enforced playing order in a straight moege or a gameplay-focused that doesn't have new game+ that makes the second cycle much easier), but it does mean that when it is used properly in order to tell an overarching story, it can be a good thing.

Well said. I had a nice reply typed out but you beat me to it. Seems silly to repeat what you said. lol

[Snowtsuku]

There are stories that are better played in certain order. As long as you still have a little choice on who to start with I am fine.

[Daeyamati]

Hmmm, the only VN I've read with an "enforced order" was Arcana Famiglia, but even then it wasn't really enforced since it lets you pick which route to go for out of a set number and then letting you unlock the others.

But like Snowpoke said, as long as I get a choice of whose route to go for I don't really mind.

[torbin12]

Now, I dont mind the unlockable routes, where you have to do like, the main heroine first, or the 3 primary girls or what not, the only way I mind it is when its like you HAVE to do it this way 1:Heroine A, 2:Heroine B, 3: Heroine C, etc.

Although, I can understand what you're saying Clephas, I may try to go back through that VN and finish it anyway

[Snowtsuku]

Now, I dont mind the unlockable routes, where you have to do like, the main heroine first, or the 3 primary girls or what not, the only way I mind it is when its like you HAVE to do it this way 1:Heroine A, 2:Heroine B, 3: Heroine C, etc.

Although, I can understand what you're saying Clephas, I may try to go back through that VN and finish it anyway

So you are referring to strict playing orders where you don't really have a single choice like FSN where you have to play Fate->UBW->HF right

[Down]

The only VN I played where there was enforced order were F/SN and Tsukihime.

And in this case it's entirely necessary for the plot. Playing Heaven's Feel before F/SN or Kohaku's route before Akiha's would not be good story-wise.

[sanahtlig]

I don't like enforced play order because I'm picky about heroines. But it sort of depends how the story is structured. Is the game about the plot, or the characters / romance? If the former (e.g., FSN), then enforced playing order can be acceptable. If the latter, it's really annoying.

And yes, I downloaded a 100% save file for Duel Savior to avoid OP's problem.

[Kastel]

Cross+Channel is a VN with enforced playing route and it makes sense.

Anything that makes sense is good to me.