It has become a common thing for people to associate visual novels, often referred to as “eroge” when they contain explicit content, with adult themes, where the narrative aspect of these games can sometimes be overlooked in favor of appealing to the desires of the players.
This perception is reinforced by certain developers who include “enhancement features” aimed at increasing the game’s appeal to a specific audience. For instance, some games allow players to change a character’s skin tone to a more tanned shade or even offer options to enlarge female characters’ bust sizes. These features are designed to cater to specific tastes and fantasies, which can sometimes overshadow the storytelling elements of the game.
While visual novels can be a rich medium for storytelling, blending narrative depth with interactive elements, the inclusion of these kinds of features often skews the focus toward physical customization and fan service. This can lead to a situation where the potential for immersive, character-driven stories is sidelined, reducing the overall perception of the genre to one that primarily caters to superficial desires.
However, it’s important to note that not all visual novels fall into this category. There are many examples of visual novels that prioritize storytelling, character development, and emotional engagement, demonstrating the genre’s versatility and potential beyond just adult content.
The Birth of Visual Novel
The first visual novel released in Japan was Lolita: Yakyuken in 1982. In short, the game revolved around a Japanese rock-paper-scissors (yakyuken) match with a heroine. Each time the player won a round, the heroine would gradually remove a piece of clothing.
This game set the stage for the early association between visual novels and adult content, as it focused heavily on the erotic aspect rather than storytelling or character development. Lolita: Yakyuken was significant not just because it was the first of its kind, but also because it introduced a formula that would be emulated by many other games in the early days of the visual novel genre, particularly in the eroge category. Despite the simplistic gameplay and focus on nudity, this title played a foundational role in the development of visual novels as a medium in Japan.
The early version of this game had a linear story, with a plot centered around the sexual interactions between the player and the heroine. In subsequent versions, the story evolved to include multiple routes and branching paths, culminating in a “true ending.”
The emergence of this visual novel was partly driven by the growing popularity of computers during that time, which encouraged independent developers to experiment with this new platform. As a result, visual novels began to take shape as a unique medium.
This development was also influenced by the demand within the Japanese community, particularly among otaku, for niche media that offered more flexibility and acceptance of adult content. This environment paved the way for the birth of the first visual novel, which was, in essence, an eroge (erotic game).
The combination of accessible technology, a receptive audience, and the creative freedom of independent developers allowed the genre to flourish, establishing visual novels as a distinct and enduring part of Japanese gaming culture.
Dating Sim and Sci-fi
The term “dating simulator” began to gain recognition in the early 1990s. This type of visual novel introduced the concept of giving players the freedom to choose different routes based on the heroines they wished to pursue. This gameplay mechanic laid the groundwork for what would later become the harem genre in anime and games.
These early dating simulators typically included various adult content, catering to the desires of those seeking virtual romantic experiences. The ability to select different romantic interests and navigate multiple storylines based on these choices added a layer of interactivity and replayability, which became a defining feature of the genre.
The appeal of these games extended beyond just the adult content; they offered players the chance to experience multiple narratives and endings, making each playthrough unique. This combination of romance, choice, and often explicit content resonated with audiences, especially those looking for an escape from the challenges of real-life relationships, leading to the continued popularity of dating simulators and their influence on the broader visual novel and gaming landscape.
Despite the adult content often associated with visual novels (VNs) during this period, the presentation and innovation in VNs were quite promising. In terms of illustration and gameplay, players were no longer confined to a world of static images. Some VNs, particularly from major developers like Square Enix, began to offer options for exploring sci-fi worlds, triggering quests, and engaging in gameplay that felt more akin to RPGs and open-world experiences.
This evolution marked a significant shift, allowing visual novels to break away from being solely recognized as softcore adult games. In the years that followed, VNs without an eroge basis started to emerge, offering strong narratives and character development that could stand on their own. These non-eroge VNs began to gain popularity, proving that the medium had the potential to deliver compelling stories and immersive experiences beyond just catering to adult desires.
As a result, the genre began to diversify, attracting a broader audience and establishing visual novels as a versatile and respected form of interactive storytelling. This shift also paved the way for the development of many critically acclaimed VNs that are celebrated for their depth, creativity, and emotional impact, helping the medium to evolve and mature over time.
Nakige
Nakige (泣きゲ), which translates to “crying game,” is a subgenre of visual novels that became popular in the late 1990s. Unlike eroge or the nukige (抜きゲ) subgenre, which are focused on sexual content and pornography, nakige are designed to evoke strong emotions, often leading players to tears through their heartfelt stories.
These games typically feature deeply emotional narratives, focusing on themes such as love, loss, friendship, and the struggles of life. The goal of a nakige is to connect with the player on an emotional level, drawing them into the story and characters so deeply that the experience becomes cathartic.
The popularity of nakige marked a significant shift in the visual novel genre, showcasing the medium’s potential to deliver powerful and moving stories. This subgenre played a crucial role in broadening the appeal of visual novels, attracting players who were more interested in story-driven experiences than in adult content.
Nakige titles are often praised for their ability to combine engaging gameplay with profound storytelling, offering a unique experience that resonates emotionally with players long after they’ve finished the game.
Nakige often includes scenes of tragic love stories that can leave players emotionally impacted, sometimes causing what’s humorously referred to as “emotional damage.” These narratives are crafted to resonate deeply with players, making them feel the characters’ pain, loss, and heartache.
One of the most popular examples of a nakige in recent times is ATRI -My Dear Moments-. This visual novel has gained significant acclaim for its poignant storytelling and the emotional journey it takes players on. The story revolves around themes of love, memory, and the passage of time, all set against a beautifully crafted, bittersweet narrative.
ATRI is particularly noted for its ability to draw players into the lives of its characters, creating an emotional connection that lingers long after the game is over. It exemplifies the nakige genre by blending a compelling storyline with moments of deep emotional impact, making it a memorable experience for those who play it.
The popularity of nakige began with the visual novel To Heart in 1997. While To Heart still contained some sexual content, this aspect was not the primary focus of the game. Instead, the emphasis was on the story, which was so compelling that players often forgot about the presence of adult content altogether.
To Heart’s success opened the door for other story-oriented visual novels in the years that followed, such as White Album and others. These titles further solidified the appeal of narrative-driven VNs, where the emotional and dramatic aspects took center stage over explicit content.
One of the key impacts of this shift was the emergence of a new subgenre of visual novels known as kinetic novels. Unlike traditional visual novels, where players make choices that influence the outcome of the story, kinetic novels are entirely linear. They focus solely on storytelling, with no branching paths or alternate endings. This format allows for a more controlled narrative experience, often used to deliver deeply emotional or complex stories in a way that mirrors the nakige approach.
The rise of nakige and kinetic novels marked a significant evolution in the visual novel genre, demonstrating the medium’s ability to tell powerful, character-driven stories that resonate on an emotional level, and expanding the audience beyond those interested in adult content alone.
Kinetic Novel
Kinetic novels are a subgenre of visual novels that focus on delivering a linear storyline with no branching paths or alternate routes. Some popular titles like Planetarian and Higurashi are prime examples of kinetic novels.
These titles are known for providing deeply emotional and often tragic narratives that resonate strongly with players. Despite lacking multiple routes or hidden endings that lead to a “true” conclusion, kinetic novels are able to captivate their audience through powerful storytelling alone.
What sets kinetic novels apart is their ability to engage players with a single, well-crafted narrative arc. The absence of branching paths means that all players experience the same story, allowing the creators to focus on developing a cohesive and impactful plot. This often results in a tightly woven tale that can leave a lasting emotional impact on its audience, sometimes even causing what players refer to as “emotional damage.”
The strength of kinetic novels lies in their plot and story development, which are often so compelling that players become deeply invested in the characters and their fates. The emotional journey these games offer can be intense, as seen in titles like Planetarian and Higurashi, where players are drawn into the narrative’s emotional depth and the tragic elements that unfold.
Visual novels (VNs) are a unique medium that allows writers to express a wide range of imaginative stories. Through this medium, creators can bring their ideas to life, blending narrative depth with visual and auditory elements to create immersive experiences. While it’s true that VNs originally stemmed from roots in erotic games, the medium has since evolved far beyond its origins.
VNs have grown into a versatile platform where creators can explore various genres and themes, from romance and drama to science fiction and fantasy. The interactive nature of VNs allows for a deeper connection between the player and the story, as choices made by the player can influence the narrative’s direction, adding layers of engagement and personalization.
Even though VNs began with a focus on adult content, they have expanded to include a wide array of storytelling experiences. Today, VNs are recognized for their ability to deliver complex, emotionally resonant stories that appeal to a broad audience, showcasing the medium’s potential as a powerful form of artistic expression.
