If you primarily enjoy playing video games for their stories, then one genre is perfect for you: visual novels. Their name is fairly self-explanatory, but you might not be familiar with this somewhat obscure genre.

Let's explore the world of visual novel video games, including what makes a game a visual novel and some great titles that exemplify the genre.

What Is a Visual Novel?

A visual novel is a video game genre that tells an interactive story primarily through text. They usually feature static character models and locations, and while they might have some animated cutscenes, these are typically short (if present at all).

While most video games feature some amount of text, visual novels are unique in that they more closely resemble a written work. Instead of telling major parts of the story through gameplay, cutscenes, or context clues, you read a lot of dialogue and other text to advance through the narrative.

Visual novels are hugely popular in Japan, which is the biggest market for them. Some visual novels have been localized for Western audiences, and a few developers have even created visual novels from scratch in English. Due to the genre's roots in Japan, most visual novel games feature anime-styled visuals.

Without much traditional "gameplay" to carry them, visual novels have to rely on their story, characters, and other narrative elements to keep the player interested. Thankfully, most good visual novels do a fine job of this. Supplementing the core elements with good music and graphics helps the best visual novels stick out.

Distinctions in the Visual Novel Genre

Like many video game genres, visual novels have some fluidity to their definition. In Japan, a "visual novel" describes games like those mentioned above. In these titles, there's very little interaction with the game world.

Aside from reading through the story, you may have the chance to pick from certain responses or actions, which might influence the story or the ending. But you don't directly control what your character does, like moving around and picking up objects.

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Japanese adventure games, on the other hand, are still text-based adventures with static graphics. But they typically involve puzzle solving, mini-games, and other gameplay elements beyond just reading the story. These Japanese adventure games are similar to "point-and-click" adventure games that were popular in the West.

Compared to visual novels, they allow you to directly command a character, instead of just picking from responses at certain times. While these games might not have multiple endings or major branching paths, they typically punish you for making too many mistakes.

Outside of Japan, though, most people don't draw a distinction between proper visual novels and Japanese adventure games. We use "visual novel" to describe both, which means that games under this moniker can vary quite a bit.

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As a result, if you've never played a visual novel before, you might prefer to start with one that's more of an adventure game. Then, if you find that you enjoy the story more than the gameplay, you can try a proper visual novel.

The Best Starting Point for Visual Novels: Ace Attorney

Many people credit the Ace Attorney series with popularizing the visual novel genre in the West. And while Ace Attorney is a Japanese adventure game more than a proper visual novel, it's still a great way to test the waters if you're new to this type of game.

In the Ace Attorney series, you play as Phoenix Wright, a defense attorney who takes on clients and has to prove their innocence. The gameplay is split into two main spheres: investigations and trials in the courtroom.

During the investigations, you move around various areas to gather evidence related to the case. You'll speak with witnesses, look around the crime scene, and discuss with your assistant to learn more about what happened. You can't move onto the next phase until you find everything you're supposed to get, so there's no chance to miss something critical.

Then, during the trials, you have to use the evidence and information you've gathered to prove that your client is not guilty. This is where the logical puzzle-solving elements of the game come into play. For example, you'll need to cross-examine witnesses that the prosecution brings, and provide evidence that proves what they say isn't true.

Ace Attorney is a great place to start with adventure visual novels. While you can't influence the ending with your choices, you do have to pay close attention to the details to succeed in the courtroom portions. The memorable characters, excellent localization, fantastic music, and winding plot lines make it a fantastic series everyone should try.

Examples of More Traditional Visual Novels

If you like Ace Attorney, there are lots of other games like it to play next. But if you want a more traditional visual novel, it's easy to find high-quality titles in this flavor, too.

One well-known option is Hatoful Boyfriend. In this game, you are the only human attending a top school for birds. As you walk through the game's story, you make decisions that affect which character you romance.

Like discussed above, since this is a traditional visual novel, your input to the game is limited to making choices when prompted. You aren't free to move around like you are in Ace Attorney's investigation sequences, and there aren't additional gameplay elements in the forms of puzzles and logical deductions.

If this game sounds too straightforward, VA-11 Hall-A is a game that mixes the simulation genre with a visual novel. In it, you play as a bartender in a cyberpunk dystopian future. Your main form of interaction with the story is making drinks—customers come in and let you know what kind of drink they want, but you're free to give them whatever you like.

Depending on what you serve them, you will encounter different scenarios and endings. The game has more interaction than a pure visual novel, but also relies heavily on interesting conversations with the game's varied cast.

Crack Open a Visual Novel Today

Now you know about the visual novel genre and what it offers. Whether you prefer a book-like visual novel or an adventure game, the genre is great for anyone who loves a good story. If you've found other video game genres too fast-paced or overwhelming, visual novels could be perfect for you.

Keep in mind that visual novels aren't the only great lesser-known video game genre, either.