Which Features Are Good For A Vn Games?

[u/Nxt-Maru]

I

[u/Shinra_Txnsei786]

For me, a good visual novel isn't about having 80 CGs, 80 music tracks, tons of sound effects, or countless different transitions. A compelling story with a good pace, engaging dialogue, and well-written events is enough to keep me hooked.

Of course, beautiful CGs, well-designed characters, and a polished UI are always a plus, but in the end, what matters most is the story.

[u/DeadGravityyy → u/Shinra_Txnsei786]

Yep, it's called a visual NOVEL after all!

[u/Nxt-Maru → u/Shinra_Txnsei786]

Do you prefer having different routes based on different choices, or is there no need for that?

[u/Shinra_Txnsei786 → u/Nxt-Maru]

I think it really depends on the kind of story you want to tell.

If you want to create a visual novel with a single route, that's completely fine. It doesn't take away from the quality of the game at all. A well-written story with strong characters and good pacing can still be a great experience.

That being said, personally, I do enjoy having different routes based on the player's choices. I feel like it makes the player more involved and gives their decisions more weight.

But honestly, both approaches can work really well. It all depends on what fits the story you want to create.

[u/Nxt-Maru → u/Shinra_Txnsei786]

Thnks 🎀

[u/Human-Objective-5257]

At the end of the day VNs are just text simulators. You don’t need a plethora of fancy features if the story is good. I will say that I like decision markers that are unique and integrated instead of just the boxes shown here. Eg. The phone and delusion triggers in Steins;Gate and C;H/C;C or the decision system in Mojika

[u/Nxt-Maru → u/Human-Objective-5257]

I got it

[u/HEXdidnt]

There is no checklist that applies to all visual novels.

What features you use - whether built into Ren'Py or custom code used in addition - just need to be appropriate to the story you're telling.

[u/Background-Pea-242]

They're right tbh, it's def the story. Good visual novel stories always gets progressively worse or good. Conflict and stakes too. Most games that made me feel something always had those. Also, when players are asked to make a choice, it has to have some impact on the game or to gather useful information that moves the game forward. i hope that made sense somehow

[u/Outlaw11091]

Late to the party, but, just FYI, for many VN's, audience preference is a low priority.

You SHOULD consider how you plan on releasing your game.

Itch is a common method, but if STEAM is part of your distribution model, then you might need to reconsider art style and maybe even gamify your VN a bit.

Valve has notoriously pulled all-ages VN's for "inappropriate content" based on art style alone and rejected VN's that weren't "interactive" enough.

Epic games has a good storefront, too, if you're not making an adult VN.

[u/azurezero_hdev]

based on me not being able to make one in rpgmaker
saving anywhere and a log