Virtual dating games are fun in their own way. Sometimes people look on this game and see a batch of titles that really don’t make sense in the context of real life, but that’s always been the point of games. They open up a different part of life, one that may be impossible to achieve if you’re just an average Joe. At the same time, they provide fantasies that some people have in the deepest parts of their hearts. Sometimes, it may come from a perfect character in a game, that’s why these visual novels exist; just to give people an alternative fantasy.
10. G Senjou no Maou
Japan has a strange streak of making romantic situations happen in almost any context. This title is primarily focused on the shady background of Kyousuke, who’s considered normal by his peers but hides a vicious intelligence. Kyousuke teams up with a crime fighting young lass named Maou, and together they search for criminal that has done the city wrong. Along the way, you can expect a ton of character development and some pretty nice animations and illustrations as well.
9. Muv-Luv Extra
Generally, the Japanese have interests in two very specific genres; the first being light hearted romantic comedies and the second involves giant robots. This game takes both of those and mixes them up in a unique visual novel about living a relatively normal high school life, but with robots. At the same time, it mixes up the formula by stopping you from getting to the main point without a certain amount of unlocks. While people can say that this is padding the game a bit more than it should, it works in a ton of ways. The sequels only serve to strengthen series, and you might find yourself enjoying the long journey ahead.
8. Fate/Stay Night
Yet another combat novel, Fate/Stay has grown a huge fan base around it, and it’s only growing more expansive as the anime gathers more popularity. This story finds its roots in the visual novel genre, and it is considered one of the best among fans and new comers alike. The hero, a determined yet slightly incompetent high school-er, was raised and trained to become one of the best sorcerer’s around. The whole premise revolves on a secret war, wherein summons and masters battle to the last for the mythic holy grail. The story touches on themes that one can’t usually consider normal, as relationships aren’t limited to just human masters, and often concern the summons instead.
7. Ever17: Out of Infinity
No one ever said that all visual novels are just erotic point and click games, but it still carries that stigma around like a virus. It’s the games that take a very unfamiliar environment and add these familiar features that really stand out. Ever17 is an excellent example of this sort of story telling, as it revolves around a few people who have been trapped in an underwater sea park. Together they form the bonds necessary to survive this death trap, and along the way build deeper relationships.
6. Symphonic Rain
If you feel like you need your romance set in a more romantic setting, then maybe being trapped in giant aquarium or running giant robots aren’t your thing. In this case, you may want to try out Symphonic Rain, which is set in a town where the rain never seems to stop. The whole purpose of the game is to help out the young protagonist find the perfect partner in making his musical number. The story is touching, and the intimate settings only serve to complement the sweet story.
5. Sharin no Kuni
The beauty of visual novels is that they often strip down other parts of gameplay to present a story, which is more concentrated on character development, and there is no game that emphasizes this more than Sharin no Kuni. The premise is a bit more complicated than the usual fare, but the characters come from very recognizable tropes. Other than that, to experience the goodness of this game, you’ll just have to buy it and find out.
4. Chaos; Head
Visual novels usually feature one sort of protagonist, which is alright when you consider just how relate-able they are. In Chaos;Head, the protagonist is a literal hyperbole of what you might find in some anime and in a lot of the Visual novel genre. He’s anti-social and often runs away from the reality of things through games and anime. However, everything changes when he receives a mysterious text in which a young woman is murdered, and it happens to right in front of him the very next day.
3. Cross Channel
Yet another game that takes the anti-social and turns it up to the extreme, this title features a school which houses these young kids who can’t adapt to normal society. Here, they are stuck together with all their quirks and they must learn to socialize with other people with similar afflictions. The catch is that at the end of every week, people lose their memories and everything is reset to 0. The art style in this game is pretty impressive, and at the same time, the characters are pretty familiar to those that like animes.
2. Shinken de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai!
Sometimes a great story only needs to take clichés and make the very most of them. These are usually memorable because they polish the usual tropes so that they shine like they were new. This visual novel is a very basic comedy about friends who are living out their lives in school and are having fun doing just that.
1. Katawa Shoujo
This game takes a very serious twist right at the beginning of the game, however, it’s that unique premise that really changes it up from the start. You see, instead of having powers, being trapped together with strangers, or having no social skills whatsoever, this game is centered on the lives of those who have physical disabilities. While it was considered a perverse game at first, the poignant story about people trying live their lives normally while being outcasts proved all the critics wrong.
January 11, 2016 8:22 pm
Great selection of romantic visual novels! If you are interested in more, different alternatives of virtual dating games, here’s a list : http://goo.gl/45AV1l Add your favorite to the comments there!