Messages

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Visual Novels / Re: Gameplay Heavy Visual Novels

« on: November 25, 2012, 04:30:18 am »

Thanks for the input! I'll look into what was recommended on VNDB, and if I happen to find anything else that looks like it has some engaging gameplay, I'll be sure to post it here in case anyone else is interested

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Visual Novels / Gameplay Heavy Visual Novels

« on: November 23, 2012, 06:17:44 am »

It's been a while since I've gone through a gameplay heavy VN, and I think it's about time I pick one up.

I've already spent months on both Sengoku Rance and Kamidori: Alchemy Meister, and both of them were addicting and incredibly fun.

Since I'm not sure if there are other high quality ones out there, I'm kind of hoping someone here can recommend me one good enough to absorb hours of my time, every day, for months on end.

Anybody here have a few that they'd recommend?

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Visual Novels / Re: VN: Anime Versions - The VN Was Better

« on: November 16, 2012, 04:03:26 am »

Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that way. I have a habit of thinking 'Maybe this one WON'T be trash' as I lead into any anime that was previously in a VN form (and I am then subsequently let down). I'm much less experienced with Light Novels, although I tend to find my biggest problem is that they start off great and simply aren't continued past a first season due to some creative differences or lack of capital.

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Visual Novels / Re: VN: Anime Versions - The VN Was Better

« on: November 14, 2012, 09:34:32 pm »

As someone well-versed in Visual Novels, I can confidently say that in most circumstances, anime adaptations of a Visual Novel usually pale in comparison to their original source.

Some of the most notable examples being Fate/Stay Night and Umineko. Both of them are actually not that bad on their own, but when you compare them to their origins they essentially fall flat on their faces. The main issue is that too much information is compressed and the Anime tends to attempt to mash together several elements of the multiple routes, thus leading to an amalgamation of several different stories that often simply don't line up.

The most recent example I can think of would be an Anime/Visual Novel titled Mashiro Iro Symhpony. I went into this with a fairly open mindset, and the first several episodes came off with quite a good premise; that this wasn't going to unsuccessfully slam the multiple story routes together and hope it turns out alright. The first half was fairly focused, had good character development, and then suddenly... All of that vanished. They simply acted like all of the character focus hadn't happened and moved on to another heroine. And then they did it again. Two of the primary heroines weren't even touched on and become nothing more than supporting roles. Seeing all of that potential and character development completely forgotten and wasted was really a letdown from what seemed to be a very promising plot.

Now, having said all of that, not all adaptations are a letdown. Clannad was fairly well done, although having played through the VN I still wholeheartedly believe that the original does a better job portraying the emotions that usually flow with Key works. Steins;Gate was also a very well done and faithful adaptation, and I can easily consider it my favorite anime to date. Unfortunately, a good amount of (albeit minor) content was lost, some of which led a a deeper understanding of the events that transpired during the plot.

I'm almost afraid to find out how Angel Beats! is going to fare in VN form, as it was originally intended as an anime. Granted, Key has yet to let me down so far, so I do have faith.

The point of this rant? None. I just felt like sharing my opinion, albeit a long-winded and essentially pointless one. Thoughts? Responses?