narratively-driven

As maligned as the visual novel genre is, I keep wondering if I’m going to come across one with a genuinely good story. They do exist but I find the majority I encounter land in the same trappings that stifle my enjoyment of a good read. The latest to cross […]

Autumn’s Journey – PS4 Review

December 15, 2020 in PS4 / Reviews tagged apple cider / autumn's journey / dodgy parenting / dragons / friendship / narratively-driven / romance / visual novel by Mike

The visual novel deluge shows no signs of stopping although at least A Hero and a Garden is more of a clicker than a choose your own adventure. Coming from npckc, this knight’s story features some green thumb gardening and some charming life lessons. Simple in its approach, there’s a […]

A Hero and A Garden – PS4 Review

September 9, 2020 in PS4 / Reviews tagged a hero and a garden / clicker / idle / knight / monsters / narratively-driven / npckc by Mike

I’m having a hard time with the visual novel genre. There’s something about the writing in general that puts me off. It’s a very wordy genre and it’s all very geared towards telling, rather than showing. The next one on my docket is Cinders, from MoaCube. It’s a retelling of […]

Cinders – PS4 Review

August 29, 2020 in PS4 / Reviews tagged choices / cinderella / cinders / fairytale / godmother / moacube / narratively-driven / visual novel by Mike

It’s a stone could fact that there are more visual novels born than people these days. Sure enough, another one has crossed my path asking me to look at some anime artwork whilst trying to pay attention to some dialogue. It’s Nicole‘s turn. Coming from Winter Wolves, this dating simulator […]

Nicole – PS4 Review

August 6, 2020 in PS4 / Reviews tagged college / dating life simulator / mystery / narratively-driven / nicole / visual novel / winter wolves by Mike

Jisei the First Case HD is a visual novel focused entirely around a murder mystery. Centred around a killing at a diner, Sakevisual’s focused narrative provides some simple investigative thrills whilst lacking in some longevity and nuance. The story concerns a murder mystery held entirely within a diner’s premises. A […]

Jisei: The First Case HD – PS4 Review

August 1, 2020 in PS4 / Reviews tagged detective / jisei the first case hd / Murder mystery / narratively-driven / sakevisual / visual novel by Mike

Now I’ve done it. I’ve opened the Pandora’s box on visual novels now and another one has been sent my way. It’s not a genre I’ve ever been enamoured with but at least A Summer With the Shiba Inu offers a decent mystery on paper. It’s a genre where the […]

A Summer with the Shiba Inu

July 5, 2020 in PS4 / Reviews tagged a summer with the shiba inu / dogs / military laser tag / mystery / narratively-driven / quill game studios / spying / visual novel by Mike

Say the words visual novel to me and I have a pretty good idea of what to expect. Just through osmosis, I’ve gained a perception of a genre that has a rather uneasy underbelly to it. Strawberry Vinegar manages to punch this home every step of the way. Coming from […]

Strawberry Vinegar – PS4 Review

June 6, 2020 in PS4 / Reviews tagged anime girls / children / choose your own adventure / ebi-hime / feeder fetish / narratively-driven / romance / visual novel by Mike

Her Story‘s a game I completely missed the boat on. Sam Barlow’s attempt at a narrative experience focusing entirely on a police interview raised many eyebrows and critical acclaim. Sam now returns with another desktop detective thriller in Telling Lies. Following up in spirit and structure of its predecessor, this […]

Telling Lies – PS4 Review

May 3, 2020 in PS4 / Reviews tagged espionage / fmv / full motion video / narratively-driven / sam barlow / telling lies / voyeurism by Mike

I can’t swim so the idea of being stranded under the sea is probably my ultimate nightmare. Narcosis, a narratively-driven horror from Honor Code, looks to deliver a claustrophobic tale of isolation and survival under the weight of many atmospheres of pressure. Sounds fun. Taking place exclusively underwater, a disaster […]

Narcosis – PS4 Review

August 28, 2018 in PS4 / Reviews tagged honor code / horror / narcosis / narratively-driven / spider crabs / survival / underwater by Mike

Will O’Neill’s uncompromising tale of depression, Actual Sunlight found critical success with a narrative that did not waver over some of the darkest of subject matter. Now he returns with a rather introspective and, dare I say, grim tale of the squeezed middle class. Originally released on Steam in July, […]

Little Red Lie – PS4 Review

January 14, 2018 in PS4 / Reviews tagged depression / little red lie / money / narratively-driven / will o'neill / wzogi by Mike