visual novel

It’s the season for spooky tales and what better way to close out October than with a visual novel with some heavy supernatural leanings? Hermitage: Strange Case Files is a detective story that puts a heavy emphasis on the bizarre goings on. I feel the genre needs no excuses to […]

Hermitage: Strange Case Files – PS4 Review

October 30, 2021 in PS4 / Reviews tagged arrowiz / hermitage strange case files / japan / lovecraft / monsters / mystery / narratively-driven / supernatural / visual novel by Mike

I’ve been aware of Corpse Party for many years now. It’s a pretty famous series in Japanese horror visual novels but I’ve never played it. I’m not a fan of visual novels in general but I have played games like Danganronpa and Virtue’s Last Reward in my own time. Is […]

Corpse Party (2021) – PS4 Review

October 28, 2021 in PS4 / Reviews tagged 16-bit / 2d / adventure / corpse party / gory / horror / japanese / school / visual novel by Gareth

One of the things I dread in this job is having very little to talk about. Shorter games do find their way to me but, for the most part, they’re manage to inspire discussion. Even visual novels, a genre loaded with brief experiences usually manages to provide enough ammo for […]

Takorita Meets Fries – PS5 Review

October 5, 2021 in PS5 / Reviews tagged adventure / branching narrative / chips for dinner / food / mermaid / mermen / merpeople / roseverte / takorita meets fries / visual novel by Mike

Another day, another visual novel. Not really a genre I gel with, I keep trying to find ones I’ll enjoy. I find them to really lack interactivity and the stories they tell aren’t especially deep or enthralling. Hopefully Cross the Moon will change that. Written by Patrick Rainville, it’s a […]

Cross the Moon – PS4 Review

June 30, 2021 in PS4 / Reviews tagged conspiracy / cross the moon / Murder mystery / occult / patrick rainville / vampires / visual novel by Mike

Call it a hunch but I think I prefer visual novels that adapt a source that is somewhat well-known. Having reviewed Cinders in the past, I enjoyed that take on the Cinderella story. It also felt like a breath of fresh air from a genre more pre-occupied with telling the […]

A Little Lily Princess – PS4 Review

June 3, 2021 in PS4 / Reviews tagged a little lily princess / boarding school / dating simulator / hanako games / narratively-driven / victorian / visual novel by Mike

I don’t know what I expect from visual novels any more. I keep wondering if I’m ever going to be given one that’s got more intrigue and a story that will actually grip me. I came into this genre well aware of the stereotypes and Angels with Scaly Wings hammers […]

Angels with Scaly Wings – PS4 Review

May 9, 2021 in PS4 / Reviews tagged angels with scaly wings / crime / dating simulator / dragons / narratively-driven / radical phi / romance / sci fi / visual novel by Mike

I’m back once again playing visual novel roulette and the latest bullet for me is C14 Dating by Winter Wolves. My previous knowledge of the dating simulator genre is fleeting but the slimmed down stat tracking and emphasis on friendship does make this more palatable to me. Set amid the […]

C-14 Dating – PS4 Review

April 11, 2021 in PS4 / Reviews tagged archaeology / belgium / c14 dating / dating simulator / geology / narratively-driven / picross / puzzles / visual novel / winter wolves by Mike

There was a time at PlayStation Country where if a visual novel came in it meant that I, as the resident fan of niche Japanese games, had to do it. Basically I like JRPGs therefore I was the best set for visual novels. Thankfully that’s not necessarily the case any […]

Root Film – PS4 Review

March 31, 2021 in PS4 / Reviews tagged Danganronpa / murder / mystery / phoenix wright / root film / root letter / visual novel by Gareth

Can I level with you guys? I don’t think I like the way visual novels play out. I don’t like the stereotypes they conform to, the fact they seem so reluctant to play a straight story. How to Take Off Your Mask Remastered is another one of those. Developed by […]

How to Take Off Your Mask Remastered – PS4 Review

February 20, 2021 in PS4 / Reviews tagged anime / cat girls / creepy japanese / how to take off your mask remastered / narratively-driven / ratalaika / romance / roseverta / visual novel by Mike

It’s another day in the visual novel dungeon and this time Vera Blanc: Ghost in the Castle is my quarry. Ian reviewed Winter Wolves’ last effort Full Moon back in November, to be honest, not much has changed. Our titular heroine is back in the mood for some paranormal investigating. […]

Vera Blanc: Ghost in the Castle – PS4 Review

February 3, 2021 in PS4 / Reviews tagged hangman / narratively-driven / paranormal detective / ratalaika / spot the difference / vera blanc ghost of the castle / visual novel / winter wolves by Mike

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

Vera Blanc: Full Moon is the latest from Ratalaika. It’s another visual novel using the same RenPy scripting language we’ve encountered on multiple occasions already. This time it’s from Italian developer Winter Wolves aka Celso Riva. This originally came out in 2010 anyway… Unlike some of the others this is […]

Vera Blanc: Full Moon – PS4 Review

November 14, 2020 in PS4 / Reviews tagged forza italia / ratalaika / visual novel by Ian