r/visualnovels

I've played a lot of VNs, but I noticed that it's very rare to find a VN that allows you to not romance any of the heroine and still progress the story without it just leading to a premature ending.

So I'm interesting in finding if there are VNs like that.

Some examples of this that comes to mind:
- Sable's grimoire
- Musicus (while the no-heroine route is still relatively depicted as a bad ending, it was a proper route with a nice ending)
- Ace academy (most Pixelfade games really)

I'm not saying games with no-romance routes at all, just VNs that gives you the option to not end up with any of the heroines, and it's a proper route/ending.

Thanks a lot!

The description for the tag "useless male protagonist without agency or a backbone" IS COMEDY GOLD! But I have to ask, how does that function in Visual Novels? Aren't they supposed to be all about agency and choices? What does the protag just suck so hard people say no to his choices?

Or worse...

Does the protag say stuff like "I wanted to say/do that, but I didn't have the guts"?

I played Euphoria a couple of weeks ago, I really enjoyed the story tbh. I won’t lie, I enjoyed the shock content too but I feel like if it was solely focused on shock content then the game just wouldn’t have been as good as it was.

I’m just wondering if any other ClockUp VN’s are actually worth playing. I’ve heard some suuuuper mixed opinions. Some people think Euphoria is trash, some people think MB is better or worse. It seems like there’s no definitive opinion on if any of these games are even good in the first place.

I own Maggot Baits and got past the starting scene up to the Alison roulette, but haven’t played past that point. Heard some mixed opinions, others say it’s a masterpiece and better than Euphoria, others dislike it. I’m looking to play Fraternite but I’m aware it’s not been translated into English. I could probably use a translator but I’m on Steam Deck so I’m not entirely sure how that would work. I also have heard the same opinions about Fraternite lmao. I know that Dead Days is also another ClockUp work that’s been translated into English but tbh I haven’t heard any discussions focused on it so it’s not one I’m looking to play right now unless any of you want to convince me otherwise. Are there any other ClockUp works worth playing past the “big 3?”

Recently just completed this VN, it is considered a rather short VN, I completed it in just under 10 hours, but I think it it’s really good for its length and accomplished what it set out to do.

I think plot wise, it’s pretty good as the story is always progressing and you can experience noticeable changes, like in Atri’s behaviour or like in terms of the school. You feel progress throughout the game and not just fluff. I think the “climax” of the plot is when we find out Atri actually has feelings, and then she cries and stuff, while good, I don’t think that’s a strongest point of this VN.

I personally think the strongest point of this VN is its sentimentality. This VN really does a good job in invoking a sentimental feeling in me, especially with the very nice and homely atmosphere they created contrasted with Atri going to die. Throughout the entire VN, they just do a really good job of evoking these warm and fuzzy feelings in your heart, and just overall being sentimental. From how we see the school get powered up, with Catherine, and then in the end when we put Atri to rest in Eden. Honestly, I didn’t really cry while reading this VN. Maybe I shed a tear, but not the type of crying where tears are flowing, but this VN is good because of the aforementioned point.

Feels bad for Minamo though lol, fucking 60 years later and your husband is still obsessed with this robot girl. Feels a bit unfair to her but whatever, I think the main point of the true end is to show the true bond between Natsuki and Atri which is very sweet and meaningful.

I think what makes this VN very good also is the character growth we see in the characters throughout the VN. Natsuki turned from an ass to a very dependable guy and Atri got more in tune with her feelings. This character progression makes the story more meaningful I think.

The gameplay is almost like a kinetic novel, so no comments and the art is good but nothing outstanding, so I’m not going to add anything in this aspect.

If I had to say a drawback of this VN, is that it is not long enough to truly expand this VN to have a more majestic plot. Right now, the plot is kind of simple with ok worldbuilding, but it isn’t very magnificent or just doesn’t “WOW” you in general. But I think it does a very good job with a playtime of just under 10 hours and I’m not sure how they can improve the VN to make it more majestic, so who knows.

Overall, I would rate this an 8-/10. Barely an 8, but I think it is very good and sentimental and invokes a lot of feelings. A drawback would be that the plot just does not have the “WOW” factor to give it a higher rating, but it is very good for a 10-hour VN. Totally enjoyed my time and recommend playing, you will be filled with emotions.

What do you guys think the unannounced KagamiGames titles could potentially be?

i cant find ANY guide or any walktrough. Nothing.

i played it and got 100% (all S Rank) in each chapter.

However...i unlocked "true ending" first (at 80% rank) which was added in the menue "extras"...

but the true ending is a joke. Its just 1 letter both Main character read and....thats it.

chapter 12 hinted a huge cliffhanger for another (2) murder cases that Connect into one. But here it suddenly stops and wont progress. It just end and the "true ending" has nothing to do with the chapter 12 final (1 murderer literally still running around). So i 100% it and got "beach chapter". However it was only added in movies and not as a chapter. And the movie is just a preview for the "beach chapter". But in no menue, there is something to start this chapter.

something is just off here. The total cliffhanger at the end of chapter 12 and the "beach chapter " that cant be played is just weird.

So my question is...how do i get the "real true ending"? Not the "read letter at school" ending but the whole case that IS missing after chapter 12? I liked the game a lot, it was awsome but the missing chapter (or cliffhanger???) made the game A LOT worse than necessary it almoat ruins the game honestly...so hopefully im Just Missing something and its not "wait for next Game".

Finished 01, 02, and in the middle of 03 rn it’s AMAZING

I’m full spoiled by 03’s quality though, I’m afraid that playing IV and some other older entries will hurt my enjoyment of the series

02 was already kinda rough for me compared to 01 and especially 03 bc it didn’t have gameplay rework, at least it had artstyle remake. I didn’t like a single thing about it’s gameplay really, it was carried only by world and characters and such

Also, I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about some unfair crazy difficulty in old rance games

I need someone knowledgeable thoughts on that. I want a proper lead up to x but I don’t want to pull my hair out while playing, idk what to play next :D