Decline Visual Novel Recomendation Thread

[Bohrain]

Started going through Umineko a couple of days ago, currently at the beginning of episode 2. Was wondering should I do a "let's play" thread where I post my speculation about what happened as I read so people could collectively laugh at them?

 

[Theldaran]

The fandisk (sequel) to Hoshizora no Memoria, Eternal Heart (HD version) is now available on Steam and Denpasoft.

So far, it's like any other fandisk. I recall liking the base game quite a bit, but with the first story here (secret heroine), I remembered the messy setting. Ultimately it doesn't make sense, but it isn't required to enjoy the story anyway. Hard to explain without actually playing it (base game + this is about 80 hours).

Right now I can't recommend but hopefully I find something salvageable later.

 

[Sukhāvatī]

 

[BlackPanther]

Umineko - Of all the VNs I've read, Umineko is by far the most intelligent and unique. It has a large cast of interesting characters of various ages, a reasonable gender balance, and a strong, engaging plot. I wish there were more visual novels like this outside of the romance genre.

Steins;Gate - Excellent comedy and drama. I like how this series takes its time with its pacing. This novel is one of my favorites because of the experiments and "scientific" process used.

Muv Luv Alternative - Need I say more?

Higurashi - The Nightmare VN. It's unsettling at times, but it's always compelling, with a great sense of subtlety in its buildup of tension and mystery.

 

[═█═]

Is The House in Fata Morgana good? I have it on my wishlist on GOG and it was on sale for half price during the holidays.

 

[Tyrr]

Is The House in Fata Morgana good? I have it on my wishlist on GOG and it was on sale for half price during the holidays.

No idea.
But it was "localized" by a woke tranny, so I decided to skip it.

 

[Fargus]

Steins Gate
Song of Saya
Maggot Baits
DDLC
I Walk Among Zombies
The Letter
Kikokugai: The Cyber Slayer
Swan Song

 

[Fargus]

Steins Gate
Song of Saya
Maggot Baits
DDLC
I Walk Among Zombies
The Letter
Kikokugai: The Cyber Slayer
Swan Song

why maggot baits, but no euphoria tho?

I just haven't read it yet.

 

[Nomad_Blizz]

Is The House in Fata Morgana good? I have it on my wishlist on GOG and it was on sale for half price during the holidays.

It's great, very sad but beautiful. Also make sure to check out the side stories which are also available on steam.

 

[turkishronin]

Is The House in Fata Morgana good? I have it on my wishlist on GOG and it was on sale for half price during the holidays.

No idea.
But it was "localized" by a woke tranny, so I decided to skip it.

That's literally 90% of the VNs translated into English.
iirc Muramasa was localized by an actual troon

 

[Tyrr]

Is The House in Fata Morgana good? I have it on my wishlist on GOG and it was on sale for half price during the holidays.

No idea.
But it was "localized" by a woke tranny, so I decided to skip it.

That's literally 90% of the VNs translated into English.
iirc Muramasa was localized by an actual troon

Yes. But this one translated "tsundere” into “fragile male ego". People looked up his Twitter and found all the usual woke and man-hating stuff.
Mangagamer did the good old "angry gamers are sending death threats" damage control.
After that I decided to skip this VN and use JAST instead of Mangagamer.

 

[turkishronin]

Is The House in Fata Morgana good? I have it on my wishlist on GOG and it was on sale for half price during the holidays.

No idea.
But it was "localized" by a woke tranny, so I decided to skip it.

That's literally 90% of the VNs translated into English.
iirc Muramasa was localized by an actual troon

Yes. But this one translated "tsundere” into “fragile male ego". People looked up his Twitter and found all the usual woke and man-hating stuff.
Mangagamer did the good old "angry gamers are sending death threats" damage control.
After that I decided to skip this VN and use JAST instead of Mangagamer.

ahaha I remembered that one. They were so proud of that change too lol
>the word tsundere doesn't fit the setting
>let's change it to something that also doesn't fit the setting

 

[Arthandas]

iirc Muramasa was localized by an actual troon

That's the first I'm hearing of this. He translated one of my fav VNs - Saya no Uta and it was well written. I'm currently reading Muramasa and it's also high quality. Obviously I don't know how accurate the translation is, only how good it reads.
I didn't notice any red flags in the script so at this point I don't care if he's trans or not.

 

[Sarathiour]

Yes. But this one translated "tsundere” into “fragile male ego".

Wasn't that in "the world end with you " 2 ?
I just finished chapter three of muramasa and saw no retardation regarding the translation so far, and given the setting and the way the story go, I would fully expect them to stick like a sore thumb.
Unless there is different translation going around ? Like you can get the game form either JAST, MG or GoG, and those are the legal option.

 

[InD_ImaginE]

Most VN translation are by one company or another so even if you buy at JAST it is still Mangagamer product so it is the same translation.

And yeah the Tsundere = fragile male ego was big controversy, granted within the context of the story of the guy being asshole, it is probably not "tsundere" as we would used to be in anime/manga/vn: namely some girl with "tsun" and "dere" side for romance thus leaving it untranslated would be confusing, but the choice of word to translate ended up being big controversy. It's not a tropey "girl who seems like pretty sour becomes pretty sweet docile after she fell in love with mc"

MangaGamer basically solve it by having the developer (which has official EN account) said that the localization is spot on for the context of the situation the story is written for.

 

[Tyrr]

It's about giving Mangagamer money or not.
So it's JAST or sukebei if it's a MG exclusive.

 

[Arthandas]

I always go with JAST because MG doesn't have regional pricing.

 

[turkishronin]

iirc Muramasa was localized by an actual troon

That's the first I'm hearing of this. He translated one of my fav VNs - Saya no Uta and it was well written. I'm currently reading Muramasa and it's also high quality. Obviously I don't know how accurate the translation is, only how good it reads.
I didn't notice any red flags in the script so at this point I don't care if he's trans or not.

Well Muramasa is mostly lazy MTL with little change. I saw a 橋/箸 in the English translation without any kind of change even though it does not make any sense.

 

[Nomad_Blizz]

I actually finished Full Metal Daemon Muramasa recently, one of the best VN I ever read. The characters, philosophy, fight scenes and techniques, music...I really think it's one of the best this medium has to offer. I even liked how they fool you in the beginning who's the actual protagonist in this VN, and then when it changes it reminds you again this is not a story about heroes.

Where there are demons, I slay them
Where there are saints, I slay them

Mine is the way of the sword.

It sounds better in Japanese of course. It would definitely be even more enjoyable for fluent and native speakers of Japanese. There's many word plays that do not translate well, and there are some typos in the game unfortunately.

Spoiler

I think my favorite part of the game was when they go back centuries and show the Emishi characters (the three Muramasa smiths) fighting a desperate war and losing. That's when they come up with this idea of taking the life of one who you love when you take the life of one you hate or must fight. Meaning no killing is ever justified. This theme comes up again and again leaving the MC battered and haunted every time he kills. Very interesting read and I can see why it is so highly regarded.

 

[Sarathiour]

You might want to spoiler that, as it is a recommendation thread.

 

[catfood]

Sadly it's a Wangblows 10 exclusive and it won't run under Wine either.

 

[Elttharion]

I finished Chaos;Head Noah last week. Overall I enjoyed the game and think its worth playing but be advised that the main character is probably one of the most unlikable protagonists I ever saw in a piece of media.

He is insufferable for 90% of the game and only really improves in the last couple of chapters.

Personally I wouldnt recommend it as a introduction to the genre. Grab it if you are a fan of steins;gate and other games from the series.

 

[Jasede]

My biggest problem with VNs is the endless slice of life garbage they cram into them, or sex scenes added only because the publisher (correctly) reasoned that they would sell more that way.

I'm currently reading Higurashi and just began chapter 2. Just like Umineko (which is incredible) it has endless exposition and filler - but because of the unsettling mood and the way the writer drops hints about the mystery even in the most mundane scenes it's still engaging.

After that I'll give SubaHibi and Fata Morgana a try.

But I need to reiterate, I wish every VN was just Saya no Uta. Short, to the point, no wasted scenes. I'm too old to care about spending time with "cute girls" and experiencing "slice of life" scenes. I don't care about that. I just don't care.

 

[Jasede]

What do you mean by "disagree"?

 

[InD_ImaginE]

What do you mean by "disagree"?

Nah it's just I like those SoL section unlike you. I think they are what makes VN VN, instead of just watching anime/reading manga.