Harmonia

Harmonia

Harmonia is a short kinetic novel featuring an emotions-capable robot, or Phiroid, waking up in a decayed factory with no memory. Players view the story through the eyes of this robot named Rei, as he is taken in Shiona, a kindhearted woman living in a small town. Rei attempts to be helpful to the townspeople while learning about emotions, which he feels he lacks. The story is set against a post-apocalyptic backdrop, and as is usual for a title by Key, it has its fair share of drama and heartbreak. Unfortunately, the pacing is a bit off, and despite the short runtime, some players will guess what some of the story twists are before the end. Nevertheless, the game is certainly worth a playthrough for fans of the genre and is also a good entry point for newcomers.

Gameplay: The story and characters are intriguing, but the pacing is a bit off.

Graphics: The backgrounds and sprites are good, but even with the limited number of characters, the men look a lot more bland and generic compared to the women.

Sound: Harmonia features plenty of great background tracks as well as Japanese voice acting for three of the four central characters

planetarian ~the reverie of a little planet~

planetarian ~the reverie of a little planet~

Planetarian is set 30 years after a devastating war pretty much ended the world and follows the story of an unnamed man entering the ruins of a dangerous city looking for things to scavenge. Instead of supplies, he finds a friendly robot waiting with unwavering optimism for customers to return to the planetarium where she works. The story is rather bleak, but like other titles by Key, it is very moving and quite memorable.

Gameplay: Planetarium is a kinetic novel so there are no choices or branching paths, but although short and linear the story is very good.

Graphics: The visuals show their age with static backgrounds and limited sprites, but the overall art style is still good.

Sound: The game features full voice acting for both its primary characters and is accompanied by a melancholic soundtrack that is quite haunting

Japanese School Life

Japanese School Life

Japanese School Life follows an American exchange student named Brian as he experiences life in Japan for a year. Most of this time is spent in the company of Chiyoko and Arisa, two girls in his class who take him under their wing to show him around. The game is mostly a kinetic novel, apart from a few instances where players can choose which girl Brian likes more. However, these choices do not lead to any type of romantic encounters and the focus of the game is on educating players about Japanese culture. It is a familiar concept to games like Go! Go! Nippon, but not quite as memorable, unfortunately.

Gameplay: Apart from a few choices that don’t change much about the story the game is mostly a kinetic novel.

Graphics: The only sprites in the game are for the two girls, but the e-mote system and lots of CGs make up for it.

Sound: There are only a handful of music tracks, but the Japanese voice acting for Chiyoko and Arisa are really good

Intruder on the Bridge First Look Video

Intruder on the Bridge First Look Video

Intruder on the Bridge by Space Samurai Studio is an adult visual novel featuring 3000 images and more than thirty minutes of full HD videos. It tells the story of Captain Dyce, a Galactic Union officer who becomes embroiled in a mysterious conspiracy after the murder of his brother. Players need to make choices that change the story as well as take part in minigames. Of course, as this is an adult title, there are plenty of hot officers to flirt with and seduce with your charm. Check out the video below to see some safe-for-work footage of the gameplay and minigames

Kurokami-sama’s Feast First Look Video

Kurokami-sama’s Feast First Look Video

Kurokami-sama’s Feast by Minato Carnival World & JAST USA is an adventure visual novel that sees an unlucky trio encounter the powerful being known as Kurokami-sama. It features mystery and danger around every corner as well as intrigue, thanks to the story written by Takahiro, known for his work on Akame ga Kill. Check out the video below to see how the protagonist, a young manga artist named Domaru, ends up serving Kurokami-sama

Assassin at Crimson Keep First Look Video

Assassin at Crimson Keep First Look Video

Assassin At Crimson Keep by Shadow Glass Studios is a short visual novel set in a dark, quasi-fantasy world. The mission is to assassinate the King, but players must pursue him into his lair known as the Crimson Keep to finish the job after a botched first attempt. However, while tracking him down, small choices can be made that can have big consequences. Check out the video below to see some of the encounters players can have in the game

Aquadine

Aquadine

Aquadine is a kinetic visual novel set in a picturesque town where gondolas are a common sight. It is a magical place that is rife with myths and legends. However, the protagonist has more pressing matters on his mind as he struggles to make ends meet as a gondolier to support his sick mother. As he grows closer to the people in his circle of friends, he also discovers that he is not the only one leading a double life.

Gameplay: An interesting and unique story with different routes to explore.

Graphics: Beautiful backgrounds and detailed character sprites.

Sound: Only partial voice acting, but the music and sound effects are very good

MAMIYA

MAMIYA

Mamiya is a visual novel that tackles themes that are pretty dark and disturbing. It can be confusing at first due to how it mixes the ordinary with the surreal, but once players are hooked, it is hard to stop reading. The beautiful CGs and incredible soundtrack also make it easy to get drawn into the twisted depths of the story. Mamiya is not for everyone, but thanks to the lengthy free demo, it is easy to find out whether or not you can stomach its bleak and oppressive story.

Gameplay: Although it is primarily a kinetic novel, there’s plenty of routes and different stories.

Graphics: The backgrounds are simple, but the sprites and CGs are outstanding.

Sound: No voice acting, and the sound effects are nothing special, but the soundtrack is incredible

Venus: Improbable Dream

Venus: Improbable Dream

Venus: Improbable Dream is an emotional visual novel that features a protagonist named Kakeru who struggles daily with social anxiety due to hemangioma. Kaker is terrified when he is coaxed into trying out the after-school music club, but his life changes when he meets a disabled girl named Haruka. This lengthy visual novel features an emotional storyline, memorable characters, and a beautiful soundtrack.

Gameplay: The story is not just lengthy and engaging but also branching thanks to player-made choices that determine the ending.

Graphics: Gets the job done.

Sound: No voice acting, but the soundtrack is fantastic

Pale Cachexia

Pale Cachexia

Pale Cachexia is a kinetic novel with Gothic undertones featuring two young women who meet under strange circumstances. One suffers from a life-leeching plague called the Pale Cachexia, while the other lives on her own in the middle of a forgotten forest. Despite the differences in their backgrounds and personalities, the two girls become friends, but there are outside forces that will put their bond to the test. The unique story, setting, and characters make Pale Cachexia an interesting read and the gorgeous visuals, as well as the haunting soundtrack, certainly doesn’t hurt either.

Gameplay: This is a kinetic novel, but the lack of choices doesn’t hamper the compelling story.

Graphics: Beautiful character sprites and CGs as well as detailed backgrounds.

Sound: No voice acting, but the soundtrack is excellent