Summer is a great time to rest, unwind, and read a good book, or play a great visual novel. Steam shares the same sentiment, which is why from August 7th to 14th, they are celebrating the Visual Novel Festival. It’s a way to give visibility to this often overlooked genre while also offering discounts on some very enticing titles.
That said, you might not even know where to begin searching if you want to delve into the world of visual novels. But as always, we’ve got you covered. That’s why we’ve selected a few titles that are perfect for immersing yourself in this realm, whether you’ve never played one before or you’re already an expert. So you can make the most of your summer with this beloved genre, cherished both within and outside Japan, within a very particular niche of individuals.
Danganronpa 1/2/V3
Likely the first visual novel to explode in popularity in the West remains an absolute marvel to this day. A fusion of visual novel and detective story with adventure elements, we play as a boy who finds himself trapped in his high school with his classmates under a grim premise: if someone manages to murder one of their peers and go undetected, they will be set free. In return, all their classmates will die. From that point on, everyone will strive to uncover a way to escape this deadly trap, by any means necessary.
With three titles under its belt, the complete trilogy is now on sale for €33.99. A true gift that will last you the entire summer and far beyond, because Danganronpa might end, but it never stops lingering in your thoughts.
Dōkyūsei: Bangin’ Summer
A classic among dating sims, it takes the concept of visual novels to the most pragmatic realm: spending the best summer of your life flirting with a group of girls. It’s worth noting that it’s a game with sexual content, and some of the jokes haven’t aged particularly well. However, it’s a seminal game that would shape the entire dating simulator genre that still thrives in Japan today. Less engaging for its story and more for the sheer act of flirting and goofing around with the girls.
At a 50% discount, it’s now priced at €8.39. A phenomenal price to discover a cult game that would shape a subgenre of video games which, although often forgotten and ridiculed, is as integral to the medium as any other.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Legal drama stories work really well in Japan, and in the West, especially in the US, they have always been popular too. It makes sense: verbal battles are essentially fights with words, and they can carry as much drama as a clash of swords, fists, or guns. Shu Takumi captured this perfectly in the original Phoenix Wright trilogy, which was one of the first visual novels to reach the West. Now, thanks to this remaster, you can enjoy it on modern systems.
And let’s not kid ourselves. At a 67% discount, three Ace Attorney games for €9.89 is practically highway robbery from Capcom. That’s why it wouldn’t be right if you don’t get them. In fact, we object to the idea of you not getting them. What are you waiting for? Are you waiting for us to take you to court?
GNOSIA
The popularity of Among Us seems never-ending, which is why it’s impossible not to recommend GNOSIA – the Among Us to play when you’re friendless for a round of Among Us. Or the Among Us to play when you’re craving an incredible story, the most perfect game music, and spectacular art. In GNOSIA, we step into the shoes of a spaceship passenger infiltrated by an alien entity. We must uncover the impostor, or if it’s us, eliminate the rest of the crew. Meanwhile, in between rounds, we’re the sole ones who remember everything, unraveling the truth behind the mystery and our purpose there. A game of exquisite beauty and captivating intrigue.
With a 20% discount, it’s priced at just €16.79. A more than reasonable price for one of the most intriguing games to emerge in recent years in the realm of visual novels.
Steins;Gate
If there’s one quintessential cult classic in the world of visual novels, especially in the West, it’s Steins;Gate. Developed by 5pb. and Nitroplus, two companies known for their uniquely distinctive approach to visual novels, this is a tale of time travel, mad scientists, theoretical physics, and cat-eared girls. On one hand, there’s no denying that it’s an incredibly verbose game, with humor deeply rooted in otaku culture. On the other hand, its second half is so emotionally devastating and dramatic that even those who despise otaku culture have acknowledged the brilliance of its writing, turning it into the revered masterpiece it is today. More than enough reason to give it a chance.
Moreover, they haven’t held back on the discount either. With a 60% price reduction, you can snag it for just €10.79. A more than decent price for a game that can easily extend up to 30 hours of gameplay and, even at its best moments, never ceases to be utterly fascinating.
PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo
Guided by Square Enix, we are introduced to one of the most recent and compelling visual novels of our time. In PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo, a straightforward question is posed to us: how far would you be willing to go to resurrect someone? With this premise, each character has answered this question, and our duty is to solve the titular seven mysteries, all while ensuring our own life isn’t cut short in the process. An exceptionally well-written game with ingenious mechanics, it highlights the fact that Square Enix should delve further into creating small and medium-sized games.
This is another game with a 20% discount, making it available for €15.99. Considering it was released on March 8th and is likely the best visual novel of this year among all the Japan releases, it’s definitely a worthwhile investment to open your wallet and make the purchase.
The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood
We needed to clarify earlier about visual novels released from Japan, because if we consider The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood as a visual novel, then it has some fierce competition. This game developed by the Spanish studio Deconstructeam, known for titles like Gods Will Be Watching and The Red Strings Club, is an absolute marvel. It places us in the shoes of a witch who’s been expelled from her coven and exiled to an asteroid for a century. With the need to strike a dangerous pact and create her own tarot deck, it will be up to us to shape her future once she regains her freedom.
Although it’s not out yet, the game is set to release on August 16th and is currently available for a 10% discount, bringing the price down to €15.74. If you’re not completely convinced yet, there’s also a demo available, encompassing roughly the first hour of gameplay. The best part? You can transfer your progress to the full version of the game. It’s a perfect opportunity to see if you’ve got what it takes to step into the shoes of a witch.
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