Different Visual Novel Genres

[carbon-ko]

So I'm not a long time fan of visual novels so I might be wrong with this but, I have noticed that most visual novels fall into the mystery, thriller, comedy, romance, or adult genres. Sure there isn't anything wrong with these genres but, I feel the visual novel can tackle other genres like science fiction and fantasy. I think these genres will also have a better chance of appealing to younger players and other players that are not really into the visual novel genre currently. One idea I had was a Dungeons and Dragons like visual novel. In this visual novel you would explore unique environments and make decisions on how to get past obstacles (monsters, puzzles, etc.). Much like Etrian Odyssey movement would be first-person but, the outcome of battle would be based on how prepared your character is and what decisions you make rather than RPG conventions like levels. Anyway that was just some of my thoughts and like I said earlier I may be wrong since I am not a visual novel veteran.

[Kato]

There are quite a few fantasy themed VN's that are being made that I know of like Jacob's Island and even Sci-fi fantasy like Fallen Angels. Even my crew is tackling a fantasy steam punk game, though that's hush hush so don't tell anyone. If you can't find any just yet, sit tight cause there seems to be a number in production coming through :3

[SundownKid]

I'm making a fantasy, steampunk-ish VN, you can find out more here. It will be releasing rather soon, and will have a full voiceover. I mainly specialize in writing sci-fi and fantasy works (or at least enjoy writing them, heh). I plan for my next game to be sci-fi as well.

[carbon-ko]

It's good to hear that visual novels in the fantasy and science fiction genre are not as rare as I thought. While I'm not sure if I would actually develop anything in those genres I know I would like to play them.

[Green Glasses Girl]

I see a lot of VNs on here that contain more than one genre such as fantasy + romance or sci-fi and comedy, etc. I actually haven't seen too many thriller/mystery? Unless I've missed them...

(I'm working on a fantasy/adventure VN right now too)

[MaiMai]

There are a lot of fantasy VNs and not just in the OELVN scene. And in actuality if you go through vndb.org, you'll see a whole variety of genres being or already have been covered in the Japanese VN scene and not just fantasy and sci-fi although the latter two have been heavily done. There's historical, tons of slice of life, cooking, mafia...

Just saying there's a whole lot that already covers what you think there should be.

[KomiTsuku]

Sci-fi used to be rather rare around here, but there has been a massive uptick of sci-fi visual novels in development. Fantasy tends to fade in and out, though it isn't very often that we see something I'd classify as high fantasy. It tends to be smaller, more... mythological fantasy. Still, fantasy as whole has been seeing a positive trend in terms of number being developed as well as produced.

I really need a better hobby that maintaining a constant eye on what the other developers are doing and making trends data. Logging trends is part of my day job, so I tend to slip into that bad habit elsewhere.

[megatuga]

So I'm not a long time fan of visual novels so I might be wrong with this but, I have noticed that most visual novels fall into the mystery, thriller, comedy, romance, or adult genres. Sure there isn't anything wrong with these genres but, I feel the visual novel can tackle other genres like science fiction and fantasy.

science fiction

You understand me man. I thought I was alone.
I have seen/played several sci-fi themed VN's... but the thing is that most if not nearly all of them were basically space operas. It's not like It's not nice but there is so much that can be done! Cyberpunk, Steampunk, Post-apocaliptic, soft sci-fi... there are really many subgenres that not many people try out. I'm just starting my journey to make VNs but I really want to focus all my efforts on sci-fi. Show everybody that it is more than just robots, space and aliens.

By the way, on that regard, I recommend "Planetarium". It's a KN but it's the kind of setting that can be adopted into a VN.

[AxemRed]

I have seen/played several sci-fi themed VN's... but the thing is that most if not nearly all of them were basically space operas. It's not like It's not nice but there is so much that can be done! Cyberpunk, Steampunk, Post-apocaliptic, soft sci-fi... there are really many subgenres that not many people try out.

I've read a number of sci-fi themed VNs, but I don't think any of those would qualify as space opera. Which ones are you referring to?

[carbon-ko]

I just want to see VNs that are science fiction or fantasy not a romance or comedy with a fantasy or science fiction backdrop. I want the game mechanics to actually reflect the universe it is set in and not just be centered on character interactions alone.

[megatuga]

@AxemRed: uhh... I can't quite remember their names now... I do think that one of them was called Skyfish. It was a horizontal side-scroller with RPG elements in it.

@carbon-ko: Ah so you do want those elements to participate more in the plot than just mere backstory and filling the mechanics. I was about to recommend Dysfunctional Systems but it might not be for your tastes even then.

[SundownKid]

Sci-fi used to be rather rare around here, but there has been a massive uptick of sci-fi visual novels in development. Fantasy tends to fade in and out, though it isn't very often that we see something I'd classify as high fantasy. It tends to be smaller, more... mythological fantasy. Still, fantasy as whole has been seeing a positive trend in terms of number being developed as well as produced.

I really need a better hobby that maintaining a constant eye on what the other developers are doing and making trends data. Logging trends is part of my day job, so I tend to slip into that bad habit elsewhere.

I would call my game a 50/50 split of high and low fantasy. It's easier to make low fantasy because it can stand by itself in a short work. With high fantasy, you have to have a much longer "saga" to tell the whole story. Though, I find "pure" high fantasy to be boring.

Show everybody that it is more than just robots, space and aliens.

Give up robots? Never!