Would you play commercial VN without voices?

[LeetMusic]

Depends on the quality of the voice acting.

[Lockvia]

So I guess it all comes down to whether or not the voices are good then?

[Ryuno]

So I guess it all comes down to whether or not the voices are good then?

Whether the voices will be accepted by the public or not does depend on their quality, but I think the consensus is that even at their best, they are not absolutely necessary to the medium. A VN can be good with good ones, or bad ones can ruin the whole experience, but not having any voice acting should not take away any points from the VN.

[Lockvia]

Whether the voices will be accepted by the public or not does depend on their quality, but I think the consensus is that even at their best, they are not absolutely necessary to the medium. A VN can be good with good ones, or bad ones can ruin the whole experience, but not having any voice acting should not take away any points from the VN.

Thank you so much for your advice as well!

[Fenrir34]

I actually would. I mean I love it when a games voiced especially when it's a voice actor I love or has a good voice. But I like reading. In fact, it's video games that helped me become a better reader because I had to read all the text and they helped me get into books. I don't know if I'd want American Voice actors in VN's though. They can be good, but I've seen a good amount of anime and video games where they just don't do a good job. Greatest example is Disgea 4. I mean, Valvatorez sounds terrible . Just because he's a vampire doesn't mean he has to sound like an over the top one . Just wish the English branch of NIS choose there voice actors better

[Arey109]

Yes, i will play.

As for me - Visual Novel is a TEXT game.
To say more - in most cases i PREFER a visual novel without a voice.
Because, when you read a text, your imagination creates a PERFECT voice for EVERY character. And you, of course, believe in EVERY character. Believe in his/her emotions, point of wiew... believe in character, as a living person. And so - you are completely believe in whole story.
Voce can ruin it.
Good voice is the thing very hard to create.
Perfect voice is the almost impossible thing to create.
At least, for the low-buget (or even no-budget) VN-creators.
Japanese voice in visual novels, in most cases is a one big cliche, and english voice in most cases is too amateur, and doesn't fit depictions of characters well enough... But, sometimes, exception do occur, but it is really rare case.
So, i think, voice is good thing, when it's good, and bad, when it's bad.

But, as for me, fact is fact - voice is not a critical component for VN game. The critical components is - Story, Characters and music.
So it will be much better to hire good writer, good artist and good music composer, instead of spending most of budget on some side sound record studio.

So, once again - yes, i will play.

[trooper6]

Would I play a commercial VN without voices?

I think I've only played commercial VNs without voices! So...yes.
That said, I'd really like to play a commercial VN with voices (EVN please!)

[Tyrantauranox]

I wouldn't say that I absolutely need voice, but if I have two to choose from, I have a major preference for one with Japanese voice, since I get some language exposure/learning from that. If English voice is the only option, I probably won't turn it off, but it will feel weird if the characters are supposed to be speaking Japanese.

[SundownKid]

Voices are definitely not necessary, though I might prefer some optional "text beeps". However a lot more can go wrong with those sorts of games than right. In fact I think full voice only works if your story is more adventurous, otherwise you will have players forwarding through all the "explaining the mystery" dialogue because it's too slow.

[trooper6]

Oh, note about the English vs. Japanese voice over question.

I'm into playing EVNs at the moment, and I'm not all that interested in JVNs. I'm also not overly interested in EVNs that are trying to be JVNs.
So, since I'm going to be playing an EVN, it would make sense that the voice overs be in English.

[fleet]

Oh, note about the English vs. Japanese voice over question.

I'm into playing EVNs at the moment, and I'm not all that interested in JVNs. I'm also not overly interested in EVNs that are trying to be JVNs.
So, since I'm going to be playing an EVN, it would make sense that the voice overs be in English.

Bionics Hearts 1 by winterwolves games is an English language game with voices.

[trooper6]

Bionics Hearts 1 by winterwolves games is an English language game with voices.

Thanks for the heads up!

I although I'm not the biggest fan of romances, I bought up Bionic Hearts 1 in order to support English language games with voices. Then I also bought the two Vera Blanc games to support games made in art styles that are not anime art styles.

[Obscura]

I'm fine playing commercial VNs without voices. And fine making them too!

But I'll gladly admit talented voice work can enhance a game, especially for romance-type games since voice can play a major factor in attraction.

In Dragon Age Origins, I thought the voices for Alistair and Morrigan were extremely well done. I wouldn't have adored both those characters otherwise.

As for VNs, I wasn't quite sold on making a heavily-voiced VN until I heard the voice actors Fiorricca has been using for Lemon. Talented crew, and it's made me want to use voices for any future VNs I make.

[Gambit74]

I honestly don't have any preference since I'm completely fine with both. Maybe it's because I grew up reading books, but I find that sometimes voices can distract me, especially if I'm trying to read along with it. On another note, they can provide immersion too.

[sasquatchii]

I don't mind if there are voices, but I also don't mind if there aren't voices! For me, it's more about the story and experience- I'm not too worried if the characters aren't voiced.