Route types

[Charlie599]

Hello ^-^
This is a very broad topic but I'd like feedback on whether or not people prefer clear/obvious Actual Routes in their games? Yes/No/Why?
It doesn't have to be specific to any genre, but the most apparent would be in romance vns.

What I mean by routes, is a set path that you pick and stick to - Routes that can completely change the story (like Nameless), or ones that show you who you've chosen to pursue (like School Festival).* Or possibly a game without set "routes" at all, where the player can flit through characters for the majority of the game? (Has that ever been done?)

*I loved both games by the way <3

Thanks for reading

[Dylan_Bain]

Look at it this way - do you know what happens in life?

This is what I mean, and one of the main reasons I don't love Dating Sims -- in real life, you are likely to fight with a girlfriend, or talk to girls other than her. However, doing either of these things in a dating sim just make it harder for you to date her.

I would love the idea of unobvious endings, it makes it more interesting.

[Alera]

For me the only time when I want obvious routes is when I'm trying to get all the endings and I'm too lazy to think about it.

But I usually don't like them as much. Especially the first time I play the game, I always want the ending and outcome to be a surprise. Then after that I start to reflect on my choices and think about which ones affected my route and how.

But there's also another danger- having a game that is too chaotic and people can't read your patterns at all. There has to be some logic to all of it and it should be something not that hard to pick up.

It also depends on what mechanic you're going for. If you're going for pure dating, don't make it complicated and give the player what they want- the boy/girl they want. If you want to tell more of a story with a fairly complex narrative, then I think choices can be a bit subtle and the routes- 'hidden'.

[Charlie599]

I would love the idea of unobvious endings, it makes it more interesting.

Especially the first time I play the game, I always want the ending and outcome to be a surprise.

Same here
But what I'm getting at is more the coding of routes rather than their content; not their endings or even how you get their endings, but when and if you actually Pick them as your route - the person you're essentially stuck with until the end of the game.
Do people enjoy that? The knowledge that you're on the path for that person or completing that persons' story? Or would you prefer a "common" route that branches to the others, but has the ability to turn in on itself?
For instance, maybe he's a stalker and you dump him halfway through the game to find another guy; that would allow more freedom of choice but eliminate the need for routes.
I digress. >.>

Sorry, I wasn't clear enough.

[Alera]

Hmmm...well definitely don't force people to stick with jerks or stalkers, creeps and others, I would say. Guess it's a good idea to let them switch routes then and dump the guy they don't like. But then if it's known that the guy is a stalker and his route is unpleasant, who would want to ever play their route till the end? Unless the ending is where you punch the guy xD

I usually don't mind choosing a route and sticking to it this way, but sometimes the choice itself might be hard. Yet millions of people every time have to choose whether to get Pokemon A or B and that seems to work for them. *shrug*

[Ryuushiro]

In my opinion, I think both games were the love interests have distinct routes and games where the love interests kinda 'share' a common route can be good! I have no preference, really.

But I don't like to feel stuck in a route. If I feel like the LI I chose is being a jerk, I would want to leave them and go to another route. For that I usually start a new game though, we don't really see the option to change routes very frequently.
But it would be a very nice addition to a VN!

[trooper6]

I don't care as long as a) my choices matter, b) the writing is good

[Charlie599]

Thank you for the replies ^-^

Also, thank you trooper6 for putting that clock recipe in your signature! I needed it so bad

[trooper6]

No worries! Just a note, I think I wanted to do one more tweak to the clock...which I hope to get to over the weekend!