Realistic style art in Visual Novels?

[Beckers]

So, I know most visual novels tend to have art that closely resembles anime... would people be interested in a VN that has a more realistic art style?

Examples on my deviant art: http://beckerwith.deviantart.com

Or even something more like this, just a quick WIP:

[Sharm]

This has actually been discussed a few times, every time the consensus is, yes, non-anime styles are good and in fact in many cases it's preferred. Most people care more about quality than they do style.

[noeinan]

I second the person above. Although I, personally, prefer anime/manga styles I won't shy away from other styles if they are well done.

[gekiganwing]

Moacube's Cinders, as well as their upcoming VN Solstice, use an art style that I'm not sure how to describe. Perhaps "modern comics", if that makes sense...

That said, think about how to pair art and story. For instance, a detailed realistic style would probably not make sense if the story portrays a wacky cartoon world. Deliberate style contrast and art shifts can work, but think about why you're using them first.

At times, it's good to use less detailed, more abstract art. This topic is discussed in _Understanding Comics_.

[Green Glasses Girl]

Asher has realistic artwork too, and I loved it.

To me, it doesn't matter if the artwork is anime or realism...it just has to be good quality.

[Beckers]

Thanks everyone! I've been experimenting and trying to find my style, and this really helped me

[SundownKid]

I think it really depends on story tone. A comedy story works better with a more lighthearted art style, a film noir style story would probably not mesh with cartoonish characters. And of course it has to be pulled off well, if done badly a realistic character can be less visually appealing or seem more uncanny valley-ish.

[bellice]

I used to prefer anime style VNs, but in the last few years I have come to appreciate realisty art styles and, in fact, now vastly prefer them to the kind of style where every character looks the same except for hair and the girls never look their age.
A game with realistic-looking characters will automatically interest me a lot more than one with anime style.
I blame the game "Everlove: Rose" for that particular change of mind. The art was just so good that I fell in love and never quite recovered.