Visual novel

A visual novel (ビジュアルノベル bijuaru noberu) is an interactive game, featuring mostly static graphics, most often using anime-style art or occasionally live-action stills (and sometimes video footage). As the name might suggest, they resemble mixed-media novels.

In Japanese terminology, a distinction is often made between visual novels (abbreviated NVL, derived from visual NoVeL), which consist predominantly of narration and have very few interactive elements, and adventure games (abbreviated AVG, or ADV derived from ADVenture), a form of adventure game which may incorporate problem-solving and other types of gameplay. This distinction is normally lost outside Japan, where both NVLs and ADVs are commonly referred to as "visual novels" by international fans. Visual novels and ADVs are especially prevalent in Japan, where they made up nearly 70% of the PC game titles released in 2006.

Visual novels are rarely produced for video game consoles, but the more popular games have occasionally been ported to systems such as the Sega Saturn, Dreamcast, PlayStation Portable, or Xbox 360. The more famous visual novels are also often adapted into the light novel, manga or anime formats. The market for visual novels outside of East Asia is small, though a number of anime based on visual novels are popular among anime fans in the Western world.

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Latest News for: visual novels

The Last of Us Part 2's sharp roguelike mode just got better on PC, making ...

Games Radar 04 Apr 2025
But this mode has proved a real highlight of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered's PC release ... Ah well, nevertheless.Cycle of violence ... When not knee deep in character action games, he loves to get lost in an epic story across RPGs and visual novels ... ....

Devil May Cry anime star recalls playing the game for the first time, as he ...

Games Radar 03 Apr 2025
"Honestly , I picked up a lot more when I read the novels, because I got a lot more out of who Dante is in there. Maybe because I didn't see it, you know, and I was visualizing it differently in my head.

50 years after the beloved manga was released, Netflix announces a brand new anime adaptation ...

Games Radar 03 Apr 2025
A brand new anime adaptation of The Rose of Versailles is coming to Netflix - and we're ready to be dazzled and enchanted ... The Rose of Versailles ... Watch On ... A revival of the manga was released in 2013, with a playable visual novel coming out in 2019.

Doom: The Dark Ages' weighty shield saw and gory melee are vital to its refreshed ...

Games Radar 02 Apr 2025
When you think of Doom it's easy to think about massive demons and huge guns ... It's fun to play off of those things," says Doom ... Our Doom ... When not knee deep in character action games, he loves to get lost in an epic story across RPGs and visual novels.

The 25 Best Games on Xbox Game Pass

New York Magazine 02 Apr 2025
This is a text-based RPG in the tabletop tradition — free of combat, almost visual-novel-like in execution — where the gameplay entirely consists of rolling skill checks and hoping for the best.

12 Great Games That Will Mess With Your Head

Gamespot 01 Apr 2025
... a visual overhaul, and more ... So why do you keep dying? Slay the Princess is a visual novel psychological horror story with a looping, branching narrative filled with elements of body and cosmic horror.

Doom: The Dark Ages' team found new inspiration from the original Doom: "We play it ...

Games Radar 01 Apr 2025
The 1993 Doom is still a titan – an indomitable fiery force ... Chances are, she's pretty good at it too. It's enduring for a reason ... When not knee deep in character action games, he loves to get lost in an epic story across RPGs and visual novels.

I didn't expect to say it, but Doom: The Dark Ages adding a shield and ...

Games Radar 01 Apr 2025
I thought I knew what Doom was. Doom. The Dark Ages doesn't fit that image at all. It has a shield. It has parries ... Doom ... Doom ... (Image credit ... When not knee deep in character action games, he loves to get lost in an epic story across RPGs and visual novels.

Visual Sectors Opens Intellectual Property to Retail Investors

GetNews 31 Mar 2025
Visual Sectors’ novel approach uses indicators derived from options data to provide clear directional signals that enhance traditional strategies ... Unique approach of Visual Sectors sits on 3 major innovations in investment data delivery..

Silent Hill f's Story Description Indicates that the Game Might Feature Choice Based System

The Times of India 31 Mar 2025
The project's creative forces are well-known; Ryukishi07, who is best known for his work on the visual novel Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, wrote the scenario.https.//youtu.be/0-eMuy6UJ6UThe idea of a ...

Silent Hill f's New Trailer Hints at the Multiple Endings

The Times of India 31 Mar 2025
Kanamaya Town in Gifu Prefecture served as the model for this town ... The project's creative forces are well-known; Ryukishi07, who is best known for his work on the visual novel Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, wrote the scenario ... .

The Magikal Return Of Rwake

Stereogum 31 Mar 2025
Inspired by the mechanized brutal death metal of obscurities like Inveracity and Guttural Secrete, and with lyrics that I absolutely do not understand based on the visual novels of writer Kinoko Nasu, ...

Why Silent Hill f Fans Should Check Out This Visual Novel Series

Game Rant 30 Mar 2025
... radical pivot to a rural Japanese setting, and its decidedly terrifying visuals.

Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom smashes together Super Mario 64, Katamari Damacy, and Crazy Taxi to ...

Games Radar 29 Mar 2025
Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom, from developer Panik Arcade, shares a similar philosophy to some of the 3D platforming greats ... (Image credit ... When not knee deep in character action games, he loves to get lost in an epic story across RPGs and visual novels ... ....

Date Everything!’s latest datable object is a 20-sided die voiced by Matt Mercer

Polygon 28 Mar 2025
Date Everything! is a visual novel that promises the opportunity to date any of 100 mundane objects in your own human home ... Case in point ... Date Everything! is currently slated to launch in June ... ....
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