Let's Read Visual Novels!

A visual novel review blog. Here, I keep up-to-date with original English visual novels and more!

[dejinyucu]

A game jam from 2016-03-01 to 2016-04-08 hosted by Cyanide Tea. NOTE: If you want to submit your NaNoRenO VN to the itch.io jam page and it'...

★ What is NaNoRenO?

NaNoRenO is a month-long game jam in which developers are challenged to make a visual novel from start to finish. It was originally inspired by the more famous NaNoWriMo (National Novelist Writer’s Month, which takes place in November). There’s no restrictions on content or genre. See a list of previously released NaNoRenO games here!

★ Do I have to sign up anywhere to participate?

No, you do not have to sign up to participate in NaNoRenO, though you will more than likely get more out of the experience by joining the Lemmasoft forums and sharing the journey with the fellow participants there! Here is this year’s general thread for NaNoRenO.

★ Is there a prize or any sort of judging?

There is no prize or judging in NaNoRenO. The event is a challenge that the developers set for themselves and the prize is the magnificent sense of gratification you get after finishing your game. Completion is its own reward.

★ Why should I participate in NaNoRenO?

Sometimes we need a fire lit under our butts. It’s hard enough to get through making a game from start to finish without a time limit, let alone with just a month to get through everything. Having a deadline will motivate you, help you prioritize your time, let you work on a project you know should be finished by a certain point, and let you explore something outside of what you usually do. It’s the same reason developers participate in game jams: a bit of fun with some time management thrown in. If you’ve had a visual novel idea lurking at the back of your head forever but never had the kick to go explore it—do it now! (mostly taken from this post)

★ The most recent phrasing of the NaNoRenO rules:

Takes place in March.

You can only begin actual production of your game in March.

Brainstorming, plot outlining, character sketches, and anything that does not lead to the direction production of assets is okay.

Sketches of sprite poses, backgrounds, and CGs is NOT okay.

Use of Creative Commons material is okay.

There are no “winners” here. Everyone who manages to release their game has completed NaNoRenO!

You may release a buggy version of your game by the deadline and fix it up later or release a demo for NaNoRenO.

Need to recruit help?

★ But what does NaNoRenO even stand for?

D-don’t worry about it!!

[fuckyeahrenpy]

Original logo by Uncle Mugen (@oelvn)

NaNoRenO is a visual novel development jam that encourages developers to create a visual novel from start to finish during the month of March.

FYR will reblog NaNoRenO project announcements and completed game posts throughout the month.  Announcements will be tagged #nanoreno wip and completed games will be tagged #nanoreno 2016.  Don’t have a Tumblr? No problem! Submit a post.

What are the rules?

Devs can create any type of visual novel.

Creation of game assets should not begin until March 1st, but brainstorming (plot outlining, character sketches, etc.) that does not lead to the production of assets is allowed beforehand.

Creative Commons materials can be used.

Any game released by March 31st/April 1st qualifies.

Bug fixes can be submitted after April 1st.

Useful Links

LSF discussion thread

LSF general recruitment thread

LSF NaNoRenO WiP subforum

itch.io jam page

[letsreadvns-blog]

Visual Novel Terminology A-Z

Someone asked what the difference is between a visual novel, kinetic novel, linear novel, and so on, so I thought I’d compose a list. If I have anything wrong, feel free to send me a message so I can correct it.

ADV/AVG: adventure game. Gameplay focuses on exploration and puzzle-solving.

Bishoujo game: “beautiful girl” game. A visual novel usually geared toward a straight male audience. Most stories have one male protagonist with a cast of attractive female characters. Can also be a harem game.

BL game: boys’ love game. Also known as BxB or shonen-ai game. The focus is the romantic relationship between two male characters. Can also be yaoi (sexual BxB).

Dating sim: Dating simulator. A game with romancing elements where the goal is to form a relationship with one of the characters. May incorporate schedules, stat raising, and choices through interacting with characters.

Dojin game: also known as dojinshi game or dojin soft. A fanmade game, based from an established fandom.

Eroge: erotic + game. A visual novel that contains sex scenes.

GL game: girls’ love game. Also known as GxG or shojo-ai game. The focus is the romantic relationship between two female characters. Can also be yuri (sexual GxG).

H-game: short for hentai game. See eroge; nukige.

Kinetic novel: abbreviated as KN. A visual novel where there are no choices, routes, or interactive elements.

Linear novel: abbreviated as LN. A visual novel with a single ending. May contain interactive elements, but there is only one true ending.

Nakige: see utsuge. DO NOT CONFUSE WITH NUKIGE.

Nukige: a visual novel in which sex is the main focus.

NVL: novel game; visual novel.

OELVN: Original English language visual novel (also known as EVN - English visual novel). It is used in compare/contrast to JVN (Japanese visual novel)

Otoge:  otome + game (the Japanese word for “maiden” + game.) A visual novel geared toward a female audience. Most stories center around romance.

Ren’ai game: “romantic love” game. Can also be a hybrid with a dating sim.

Stat raiser: A game where the character’s stats must be raised to achieve a goal (example, reading/studying = +10 intelligence, exercising = +10 stamina)

Utsuge: “depressing game.” Also known as nakige. A visual novel that focuses on dramatic/melancholy elements geared toward making the player cry.

[fuckyeahrenpy]

NaNoRenO is a visual novel development jam that encourages developers to create a visual novel from start to finish during the month of March.

FYR will reblog NaNoRenO project announcements and completed game posts throughout the month.  Announcements will be tagged #nanoreno wip and completed games will be tagged #nanoreno 2015.  Don’t have a Tumblr? No problem! Submit a post.

What are the rules?

Devs can create any type of visual novel.

Creation of game assets should not begin until March 1st, but brainstorming (plot outlining, character sketches, etc.) that does not lead to the production of assets is allowed beforehand.

Creative Commons materials can be used.

Any game released by March 31st/April 1st qualifies.

Bug fixes can be submitted after April 1st.

Useful Links

LSF discussion thread

LSF recruitment thread

NaNoRenO games list

FYR’s NaNoRenO post archive

itch.io jam page

[letsreadvns-blog]

It's that time of the year again, folks!

[letsreadvns-blog]

"What The F*** Is DRAMAtical Murder": The compendium.

[letsreadvns-blog]

"TIME'S UP!"

The whistle has been blown! Pencils down!

As April 1st comes to a close (in which I didn't post yesterday since there were a lot of April Fools/fake VNs appearing as jokes), we're ready to tackle on a month's worth of visual novels. Stay tuned as I collect the completed ones for an updated Master List, review ones that stood out to me, and talk to creators about their struggles and triumphs in their creation of this year's NaNoRenO.

If you have completed a VN for NaNoRenO, send me a note! Otherwise, I'll be digging through the NaNoRenO tumblr tag and Lemma Soft Forums to see what I can discover! If you want me to review your game or are interested in me interviewing you over your progress, let me know.

Note: Remember, completed NaNoRenO games go in the Completed Section of the LS Forums with NaNo '14 in the thread title. Incomplete/still-in-progress ones remain in the WIP: NaNoReno Section or Work-In-Progress Section.

Later days!

-Queenie

[letsreadvns-blog]

Participants list updated

Hi, everyone! We're six days into NaNoRenO, can you believe it? 

I've updated the Participant List, so don't worry if you haven't received a reply from me - I've received your submission!

I know I gave a hard deadline, but heck, let's just go on a rolling basis all through this month! A lot of teams are still being formed, and we're only in the first week. So if you would like to make yourself known, please look at the list guidelines here: NaNoRenO Participant Info

After browsing through the Lemma Soft Forums' NaNoRenO section, I'm excited to see so many participants this year! We're going to have a bunch of visual novels to play by April. Keep going, you're doing great!

-Queenie

[letsreadvns-blog]

2014 NaNoRenO Participant List

Hi, everyone! Here is the current list I have for people participating in NaNoRenO 2014. If you want your information updated, please send me a message. At the end of the month, I'll check in with the participants and ask for a thumbnail image to go along with their work!

Note: There is no *official* list for NaNoRenO. I am compiling a list for everyone's convenience!

Current List (updated March 6, 2014):

1) Time's Up: Turn the Page! by Classy Frog Studios Website: kaeru-ranawa.tumblr.com Description: [Slice of life] [Friendship] Cassandra has just graduated from high school but has no idea what she'll do next! Will she be able to come up with a plan before time's up and the next chapter of her life begins?

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2) Escaping Sin by Dream Otome Studio Website: dreamotomestudio.tumblr.com Description: It is said that after death we each have a set destination to arrive at: Heaven or Hell. However, for a few select exceptions -- those who have gone through life with with unerring loyalties to the qualities of sinners -- they are given one final chance to change their ways and reverse their untimely deaths. Can these hopeful sinners survive and find love?

--------------- 3) Intercommunication by bone2Pixel Website: bone2pixel.tumblr.com Description: Human and Robot interactions in an unusual housing situation.

--------------- 4) The Girl with the Rainbow Eyes By Spicy Diamond Website: random-spicy-diamond.tumblr.com Description: A fairytale.  

------------------- 5) Title TBA by unicutie Website: unicutie.tumblr.com Description: A small online visual novel which lives on your blog! The love interest putters around your blog doing cute things. You can talk to her in order to build up relationship points, as well as through winning her gifts and helping her out by playing mini games, unlocking cut scenes, and through randomly generated events.

--------------------- 6) Almost There by vividXP Website: vividxp.tumblr.com Description: Will Talid be able to create a new life for herself and her family?

-------------------- 7) Black Doves by Cherubim-Scribes Website cherubim-scribes.tumblr.com Description Black Doves is a dark circus-themed fantasy with romantic elements woven in. It follows the story of Paloma in an alternate world called Erdoo who is captured and sold to the eccentric owner named The Magnificent Nebuchadnezzar III.

---------------------- 8) Title TBA by Little Lake Studios Website: sevitaa.tumblr.com Description: Slice of life yuri/GL.

--------------- 9) The Little Leaf Girl (working title) by OwLee Website: nanoreno-seeding.tumblr.com Description: A little seed girl blows into a garden of grown up flower faeries and goes on a journey to figure out what sort of flower she is.

--------------- 10) Title TBA by False Alarm! Website: falsealarmvns.tumblr.com Description: [BxB] [18+] [Sports, Romance]

----------------

11) The Sea By Night by labyrinthofleah, misscasketscoffincapers, and hikarunohan Website: http://labyrinthofleah.tumblr.com/tagged/sea-by-night Description: Princess Rowan has always been known for her level head and reserved judgment, so when she spontaneously takes in a mute man she finds washed up on the beach, it naturally creates a bit of an uproar. Her only allies are her friend, Lady Ness, and the palace’s Head Gardener, Archer. After a while, the scandal dies down and a tentative peace is established… but then a doubt is sown in Rowan’s mind about the man she has named ‘Lethe.’

--------------- 12) Riiip! by Mia & Cassy (production name TBA!) Website: tsunkuuyandere.tumblr.com & subamoe.tumblr.com (website coming soon) Description: Wedged between two advents of her recent life, she finds the fabric of her reality tearing...?!

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13) Rainbow Love by Velveteen Rabbit Productions Website: N/A Description: [BxB, Dramedy, Slice-of-Life] 16-year-old Orville Kaminski has long accepted that he’s gay—it’s the rejection by his parents that he’s still coming to terms with. When his best friend, Irene Dale, starts up a Gay-Straight Alliance for their school, he befriends a few other individuals, and learns there's more to being gay in the 2010's than he knew, making a few new friends in the process.

----------------

14) Brewitched! by allurious Website: http://gurglings.tumblr.com/ Description: Effie was just like every other high-school girl until a weird looking tea-shop pops up on her route home. On a dare to go inside, she hesitantly drinks a cup of tea from the young owner of the store and then, everything changes. The shop disappears, the owner keeps popping up and there’s a whole new set of responsibilities to undertake. Infused with new magical tea powers, Effie must defend her town from distraught and misguided spirits, working with her friends and the strange tea-shop owner. Tea, often associated with spiritual harmony and calm, is the weapon she will use in her new magical form to defeat them, soothing them back to their normal state. DARJEELING! EARL GREY! OCHA!’

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Let's give the participants the best of luck and support!

[letsreadvns-blog]

Heya! Just wanted to know how to submit the form for being a NaNoRenO participant. Don't think it'll all fit in an ask and couldn't find the submit button ;A; Thanks for reading this! Keep up the awesome job!

You can make a blog post, and then send me a link! I think that would work fine.

[letsreadvns-blog]

Do you take submissions of visual novels for reviews?

Yes, I do! I'm trying to be a bit more active with this blog, so having VNs to review is one of my goals. If you have a suggestion for a VN to review, please let me know!

[letsreadvns-blog]

I know this sound silly but how do we participial? Like do we just say on tumblr or somewhere(?) that we made this game because of NaNoRenO?

There is not an official participation sign-up for NaNoRenO (so you could even keep it secret!). I'm just collecting a list of people so it will be easier for everyone to find the VNs that were made during NaNoRenO afterward.

[letsreadvns-blog]

EVN Watch - Master Post - February 2014

We take a step back in time for the upcoming Asher. For more info on this game and others, scroll down to "Read More" for the Master List.

-------------------------

All right, time to make up for lost time. Following the one I did last time, I'll post work-in-progress visual novels that stand out to me. Creators, editors, writers, artists, musicians, voice actors, and programmers are popping up like daisies in the EVN community as of late, which is great. This time I’ve narrowed it down to 10.

This month (in alphabetical order):

Asher

Dysfunctional Systems: Episode 2 + 3

Exogenesis: The Perils of Rebirth

Icebound

The Guardian's Spell

Lemon Project

Magicians of Delphine

My Guard

Sierra Ops

Tropichu!

1)

Asher

Team: Sun Labyrinth

Website: http://sunlabyrinth.com/

Lemmasoft thread: [link]

VNDB.org: [none yet]

I'm pretty excited for this game, not gonna lie. It's always refreshing to see something that isn't common in the EVN world and breathe life into it. I'm digging the film noir approach, as well as the character designs so far (I actually wish I owned the outfit of the woman on the left...so posh). Can't wait to see how it plays out.

2)

Dysfunctional Systems: Episode 2 + 3  PROJECT CANCELLED

Team: Dischan Media

Website: http://dysfunctionalsystems.com/

Lemmasoft thread: none yet, but there is a current discussion: [link]

VNDB.org: [link] (Episode 1)

Doomfest, the artist to the Dysfunctional Systems : Episode 1 as well as Juniper’s Knot, already set the bar high. A new artist (who I believe is Rtil?) will hopefully put their own spin on the DS franchise and add into the story. If this background has anything to say, then I'm already invested. Dischan recently started a Kickstarter to promote the next two episodes in the series.

3)

Exogenesis: The Perils of Rebirth

Team: I don’t know the studio name, but here is their info page: [link]

Website: http://exogenesisvn.com/

Lemmasoft thread: [link]

VNDB.org: [link]

The thing that caught my eye for this visual novel was actually this scene here. I actually thought it was from an animated film. The rendering, atmosphere, and lighting is fantastic. The trailer was recently released along with the demo, so be sure to check them out.

4) 

Icebound

Team: Fastermind Games

Website: http://iceboundgame.com

Lemmasoft thread: [link]

VNDB.org: [link]

I think it's safe to say at this point that I'm a background addict. I simply must play all the amazing visual novesl with equally amazing backgrounds. I was sold on the trailer. Anyway, with a great variety of characters and puzzles (yessssssss!), this game has a lot of adventure and surprises in store.

5)

The Guardian’s Spell - PROJECT CANCELLED

Team: Winged Cloud

Website: http://winged-cloud.com/

Lemmasoft thread: [link]

VNDB.org: [link]

From the studio that recently brought us the hit Pyrite Heart, we have the next otome in the line. And boy, is it shiny. The artist (Wanaca) brings a level of professionalism that blows me away. I played Pyrite Heart and enjoyed it, so I'm looking forward to what this game has to offer. There is also a trailer out for it too.

6)

Lemon Project - PROJECT CANCELLED

Team: storybeam

Website: http://lemon-project.tumblr.com/

Lemmasoft thread: [link]

VNDB.org: [none yet]

Loving the UI, and wait, a possible iOS release?! That being said, the cast character designs are lovely. The story centers around a human girl who sells lemonade, but the cast range from vampires, to elves, to this mer-gal right here. So anything goes when you're manning a lemonade stand! Pretty interesting.

7)

Magicians of Delphine

Team: akemicchi

Website: none yet, but creator has a deviantART gallery: [link]

Lemmasoft thread: [link]

VNDB.org: [none yet]

I'll admit, I've been secretly lurking around the thread to this game for awhile. I get to pick either a male or female protag? Check. Fantasy world setting? Check. Beautiful artwork? Check, check, and check. I looked at the cast page, and I already know whose routes I'm going after. The answer: EVERYONE.

8)

My Guard

Team: fungii

Website: none yet, but creator has a tumblr: [link]

Lemmasoft thread: [link]

VNDB.org: [none yet]

Another visual novel I've been stalking. Not just because of its colorful and clean art style, but because the lead guy has facial hair (which for some mysterious reason seems to be lacking in a majority of VNs). Also, the female protagonist that wields a sword. Well, that has my vote. I'll just wait patiently.

9)

Sierra Ops

Team: InnoMen Productions

Website: http://innomenpro.com/sierra-ops

Lemmasoft thread: [link]

VNDB.org: [none yet]

Space. The final frontier. Geez. I should give out an award for "KILLER BACKGROUNDS IN A VISUAL NOVEL FOR THE MONTH" because this one wins the cake. A sci-fi setting where you play as a commander, which is emerging in the EVN community as a force to be reckoned with (see Sunrider). There are a few more days left on its IndieGoGo campaign and it has a trailer out.

10)

Tropichu!

Team: Seventh Sphere Games

Website: http://tropichu.weebly.com/

Lemmasoft thread: [link]

VNDB.org: [none yet]

With outstanding artist konett (in which I highlighted the work Memento Karotte in the EVN Watch October 2013 post), we take a time to visit a beach. The characters and setting are gorgeous. Do I get the option to just hang out with my family or date one of these guys? Awesome. Hand me that beach ball and let's go!

 That's all for now, folks!

- Queenie

[letsreadvns-blog]

NaNoRenO 2014 Participant Info + Related Links

Hi, everyone! This is a follow-up post of the previous one introducing NaNoRenO. For those who are participating in NaNoRenO 2014, I am making a list of participants! Please note, this is not official, but it would be great to archive for future participants and interested VN readers. So here is a form to submit:

NaNoRenO 2014 Participant(s) Info

1) Name of user, team, or studio

2) Your visual novel title (can be TBA if you don't know yet)

3) Website (can be your tumblr or related website for your VN)

4) A 1-3 sentence description of your VN! (If it's secret for now, that's fine)

Send me a message with the above info, and I'll place you on the list. I will stop accepting applications on February 28th (day before NanoRenO starts). Tell your friends! Tell your family! Tell your dog!

----------------------------------------

Related Links:

What is NaNoRenO?

Engines:

Ren'py.org - a free visual novel engine that a majority use in NaNoRenO

Novelty - another free visual novel maker; no coding involved

NVList - a free open source visual novel engine written using Java

Forums/Community/Support

Lemma Soft Forums - need help with your VN? Want to see a work-in-progress? Or just want to talk about VNs in general? This is the place. The folks there are very friendly, so definitely drop in!

Otome Sweetheart - usually my go-to place when I want to keep up to date with otome games (JVNs, EVNs, and more!)

English Otome Games - same goes for this one!

-Queenie

[letsreadvns-blog]

NaNoRenO is approaching!

Sorry for the absence, peeps. Life's hangups got in the way, but things seem pretty stable now.

So what's new? Well, NaNoRenO 2014 begins on March 1.  I'll be posting about visual novels that participate, as well as (hopefully) some interviews from creators on their process!

I would like to make a list of participants, so if you plan on joining, please send a message my way. Again, this blog is for connecting visual novel creators and fans together for support and critique!

----------------------------

What is NaNoRenO?

NaNoRenO takes place in the month of March, where you have exactly 30-31 days to complete a visual novel (similar to NaNoWriMo and NaNoMangO). A majority use the visual novel program Ren'py, but there are still many options to choose from. 

Why participate?

For many who dream of working on visual novels but never actually get around to starting one, this is the perfect opportunity to get something out of your head and onto the web. Some finish, some do not, but the point is to actually produce and see your work become actuality! Even many that were not completed still had wonderful work added later (such in the case of Autumn's Journey).

For those who want to know more about NaNoRenO, here are helpful info links:

Lemma Soft NaNoRenO forum

A specific thread about NANORENO

MangaTutorial's article on NaNoRenO

-Queenie

[winterwolvesgames]

The mystery/otome dating sim “Nicole” is now officially out!

Check the trailer and the game official page here: http://www.winterwolves.com/nicole.htm

And please reblog/spread the word if you can :) thanks