Comments on: Let’s play master and servant: my introduction to the visual novel http://mononoaware.concretebadger.net/2009/01/15/lets-play-master-and-servant-my-introduction-to-the-visual-novel/ Tsundere Service at no extra charge Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:07:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: IKnight http://mononoaware.concretebadger.net/2009/01/15/lets-play-master-and-servant-my-introduction-to-the-visual-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-55 IKnight Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:37:08 +0000 http://mononoaware.concretebadger.net/?p=183#comment-55 One of the translations in <em>Narcissu</em> is attached to a voice track for one of the characters, and the other translation is silent. As the translators point out, this actually alters the reader's focus considerably. I didn't play <em>F/sn</em> with the voice patch myself - I preferred it without. One of the translations in Narcissu is attached to a voice track for one of the characters, and the other translation is silent. As the translators point out, this actually alters the reader’s focus considerably. I didn’t play F/sn with the voice patch myself – I preferred it without.

]]> By: Martin http://mononoaware.concretebadger.net/2009/01/15/lets-play-master-and-servant-my-introduction-to-the-visual-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-53 Martin Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:50:16 +0000 http://mononoaware.concretebadger.net/?p=183#comment-53 @Emo_Wandering_Bear: thanks, I'll definitely check out Narcissu as some 'light reading'; it sounds like I'd love it. @Sorrow-kun: the lack of VN popularity outside of Japan puzzles me, because once people get over the stigma that comes from generalising (I'm assuming they're not all eroges and dating sims!) I can see them being widely popular. I'll add Ever 17 to the list then, purely because a sci-fi VN sounds fascinating. @IKnight: 'kinetic novel'? I like that term! I'm going to have to get onto Narcissu soonish by the looks of things, since you all hold it in such high regard. It's interesting to learn that True Remembrance doesn't have any voice acting though; I'm currently playing F/S N with my music player in the background since I forgot how to install the vocal patch! @Emo_Wandering_Bear: thanks, I’ll definitely check out Narcissu as some ‘light reading’; it sounds like I’d love it.

@Sorrow-kun: the lack of VN popularity outside of Japan puzzles me, because once people get over the stigma that comes from generalising (I’m assuming they’re not all eroges and dating sims!) I can see them being widely popular. I’ll add Ever 17 to the list then, purely because a sci-fi VN sounds fascinating.

@IKnight: ‘kinetic novel’? I like that term! I’m going to have to get onto Narcissu soonish by the looks of things, since you all hold it in such high regard. It’s interesting to learn that True Remembrance doesn’t have any voice acting though; I’m currently playing F/S N with my music player in the background since I forgot how to install the vocal patch!

]]> By: IKnight http://mononoaware.concretebadger.net/2009/01/15/lets-play-master-and-servant-my-introduction-to-the-visual-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-51 IKnight Sun, 18 Jan 2009 17:18:21 +0000 http://mononoaware.concretebadger.net/?p=183#comment-51 I believe the term for something with no choices like <em>Narcissu</em> is a 'kinetic novel'? Either way, I quite liked it. Considering that it's amateur work, it's pretty impressive. Check out the two different translations available in the officially-sanctioned English version, too: they're an interesting contrast. The other kinetic thingummy with an officially-sanctioned translation which is usually mentioned in the same breath as <em>Narcissu</em> is <em>True Remembrance</em>. I enjoyed that too, though I wouldn't agree with some of the more extravagant claims made about its quality. I believe the term for something with no choices like Narcissu is a ‘kinetic novel’? Either way, I quite liked it. Considering that it’s amateur work, it’s pretty impressive. Check out the two different translations available in the officially-sanctioned English version, too: they’re an interesting contrast. The other kinetic thingummy with an officially-sanctioned translation which is usually mentioned in the same breath as Narcissu is True Remembrance. I enjoyed that too, though I wouldn’t agree with some of the more extravagant claims made about its quality.

]]> By: Sorrow-kun http://mononoaware.concretebadger.net/2009/01/15/lets-play-master-and-servant-my-introduction-to-the-visual-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-49 Sorrow-kun Sun, 18 Jan 2009 12:21:05 +0000 http://mononoaware.concretebadger.net/?p=183#comment-49 I haven't played too many VNs, but Ever 17 is far and away the best one I've ever played (read) all the way through. The first four arcs range from passable to ordinary, but the way the final arc ties the other arcs together and answers all the questions posed by the mystery is nothing short of genius. It's one of these stories that'll frustrate the hell out of you as you wade through it, but the finale is so special that it more than makes up for it. As a medium, VNs are definitely something I've wanted to get more into, but the limited availability outside Japan has always been a big sticking point. Narcissu and Planetarian are also great, but as Emo_Wandering_Bear points out, there's no choices in either. That doesn't mean that they don't have great stories to tell. I haven’t played too many VNs, but Ever 17 is far and away the best one I’ve ever played (read) all the way through. The first four arcs range from passable to ordinary, but the way the final arc ties the other arcs together and answers all the questions posed by the mystery is nothing short of genius. It’s one of these stories that’ll frustrate the hell out of you as you wade through it, but the finale is so special that it more than makes up for it.

As a medium, VNs are definitely something I’ve wanted to get more into, but the limited availability outside Japan has always been a big sticking point. Narcissu and Planetarian are also great, but as Emo_Wandering_Bear points out, there’s no choices in either. That doesn’t mean that they don’t have great stories to tell.

]]> By: Emo_Wandering_Bear http://mononoaware.concretebadger.net/2009/01/15/lets-play-master-and-servant-my-introduction-to-the-visual-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-48 Emo_Wandering_Bear Sat, 17 Jan 2009 21:41:15 +0000 http://mononoaware.concretebadger.net/?p=183#comment-48 @above: It is worth noting that Narcissu is not a visual novel per se; it does not offer the reader any choices, so it is essentially a story with pictures. All the reader has to do is click through it. It's a fairly short read though, so you may as well go through it to see if you like the format. And if you like it, I'll also suggest Planetarian. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planetarian It's developed by Key, so expect a fair amount of angst and the usual level of finish you'd expect to see in other Key works. There IS a translation patch for this out there, somewhere, you just have to look for it. Cheers. @above:

It is worth noting that Narcissu is not a visual novel per se; it does not offer the reader any choices, so it is essentially a story with pictures. All the reader has to do is click through it.

It’s a fairly short read though, so you may as well go through it to see if you like the format.

And if you like it, I’ll also suggest Planetarian.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planetarian

It’s developed by Key, so expect a fair amount of angst and the usual level of finish you’d expect to see in other Key works. There IS a translation patch for this out there, somewhere, you just have to look for it.

Cheers.

]]> By: Martin http://mononoaware.concretebadger.net/2009/01/15/lets-play-master-and-servant-my-introduction-to-the-visual-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-47 Martin Sat, 17 Jan 2009 20:49:50 +0000 http://mononoaware.concretebadger.net/?p=183#comment-47 @Emo_Wandering_Bear: Tsukihime is next on my list when I'm done with F/S N since I'm one of the few who actually enjoyed the anime. That said I had a few issues with it that I'm sure the full original story will resolve. Plus it has vampires in it. o/ WTINA will have to wait for a translation patch though since my Japanese is still really limited! @gaguri: I like detective fiction-type stuff so Hirugashi intrigues me. The premise of Narcissu sounds really poignant too so I'll make a mental note of them. F/S N is proving to be a fantastic piece by the way (assuming a couple of hentai scenes don't bother you). One of these days I might check out a dating sim, although I wouldn't be able to take it altogether seriously; it might be better in that 'having a drunken laugh friends' setting! @Emo_Wandering_Bear: Tsukihime is next on my list when I’m done with F/S N since I’m one of the few who actually enjoyed the anime. That said I had a few issues with it that I’m sure the full original story will resolve. Plus it has vampires in it. o/ WTINA will have to wait for a translation patch though since my Japanese is still really limited!

@gaguri: I like detective fiction-type stuff so Hirugashi intrigues me. The premise of Narcissu sounds really poignant too so I’ll make a mental note of them. F/S N is proving to be a fantastic piece by the way (assuming a couple of hentai scenes don’t bother you). One of these days I might check out a dating sim, although I wouldn’t be able to take it altogether seriously; it might be better in that ‘having a drunken laugh friends’ setting!

]]> By: gaguri http://mononoaware.concretebadger.net/2009/01/15/lets-play-master-and-servant-my-introduction-to-the-visual-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-46 gaguri Sat, 17 Jan 2009 17:28:49 +0000 http://mononoaware.concretebadger.net/?p=183#comment-46 From what I hear from the VN expert at Nihonreview site, "Narcissu" is probably one of the best VN out there. I'm interested in trying out VN as well (lol I've only played this really bad Korean dating sims approx. 10 yrs ago), but probably not F/S Night or CLANNAD. Maybe Higurashi, that seemed like quite a game to play. From what I hear from the VN expert at Nihonreview site, “Narcissu” is probably one of the best VN out there. I’m interested in trying out VN as well (lol I’ve only played this really bad Korean dating sims approx. 10 yrs ago), but probably not F/S Night or CLANNAD. Maybe Higurashi, that seemed like quite a game to play.

]]> By: Emo_Wandering_Bear http://mononoaware.concretebadger.net/2009/01/15/lets-play-master-and-servant-my-introduction-to-the-visual-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-45 Emo_Wandering_Bear Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:41:35 +0000 http://mononoaware.concretebadger.net/?p=183#comment-45 "As far as I know the VN format has yet to be put to eductional use, unless you count dating sims as demonstrations of social etiquette or something." I don't think affection points quite work out irl :( I'd suggest Tsukihime, as well. That one, however, requires a bit of work as the better routes require completion of the game at least once. On the untranslated side, December When There Is No Angel is absolutely delicious. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_When_There_Is_No_Angel Happy reading! “As far as I know the VN format has yet to be put to eductional use, unless you count dating sims as demonstrations of social etiquette or something.”

I don’t think affection points quite work out irl :(

I’d suggest Tsukihime, as well. That one, however, requires a bit of work as the better routes require completion of the game at least once.

On the untranslated side, December When There Is No Angel is absolutely delicious.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_When_There_Is_No_Angel

Happy reading!

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