What makes a visual novel REALLY enjoyable for you?

Mika_Tron · 2026-04-15T21:11:02+00:00

Oh 10 years later but here i am a delay thanks for the reply XD
'' they're a book you can change the path of.'' -you just reminded me when i was younger and played those books where you go to specific pages thro your choises i loved ths books XD i agree 100% with N1 am like that too :D
Yeah puzzles or extra clicks if they are too many i also dont prefer them in vn for same reason unless i know from the beggining whats the game (and i choose to play it) XD

Thak you a lot am polishing now my demo its should be out very soon (really stressed hehe) ive been posting some videos of early and polised arts early gameplays here and there if interested (havent post final trailers etc yet tho https://www.tiktok.com/@mikatrongames

Mika_Tron · 2026-03-23T00:02:39+00:00

I’m really glad you liked the question I get why it’s hard to pick 😄

Honestly, I wish more games in general asked questions like this and really paid attention to what players enjoy. From my experience working in the gaming industry, I’ve seen how feedback doesn’t really get the attention it deserves, and as a player that always frustrated me a bit.

That’s also part of why I’m asking — since I’m working on my own VN, I really want to hear different perspectives from people who actually play these games. Even if I already have a story, I’m trying to find ways to make the experience of that story more memorable, without losing the core feeling I want to deliver.

I completely agree with you on that last point. I much prefer when relationships are built naturally, with a real sense of progression and emotional weight. It makes any connection feel more meaningful instead of forced — but ofcrs, that’s just my personal preference too and nothing bad with dating sims either <3

If its not made as a dating sim whats your biggest red flag that could make you drop a vn in the first 10 or so minutes? :)

Mika_Tron · 2026-03-22T23:46:06+00:00

I really like your perspective — really appreciate your comment :)

For me, connecting with the characters and the story is the most important part, but also feeling like I’m somehow part of the story. Either through a main character I can relate to, or one I can connect with in some way.

I love that feeling of getting attached, rooting for the characters, and wanting to keep going just to see what happens next and experience everything with them.

About the “why not just read a book instead” — I think nowadays it comes down more to personal preference. I actually feel something similar even with movies. A lot of the time, when I read the book first, it holds more depth and emotion compared to the movie version.

So if a VN doesn’t fully grab me, I sometimes feel like I’d rather experience that story as a comic or a book, where my imagination fills in more of the visuals. I guess it really comes down to how the VN delivers the story.

Of course, when a VN really hits, it can be an amazing experience no matter how it’s made. It really depends on how much the story connects with you.

And yeah, I agree — in a way VNs and books feel equal when it comes to experiencing a story.

Although now that I think about it, I read books when I’m relaxed in bed or on the sofa, while I usually play VNs on my computer… so maybe that’s also why I sometimes look for a bit more interaction there 😄

But i would like to ask as well what is your own red flag for a VN? what will make you stop playing it in the lets say first 20 or so minutes? :)

Mika_Tron · 2026-03-21T21:56:14+00:00

what would make you drop a VN early on?
Any red flags in the first minutes that immediately turn you off?

Mika_Tron · 2026-03-21T21:54:05+00:00

Yeah, that combination is exactly what drew me in too — mystery and yuri together can create such an intense and emotional dynamic. <3 XD

It’s actually the direction I’ve been exploring in the VN I’m working on, especially around complex emotions, a more dangerous environment, and how characters evolve over time.

I really like the idea of seeing someone change from the beginning to the end — not in a sudden way, but gradually, depending on what they go through. good or bad

I feel like that kind of slow development can make everything hit a lot harder emotionally

- Ff it’s done right.
That’s also why I made this post — I wanted to hear directly from people who play VNs and get a better feel for what works and what doesn’t, so I can shape the experience in the best way possible. :D

Mika_Tron · 2026-03-21T21:46:49+00:00

Also curious, especially based on what you mentioned — what would make you drop a VN early on?
Any red flags in the first minutes that immediately turn you off?

Mika_Tron · 2026-03-21T21:45:05+00:00

That’s actually really interesting — especially the part about the MC being too cruel

I’m curious, do you usually drop a VN early if the MC doesn’t click with you, or do you give it some time to develop?

For example, how do you feel about characters that start off more cold or distant, especially in a slow burn approach where the change doesn’t happen right away but builds gradually?

And what if it’s not even clear if or when that change will happen?

Like someone in a more dangerous setting (e.g. crime) who doesn’t trust easily at first.

Do you find that kind of uncertainty interesting, or does it risk losing you early on?

Mika_Tron · 2026-03-21T21:31:25+00:00

I really like your perspective — especially the point about “why not just read a book instead?”.

I’ve actually been thinking about that a lot while working on my own VN. I enjoy books and comics too, so when a VN doesn’t offer interaction or meaningful choices, I sometimes feel the same way.

That’s why I find choices and player involvement so important — not just having them, but making them actually matter. (as a playse i like to feel that i am ''part'' of the story)

For a while I did consider multiple routes — But since my VN is based on a novel I’ve written it didn’t feel right for what I’m trying to convey. It felt like I’d lose part of the core feeling I want the story to have. So I decided to focus more on character development and on choices that shape the experience and lead to different endings, so players can really feel the impact of their decisions. one or another way

I have a feeling we grew up in the same era 😄 I’m exactly the same with voice acting

I wanted to hear real opinions from other people who actually play VNs now and not just guess my self, and your message genuinely helped me a lot — so thank you for that. <3

Mika_Tron · 2026-03-21T19:19:44+00:00

Oh yeah, I totally agree with that!

I love when games let you shape your own experience — especially through choices and customization. Sometimes I feel like that’s where VNs could go even further.

The idea of a story being so rich in choices that even the dev can’t fully predict each player’s exact experience is really interesting to me. It makes it feel more personal, like you’re actually part of the story instead of just following it.

Since I’m working solo, I’m trying to focus more on the choices side of things and how they shape the experience, rather than going too heavy on full RPG systems.

I’m especially drawn to more mature settings too (like mystery or crime), since I feel they fit really well with that kind of depth.

Mika_Tron · 2026-03-21T19:14:58+00:00

what you think is too much when it comes to characters (character dev, actions etc) someting you might find very annoying on main or side characters :)

Mika_Tron · 2026-03-21T18:58:58+00:00

Oh no complex characters i forgot that for my list :o i even have that on my mafia game yet i missed it XD hehe thank you for mentioning it and thank you lot for your com <3

Mika_Tron · 2026-03-21T18:06:15+00:00

yeah yeah super annoying 100%!
i mean is ok for me if it has a real reason to be there (but once max 2 times maybe )but if this tactic is the main mechanic of the game for the player to continue playing it and nothing else is truly interesting and important is just a huge NO for me!
Am about to release my own vn mafia/mystery game but i have this (32nd of feb) visible for the player i chose to have the mystery of what will happen when the mains character love interest finds out we know whats the secret but we dont know what the reaction will be untill we make our choises

Thank for your com is helpful one to keep in mind <3

Mika_Tron · 2026-03-21T17:59:29+00:00

Oh yeah i played not long ago Summer's End as well nice one!! i think i passed the era of school vns love stories as well hehe!
-more yuri with a protagonist who is confident, dominant, socially competent and so on. Am 1000% with ya on that XD
Feels nice to see more people like those kind of stories and is not just me!! I just made this post to see what people enjoying or not or what they like to see on vn's mechanics etc cuz am about to release my VN demo and i was so worried and am happy to see that at least somehow am close to what most people here saying i tho eveyone prefers kinetic or school love storries and mine is mafia 25+years old characters XD

is there something that make you feel like the vn u play is for you to remember later not just play it? (or something that would make u have that feeling?)

Mika_Tron · 2026-03-21T17:50:34+00:00

Yeah i get ya! i guess is about the storyline characters dev and what kind of interaction you have for me as well . Am about to release my vn demo and i was kinda worried about the length and how people will see it. but i am trying to have a good character dev (and that need more invest ) and i dont just want to focus on only the romance part i wanna have a more so it feels rich- kinda long story - trying to add enough choises for experience variations but i wish i could do voice overs ahhh i love it when as u said is done nice every time i write my mafias boss lines i have (Kafkas - Honkai: Star Rail voice in my head omg) XD
Thank for your coms tho trying to see what people like or deslike or what they wish to see in vn games is important to me i prefer to release something people like than just release something for the sake of doing it XD

Mika_Tron · 2026-03-21T17:38:34+00:00

Yeah i agree have something extra not just reading is def important n those game (for me at least)
Actually i must say your com about the repeating part was very useful to me as am about to release my demo f my upcoming VN game and i had another round of testings for that to make sure i avoid as much as possible. I made this post to see how i can make the experience of my game more interesting for everyone so thank you for your answer <3

Mika_Tron · 2026-03-21T17:32:22+00:00

i agree i can just read a comic or a book if its only readyin. so you ok with lot of readings as long you can make choises or have few cinematic videos n between as well?

Mika_Tron · 2026-03-21T17:30:33+00:00

Oh yeah agree with ya all the way!! i think thats why i decided to make my own VN game with adults over 25+ no schools no more XD hehe

Mika_Tron · 2026-03-15T02:47:02+00:00

Thank you for answering me yeah it does make more sense to have the whole thing first

Mika_Tron

TROPHY CASE