Senren*Banka VS. Aokana

[Athenian]

As a subject title suggests, I was wondering which do the people here think is a better reading experience, Senren*Banka or Aokana.

I am planning on first purchasing one of the games here on Steam so please do let me know your opinions on the matter. Thank you!

[vmeansvincent]

Well its quite hard to differ those 2 in terms of story....both are top shelf imo

Aokana has more of sport/competitive feel, character interaction more real life like, once into heroine route is more personal feel

Senren is more about spirit/ past history, has a bigger story structure that you need to finish all main characters to see the whole pic n what happen in the past

hope that helps, imo buy both

[Athenian]

Thanks a lot for the thorough and well-explained reply! Hmmm, I got to say, it's a hard pick. But, I think I'll get both in the long run. For Japan's golden week, though, I think I'll decided which one to pick and first read it before purchasing the other VN.

Once again, thanks for the help!

[elonashooter]

I haven't finished the last route in this yet, but... probably Aokana. I personally think it's pretty overrated (I gave it a 7.5/10 while VNDB has it at rank 30 all time... it's nowhere near that good imo).

Unless Lena's route hard carries this thing like Nene's did in Sanoba witch, I expect I'll give Senren Banka a 7/10.

Though in terms of money, there is the fact that you'll almost certainly want to buy the aokana soundtrack because THAT is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ amazing. Also of note is that you can only legally buy the soundtrack with the steam version of the game.

On the other hand, if you haven't played Sanoba witch either, get that.

[Athenian]

Thank you so much for the comment! While I'm sure Aokana is a great visual novel, I definitely do not get the impression that it deserves a spot in the top 30 visual novels of all time. It does certainly seem overrated. Then again, I have not read the visual novel before - so I'll leave judging the VN's rating to others who have actually read it in the past.

Regardless, 7.5/10 is a pretty solid score. Beyond that, thanks for letting me know about the soundtrack! I definitely did not know Steam is the only platform where you can legally buy it. I think I'll go ahead and purchase it once a discount is available - hopefully during Japan's golden week.

Since I am relatively new to reading VNs (read about 5-6 altogether, I think), I have not heard of Sanoba Witch before. Thanks for the recommendation and I'll be sure to check it out.

[elonashooter]

Originally posted by Athenian:

Thank you so much for the comment! While I'm sure Aokana is a great visual novel, I definitely do not get the impression that it deserves a spot in the top 30 visual novels of all time. It does certainly seem overrated. Then again, I have not read the visual novel before - so I'll leave judging the VN's rating to others who have actually read it in the past.

Regardless, 7.5/10 is a pretty solid score. Beyond that, thanks for letting me know about the soundtrack! I definitely did not know Steam is the only platform where you can legally buy it. I think I'll go ahead and purchase it once a discount is available - hopefully during Japan's golden week.

Since I am relatively new to reading VNs (read about 5-6 altogether, I think), I have not heard of Sanoba Witch before. Thanks for the recommendation and I'll be sure to check it out.

It's the other Yuzusoft (makers of Senren Banka) on steam, it goes by Sabbat of the witch on the steam store but everyone calls it by the actual title.

I've read enough novels that I keep a freaking spreadsheet with the ratings for each route and novel wholistically so if you want any recommendations feel free to hit me up.

[Athenian]

Thanks a lot for the clarification. And, like you said, it does go by the English name Sabbat of the Witch on the Steam store.

Wow, you got a whole spreadsheet with ratings of each route and novel?! That sounds really awesome. Out of curiosity, though, do you happen to have a shareable link (e.g. via Google Spreadsheets) if one ever wants to view your opinions/recommendations on a visual novel or route?

Anyway, thanks a lot for the help. If I ever need more VN recommendations, I'll be sure to hit you up.

On a side note, does Yuzusoft have any plans on having a golden week sale on their VN? Preferably, I'll make my purchase when (and if) that happens. :)

[elonashooter]

I don't have the spreadsheet online since it's really just for my own sake. I try to give people recommendations based on their taste, rather than mine so I don't see much point in putting it online either.

Right now it looks like Manga gamer has a golden week sale going, Nekonyan (the publisher/translator of Yuzusoft titles in the west) does not.

Manga gamer is one of the biggest VN publishers, and it looks like you can get most of their stuff at a good deal now.

I would particularly recommend The House in Fata Morganna (Deluxe edition because it also has an amazing OST).

I personally consider it to be the perfect VN. Though it is quite dark, and gets really ♥♥♥♥♥♥ up at points. Thematically though, it's very uplifting in the end. Though it's not for the faint of heart.

Other than that, ef a tale of the two (it's split into two novels and is therefore overpriced) was also amazing. But it's a tragedy. And frankly had I known that going in I probably wouldn't have read it.

I can also recommend CLANNAD and G-Senjou no Maou which are also amazing and currently on sale.

[Athenian]

True. Your point does make a lot of sense. Ultimately, people interested in the VN genre will either go to vndb and check its ratings or simply find somebody online and ask for recommendations.

Thanks for letting me know about Manga gamer. I'll check and see what they have to offer during golden week.

Thanks for letting me know about The House in Fata Morganna. I got to say, this is yet another title I'm unfamiliar with. But, I'll be sure to check it out. :)

I did check ef a tale of the two. And, my first impression was the art style looked pretty similar to a visual novel I read a year ago - namely Eden*.

Now I definitely do know CLANNAD and G-Senjou no Maou. Those are two visual novels I have been meaning to get! Both VNs look incredibly interesting and fun.

[市ノ瀬鮫ナナ]

i will strongly recoomend aokana then this game,ya like i said,this is overated

[elonashooter]

Well, Neko Nyan is now offering a golden week sale on their own website. And you can actually get the aokana soundtrack from them as well.

[Athenian]

Thanks a lot for the extra reconfirmation that Aokana is a pretty good visual novel to get into. I'm definitely going to purchase it when I have the opportunity (i.e. during sales) to do so.

Thanks for mentioning about Neko Nyan's golden week sale on their website, elonashooter! However, as I do not reside in the U.S., the website does not allow me to purchase their products. On the bright side, though, if I were to purchase the VN on steam at 10% off, it would cost me only about $15-20 from where I live. Much cheaper than the U.S., I believe.

On the side note, Aokana is pretty expensive for people living in Japan. Like $60 ...

[Umimi※樱]

I both finished these two games, and I can say they are both perfect
But I must say Senren Banka gives more motion and love feeling to me, as I love two characters in Senren, but one character in Aokana
They are both good, and you must have a try

[carl]

Originally posted by elonashooter:

I don't have the spreadsheet online since it's really just for my own sake. I try to give people recommendations based on their taste, rather than mine so I don't see much point in putting it online either.

Right now it looks like Manga gamer has a golden week sale going, Nekonyan (the publisher/translator of Yuzusoft titles in the west) does not.

Manga gamer is one of the biggest VN publishers, and it looks like you can get most of their stuff at a good deal now.

I would particularly recommend The House in Fata Morganna (Deluxe edition because it also has an amazing OST).

I personally consider it to be the perfect VN. Though it is quite dark, and gets really ♥♥♥♥♥♥ up at points. Thematically though, it's very uplifting in the end. Though it's not for the faint of heart.

Other than that, ef a tale of the two (it's split into two novels and is therefore overpriced) was also amazing. But it's a tragedy. And frankly had I known that going in I probably wouldn't have read it.

I can also recommend CLANNAD and G-Senjou no Maou which are also amazing and currently on sale.

Have you played Demonbane VN from Jast USA ?

[elonashooter]

Nope.