Why does every Visual novel on steam looks the same

[Eska]

im not trying to be rude or offensive or something but almost every visual novel including this one (on steam) looks the same , the characters are generic and it is giving me absolutly no reason to buy this one.

feel free to teach me the opposite

[kilicool64]

Higurashi's original art style is quite unique. (Note: This is absolutely NOT a compliment.)

[Magicflier]

This is like saying 'Why do all shooting games look the same'. Well... it's because they are in the same genre of shooting games. Visual novels are all from the same genre. You won't be able to see what really differentiates from one visual novel to another if you just blindly look at it from afar.

"Even though they're all the same shooting games with same-old shooting, I'd still buy them all"
"Even though they're all the same visual novel games with same-old visuals, I'd still buy them all"

Just a matter of like and dislike starting from the cover of the book.

[VDZ]

It all looks the same because you're not used to the art style. To someone who never watches anime, all anime characters look the same; to someone who never interacts with cats, all cats look the same; to someone uninterested in impressionism, all impressionist art looks the same; to someone who never listens to black metal, all black metal sounds the same.

You'll either need to engage with anime-style art more, or find VNs with such a different art style that it's noticeable even to people not used to the genre's style. Perhaps Chuuou Higashiguchi's more realistic art style, found in (among others) Song of Saya[www.jastusa.com] (18+) and Jouka no Monshou[tlwiki.org] will appeal to you. Kara no Shoujo[www.mangagamer.com] (18+) also features a more realistic art style, though ironically that game does legitimately suffer from character designs that look too similar. Steins;Gate[steins-gate.us] has a very pronounced art style that might be worth a try, too.

For somewhat more risky suggestions, Danganronpa[vndb.org] has a rather unique style, though it's far more anime-like. The works of Ooyari Ashito (such as Quartett[vndb.org] (18+)) likewise have a unique anime-based style. Japanese indie VN True Remembrance[trueremembrance.insani.org] has a simplified anime-like style. Lastly, sci fi VNs Remember11[vndb.org] and I/O[vndb.org] have styles clearly based in anime but slightly different.

As for why you should buy a VN - for this specific VN, I'd say there isn't really a reason to buy it unless you're already into anime-like stuff. This is pretty much a set of romantic stories involving the protagonist dating cute anime girls, which is likely not your cup of tea. But in general, VNs are a storytelling medium that is used for various kinds of stories, and unless you hate reading there's got to be some story that'll appeal to you. The art is generally secondary; an earlier poster mentioned Higurashi, which doesn't exactly have pretty art but still became hugely popular due to being an excellent horror/drama story.

[Eska]

Dude i watch alot of anime , i know the difference, but the chracters in this VN have absolutly no recognizable mark, like you could pick a support character from a random anime from 2009 and they would look the same. they almost remind me of ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ school days.

and no i dont like these "realistic Art Style" VN/anime.

iam clearly not a VN expert like you , i only played 4-7 titles, but just for example "nekopara" has an artstyle which i enjoyed (only talking about Art style).
i know there are alot VN which look different , but i just felt like this game looks the same like the VN that appear lately on steam.

btw. if you want, you can recommend me some VN which have a good art and story.

[nin]

It's a moege like most VN's on Steam. As the genre is focused on moe, moege all have art that emphasize the cuteness of the characters and thus end up sorta similar looking, I guess.

Anyways, pretty much everything VDZ said has a good story and decent art and is worth giving a try, though I haven't played Remember 11 or I/O.

Two acclaimed VN companies are Type MOON and Key. Type MOON VNs like Tsukihime[vndb.org] and Fate Stay Night[vndb.org] are definitely must tries though on the long side and somewhat slow paced. Key VN's like Clannad[vndb.org] and Rewrite[vndb.org] which while also long and slow paced, are undeniably great. The former is getting an official release from Sekai Project.

If you like mecha, Demonbane[www.jastusa.com] is good. Muv Luv Alternative[vndb.org] is also a great VN, but you have to force yourself through Muv Luv to get to it. Gahkthun of the Golden Lightning[vndb.org] is receiving an official release from MangaGamer soon and as it doesn't really have a lot of sex, may also receive an all ages Steam release.

The other two Steampunk VN's translated, Sekien no Inganock[vndb.org] and Shikkoku no Sharnoth[vndb.org] while lacking mecha, are pretty great as they are on the lyrical side and have a unique art style. They end up being sorta confusing though I don't think they are too bad. If you really want to give yourself a migrane, there's Forest[vndb.org] by the same company.

As for moege like Nekopara, I'm admittedly inexperienced in them. I liked Otoboku[www.mangagamer.com] but that may have just been my yuri fan tendencies (trap on girl technically doesn't count as yuri, but ah well). The Sono Hana series also sorta counts though they are all yuri VN's. My personal favorite is this[vndb.org] though I should note that the first 9 games have all been translated. I also heard that Princess Evangile was a pretty good moege by Japanese standards, maybe you should try the demo to see. I personally liked it.

Also, try Narcissu as it is free on Steam. It's a nice short VN. Planetarian is also a short VN that's on Steam.

[kilicool64]

From what I've heard, the WAB series has plot-critical H-scenes and is therefore unsuited for All Ages versions. However, all titles other than the first only contain softcore pornography, so Valve -might- actually be okay with them.

[Magicflier]

Originally posted by How to lose:

btw. if you want, you can recommend me some VN which have a good art and story.

Princess Evangile has both good art and story. ~
Problem solved. ~

Try out the demo

[Gezo]

They all got the same chinese little girls cant tell em apart

[Marik]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l5Cxv-boPc
Yeah, they're all the same.

[kittykat198485]

I don't think their all the same but you're welcome to your oppinion. I have to agree with Magicflier, VDZ and Nin and they all put it alot better then I ever could. The characters all look different if you actually get into the games enough to notice the Meoge character differences. I suppose to someone looking in who isn't as familiar with the genre it may be alot like comparring apples, i mean their all apples right? Despite the fact that their are dozens if not hundreds of sub varieties and each has its own uique flavors and features. However for those familiar with the genre and who have had alot of experience with VN games both from Japan and outside of Japan, its alot more like comparring different types of fruit. Some I'd recommend looking up on Steam to emphisize my point would be, Sunrider (either of the games), Loren Amazon Princess, Heileen sail away, Everlasting Summer, and Always Remember me. Each of these games has its own subtle difference in character design and artwork, but also none of them really have the same design at all for characters.

[goka9696]

Originally posted by kilicool64:

Higurashi's original art style is quite unique. (Note: This is absolutely NOT a compliment.)

It's fancy

Originally posted by How to lose:

im not trying to be rude or offensive or something but almost every visual novel including this one (on steam) looks the same , the characters are generic and it is giving me absolutly no reason to buy this one.

feel free to teach me the opposite

I doubt nitroplus stuff is going to sell well on steam.

[Boost Me;-) minimis]

Because, i think, most of these games are just well storys. No offense here, but there are games like Rance that gives you also a kind of gaming experience.(Not only farming stats etc)

[Grizzled Grizzly]

Originally posted by Magicflier:

This is like saying 'Why do all shooting games look the same'. Well... it's because they are in the same genre of shooting games. Visual novels are all from the same genre. You won't be able to see what really differentiates from one visual novel to another if you just blindly look at it from afar.

"Even though they're all the same shooting games with same-old shooting, I'd still buy them all"
"Even though they're all the same visual novel games with same-old visuals, I'd still buy them all"

Just a matter of like and dislike starting from the cover of the book.

Why are you heavily defending this game in every thread? did you work on it or something?

[Amorim]

Originally posted by Bouldergore:

Why are you heavily defending this game in every thread? did you work on it or something?

Why are you even saying that? Do you really think a fan of a genre cannot defend it? Not to mention the multiple uninformed / troll posts being made. If someone doesn't post a more informed opinion on the topic I can only guess where the discussions here would go.

[BONKERS]

Nvm not worth the time.