Mostly visual novels, some interactive fiction, these are games but HEAVY on the storytelling.
Beacon Pines is a visual novel, but really it qualifies with a new level of cozy interaction and fathoms deep optimistic complexity to its characters. The basic structure of the story relies on an interesting "plot device" made of... well, plot devices! You start in a storybook tale of a young fawn, though I'd say that's up for interpretation, named Luka at his grandmother's. Through exploration and experimentation and interacting with those around you can acquire something known as "charms." Charms help change the course of the story. You may need to go back and forth to test what works and what doesn't, but with each charm, comes some new element that alters everything. Hold on to your BOOK straps, we're going in.
Kraken Academy has been on my mind since I first eyed a trailer of it some months ago. "I have to play that one," came to mind. Many of you are probably familiar with my love of visual novels. And in this case, I'm working with a combination of visual novel and interactive fiction characteristics--an all-things-aside awesome and hilarious game. Explore the bizarre introduction to Kraken Academy with me, and I'll explain why you might start loving visual novels after all and why you should continue to if you already do. LET'S GO!!!
Raptor Boyfriend: A High School Romance is an ambitious and masterfully crafted visual novel/dating sim that takes place in small-town Ontario. With fun cryptid characters and absolutely stunning illustrations, its gameplay value is probably some of the best I've seen for this genre. I have been excited to play this for some time, as a general fan of visual novels and cryptid fantasy games. You don't have to worry about anxiety-driven creature interaction though, because this game is safe and accessible across diverse players. Shortly after the day began, I got started on this dive into the world of Ladle, Ontario. Scene one, which is what I played for you, took around roughly an hour. Some players on Steam had a playtime of over 20 hours! So, there is a lot of content here, and many different ways to play. Let's take a look!
Neo Cab is an award-winning visual novel released in 2019 somewhere within the future echoes of driver automation and the course of smart services. It involves themes of corporate monopolization, intimate driver/passenger simulations, and the management of being a business in the contemporary market. The story features Lina, an empathic cab driver new in Los Ojos, where being an actual cab driver is a rare occupation. There are many nuances to Neo Cab. Let me take you through each one.
My Cup of Coffee: The Trouble with Earl Grey is a visual novel that takes place in a very imaginative turn of the century coffee shop presumably somewhere within Victorian society. You play as a family apprentice of the coffee trade and you more or less are plonked right into days as a barista. The story revolves around a casual plot involving a group of customers known as the Grey family. Using clues from casual conversation, you are tasked to unravel the feeling of tension between Mrs. Grey and Mr. Grey and their maid as well.
What Comes After is an interactive fiction from the creator Coffee Talk in collaboration with the Rolly Glory Jam. This story-rich game takes place on a pandemic era commuter train that transforms into a ferry for souls to the afterlife after Vivi falls asleep. There's so set directive, but the game is experienced through interacting with souls on the train. This ranges from average folks to owls and trees! It is a highly creative and somewhat mystical story that explores deep concepts of purpose and life as well as what comes after.
Wheels of Aurelia is an interactive-fiction-style racing game set in Italy in 1978. The left-hand steers the wheel of a gritty game that is full of themes of crime, punk, and danger. While the themes are a bit serious, its thematic integrity is in check by fun, innovative game design, and a serious historical snapshot. Drive through the coastlines in low-polygon graphics and talk to your passengers about anything.
Forgotten FIelds is an indie-developed story-rich interact game about a young Indian author seeking inspiration for his next book in the midst of a major family transition at his childhood home. The character, Siddharth, visits home which at first seems a distraction but may help him re-think his writing completely. The game design is aesthetically pleasing low-poly 3D modeling combined with interactive puzzles and visual novel style dialogue. It recently released on Steam, and is available to download.
