Between anime and visual novels, there is a very intimate relationship that is not always recognized. It’s not that it’s hidden or very difficult to find either. Otaku culture has always felt an affinity for both fields, and it’s logical that they have influenced each other for decades. A clear example of this is Steins;Gate, which is among the top exponents. It will soon have a new version. In recent days, the franchise has been celebrating its fifteenth anniversary. To commemorate this, they held a concert named Steins;Gate 15th Live: One World, where they performed the […]
Between anime and visual novels, there is a very intimate relationship that is not always recognized. It’s not that it’s hidden or very difficult to find. Otaku culture has always felt an affinity for both fields, and it’s logical that they have fed off each other for decades. Something that has a very clear exponent, and among its greatest exponents, we could say, Steins;Gate. Which will soon have a new version.
During these days, the franchise has been celebrating its fifteenth anniversary. To commemorate this, they held a concert named Steins;Gate 15th Live: One World, where the franchise’s songs were performed live. Additionally, some news about the franchise was presented. For instance, Steins;Gate will have a new title, named Steins;Gate Reboot, which, as the name suggests, aims to be a reboot of the franchise as we know it.
Although MAGES., the developing studio, has not wanted to go into too much detail, they have emphasized that it will not be a mere port or remaster. This will be a version of the story with new graphics and some additional elements in the story, although they have not wanted to delve into what these changes would be.
If you don’t know Steins;Gate, it’s a visual novel where we control Okabe Rintaro, aka Okarin, who calls himself a mad scientist. Due to some strange circumstances, he becomes involved with Makise Kurisu, a neuroscience researcher at an American university, only 18 years old. And what are those strange circumstances? Time travel. Murders. And who knows, perhaps the possibility of the annihilation of reality as we know it in one of the most convoluted, yet satisfying, stories the genre has produced.
If all this sounds interesting, the game has been available on PC since 2016. But it might be worth waiting a bit. Because Steins;Gate Re:Boot will be released in 2025, on a date yet to be determined, according to the brief and not very informative first trailer of the game. So, whether you are a lifelong fan of MAGES. games or it’s your first time encountering it, you have something to look forward to in the future. If the future hasn’t happened already.
STEINS;GATE ELITE is an adventure game developed by MAGES, Inc. and published by Spike Chunsoft., Ltd. In STEINS;GATE ELITE, you get sucked into a complex plot that involves changing the past and leaping through time.
In Japan, a youtuber has been sentenced to two years in prison and to pay a significant fine for doing something very common: uploading a gameplay of a game
Copyright laws are very different from country to country. What is normal and perfectly legal in one country may border on illegal in another. Or be illegal altogether. That makes that, in many occasions, things happen that make us hold our hands on our heads. Wondering how such a thing could happen. But what has happened in Japan this time goes far beyond the limit of simply having a different idea of what copyright should cover.
According to reports from the Asahi Shimbun, Japan’s second largest newspaper, a 53-year-old Japanese youtuber named Shinodu Yoshida has been sentenced to two years in prison and fined one million yen for violating Japan’s Copyright Act. Reading this, it is easy to think that this person has broadcast some protected content. And that is only partly true. Because he has been convicted of posting three videos on YouTube between September 2019 and May 2022, one with footage from the 2011 visual novel Steins;Gate: My Darling’s Embrace and an edited video of an anime film.
What led to his indictment and conviction is the video of the video game. The prosecution argued that the Steins;Gate video showed the end of the game and that, with visual novels being less interactive than other types of video games,watching a YouTube video was akin to playing the game and was thus costing the IP owners, Spike Chunsoft, sales. Hence they argued that Yoshida’s actions were malicious actions and causing harm to the content creation effort.
The defense, for its part, merely argued that his intentions were not particularly malicious, requesting that the sentence be suspended. In the end, with little success.
Sentenced to pay one million yen, about 6,320 euros, and to spend two years in prison, suspended for five years, the sentence is considered relatively lenient. Especially considering the harshness of Japanese justice. A system where defense lawyers can spend their entire careers without winning a single case.
Shinodu Yoshida is the first person to be convicted of violating the Copyright Act by distributing videos of a video game. This sets a horrible judicial precedent, which could help video game companies in the future to avoid publishing gameplays of their games on the Internet without their prior consent. A problem that may be much more serious than we can imagine at first glance.
Steam celebrates the Visual Novel Festival from August 7 to 14 and we recommend some of the best titles on offer.
Summer is a great time to rest, unwind, and read a good book, or play a great visual novel. Steam shares the same sentiment, which is why from August 7th to 14th, they are celebrating the Visual Novel Festival. It’s a way to give visibility to this often overlooked genre while also offering discounts on some very enticing titles.
That said, you might not even know where to begin searching if you want to delve into the world of visual novels. But as always, we’ve got you covered. That’s why we’ve selected a few titles that are perfect for immersing yourself in this realm, whether you’ve never played one before or you’re already an expert. So you can make the most of your summer with this beloved genre, cherished both within and outside Japan, within a very particular niche of individuals.
Danganronpa 1/2/V3
Likely the first visual novel to explode in popularity in the West remains an absolute marvel to this day. A fusion of visual novel and detective story with adventure elements, we play as a boy who finds himself trapped in his high school with his classmates under a grim premise: if someone manages to murder one of their peers and go undetected, they will be set free. In return, all their classmates will die. From that point on, everyone will strive to uncover a way to escape this deadly trap, by any means necessary.
With three titles under its belt, the complete trilogy is now on sale for €33.99. A true gift that will last you the entire summer and far beyond, because Danganronpa might end, but it never stops lingering in your thoughts.
Dōkyūsei: Bangin’ Summer
A classic among dating sims, it takes the concept of visual novels to the most pragmatic realm: spending the best summer of your life flirting with a group of girls. It’s worth noting that it’s a game with sexual content, and some of the jokes haven’t aged particularly well. However, it’s a seminal game that would shape the entire dating simulator genre that still thrives in Japan today. Less engaging for its story and more for the sheer act of flirting and goofing around with the girls.
At a 50% discount, it’s now priced at €8.39. A phenomenal price to discover a cult game that would shape a subgenre of video games which, although often forgotten and ridiculed, is as integral to the medium as any other.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Legal drama stories work really well in Japan, and in the West, especially in the US, they have always been popular too. It makes sense: verbal battles are essentially fights with words, and they can carry as much drama as a clash of swords, fists, or guns. Shu Takumi captured this perfectly in the original Phoenix Wright trilogy, which was one of the first visual novels to reach the West. Now, thanks to this remaster, you can enjoy it on modern systems.
And let’s not kid ourselves. At a 67% discount, three Ace Attorney games for €9.89 is practically highway robbery from Capcom. That’s why it wouldn’t be right if you don’t get them. In fact, we object to the idea of you not getting them. What are you waiting for? Are you waiting for us to take you to court?
GNOSIA
The popularity of Among Us seems never-ending, which is why it’s impossible not to recommend GNOSIA – the Among Us to play when you’re friendless for a round of Among Us. Or the Among Us to play when you’re craving an incredible story, the most perfect game music, and spectacular art. In GNOSIA, we step into the shoes of a spaceship passenger infiltrated by an alien entity. We must uncover the impostor, or if it’s us, eliminate the rest of the crew. Meanwhile, in between rounds, we’re the sole ones who remember everything, unraveling the truth behind the mystery and our purpose there. A game of exquisite beauty and captivating intrigue.
With a 20% discount, it’s priced at just €16.79. A more than reasonable price for one of the most intriguing games to emerge in recent years in the realm of visual novels.
If there’s one quintessential cult classic in the world of visual novels, especially in the West, it’s Steins;Gate. Developed by 5pb. and Nitroplus, two companies known for their uniquely distinctive approach to visual novels, this is a tale of time travel, mad scientists, theoretical physics, and cat-eared girls. On one hand, there’s no denying that it’s an incredibly verbose game, with humor deeply rooted in otaku culture. On the other hand, its second half is so emotionally devastating and dramatic that even those who despise otaku culture have acknowledged the brilliance of its writing, turning it into the revered masterpiece it is today. More than enough reason to give it a chance.
Moreover, they haven’t held back on the discount either. With a 60% price reduction, you can snag it for just €10.79. A more than decent price for a game that can easily extend up to 30 hours of gameplay and, even at its best moments, never ceases to be utterly fascinating.
PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo
Guided by Square Enix, we are introduced to one of the most recent and compelling visual novels of our time. In PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo, a straightforward question is posed to us: how far would you be willing to go to resurrect someone? With this premise, each character has answered this question, and our duty is to solve the titular seven mysteries, all while ensuring our own life isn’t cut short in the process. An exceptionally well-written game with ingenious mechanics, it highlights the fact that Square Enix should delve further into creating small and medium-sized games.
This is another game with a 20% discount, making it available for €15.99. Considering it was released on March 8th and is likely the best visual novel of this year among all the Japan releases, it’s definitely a worthwhile investment to open your wallet and make the purchase.
The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood
We needed to clarify earlier about visual novels released from Japan, because if we consider The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood as a visual novel, then it has some fierce competition. This game developed by the Spanish studio Deconstructeam, known for titles like Gods Will Be Watching and The Red Strings Club, is an absolute marvel. It places us in the shoes of a witch who’s been expelled from her coven and exiled to an asteroid for a century. With the need to strike a dangerous pact and create her own tarot deck, it will be up to us to shape her future once she regains her freedom.
Although it’s not out yet, the game is set to release on August 16th and is currently available for a 10% discount, bringing the price down to €15.74. If you’re not completely convinced yet, there’s also a demo available, encompassing roughly the first hour of gameplay. The best part? You can transfer your progress to the full version of the game. It’s a perfect opportunity to see if you’ve got what it takes to step into the shoes of a witch.
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Doki Doki Literature Club continues to gain fans. Here are some other great games to consider!
Doki Doki Literature Club (DDLC) combines the cute romantic aesthetic of dating sims, while hiding a dark and creepy psychological horror element. By seamlessly merging these two opposite styles, DDLC has become increasingly popular among anime fans. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find more games that fill the same role of dark and cute. Thankfully, we’ve found some of the best games that give the same feeling as DDLC, for the fans that are still looking for more.
Best games for Doki Doki Literature Club fans
Hatoful Boyfriend
Some consider this to be the original Doki Doki Literature Club as it combines the a similar dating sim aesthetics with a much deeper hidden darkness. While DDLC is more upfront about its dark side, Hatoful Boyfriend is more subtle about it. That is, unless you get the secret ending. Hatoful Boyfriend also adds a level of humor as you date different kinds of pigeons.
If you’ve ever seen a movie in the “Saw” series, then you have a good idea on how you’ll feel about Zero Escape. This series features a group of people trapped in various locations, who have to undergo horrific trials in order to escape.
While the rest of these take place in high school, Always Sometimes Monsters is a choice heavy RPG where every choice the player makes affects the outcome of the story. It is somewhat an inverted version of DDLC, as it has a dark aesthetic but hides a deep charm underneath. Fans of DDLC will like the same level of emotional investment available in this game.
One of the first games to popularize visual novels in the west, Steins;Gate has a deep and captivating story that is sure to keep your attention. The game is similar to Always Sometimes Monsters, where it heavily focuses on the choices you make, and allows for you to travel through time to affect the present in various ways.
This game was actually part of what inspired DDLC, according to lead developer Dan Salvato on Twitter. An indie horror game centered around the nihilistic nightmare that a girl has to go through.
An anime-style high school horror with a dating sim element to it; Danganronpa is the ideal series to try for anyone who has played DDLC. The series follows a class of students who are trapped together by their teacher, and their only escape is to kill another classmate without getting caught.
Anime games like Doki Doki Literature Club can be really compelling with their use of visuals and aesthetic. Along with these games, you can also check out the best anime to look forward to this season, in order to get some closure from playing DDLC.
