This is my Visual Novel list for 2017. You can see my thoughts on these games here: https://www.giantbomb.com/profile/remilia_seven_fangs/lists/games-beaten-during-2017/359088/
This is just a list with some reasons for why I enjoyed these Visual Novels.
I know there are errors with some of the names of the characters, but I was going by memory and kind of ran out of time to look up some information.
Honorable Mention
There are pretty much only two characters (besides some minor characters that have no in game sprits). Yet, the scene that probably helps to connect both characters and let them learn how they truly feel is the pool cleaning scene.
5)
Favorite Character(s): Aria, Melody
Aria is the main character who ends up getting involved with the demon world and has some problems trying to find her true feelings with all that is happening to her.
Melody is Aria’s, human, best friend who is interested in the occult and tries to aid Aria in her quest to help the demon world recover.
Favorite Couple: Aria x Melody
While the demon relations in this visual novel are not that terrible, I just felt that the relationship between these two humans was more defined and enjoyable that the other paths. I kind of wished the other paths were more defined and enjoyable than the human path. There could have been more potential in the demon paths.
Favorite Moment(s): The Demon Realm
While the human world was not a bad story, I felt that the Demon Realm story helped to make the story more enjoyable. Especially when you do the Melody path and the story is teaching you that no matter what you look like or who you are, there will always be people who are willing to help out in a time of need.
Least Favorite Character(s): Queen Sherza
I do not really dislike this character because she mistreats the humans and she is untrusting of others. I do not like her because the authors did a very poor job as defining her and her path. She has the shortest path of the visual novel and almost seems like it could have just been absent from the visual novel and still made a decent read. I understand her path was an add-on for the Kickstarter and was added at the last minute. Yet, they could have done more to make her path worth some additional interest.
Least Favorite Couple: Aria x Sherza
This is pretty much for the same reason as the above mentioned reason. Her path is just so not very well defined and was pretty much cut short and less interesting.
Least Favorite Moment: Sherza’s Path
This is again pretty much because her path was very weak and needs to be worked more into the main story.
4)
While there are quite a few minor characters and they do have some of the characters from the previous games make an appearance, there really are only two main characters that are the main focus. Mai and Reo
Favorite Moment: Future Thoughts
Probably one of the funnier moments in this Visual Novel would have been when Mai was thinking of her future with Reo. Mai would be the bread maker of the house hold while Reo stayed home in a Maid outfit and took care of the house. While Reo did not enjoy the moment herself, it was still enjoyable to see both of their reactions.
Least Favorite: Ecchi
I really do not need to have ecchi scenes in my Visual Novels to enjoy them. I actually think they kind of ruin it for me. I do not need them, but I will not disapprove of them if they are short or even just a picture in the extras menu.
3)
Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception (Legendsung)
I know this technically can go under both Game and Visual Novel, however since ninety percent of it is story based Visual Novel, I am placing it under the Visual Novel category.
Favorite Character(s): Kuon, Rulutieh, Nosuri, Ougi, Jachdwalt, Munechika, Atuy
Kuon: The rescuer of the protagonist when he ends up getting thrown into a new world from his own. She is a very capable and strong woman with some very funny and enjoyable moments of deception. She is pretty much the leader of the group with the protagonist wrapped around her fingers. A strong fighter with status boosting skills.
Rulutieh: A princess who joins the group when her father wishes for her to learn more about the outside world. She is a shy girl with a strong bird mount named Cocopo. Rulutieh and Cocopo are very fond of the protagonist and she tends to grow even more shy when getting a compliment from others. A strong tanking wall against most enemies.
Nosuri: A noble thief who is trying to aid the poor by stealing from the rich. She and her brother Ougi work together with their bandit group to make a better living for them and others who are unfortunate. She can be a little clueless and tries to act like a “Proper” lady, but is still in training. A well rounded archer with some close range and far range attacks.
Ougi: Nosuri’s brother and lead strategist in the Nosuri bandit group. He is a very calm and calculated individual who keeps his sister in “Proper lady” form. He says he does whatever his sister wants to make sure she is happy, but he sometimes alters the things in his own way to insure success. He is a very fast attacking character with some strong fire elements added.
Jachdwalt: A wandering samurai known as Jachdwalt the Mirage because of his lightning fast attacks. He fought in a tournament when he was younger and defeated every opponent with ease. He then refused any reward from the Mikado, which is unheard of, and continues to wander the world in search of his equal in a sword fight. He eventually joins the group after they help him rescue his daughter and lends them his incredible fighting strength.
Munechika: One of the Guardians to the Mikado. She is the defensive force of the Yamatan Army and will not let anyone past his incredible fighting prowess. She is also the guardian to the Princess of the Yamatan kingdom and does everything she can to protect and discipline her liege when she does not act properly.
Atuy: A princess from a neighboring country who lived on the battlefield with her father. She was often carried on her father’s shoulders as they went rampant around the battlefield (and it shows). Her thirst for battle is only matched with her desire to find the love of her life. As she travels to make her own life, she ends up running into the main group and joins them as one of the strongest melee ranged warriors of the team.
Least Favorite Character(s)/Bosses: Tatari, Vurai, Dekepopo(?)
Dekopopo(?): A guardian of the Mikado who only earned his rank from his noble statues and illegal money transactions. He thinks he is the only one who is correct and everything he orders must be followed without any questions. He does not care about anyone but himself and he uses people to get out of bad situations. He always blames other when something goes wrong and then removes them from his service. He is the scumbag character of this game that does not really need to exist.
Vurai: One of the strongest warrior in the whole country and the Mikado’s signature guardian. He is a mountain of a man with an enormous amount of strength. He would do anything to protect the Mikado no matter what the consequences may be. He even kills Yamatan soldiers who were forced into slavery when they were captured by the Uzurushan Army. He is the final boss of the game and takes his strength to a new level when he uses his Mask to become a monster.
Tatari: BLOBS AHOY!!!. These giant blobs creatures are immune to everything and no one has ever killed one. Even if you do manage to beat it, its body eventually comes back together and forms a new monster. They will also come with smaller versions of themselves and even spit out more when they attack. This can create an endless battle if you do not defeat them as fast as possible. The hidden secret behind them is that they are actually ancestors of the world (the world the main protagonist comes from) who have turned into these monsters after an incurable disease.
Could be couple(s): Haku x Kuon, Haku x Rulutieh and Atuy x Yuri
While there are no exact couples put into play during this part of the series, they do hint at some couples that could be in the future. Only one of these is likely to become a couple.
Haku x Kuon: While they may have their differences and Kuon seems more the one wearing the pants in the relationship, they do make quite a few hints at their connection (especially near the end).
Haku x Rulutieh: This is more an admirable relationship where Rulutieh admires Haku and wants to believe his is actually a worthy guy. Yet, she finds out his ways through various different actions that Haku takes.
Atuy x Yuri: This is more just a funny joke they made, but should have been a possible couple. Atuy tends to fall for most guys when she encounters them, and this was one such situation. The problem is that only Haku is told by his boss that Yuri is actually a woman trying to escape so she can live with her love outside the city. While Atuy flirts a lot with Yuri, Yuri eventually reveals her gender and this leads to comedy between the Haku and Atuy.
Favorite Moment(s): Bath Scene, Most of the Battles, Haku’s hidden intentions
Bath Scene: Enough said. There is a small scene where one of the characters turns into a giddy little girl who does not even care who or what is watching her and then she wakes up from her reality only to see that she is in the bath with people watching her. Poor Rulutieh.
Most of the Battles: The SRPG battles of this game are mostly enjoyable. Sure there are some that are a little tough or need some actual strategy to them, but they are still enjoyable (especially after reading for hours and needing a break from that). They do actually give different challenges and help the player make choices that could affect future battles.
Haku’s Hidden Intention: Haku, the main protagonist, is always trying to find ways to get out of work and even hit it big. He does everything he can to make money without actually doing anything. Usually these events are for comedy and show his true thought process when he ends up failing to gain what he wants. You would think he would learn that he needs to actually do something instead of being lazy.
Least Favorite Moment(s): Tatari events, One Chance XP and long reading sessions
Tatari Events: I already mentioned that I do not like these monsters. The events with these creatures are not very enjoyable and the battles are even more annoying. They are not very hard fights if you have a good strategy and team, but they are still a pain to deal with.
One Chance XP: WHY??? You only get one chance to get XP from a battle. You can go back and get XP from defeating an enemy, but you can not get XP for finishing the battle. That is a one chance thing, and you also have to fight enemies near your level to even get any XP. This is the problem I have for getting the final two trophies which are level based. I guess I should have played on hard mode.
Long Reading Sessions: I enjoy visual novels so this is not a problem. The problem is when the game gives you an action event and then you are reeling to get into another action event again. The battles are so spaced out (except the later ones) that you may be reading for ten hours between battles and that can be a problem for some people.
2)
Favorite Character(s): Yuna, Kiri, Ano, Miyu, Megumi and Sachi
Yuna is the main protagonist who is on a quest of self-discovery as she tries to help the Kindred Spirits make their Yuritopia. She is a very calm and calculated individual who uses her experience and intellect to help others. However, she does not know how to use her own abilities to help herself and only grows more confused on how to react to her best friend’s confession. (Character Most like me).
Kiri: The mathematics and science club president who has a high affinity for cute things. Due to her height and build she does not feel she is cute and wishes that she could be different. She also tries to use math and science to solve her problems, but can never get the answers she needs from doing such. She ends up learning from her lover (literary teacher Tsukuyo) that you sometimes have to look outside the box to find the answers to your feelings.
Ano: Yuna’s best friend, and could have been girlfriend, who loves cosplay and Yuri (not IRL) and always has a forgetful mind. Her forgetfulness is almost a wonder and yet her close friends have gotten so use to it that it does not seem to bother them. She is fairly perceptive of events that are going on and worries for her friends. She is mostly the comedy character but also has some serious moments.
Miyu: The calm calculated senior track star that fell in love with another track star during one of their events against each other. She tries her best to keep her relationship with Matsuri since her family is a little stricter and may not accept that relationship. She is the mother hen of the track team as well the other Yuri members of the school.
Megumi and Sachi: The two Kindred Spirits who are “haunting” the school and eventually find a person who can talk and listen to their idea of helping other girls find love. These two may have different personalities and may even come from different eras of time, but they eventually fell in love with each other during their afterlife. Their plans often force Yuna to do a lot of bizarre things, but they all seem to have fun together.
Least Favorite Character(s): Youka
Youka: While she is not a terrible character in general, she is just a person I have little connection with in general. She is a rocker who talks and acts a little like a delinquent. She does not mean any harm to others and just prefers to be herself even if others may find her a little off putting. She eventually falls in love with the discipline committee president who is in charge of punishing late comers.
Favorite Moment(s): Summer Club Activities, Most Ano Events and Kindred Spirit’s Passing
Summer Club Activities: This fifteen day event is where clubs get together and make plans on the coming year’s activities or practice for sports events. This is where the story starts to veer a little more towards the Yuri part of the Visual Novel and many girls get closer during this period of time. Though this is also where Yuna starts to become more accepting of whom she is and opens up more to her friends and soon to be girlfriend.
Most Ano Events: Ano is probably one of the best characters in this Visual Novel and most events with her in them just brighten up and become more enjoyable with her around. Whether she is talking about cosplay, Yuri, video games or just being forgetful, she always finds a way to keep the scene enjoyable.
Kindred Spirit’s Passing: While this is a sad event all together, this was what the two spirits needed to actually pass on to the heavens and finally live together as a couple. All the events pretty much led up to this event and both of the spirits were able to leave with a smile for their friends. It was a sad and joyous passing and it was worth the whole story.
Least Favorite Moment(s): Some of the Yuri Events, Most Youka Events
Yuri: More like the ecchi moments, but either way, there are good ways of doing Yuri without having them entice the reader with naked girls. I am not saying I completely hated these moments, but I do not always want some of these ecchi moments in a good read. I also feel like these moments kind of distracted the players from the story a little bit. Even though the story does connect since the story is pretty much about getting girls into a relationship with each other.
Youka Events: I already mentioned that I did not care too much for Youka’s events, even though she is not a completely terrible character. She just has a different perspective that I do not really understand or connect with. Her events with her girlfriend are enjoyable mostly because her girlfriend keeps her in check most of the time, but Youka just does not seem to connect with me much.
Favorite Couples/Could be Couple(s): Yuna x Hina, Kiri x Tsukuyo, Yuna x Ano
Yuna x Hina: This is more just about these two’s long standing friendship finally turning into a couple. You watch as Yuna finally starts to learn more about herself through this Visual Novel and eventually open up to Hina, who in turns opens up to her later on.
Kiri x Tsukuyo: These two are slightly opposites with one being tall, affectionate and science based while the other is shorter, cute and literary based. They end up working through their differences to become a loving couple who work really hard to keep their relationship special to both of them.
Yuna x Ano: Not an official couple, but one couple I would love to see. These two are good friends in school and Ano just makes every event she is in very enjoyable. I was actually kind of hoping that there was going to be a choice to pick between Hina or Ano in the Visual Novel, but it never did come up. There is a manga about this series and I may look into it and see where it takes the characters.
I really do not have a least favorite couples since each couple has at least one character that I liked and they made the couple events more enjoyable.
1)
Favorite Character(s): Kotori, Asa, Amane, Isuka, Tatsuya (?), Kanako
Kotori: The first path that you get through for the Visual Novel, and the path that actually sets the scene for future paths. Due to an accident in the past she is unable to use her legs and is wheelchair bound. She actually feels that her disability makes people feel bad for her and treat her differently, but she eventually learns from the Soaring club that no matter what disability or problem you may have, you can overcome anything with determinations.
Asa: The older twin of Yoru and one of the prodigies of the academy. She is not very confident with her abilities and actually believes that she can not be of any use to others. She learns through the soaring club that has a purpose in life and can actually be very helpful to others with a little hard work and appreciation. She also has quite a bit of comedic moments through her lack of confidence and understanding.
Amane and Isuka: I put these two together, not just because they were so close to being a couple, but because Isuka’s story is told through Amane’s route. Both of these girls are complete opposites, with Amane being a genius and Isuke being carefree. Yet, through Isuka’s friendship they really became close and started to see the world in a different way. They both show a lot of potential, but through certain events they grow apart and eventually find each other again after the Soaring Club and it’s new members show them what it means to really have friendship.
Tatsuya (?): I may have spelled his named wrong. He is one of the original members if the Soaring Club and the leader of the group of young friends who lived in the predeveloped town before the main protagonist moved away. He is looked at as the adult figure that helps and takes care of others while also trying to get his feelings set over the incident that happened years ago during his club days. He is a valuable member to the current Soaring Club members and helps out when and where he can.
Kanako: She so needs her own route. One of the dwellers of the Flying Fish Manor and the mother figure to her underclassmen, she tends to add comedy and mischief to various events. She always likes to walk around in her sleepwear and acts like she is unobservant, yet is probably the most knowledgeable of the group. While she never officially joins the Soaring Club, she aids in relationship advice, helping build the glider and protecting her underclassmen whenever they are in need.
Least Favorite Character(s): Mr Tobioka?, Mabou?
Mr Tobioka: The teacher who is in charge of discipline committee and other teaching duties, who is always against the Soaring Club. While you are kind of made to not like him as a character, he actually grows on you as you learn why he does what he does through the various paths. He only means well for the safety of the members of the school, but ends up seeming like the bad guy whenever he pops up in a scene.
Mabou?: The childhood friend of the main character who really does not have many scenes and is only part of the story to bring back memories of the main protagonists pasts. He may seem a little sleazy and womanizing, but he is also a good friend who is willing to aid his friends as long as he can get something out of it. He is often adding comedy to scenes, but also has some serious moments that allow the reader to see his human side.
Favorite Moment(s): Kanako Scenes, Kotori’s Route, Isuka Scenes, Asa Moments, Successful Glider Flights
Kanako Scenes: As mentioned, Kanako should have her own route. She has many great moments with the characters and always helps to liven up the scene. She has her serious moments and as the mother figure she always is there to aid someone who needs some advice.
Kotori’s Route: While they did add a new scene, with poor translation, for the steam version, her route is pretty much the route that sets the scene for future routes. She struggles to learn about her abilities and through determination and the support of her club members/friends she eventually because a very happy individual. She works very hard and even decided to undergo surgery to be able to walk once again. One of the best paths in the entire Visual Novel.
Isuka Scenes: Isuka is mentioned throughout the VN, but mostly shows up in Amane’s path. She is a very sick individual who always thinks carelessly. She knows she will never be able to do things most people can and her life will be shorter than others. Yet, she makes friends with Amane, even falls in love with her, and learns that sometimes the best things in life are the current moments. While her story is only shortly mentioned, it is probably one of the best stories in the Visual Novel.
Asa Moments: Ah Asa. Poor little sheltered genius who does not know a lot about the real world. She always adds comedy and joy to her scenes and makes every moment with her enjoyable. She may have very low confidence in her own abilities, but she learns that friendship can often bring out the best in people. Asa’s sister, Yoru, admires her so much that Yoru wants to protect her from anyone and keep Asa to herself. Asa’s path is very enjoyable and lets the reader see the hidden side to seclusion.
Successful Glider Flights: Each flight is determined by the path that you choose. Each girl has their own feelings about the flight and they all appreciate the hard work that was put into the glider as well as the feelings that the main protagonist has towards them. Kotori’s, Asa’s and Amane’s are probably the most enjoyable of the paths and let the reader see different sides to each girl.
Least Favorite Moment(s): Most Tobioka Moments, Ageha’s Route
Tobioka Moments: Granted he is kind of made to be the bad guy in the story, even if he only means to keep the safety of his students. He usually brings out some anger and hatred in the reader with how he treats the Soaring Club. He does improve as you go through the different paths, but still has some problems that make the reader not very happy with him.
Ageha’s Route: One of the main protagonist’s friends when he was younger and the master builder of the Soaring club, Ageha’s path tend to be a little off putting. While the ending of it helps the readers understand her reasoning for how she treats the main protagonist, the reader may feel confused or questioning the whole path. She only means the best, but this path just was not as enjoyable as other paths were.
Favorite Couple(s)/Could be Couple(s): Kotori x Aoi, Isuka x Amane, Kanako x Aoi
Kotori x Aoi: Not only do these two make a good couple, but Kotori learns so much from Aoi that helps her to overcome her problems. She may start off as a little off putting, but becomes a very gentle and pleasant individual who falls in love.
Isuka x Amane: While this couple never actually forms, there are hints at this relationship from Tatsuya and other events between these two characters. While they may both be opposites in a lot of ways, they somehow seem to find a way to connect through the Soaring Club and dreams. Also any chance to list some Yuri activity is always going to be on my list.
Kanako x Aoi: Another couple that never actually forms, Kanako so needs her own route, but is often brought up through Kanako’s comedic moments. While Kanako may not actually be trying to become Aoi’s girlfriend, she always has to tease him about the opportunity whenever she gets the chance to. Plus Kanako and Akari would make a better Yuri couple anyway.
Least Favorite Couple(s): Ageha x Aoi
Ageha x Aoi: I have already mentioned how I do not care for Ageha’s path and while these two could make a decent couple, the route just does not work very well at getting them together. I felt like they became closer friends than actually becoming a couple.
