Hey there and welcome to Novelly Funded! This article series spotlights a handful of crowdfunded visual novels. If you’re brand new to visual novels then here’s a quick primer as to what they’re all about: They’re text-based stories with (usually) still images to help convey what’s going on. As you read further into a story there may also be times where you can select dialogue or make other choices. Visual novels are often pegged as being dating sims and romance-focused, but the genre offers tales of terror, drama, and even sci-fi goodness. No matter what your tastes may be they’re almost certainly a visual novel out there for you.
Asagao Academy: Normal Boots Club
Developer: Illus Seed
Development Status: In development
Are you a fan of YouTube personalities? Do you wish you could date one of those adorable gaming guys? Well, it looks like you’re not alone because Asagao Academy: Normal Boots Club was a great success! In fact, it raised double its expected goal. No doubt that some of this was due to the incredible fan following that people such as PeanutButterGamer, ProJared, and JonTron have.
You play as a teenager named Hana who has just started her life at a new school. She quickly discovers the Normal Boots Club which is a gaming community focused on winning a tournament. Of course Hana gets roped up into this group of dudes which allows players to engage in friendships and romantic relationships along their way. Asagao Academy will be a completely free game when it launches.
Culina: Hands in the Kitchen
Developer: Christopher Doran
Development Status: In development
In Culina: Hands in the Kitchen you assume the role of a talented culinary school graduate who has just opened up his very own restaurant. Pursuing this dream is exciting but also challenging! Players will have to manage relationships with others, better their own skills, and continually maintain a successful, popular restaurant.
Visual novels often incorporate other gameplay elements and in the case of this game they’ve merged restaurant sim elements. This should definitely appeal to sim enthusiasts as well as give typical genre fans a bit more interactivity between befriending or romancing the other characters. Although no release date is yet available you can pre-order Culina: Hands in the Kitchen for $20 via the official website. Interested parties should also download the prologue chapter to get a taste of the full game.
Exogenesis ~Perils of Rebirth~
Developer: Kwan
Development Status: In development – Demo
Here is perhaps one of the most visually stunning visual novels that has yet to grace Kickstarter. Exogenesis ~Perils of Rebirth~ is set in a post-apocalyptic world where “treasure hunters” search for loot in wrecked buildings. One day protagonist Yu stumbles upon something miraculous – Noah’s Ark. What happens from there? You’ll obviously need to play to find out!
The game takes aspects from both visual novels and adventure games. The visual novel influence comes in the form of heavy focus on dialogue and narrative storytelling. However, this isn’t exactly a “pure” visual novel because point and click adventure gameplay elements are also implemented. With that said, it sounds like a good harmony for fans. Exogensis is definitely a game to watch as it continues to evolve.
[divider]Did any of those games scratch that visual novel itch for you? If not, feel free to take a look at any of my previous Novelly Funded articles. There are tons of fantastic visual novel projects crowdfunded every year and we at Cliqist will continue covering them!
