Playing Multiple Paths (A VN virgin's question)

[bboven86]

Does playing through the other paths, especially in regards to other characters, in any way effect your feelings toward your first playthrough?

I just finished Katawa Shoujo the other day. It was the first time I've ever experienced a VN, and as such I feel like I'll be remembering it for a long, long time. It was such a unique thing to go through, with, like... proxy emotions. If you watch an action movie, you feel excitement, but it's not real excitement. I feel like it's the same with a dating sim like KS, but with affection for a fictional character instead of excitement. Ugh.

Anyway, my question is this: does going through to see the other branches of the story, especially as they pertain to different characters, in any away effect or cheapen the "pure" experience and memories of the first playthrough?

[brythain]

They certainly will affect your previous experience. Whether it's a positive or not so positive thing depends on you, really.

Many of us have done more than one route, and sometimes one route will teach you more about another character (e.g. Shizune/Lilly or Lilly/Hanako). The added insights may be something you appreciate.

Whatever you do, have fun, and welcome to our community!

[SpunkySix]

As somebody who struggled long and hard with the same questions, (for about a year) just read the other routes. It might feel weird at first, but the insights gained will most likely be well worth it and worse case scenario you decide that the first time was the best and move on, so there's really nothing to lose.

Welcome, also.

[dewelar]

My own first VN was Season of the Sakura, and there will always be something a little special about Mio Suzuki, because hers was the first ending I ever read. That game had the advantage of not having routes for the heroines, so seeing the other paths and endings only required small amounts of effort. Still, like a lot of people, I felt a twinge each time I focused on one of the other heroines, because Mio was right there, and it felt a little like cheating on her. Yep, it had happened: I was immersed enough in the story that I felt like I was in it. That feeling has faded over the two years or so since then, but at the time it might have contributed to my not seeking other ones out for a few months. I guess that makes you braver than I was back then to seek out advice on the matter .

So, yeah, if you feel like that first experience was "pure" it's likely to feel a little weird to read another route. On the other hand, if you enjoy the first time through that much, if you don't read the rest of it you might feel like you're missing out on even more great stories. Also, one of the great things about Katawa Shoujo is that the protagonist feels like a different person in each of the five heroines' stories. I don't want to spoil it any more than that, but it might help to think of it that way.

Keep in mind, though, dating sims are a much different experience from a visual novel like KS. I've only played a couple (Casual Romance Club being the only one that I really remember), and it was a lot easier to avoid the other heroines when you were focused on one. If that's been your experience (and since it sounds like this is your first VN), then the question you have to ask is: do you want to read more like this? If so, then you might consider reading one or two other ones before coming back to finish KS so that you can get a handle on your reactions. It might be a little touchy at first, but based on my own experience it's very much worth it in the long run.

[bboven86]

Whatever you do, have fun, and welcome to our community![/spoiler]

Welcome, also.

Thanks, guys!

Still, like a lot of people, I felt a twinge each time I focused on one of the other heroines, because Mio was right there, and it felt a little like cheating on her. Yep, it had happened: I was immersed enough in the story that I felt like I was in it.

Yep, that's about where I'm at now with KS with Shizune. It feels absolutely bizarre.

So, yeah, if you feel like that first experience was "pure" it's likely to feel a little weird to read another route. On the other hand, if you enjoy the first time through that much, if you don't read the rest of it you might feel like you're missing out on even more great stories.

While I feel the first experience is pure, this is exactly the reason that I do want to see the other routes, but, like I said, I'm afraid it might cheapen the experience. To be honest, because this was my first VN, even picking up some other VN feels like it might cheapen that experience. It's kind of a bummer.

Keep in mind, though, dating sims are a much different experience from a visual novel like KS. I've only played a couple (Casual Romance Club being the only one that I really remember), and it was a lot easier to avoid the other heroines when you were focused on one. If that's been your experience (and since it sounds like this is your first VN), then the question you have to ask is: do you want to read more like this? If so, then you might consider reading one or two other ones before coming back to finish KS so that you can get a handle on your reactions. It might be a little touchy at first, but based on my own experience it's very much worth it in the long run.

Oh, I called KS a dating sim. Is it not? Did I just commit some kind of faux pas or blasphemy or something?

Anyway, yeah, this sounds like awesome advice. I'll probably look out for some other VN to try (although I feel that Katawa Shoujo was extremely high quality in its art style and presentation, and I'm a bit wary that I'll be stepping down in quality to anything else), and then maybe later I'll come back and look at the other routes in KS. Thanks!

[dewelar]

Keep in mind, though, dating sims are a much different experience from a visual novel like KS. I've only played a couple (Casual Romance Club being the only one that I really remember), and it was a lot easier to avoid the other heroines when you were focused on one. If that's been your experience (and since it sounds like this is your first VN), then the question you have to ask is: do you want to read more like this? If so, then you might consider reading one or two other ones before coming back to finish KS so that you can get a handle on your reactions. It might be a little touchy at first, but based on my own experience it's very much worth it in the long run.

Oh, I called KS a dating sim. Is it not? Did I just commit some kind of faux pas or blasphemy or something?

Eh, some people will get up in arms about it. A dating sim, as the name implies, is a game entirely geared toward you trying to woo one (or more) girls, generally through conversations, and a lot more choices than something like KS gives you. Visual novels, also as the name implies, generally try to tell a story, which often (but not always) does include romance as KS does. Sometimes they don't have any choices at all (which would more precisely be called a kinetic novel). The line between dating sim and visual novel can be blurry if the dating sim is sophisticated enough, and there are some who would say dating sims are just a sub-genre of VNs anyway. But no, KS is not considered a dating sim. There are a fair number of sites that will give you more details about the differences, so Google is your friend .

But enough of that sidetrack...

Anyway, yeah, this sounds like awesome advice. I'll probably look out for some other VN to try (although I feel that Katawa Shoujo was extremely high quality in its art style and presentation, and I'm a bit wary that I'll be stepping down in quality to anything else), and then maybe later I'll come back and look at the other routes in KS.

Sounds good. If you want some suggestions for where to start, there is a thread on this board for VN recommendations, and then The Visual Novel Database, which has info on pretty much every VN ever broken down in about any way you'd like. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me a PM.

Thanks!

You're welcome!

[Mirage_GSM]

As Dewlar said, the line between Dating Sim and VN can sometimes be blurry.
My personal rule of thumb is that if something plays like a RPG it's a dating sim, if it reads like a novel it's a VN.
From the definition in Wikipedia:

The term 'dating sim' is also often used incorrectly in English as a generic term for romance-driven games (ren'ai games), a subject matter which is stereotypically associated with the visual novel genre. This can lead to confusion, as visual novels are considered a subgenre of adventure games and are not technically included in the dating sim genre. While the two genres often share a common visual presentation, dating sims are sometimes considered to be more statistically based than the "choose your own adventure" style of visual novels.

The technical definition of a dating simulation game, known as a romantic simulation game in Japan, can involve several technical elements such as a time limit, several statistics such as looks and charm which can be boosted through exercise, or an "attraction meter" which can increase or decrease depending on one's decisions.

[SpunkySix]

From the definition in Wikipedia:

The technical definition of a dating simulation game, known as a romantic simulation game in Japan, can involve several technical elements such as a time limit, several statistics such as looks and charm which can be boosted through exercise, or an "attraction meter" which can increase or decrease depending on one's decisions.

Now I want an RPG where you boost your stats doing plot irrelevant things in battle to become more desirable in order to attract stronger women to fight for you.

[gekiganwing]

Oh, I called KS a dating sim. Is it not? Did I just commit some kind of faux pas or blasphemy or something?

Don't worry. I use phrases incorrectly all the time. It wasn't all that long ago when I used to throw around terms such as "porn game" even when I was referencing something that's relatively worksafe, such as the Agarest War franchise. And I didn't start to distinguish visual novels and romance simulation games until I made time to play the indie game Shira Oka: Second Chances and the fan translated Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side console games. These days... I try to remind myself to be polite, and not lecture fellow fans if they don't perfectly understand fan slang.

Now I want an RPG where you boost your stats doing plot irrelevant things in battle to become more desirable in order to attract stronger women to fight for you.

The translated Windows game Brave Soul isn't bad. I think it can be accurately described as a lighter and softer Diablo II, but the protagonist develops relationships with women through taking on missions. I played it years ago, experienced a crash or two, and haven't checked back to see if problems with crashes during combat have been resolved. Also, I last played the translated version of Sakura Wars 5 earlier this year, since I was trying to remind myself why I liked it so much during 2010-2011. The game's protagonist can improve his friendships and relationships with girls through small actions in combat, as well as actions during conversations. For more (and possibly more accurate) examples, see this VNDB list of visual novel hybrid RPGs with at least a partial English version.

[Charmant]

proxy emotions. If you watch an action movie, you feel excitement, but it's not real excitement.

I'm just gonna have to go ahead and say that's complete and total nonsense.

But anyway, each route can add details and insights to different characters so playing more than one is more or less guaranteed to change your perspective on things. And just to avoid faux pas: Never call KS a dating sim. Always remember that Lilly is bestgirl. And it's pronounced "Rin".

[Bruxae]

Not so much for me personally. For me it was a bit hard at first to start a second route because I felt like I was "betraying" the character, but that feeling lessened with time and of course I do know it's only a VN as well.

Anyway to answer your question, no, playing/reading the other routes just ended up making me care for more characters - some more and some less. Nothing at all cheapened the first experience as long as I imagined it as seperate timelines obviously, which is what it is. My first route ended up being my favorite but even if that would not have been the case i'd expect id only like another one more rather then make the first one less good.

Sorry for the incoherent rant, my mind is off wondering today.

[SpunkySix]

I remember my first time...

[YZQ]

You'll feel like Schrodinger's cat. When Hisao gets close to a girl, his interactions with her changes them both, and the girl's companion friend to some degree (Lily/Hanako, Shizune/Misha, Rin/Emi).

[FelOnyx]

You'll feel like Schrodinger's cat. When Hisao gets close to a girl, his interactions with her changes them both, and the girl's companion friend to some degree (Lily/Hanako, Shizune/Misha, Rin/Emi).

You'll simultaneously feel dead (whatever that feels like) and like a cat stuffed in a box?

[YZQ]

More "You'll feel: "Wait, what's the status of this girl on this route?"" Also, I do find it slightly disheartening that Hisao has to be a lover in order to help some of the girls. Hanako on Lily's route is a very welcome exception.