Have you ever read a visual novel?

I admit that I never have. Maybe because a visual novel is essentially a literary video game with still images helping to tell a fictional story and I’m really not into video games. But somehow, I’ve now become intrigued by reading one, or maybe experiencing one would be a better description.

The little bit of research I’ve done has shown me that this form of storytelling originated in Japan and dates back to the early 1980s with a visual novel called Portopia Renzoku Satsuji Jiken (or Portopia Serial Murder Case). It’s interactive in that players need to make decisions that lead to different versions of the story, which I think is kind of cool. And I can totally see how that works with a murder mystery.

This is new for me, and as someone who is an avid reader, I’m surprised I haven’t partaken in the visual novel experience.

What about you? Do you read or have you ever read a visual novel?

Have you ever read a visual novel? was originally published in C.R.Y on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.