discussion In support of emotional games

[lanny]

Summer's Gone "hits different", as the young folks say. Being A DIK has it moments aswell. I'd throw in Intertwined in them mix too

 

[PepperLSD]

Acting Lesson has definitely touched me the most emotionally so far

 

[Ashwind]

Nothing is Forever is great for this.

 

[ChaosLoli]

Emotional connection is a huge part of why I play VNs instead of just looking at pics

 

[Charles-Sama]

Yeah, emotional impact is amazing when you start to love and/or like all the characters on a deeper level. Leap of Faith probably hit me the hardest. With it's message. And i could just connect as the MC since i went to through an intense breakup that shattered my life. Ended up changing cities and making some new friends that have come to be closer than family to me.

Thanks for all the recommendations in the thread I'll look up a lot those in here!

 

[exerp]

I recently spent a lot of time playing Our Red String. Its a game I would normally have skipped because of the art .. 2D drawings are not my thing. I am very glad I gave it a try.

This game has strong character development giving a number of emotional hits along the way. It also has significant impact from player decisions. You can take characters along kind and loving paths .. my preference, or have them "play the field", or lead them down the path of corruption. It is possible to mess up a relationship with a LI .. giving decisions more emotional weight.

This is an "actual adults" AVN .. the youngest characters I encountered in my playthroughs so far are in their early 20s. All the characters have personal histories .. none of the "pure virgin waiting to be defined by love of the MC" trope. No "magic dick" to compel all the potential LIs into a harem. Relationships .. at least on the noncorrupting paths .. have to be worked at building.

This is not an especially fappable game .. especially when it comes to the art which serves the story well but is not my normal cup of tea. That said, there are many "emotionally arousing" moments.

Strong recommend if your focus is on storytelling and character development in games.