Muv-Luv Photonmelodies
Visual Novels Coming in 2020
Muv-Luv is a long-running series of visual novels born from an original trilogy released in Japan between 2003 and 2006 and in the west between 2016 and 2017.
Especially Muv-Luv Alternative, which is considered by many to be one of the best visual novels of all time, but the franchise’s universe extends much beyond that. Luckily, our resident expert here at Twinfinite has put together a handy primer.
Photonmelodies is one part of a collection of side-stories that is coming this year in the West, with the other part (Photonflowers) having been released in August of 2019.
It includes three side-stories that provide a previously unseen perspective into the universe of Muv-Luv Alternative, including one that many consider a much-needed sequel.
While we don’t have a confirmed release date yet, progress on the localization is coming along well.
Root Film
Visual Novels Coming in 2020
Root Film is the sequel to Root Letter, the first game in the Kadokawa Games Mystery series released in 2016. Both are investigative murder mystery style games ala the Phoenix Wright games, except more serious and less irreverent.
Root Film looks to take things in a darker direction than its predecessor. It tells the story of Rintaro Yagumo as he and a colorful cast of characters attempt to reboot a TV series known as Shimane Mystery Drama Project, which was canceled 10 years prior for unknown reasons.
As Rintaro and company are scouting a location for the show, things take a turn for the morbid when the body of a gruesome murder victim is discovered.
Root Film looks like it will be an intriguing mystery with a mature edge, and will be perfect for anyone looking for a more adult kind of mystery.
Twinfinite recently spoke to the president of Kadokawa Games, Yoshimi Yasuda, regarding Root film. You can read the full interview here.
Robotics;Notes Elite
Visual Novels Coming in 2020
The Science Adventure from developer 5pb series of visual novels are some of the most well known in the genre and are a fantastic place to start if you are a newcomer to these kinds of games. They usually have a gameplay gimmick along the lines of checking your phone or tablet, and the choices you make will affect the ending you receive.
Steins;Gate is perhaps the most well known of the series, with multiple spinoffs and a remake in the form of Steins;Gate Elite. In recent years other entries like Chaos;Head and Chaos;Child have come west, and in 2020 Robotic;Notes is also getting the Elite treatment and a Western release.
Much like Steins;Gate Elite, this means retextured character models and the addition of new animated scenes to accompany the text of the original game.
Robotics;Notes tells the story of Kaito Yashio and the various members of his school’s robotics club. What initially begins as the clubs attempts to create a working life-sized Gundam becomes something much darker and more complex, in the way that these games always do.
You can see the quality of the animation of Robotics;Notes in action here.
Summer Pockets
Visual Novels Coming in 2020
Summer Pockets tells a somewhat more direct tale than the previous entries and will appeal to fans of slice-of-life anime in particular, or of more colorful visual novels in general.
Set on an isolated and rural island called Torishirojima, Summer Pockets is the story of Hairi Takahara, a young man from the city that travels to the island in order to take care of the estate sale of his late grandmother. Once there, he gets to know four young women who are the focus of the story.
Another title that is just now coming to the West, Summer Pockets focuses on the themes of nostalgia and the maternal bond that exists within families.
You can check out the opening cutscene for yourself right here.
N1RV Ann-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
Visual Novels Coming in 2020
N1RV Ann-A is the sequel to VA-11 Hall-A (henceforth written as Nirvanna and Valhalla respectively), an indie bartending game that received quite a bit of positive buzz when it was released in 2017.
Developed by Sukeban Games, Nirvanna looks to follow the same basic gameplay conceit as Valhalla; you play as a bartender in a cyberpunk world, mixing drinks and getting to know the patrons who stop by. Through these interactions, you learn more about the world at large.
The writing in this visual novel is exceptional, and the characterization of said patrons is top-notch. It features striking pixel art, and the whole thing is accompanied by a mesmerizing synth-wave soundtrack that will worm its way into your mind. While we don’t know exactly what Nirvanna has in store for us, if its anything like Valhalla, it will be well worth your time to check out.
Check out the reveal trailer right here.
Has this list got you excited to fire up a visual novel? Be sure to check out Twinfinite’s list of the Best Adventure & Visual Novel Games of 2019.
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