Thefantasy genrehas been long known for its habit of creating imaginative worlds. From classic hits like theLegend of Zeldafranchise tomassive online RPGslikeWorld of Warcraft,fantasy became the pinnacle of invention. That said, no game type has been more accessible and unique than the classicvisual novel.
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Including well-known works likeFate/Stay Night, the Visual Novel Database records a wide variety of top-rated novels. Although thebestseries ultimately comes down to personal preference, ratings often give a good estimate. And no site does visual novel ratings better than VNDB, providing visual novel lovers with popularity, rating, and other statistics for everybody’s favorite games.
10Witch On The Holy Night
In the realm ofanimeand visual novels, Type-Moon has made something of a reputation. At least as far as fantasy concerns itself, with popular classics likeTsukihimeand theFateseries.However, few are familiar with one of their best, fantasy visual novels,Witch on the Holy Night.
Contrary to others in the ever-expanding Nasuverse,Witch on the Holy Nightwill be a little bit different. Though the visuals don’t stray too far from the standard Type-Moonnovel, it does offer a setting and plot that shakes things up. Following the story of Aoko Aozaki, players will be taken aback by themany twistsfound in the story’s magi-inhabited mansion.
9Love Me, Seriously!!
One of the best features of a visual novel is its ability to portrayincredibly unique worlds. InLove Me, Seriously!!, players take a view into the mysterious world of Kawakami City. Built on a population of people with a strong samurai heritage, the game makes for a mystifying world that blends feudal fantasy with modernity.
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That said, the novel does seem more likea romantic comedyat times. At least, more than the traditional, fantasy adventure. Nonetheless, for readers that want an interesting postmodern-esque take on a long-standing genre, nothing makes for more fun thanLove Me, Seriously!!.
89 -nine- Series
There are plenty of visual novel series that have gained widespread overseas popularity. The biggest contenders being the notoriousFateseries and Key novels, many fans fail to notice hidden gems like the9 -nine-series.
A series offour novels(and a complete edition with additional after stories,) each9 -nine-visual novel focuses especially on the story of one character. This of course leads to characters that developed more completely, as players learn more about the mysterious town of Shiromitsugawa. For players who prefer an urban fantasy mystery,9 -nine-makes for a good starting point.
7Ace Attorney
Manywill give recommendersa strange look after this recommendation. Technically, Capcom’sAce Attorneyseries comprises both visual novel mechanics and fantasy elements. After all, it’s hard to say that courtroom drama with real-time spirit mediums isn’t a part of the fantasy genre.
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That said, the fantasy elements ofAce Attorneyreally pick up with the third entry in the series. The series has something for all fantasy lovers from dramatic, spiritual backgrounds to hysterical, quirky characters. The long-time series is heavily recommended to players looking for a change-up from the traditional fantasy novel.
6Fate/Stay Night
Very few anime serieshave the reputationthat comes with theFateseries. With a complex world of mages and heroes,Fate/Stay Nightstarted a franchise that bringing in an incredible amount of revenue. Focused on the adventures of Shirou Emiya, readers will be taken through the morality play that is the Holy Grail War.
Fate/Stay Nightis a perfect novel for people that love to read and theorize, as the franchise expands to a huge amount of light novels, games, and anime series. Though seemingly riddled with clichés,Fate/Stay Nightmakes for a story that builds with each end completed. In the end, players that want a series-long experience will love theFateseries.
5Full Metal Daemon: Muramasa
Mecha is among themost common tropesto find their way into fantasy visual novels. The clashing of supernatural powers and robotic mayhem creates a unique atmosphere commonly seen in anime.In the visual novel world,Full Metal Daemon:Muramasarises to the top of these games.
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Focused on the story of Minato Kageaki, the world ofMuramasaexplores the chaotic lives of the pilots of the Tsurugi. Mechas enriched by souls,Full Metal Daemonbrings a more fantasy element to a genre dominatedby sci-fi tropes. In the end, the novel offers a much darker atmosphere than other fantasy novels of its type.
4Baldr Sky
Many wouldn’t considerBaldr Skyto be a true visual novel, much likeAce Attorney.Nonetheless, behind the RPG-like setup and gameplay, there is a novel that rises to the top of the fantasy genre. A series of novels, the games tell a riveting story about high-tech innovation and mecha-like combat.
By the end of the novels, players will find themselves more engrossed in the games as they learn more about their protagonist, Kou Kadokura. A cyber officer, Kou looks to uncover a tragedy of the past; a perfect blend ofinteractive gameplayandhigh story investment.
3Utawarerumono
There are alot of clichésin the world of fantasy: worlds ruled by tyrants, long-living races of people, the list doesn’t end. However, clichés may not be bad all in themselves; theUtawarerumonoseries certainly proves that clichés can be useduniquely and interestingly.
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An amnesiac protagonist, a village of mysterious people, a greedy tyrant. Combining all of these common clichés,Utawarerumonomanages to make a complex world. Throughout the series, Hakuowlo and his friends will captivate audiences withadventureandheavy world-building.
2Umineko: When They Cry
Viewers often view fantasy novels as the traditional magic adventure with spells and magicians. However, fantasy visual novels often provide the best of themysteryandsuspensegenres, includingHigurashiandUmineko: When They Cry.After visiting a mysterious island in the latter, readers will soon find that the family reunion of the protagonist Battler is more than it appears.
This novel makes for one of the best thrillers in the visual novel medium, withdark undertones and endless mystery. Because of its differences from other entries,Uminekomakes for a perfect breath of fresh air for all kinds of players.
1Muv-Luv Alternative
For most fans, it’s hard to consider any visual novel a masterpiece. Almost every novel has at least one outstanding flaw, from minimalistic artwork to bland music choices. In the end,Muv Luv Alternativeisn’t like that and VNDB seems to agree; it has thehighest ratingof all fantasy novels for a reason.
Sequel to the first game in the series,Muv Luv,the novel enhances all of its prequel’s flaws. The story focuses on the journey of Shirogane Takeru, as he finds himself transported to an alternative reality in the past. As players play through the events of the game, they will become mesmerized by the striking visuals of high-tech warfare.
