Hanako Games

Style/setting for romance games?

#1 by hanako - Mar 1 2010

This poll is not binding AT ALL. I have many projects underway, as usual. But I'm curious to see what sort of things pique your interest.

#2 by biscuit - Mar 2 2010

I'm pretty sure all of those could be good, but I like the escapism and romance associated with old-school sword and sorcery.

#3 by witchboy - Mar 2 2010

I could be interested in all of those, but I am a sucker for slice of life stories, and school settings are my favorite. I definitely need more GxB and BxB!

#4 by Ayanni - Mar 6 2010

Hm, I think developers should experiment more with their settings.
Though I voted for "classic fantasy", I don't quite like it since those settings seem all too generic and also let the creator do pretty much anything without requiring the story to be believable.

Eh, dunno, maybe something from prehistory to the fall of the roman empire would be a better inspiration.

Magic realism is also very underrated and awesome when used correctly, read in wikipedia if you don't know what it is (most people don't and assume it's something entirely different)

Also more extreme/dreamlike fantasy settings are great and not used enough.

#5 by sayuri - Mar 6 2010

I like a mix of modern fantasy and Mystery. Sounds like Fatal Hearts . I also really like the classic fantasy with princes and the mysterious warlock, hehe .

#6 by hanako - Mar 6 2010

I don't quite like it since those settings seem all too generic and also let the creator do pretty much anything without requiring the story to be believable.

Eh, dunno, maybe something from prehistory to the fall of the roman empire would be a better inspiration.

Of course they're generic, they're wide genre questions that have no game idea attached to them yet.

I have no interest in writing a fully realistic historical romance (for one thing, realism with the female role is not a lot of fun in many settings, for another, scuttlebutt suggests that gamers don't really want settings that take too much explanation); however, classic fantasy might draw on particular historical settings in order to get away from ye olde knights and dragons. A time travel story would be the most likely to really delve into a historical setting, but it doesn't seem like anyone's interested in that.

What I'm largely fishing for in this poll is to see if there's a huge upswell of people here desperate for stories without 'magic' in them, since without external pressure I tend to lean in the direction of magic (magic, ghosts, vampires, elves, supertechnology, alternate dimensions... Unrealistic elements in general.). So far, it looks like there are people who would play that sort of game, but not an overwhelming frustration about the lack.

#7 by witchboy - Mar 6 2010

I have no problem with magic in a game if it's a good story. I don't mind a magic free story either, but neither one is a deal breaker by any means.

#8 by FantasyFan - Mar 19 2010

I'm always a sucker for fantasy. Classic or modern, I don't care as long as it's good fantasy, and Hanako has produced some really good fantasy.

That said, since I could only vote for one, I voted for modern fantasy. I'd love to see another Fatal Hearts-ish story where magical creatures showed up in modern life.

#9 by Silver_Fox - Mar 22 2010

Personally, I love stories based on crime and crime solving. And I prefer a classic mystery to a thriller. Besides, a good mixture of mystery and fantasy may be even better.
Generally, I like games with a feel of adventure and mystery.

Game Genre

#10 by Verity - Mar 27 2010

I think that a mystery game would be lots of fun, but I was really hoping for something science fiction or steampunk in nature. I love Cutie Knight and such, but I was hoping for something new and exciting!

#11 by .X.TwiliPrincess.X. - Mar 28 2010

I enjoy murder, suspense, and any sort of paranormal things. xD I have become obsessed with werewolves and ghost lately. It would be interesting to see more of that like in Fatal Hearts. ^^ Maybe since those were kind of done, vampires and werewolves, I mean...maybe something with ghosts?

#12 by aya_lyka - Apr 4 2010

I enjoy many of the genre and i really like mystery ones but i guess it really depends in the story, still i voted for the modern fantasy genre i kind of don't play games with this genre anymore.

#13 by Treguard - Apr 12 2010

Here's a vote for "None of the Above". I keep thinking the world needs more Superhero style games, of the 4 Color Comic type (Think the beginning of 'The Incredibles')

#14 by biscuit - Apr 16 2010

Actually, I gotta agree. I'm surprised it didn't cross my mind.

I love superhero comics (and the potentials of exploring a world with them, like the tabletop system Aberrant), and would love to see it explored in VN format.

#15 by Jinnai - May 10 2010

Meh superheros, but I guess it takes all types.

I would like to see a magi-tech steampunk one where there is a conflict between magic and technology as they are mutually exclusive (in this scenario). I think it would make for an interesting setup.

#16 by Aletea - May 11 2010

I'm a huge fan of thrillers, but I also love steampunk. I would love just about anything with steampunk mixed into it (although I have to admit, I'm not a huge fan of the superhero scenario).

#17 by biscuit - May 13 2010

Even though I like steampunk, I've seen it done 'eh' in a lot of other places, so I'm a little jaded. I'm sure I would still enjoy it, but I'd have less of thagt 'oooh, shiny!' feeling.

#18 by aisza_1995 - May 24 2010

hmmm... I like all beside the s-f. I prefer science fiction in books and moveis than in games (it's not fun trying to date a robots etc. >.<)
Mostly fantasy and modern fantasy...
I have idea of game wher you moving between bodies of two girls.. taht will be cool because boys wil act difrently toward each of them. And based on what you have done, you may make them like or don't like you, and at the end you will choose to stay in one of those bodies and ending will be... automatic... or something... ar at the middle of the gme you need to choose in which body you sta then your actins change the story... I dunno.
x3

#19 by witchboy - May 25 2010

Oh I really do like the idea of the body switching, that would make for a pretty original game, and would really make you think about our attitudes to appearances and such. Say if one of the girls were prettier than the other that would change a lot.
Makes me think of an old Phanton Stranger comic I read a long time ago where a woman who is kind but plain switches bodies with her selfish but beautiful sister, and they find that over time their personailites change too. In the end both women want to be plain because they were happier that way, and a compromise is reached where they both are only a little attractive. Strange story, but it left an impression on me.

#20 by Esphirisa - Jun 11 2010

I'm always crazy about fantasy... be it novels, games, or shows...
I mean, something out-of-the-world, something DIFFERENT from the rest would definitely appeal more than mundane, everyday situations. Well, that's the case for me, anyway.

#21 by Muse - Jun 12 2010

Well I guess I can put my two cents in too.

Overall in visual novels I play whatever, especially if it's from a game developer I like. But I prefer fantasy stuff; even if it's minor elements or something. (Like perhaps a character has hints of being a witch or whatever.)

To be honest time-wise I don't care much; it depends on how it's handled. But I do like it when it's a bit of a mix... Maybe it's old-world but there is hints of electricity (perhaps not as intense as steampunk has it, although that's a good genre too) or maybe it's in the future, but some clothes and habits are more reminiscent of old world.

It just has to be interesting/unique, overall. If it's typical story/world/characters there's not much fun to it, but if there are aspects to keep the world interesting it's better, but also has to be realistic.

I guess my rambling point is no matter what the genre is, it has to be unique yet relateable. Anything else about it is secondary; if it's good it's good.

#22 by Maika Kamiya - Dec 11 2010

Slice of life is something we can connect to, but supernatural is very interesting too.

#23 by MachineMaiden - Jul 3 2011

I'd have to put my vote for 'Classic fantasy (sword+sorcery in villages and kingdoms)' because I just love medieval types of settings personally. The elfs, fairies, dragons, merfolk, etc etc and all that good stuff I just adore immensely!

Second would be a tie between 'Modern fantasy (magic/vampires/ghosts in modern times)' because it's still cool but vampires are done to death. I'm more a fan of werewolves personally. The other being 'Modern fantasy (magic/vampires/ghosts in modern times)' especially because of such games as Mass Effect and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (and the MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic coming out). But my first and true love is the 'Classic fantasy'.

#24 by Odjin - Jul 4 2011

I love Superhero stuff too, but more then that I'd love to be a supervillain!

Villains are way cooler then heroes!

I also love anything to do with Pirates and Dwarfs. Anyone play Dragon Age?

Anyways I voted Futuristic. I also think a post Apocalyptic setting would be cool.

#25 by MachineMaiden - Jul 4 2011

Odjin:

I love Superhero stuff too, but more then that I'd love to be a supervillain!

Villains are way cooler then heroes!

I also love anything to do with Pirates and Dwarfs. Anyone play Dragon Age?

Anyways I voted Futuristic. I also think a post Apocalyptic setting would be cool.

Indeed, watching Despicable Me today and I had a thought that there hasn't been hardly any games where you are the villain. It kinda reminds me of the book Villains by Necessity which I read a long time ago. It might be an interesting idea but then again might be hard to pull off.

Isabela and Varric? Personally I love me my Fenris~

PS. I adore your Princess Maker sig pics!

#26 by Rinvee - Jul 10 2011

Everything is fine as long as there is good plot. Altough I can't say I like sci-fi but if demo can make me 'So interesting! I REALLY need to know everything!' then I'll definitely buy that one too.

#27 by EchoGarrote - Jul 10 2011

I adore time travel. As long as the main character doesn't become their own mother/father, that's my only caveat. Becoming a great-great-great whatever is fine though, all the merry chaos that happens with paradoxes, loops, and trying to mess with history.

A Dating Sim In King Arthur's Court?

#28 by shadowshed - Aug 20 2011

I voted for "Science Fiction (future or supertechnology)" out of others. I liked them all, just picked something new.

Actually even the most classic plot could be an interesting, as long as the story goes, and characters are well developed and appealing.

#29 by Benazir - Aug 20 2011

What sort of plot would you like to see in a future VN?

I love your games, hanako. I would vote for everything here ....

#30 by Hoosha - Aug 31 2011

x3 Mm all those sound great but I really like the idea of a horror, Ghost Hunter(anime)-esque school-style setting! But school/magic or just school in general would work too! A medieval sword and shield/magic setting would be my second choice or maybe a Victorian premise? So exciiiteeed

#31 by Yumeshojo - Aug 31 2011

I think I would have an interest in all of them if they are well written I love history myself, so time travel is awesome, but I've been addicted to magic lately. I voted for modern, though, because for me a romance game will never go out of style or be just something I'm into at that moment. Just trying to woo the everyday guys is classic and to me it never gets old!

#32 by kyoli - Aug 31 2011

i don't know about everyone else but i think it would be awesome to do a time travel one! it doesn't seem like one that is done very often and it is always nice to mix things up!

and i think any style can be awesome it just all depends on the story that goes along with it!

#33 by gladi - Sep 20 2011

Bright day
Choose urban fantasy because it grounds our perception but can screw up our expectations. I know what people eat today and what microwave is, but supernatural can infinitelz twist this familiar experience.

And while it is my favourite it is not by far the only setting I woud be interested in. A lot of these setting can be interesting. Historical fantasy? Sure I would love VN set in Magic !Carribean and the swordfighting and shooting or intrigue in the court and calling of demons as these rationalistic strangers arrive at court of !Cleoptra VII.

#34 by RyanA - Dec 2 2011

I remember playing a time traveling dating sim once, it was great! Of course depending the story you chose you stayed in a certain time period, leaving everything else behind you...or not. I'd say it might also be a way to please three audiences at once?

#35 by Damien's~ - Dec 8 2011

Well...at least classic fantasy is in second! I figured modern would come first.
I can't resist an old-timey, sword-fighting, witches and wizards and magic kinda thing. And a full out wizard romance option would make my day! XD

#36 by ElCantardelaLunaOscura - Dec 8 2011

Uh...difficult. I'll vote 1,2 and 4.

#37 by hanako - Dec 8 2011

I think in the early days of this poll classic fantasy was ahead. Magical Diary may have skewed the readership more modern.

(Not that this poll matters in any real way.)

#38 by RedSocialKnight - Apr 9 2012

Your writing has a modern voice. A heroine who sounds like an everyday girl because she comes from our familiar world plays to your strengths.

Although I'd be curious to see you do sci-fi too. Someone like Honor Harrington would suit you very well.

#39 by Yuki - Apr 10 2012

I don't think modern English looks out of place in any setting, provided the text isn't full of neologisms. Too much ye olde English in a fantasy setting, for instance, just makes it hard to read.

#40 by Coga - Jun 6 2012

Bah, all of you are philistines, looking at the past and living only in the present! Spare a thought for our future, one filled with green-skinned space babes, lasers, blue-skinned space hunks, lasers, sentient starships wanting to know what it means to be human, lasers, shapechanging aliens wanting to know what it means to be human, lasers, skintight Starfleet uniforms, lasers, setting foot on alien worlds and blasting them with lasers, laser and lasers!

EDIT: That being said, a game set in Arthurian England, with all the conventions of courtly love, would be amazing.

#41 by aisza_1995 - Jun 9 2012

I see, you would really enjoy a game that involves lasers and multiplie things wanting to know what it means to be human hmm?
Well, I already once expressend how I feel about matters of such futuristic things in games, but perhaps my tastes have changed?
...
Nah, I'm still all for the typical fantasy, with elves, knight and kings, with dragos in the backgrougnd, gnomes, trolls, and all this folklore stuff.
A perfect game would be with the beauty of the 'drawn' series, combined with a 'lord of the rings' storytelling, and amazingly huge ammount of handsome young boys.

Perhaps one day I'll see a game like that...

I do not know how to put lasers into that... but animated objects, enchanted items... if we set it into the world of folklore, I'm sure theres a way to explain why would a tree become a human (and he can even be green then!) and doesn't quite understand humanity. Swords and magic all the way!

#42 by kasztan_filut - Jun 10 2012

I prefer fantasy in general with a dash of adventure.. not sure which fantasy I like better. Maybe leaning towards fantasy/ medieval setting, but only because I'm a bit of a history buff for those renaissance style eras. It would be interesting if you could connect the story of several games across the centuries, not directly but in the world histories. (mind boggling?)

I don't think there is much of a difference between typical fantasy and modern fantasy, except that one has less history/backstory to the world itself, which may or may not add to the overall plot. Elves, goblins, trolls, faeries, etc; those already exist in the 'world' itself - to the uninitiated members of a world where fantasy(magic) exists - its just a myth/legend.

Yuki mentioned "ye olde english" - I would personally love a game done in old english. Theres a certain flair to it, the ways different people speak. And the connotations.. would be epic.
(but I'm sure the more casual player would loathe the complexity)

Didn't fit in the categories

#43 by Jenkouken - Jun 10 2012

Maybe it would fit closest under science fiction, but, I'd enjoy a spy adventure. James Bond, Mission Impossible, etc.
And on the flip side, the master criminal/pulling off the heist, ala, The Usual Suspects and Ocean's 11.

^_^

#44 by D_A_Renoir - Jun 19 2012

oof, I missed the poll.

I personally am not a big fan of urban fantasy (fantasy happening in normal, modern day situation), but... i can like it if it's exceptionally good.

#45 by Leondre - Jun 19 2012

Time travel could be grouped into the SciFi category.

A futuristic vn that uses time travel and ends up in some alternate classical fantasy setting (maybe even a modern setting instead to mix things up) would be pretty awesome. Give the >Insert generic protagonist< a love interest in both the fantasy world and their own and make them decide which they would rather be with.

#46 by Alfilaria - Jun 22 2012

I voted for classic fantasy, although time travel is a very close second--I love historical fiction XD But really, I'll read just about anything that has good characters and writing, though I prefer stories with some kind of supernatural element to them. I'd love to see Hanako try her hand at something like Patricia Wrede's historical fiction offerings; alternate versions of historical eras where magic is widely known and accepted as fact. Mostly though, I just want to see more and longer stories XD

#47 by Melana - Aug 27 2012

I picked classic fantasy, probably because I am a sucker for Disney princess movies. Yo-Jin-Bo's setting in feudal Japan was great, which is a setting that I don't think has been used in a Hanako game before. Modern drama/slice-of-life would have been my next choice, but I'm guessing that the direction the game would take would probably be high school/college life which has been explored quite a lot.

Also, if you don't mind a suggestion, I think more variety in character customization would be nice too. A bit similar to Cute Knight Kingdom where you get to choose what month she is born in, but with even more options, such as appearance, demeanor, etc. I know that most of these choices are used to determine starting stats for the player but it would add to replay value to have the dialogue and descriptions change based on different personalities. That is a ton of work though, so don't mind my silliness.

Thanks again for the great games, Hanako! I bought Long live the Queen yesterday, tore the hair out of my head for hours, and finally started taking down notes on what stats to focus on next time. xD I love the artwork in that game though

#48 by Blue Rose - Aug 31 2012

I picked classic fantasy, but really, I'd rather vote against the completely mundane (be it modern or period pieces). I think the weird stuff in sci fi and fantasy is a lot of fun to play with. Even if it's just implied supernatural or lower-end superscience, I much prefer it.

But the idea from earlier about supers? Oh my God, yes, yes, a thousand times yes!

#49 by aisza_1995 - Sep 8 2012

Oh, I also think, there could be much done with twins/triplets (where twins are more often, triplents are yet to be used).
There is always mentioned that special 'bond' between this types of siblings. There could be a curse going together with them (like in vampire knight) they could be a result of a experiment, could be separated at birth and the player could travel with one then meet the other/s on the way, etc.
And something like that can be put into almost any set be it fantasy, modern fantasy (which deliberately makes me think of silly teen vampires) s-f, spy, historical... anything.
I totaly agree on the character customisation that actually makes a difference, because it would add so much to a game. Even if it was based on this 'dating sim' idea of stats that help you achieve certain things (like the magical diary magic type levels).
It would be for example more difficult to even try to talk to certain caracters because you are not charming enough, or smart enough (like, in thelucky rabbit reflex Lamb won;t talk to you before you reach a certain cleverness lvl)

#50 by Pyrephox - Sep 9 2012

I voted for Time Travel, because I'd love to see a modern female protagonist tossed back into Victorian (maybe some strange mad-science machine?) or Regency (maybe a good old fashioned summoning by a group of nobles playing with ceremonial magic) times, and then have to deal with romance-targets and culture that's very outside her experience. Do you go with the flow and try to fit in, or rebel against the restrictions on women? Or do you exploit your knowledge of the future to become fabulously wealthy? It would be fun, especially the interactions between the heroine and various male and female PCs of that era.

Other than that, I'm always up for classic fantasy, although something that's entertainingly SF would be pretty awesome, too.

#51 by Nacht - Sep 17 2012

Pyrephox:

I voted for Time Travel, because I'd love to see a modern female protagonist tossed back into Victorian (maybe some strange mad-science machine?) or Regency (maybe a good old fashioned summoning by a group of nobles playing with ceremonial magic) times, and then have to deal with romance-targets and culture that's very outside her experience. Do you go with the flow and try to fit in, or rebel against the restrictions on women? Or do you exploit your knowledge of the future to become fabulously wealthy? It would be fun, especially the interactions between the heroine and various male and female PCs of that era.

Other than that, I'm always up for classic fantasy, although something that's entertainingly SF would be pretty awesome, too.

Agreed. There's also the possibility of being warped to another reality for some high fantasy or modern fantasy. A modern human would actually make a good protagonist for a fantasy-themed skill-building game. Educated enough to learn a variety of skills, yet originally useless in the situation they find them-self. Wouldn't it be interesting if there weren't any other humans in this world?

#52 by LiaTabris - Dec 28 2012

I personally like science fiction, time travel, and fantasy. However, I think the setting element that I particularly like is 'egalitarian/progressive'. I'm thinking of the stuff you had in Magical Diary about gender-neutral pronouns, their reasons for not celebrating Columbus Day, and things like that. It's sort of refreshing to see that sort of thing sometimes.

#53 by Hazel - Jan 2 2013

I really like secondary world fantasy, but not necessarily sword & sorcery. There's a whole wide world out there of options for fantasy stories. Modern hidden magic stories like Magical Diary are also a lot of fun. That's the great thing about fantasy, IMO - you can do absolutely anything with it, and no one can tell you it's impossible.

Votes for a Modern Thriller!

#54 by Angharad - Apr 3 2013

I'd love to see a modern thriller with realistic settings in cities like New York City or Tokyo, with a glamorous cast including businessmen, lawyers, models, criminals and detectives. A gritty film noire look would be heaven! I have yet to see a VN like that. Anyone have suggestions of similar sounding VNs already published?

Oh yeah, a female protagonist who kicks ass is a must too, like a modern day Nancy Drew! Dangers and intrigue lurking everywhere...

I join this forum after playing every Hanako games I can lay my hands on. Fatal Hearts is so awesome that I decide to join this forum. Finally!
Thank you Hanako for making so many awesome games!

#55 by Euphony - May 29 2013

I'm quite happy with the classical fantasy stories that have been made so far. However, I love science fiction too and would enjoy seeing a blend of science fiction and mystery. It's always fun to explore futuristic settings.

#56 by hanako - Jun 1 2013

Since this particular one is so old, I think I'm going to lock it up and start a newer poll for the completely vague rambly stuff. Interesting to see how (or if) the numbers change in a newer poll...