"Culturally significant" is an incredibly vague way to categorize video games. There may only be a handful of games every decade that can truly be called culturally significant. This, however, is apparently the requirements for a 'porn game' article on Giant Bomb.
I find this to be complete bullshit.
Visual novels, or porn games as I hate to refer them to as, in our culture, exist in a capacity that is so insignificant it doesn't even register as the tiniest of blips in the radar of gaming. Fans of visual novels are incredibly low down the internet geek pyramid, fitting somewhere in between cosplayers and furries, and trust me when I say those are not good things to be stuck in between. Even fans of anime would second guess jumping down and trying their hand at visual novels. But the question I've always asked is, "why"?
The answer is rather obvious, it's just not in our culture. My generation was raised with anime interspersed with children cartoons in the form of Sailor Moon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon and so forth. In our culture that is where anime is regulated to, but at very least it has a foothold in our culture. Visual novels are a different story, however. While in Japan it wouldn't be that unusual to see visual novel spin-offs of popular animes, anime adaptations of visual novels, or animes based around the concept of visual novels, they are not a part of our culture. So if the significance has to be in our culture, none of these games would be eligible.
Then again Suck My Dick Or Die! has a page, so well done guys.
But I digress. I myself am a fan of visual novels, which people who read my weekly blog will know all too well. I have always felt there are amazing visual novels out there, with stories that I could easily recommend people to read. As I stated before, however, visual novels have a rather bad stigma, so it's been incredibly hard to convince people to try them out. Having said that, since starting said blog, I have had a fair number of people asking for recommendations on what visual novels they should read. The fact that even one person has taken an interest to reading visual novels thanks to my blog is an amazing thing to hear, so I've been more than happy to throw a few recommendations their way. However, I know not everyone will want to plough through my blog for information. "But Psy" I don't hear you say behind your computer monitor because for some reason you don't have your mic plugged in "Why wouldn't people want to read your amazingly thought out, expertly crafted and always hilarious weekly blog?"
Well you sarcastic piece of shit, I figured I'd also keep a list of all the visual novels I've covered, as it could very well be a better more compact way to see what visual novels I've talked about. Please note, however, I have played a lot more visual novels than this (some that doesn't have their own Giant Bomb page too), but hopefully they'll all eventually be added each and every week, until I get bored, I guess.
The list is in order of best to worst, in my opinion. Each visual novel is accompanied by a brief explanation of said visual novel, and the blog number and date in which I talked about that specific visual novel, in case you want to read more about that visual novel. Don't be afraid to check out the visual novels at the bottom of the list too, these are just my opinion, and I'll be the first to admit it can be rather stupid.
Showing 1-10 of 34 items
Covered in blog entry #19 // 09.10.11 It's been a crazy week, starting with a camp out that goes awry and ending with the broadcast club successfully building their very out broadcasting tower, Taichi only has one question on his mind. "Is anyone alive out there?"
Covered in blog entry #01 // 05.06.11 An anonymous character known only as the Maou has taken to terrorizing Usami Haru and her group of friends. Featuring a fantastic classical inspired soundtrack, a mysterious protagonist and a story that will keep you second guessing until even after the end credits start to roll.
Covered in blog entry #22 // 30.10.11 In a town where it is constantly raining, Chris is attending the world famous Piova Communal School of Music to become a better Fortelle player. And now, as his final examination draws close he has to find the perfect partner to sing for the performance.
Covered in blog entry #31 // 08.01.12 Hisao Nakai suffers from a massive heart attack while a classmate confesses her love for him. It turns out he suffers from arrhythmia, a rare heart disease. To cope with this, he is transferred to Yamaku high school, a school for disabled students.
Covered in blog entry #26 // 04.12.11 After his girlfriend left him and he stopped going to the tennis club, Shikanosuke Maejima's life is rather boring. All of that changes when he meets Kirari Shiino, a fiery young girl who convinces him to join a punk band! And now they're touring the country, because punk!
Covered in blog entry #28 // 18.12.11 On an island where criminal punishment is tailor made to fit a crime, Kenichi Morita plans to become a Special High Class Individual, someone in charge of upholding said punishments. Finally, he's at the end of his training, and is tasked with helped three girls in his hometown through their punishments.
Covered in blog entry #33 // 22.01.12 To cover up her tracks of accidentally destroying Japan, an alien named Qoo decided to brainwash everyone into believing Ohama Yukino is the president of the United States of Nippon. Jun, the new vice president and unaffected by the brainwash, has to play along in this new crazy reality.
Covered in blog entry #07 // 17.07.11 A seemingly ordinary town with rather extraordinary characters. Be witness to four different yet intertwining stories that are all taking place at the same time, twisting and turning into the supernatural and beyond.
Covered in blog entry #30 // 01.01.12 Naoe Riki managed to get by his childhood with his four friends who call themselves the Little Busters! Now in high school, the friends are still together, and determined to do something new, like say I don't know, turn the Little Busters into a baseball team.
Covered in blog entry #04 // 26.06.11 What motivation would you need to conquer all of Japan? How about to rape all the attractive princesses? That's all the motivation Rance needs. Join him as he GAHAHAHA's his way across the country!