Visual Novel Ideas

A visual novel is an interactive fiction game, featuring mostly static graphics, most often using anime-style art or occasionally live-action stills (and sometimes video footage). As the name might suggest, they resemble mixed-media novels.

Younger brother has a terminal illness, older brother always looks out for the younger brother and protects him from bullies and stuff.

Sometime near the start he learns that the younger brother only has until his next birthday to live, and the older brother wants to fulfill his younger brother's "things to do before I die" list

Older brother teams up with a few friends from school (insert romance possibilities?) and they work together with the appropriate people to try complete the brother's list, but they have to fix up problems with those people so that they will help them

Along the way, they also overcome individual problems (eg. family?) and in the end, the brother's list is completed and he dies peacefully, while everyone else who was helped because of this quest thanks him for indirectly solving their problems and allowing them to move on.

In a different genre but still on topic, you can play "Brothers: A tale of two sons".

It's a wonderfully done story that will move you.

Hello, I am just recently getting involved with the RPG Maker community though I have decided to pursue using the program for a project I've been working. Interestingly enough, the project started off being intended for something such as a screen play or a visual novel, and I've come to find that it is evolving into an interactive multi-platform development.

Of course, it can seem to be an enormous undertaking though I commend You, EliteKilljoy, for seeking to take upon such a task.

I've found that the challenge is implementing the 'story' into various mediums (literary & graphic). So, when it comes to adapting it to a visualization, I remember to consider the moments of the piece which are visually captivating (like a movie), and possibly emphasize major instances which have a catalyzing affect upon the the story and how it transitions. Characters (of course), and how they appear (Their mannerisms, gestures, development, etc.) are always important. Unique environments, objects, and more which are specific to the story. Scene intro's & outro's as well as scene transitions, deciding between using linear, non-linear, or other methods of story-telling. What kind of perspectives are used? (are we following the main character? Are we following the roles of every major characters, "good" and "bad"? Or do we have sort of universal perspective where we, the reader/viewer, are just merely observing the story)

There's a lot that goes into a project like this and I personally have found that utilizing the ability for the reader/viewer to interact and actually take part in the story as it unfolds is a great way for us to move from observer to participant when it comes to storytelling. It reminds me of those old 'choose-your-own-adventure' books!

In terms of using RPG maker for a VN, take note that To the Moon isn't a real visual novel. A true visual novel requires many graphical assets (backgrounds, character expressions, CGs) but is a lot better for conveying story. In fact, it's actually pretty hard to make a story oriented game where you're supposed to feel for the characters when they're just chibi pixellated sprites.

To the Moon did this partly because of its really good soundtrack. So if you really want to make people cry, you'll need really good music and possibly graphics. (And the story of course.)

Also, Ren'py is a much better engine to use if you're making a true Visual novel.

In terms of using RPG maker for a VN, take note that To the Moon isn't a real visual novel. A true visual novel requires many graphical assets (backgrounds, character expressions, CGs) but is a lot better for conveying story. In fact, it's actually pretty hard to make a story oriented game where you're supposed to feel for the characters when they're just chibi pixellated sprites. 

To the Moon did this partly because of its really good soundtrack. So if you really want to make people cry, you'll need really good music and possibly graphics. (And the story of course.)

Also, Ren'py is a much better engine to use if you're making a true Visual novel.

EliteKilljoy, please avoid double posting, as it is against the forum rules. You can review our forum rules here. Thank you.

I wouldn't say you need Ren'py to make a TRUE Visual Novel. I do understand that it's a superior program since that's what it was designed for, but to say that RM isn't capable of producing TRUE Visual Novels is a bit of a stretch. I have a VN in development on Ace and the only notable difference is lack of "text fast forward"and a smaller resolution (though apparently there's a resolution override script now).