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.
In Japanese terminology, a distinction is often made between visual novels proper (abbreviated NVL), which consist predominantly of narration and have very few interactive elements, and adventure games (abbreviated AVG or ADV), which may incorporate problem-solving and other types of gameplay. This distinction is normally lost outside Japan, where both NVLs and ADVs are commonly referred to as "visual novels" by international fans. Visual novels and ADVs are especially prevalent in Japan, where they made up nearly 70% of the PC game titles released in 2006.
Visual novels are distinguished from other game types by their extremely minimal gameplay. Typically the majority of player interaction is limited to clicking to keep the text, graphics and sound moving (most recent games offer "play" or "fast-forward" toggles that make even this unnecessary).
Most visual novels have multiple storylines and many endings; the gameplay mechanic in these cases typically consists of intermittent multiple-choice decision points, where the player selects a direction in which to take the game.
Natsuiro Hoshikuzu no Memory: Originally released for the PC platform in October 2003 by Actress, the game has received several updates for its PlayStation 2 release. An improved story, additional scenarioes and CG sequences are complemented by Mai Naruse's performance of the main theme Natsukusa no Symphony. The game tells the story of a protagonist who returns to his hometown for the first time in many years after the death of his father. Once at home he will meet the game's four heroines and the bonding begins.
After the death of his father, Naoki, the protagonist, came back to the hometown he was born after a long time to visit his mother's grave. At the village owned by his father, he meets four girls, and his interaction with them will change his mind and heart little to little...
The limited edition comes in a box with the game and an artbook.
MANUFACTURER'S DESCRIPTION:
Adventure game of porting work depicting the pure love of the met girls in the lakeside summer vacation which was released on the PC. PS2 edition story has been enhanced, new events and CG is added. After the death of his father, hero that after a long time to visit the villa of his hometown is, met four of the girls, through exchange, sad memory go transformed into gentle memories.
FEATURES:
- First person perspective.
- 2D graphics
- Cartoon graphics
- Romance & Anime themes.
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