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hanako rated Loser Named Hana

hanako rated a visual novel chatsim 1 year ago
A downloadable visual novel chatsim.

The art style is adorable, I liked the expressive facial changes, and I found Hana's character design charming. I liked the subtle lighting, too.

Unfortunately, I disliked that some areas in the writing had a rude tone. Although before going into this, I did expect that it probably would be like that, though... because the title is also a jab at the Hana character. That kind of tone in writing isn't great to read, really. Thankfully, not the entire work was like that. Because if that was the case, I wouldn't enjoy reading it at all.

One of my favourite character archetypes is shy, sometimes socially anxious because a lot of other written work with that kind of character, either had such a character be a cute side character who slowly comes out of her shell, as the reader gets to know the character, or a main character who may go through a character arc and character development, and you also discover why they're like that through interesting backstory, but sadly, there's nothing like that to be found here. At least not at the moment, because it was very short.

I didn't like the misconception inserted within this regarding Visual Novels & Farming Sims (plus strangely they mentioned RPGs--and most of those have greater stories in them, too) being nothing but shallow "friend/dating sims"... IMO, good visual novels are just as good as well-written novels. That's literally the point and goal of writing an engaging visual "novel."

Hana implied in this that she was being bullied on multiplayer games, however instead of having her do better than the bullies, and have a likable trait... Hana just bullied them back (via name-calling) in response, which would just continue that negative cycle of bullying... I felt like that was a missed opportunity there. To show Hana's likable side, or to be her character defining moment. If seeking a VN (to be inspired, or learn something from) which actually is more meaningful in its content, the work "Doppelganger: Dawn of the Inverted Souls" had one of the best portrayals of bullying I've seen in a VN, since it showed (not "told") the relationship between the bullies and the one being bullied. And contained an anti-bullying message and interesting murder mystery in it, as well.

I did like the fact that there was the option to actually genuinely "want to be her friend" because the other two options at the start didn't appeal to me much. Plus, to my relief, you could avoid being mean to this shy girl.

If you're fine with a lack of major plot, themes & messages (so far), and don't mind a strange, eccentric, sleep-deprived character like Hana, maybe you'll like this, but it's not to my taste. Despite having a shy character (which is my thing). But that's mainly because I'm not really into this "chatsim" stuff that's been plaguing the Visual Novel genre as of late. I keep giving them a try, though, regardless... in hopes that I'll find something that is to my liking. - [text] - A summer Story, Emberfate: Tempest of Elements and Guilded Hearts were really the only ones that I didn't mind that sort of fit in that category because the overall story and characters were engaging.

I don't know what you (the writer) envision as a possible future expansion, but... it could be interesting if it was more expanded further, and Hana were to eventually find a good, supportive friend in the MC (main character). Perhaps she could slowly heal from her bad experiences with multiplayer games if she played together with the MC as they further develop their non-toxic bond. And play because it's fun, not for competitive reasons. As playing with someone she knows could increase her enjoyment, and minimize the toxicity she experienced playing with random strangers. If it wasn't too scope-y introducing a few more characters, or just one other to the mix (like a friend of the MC, perhaps?) could open up Hana's friend circle, and possibly help her become more social. Because it just being the MC could lean a bit on the dependant, or codependent side (if not approached carefully, that is). I think if it became a trio or quartet of friends enjoying their hobbies together, it could out pretty cute. Plus, if it contained some kind of sweet message like "if you got to know Hana, she actually wasn't a loser at all." It obviously wouldn't be explicitly stated like that (messages & themes in novels aren't normally explicit); just a general overall message for a reader to take away from the story after they've finished. At least, for me, that kind of uplifting/optimistic message would be my cup of tea.

I thought Hana's awkward mannerisms and speech was endearing (e.g. the scene where she whispered hi but the MC couldn't hear her, so she ended up raising the volume of her voice to a high degree; then silly shenanigans ensued), so if there's more of that in future expansions, I'd enjoy that. Thanks for making this.