Eurobeatz

I would assume it has to do with so many VN fans having started before there were a decent amount of officially translated VNs and because of this a culture of piracy has been established and lots of newer people getting into it getting advice from these people. Also one thing I think has somewhat of an effect is newer people asking for recommendations getting recommended things that only has a fanpatch thus starting of pirating which just makes it much easier for them to continue doing so. 
Also due to the length of VNs I think people who pirtate are unlikely to buy something they enjoy. For instance with anime since so many of them are rather short it is possible for people to watch a ton of anime through piracy and then among their favorites pick out which to buy on blu-ray or by merchendise. With the length of a VN it is unlikely that people would want to reread it and a digital download is not as enticing as a physical product like a blu-ray for instance and then for the physical versions of VNs many people don't want to import them either because they don't want physical 18+ stuff or are scared because loli character or semi loli characters being taken as illegal material. 

Considering that the VN everyone is saying has the same twist has been described as a shittier knockoff version of Totono, I'd encourage anyone who likes the idea to still give this one a shot. Take my words with a grain of salt though; I haven't played it. 
Personally, I found ~the twist~ of ~that other game~ to be disappointingly executed, and considering that denpa is my favorite genre, I'm pretty hype for Totono. 

I was thinking, then I realized... I have never dropped a single VN. No matter how much I disliked it. I'm a completionist, so even if I feel that reading something was a waste of time, it's still better than leaving it unfinished imo.

Hey Fuwanovel forums!
I was active on here years ago, and am back now after getting back into eroge after the release of Subahibi.
[deleted]

Hey Fuwanovel forums!
I was active on here years ago, and am back now after getting back into eroge after the release of Subahibi.
[deleted]

Hey Fuwanovel forums!
I was active on here years ago, and am back now after getting back into eroge after the release of Subahibi.
[deleted]

Hey Fuwanovel forums!
I was active on here years ago, and am back now after getting back into eroge after the release of Subahibi.
[deleted]

Hey Fuwanovel forums!
I was active on here years ago, and am back now after getting back into eroge after the release of Subahibi.
[deleted]

Hey Fuwanovel forums!
I was active on here years ago, and am back now after getting back into eroge after the release of Subahibi.
[deleted]

95% of Ecchi Shows: Why don't you just watch hentai?

Kodomo no Jikan: I know this looks like lolicon porn, but trust me, it's actually pretty good.

95% of Ecchi Shows: Why don't you just watch hentai?

Kodomo no Jikan: I know this looks like lolicon porn, but trust me, it's actually pretty good.

It's not quite a cat gif but I hope it'll do~

I've always wanted to do that...

Haruhi Suzumiya. Everyone and their dog seems to like her and I cannot fathom why. She's the most selfish character in anime I've seen, not to mention her blackmailing the computer club and sexual harassment of Mikuru. And SHE NEVER LEARNS. SHE NEVER GETS SCOLDED FOR THE HORRIBLE THINGS SHE DOES AND THEREFORE SHE NEVER LEARNS.

Describe your ideal visual novel!

Eurobeatz's Ideal Visual Novel:

1. Has romance and violence as major themes. However, the romance must not be mushy, and the violence cannot be mindless killing; it must be for a reason. (Like Saya no Uta)
2. Has complex characters that cannot be described in three words or less. (Like Saya no Uta)
3. Has horror and mystery elements. (Like Saya no Uta)
4. Has an amazing soundtrack that not only adds to the experience of playing the visual novel, but also leads you to listen to it after completing the game. (Like Saya no Uta)
5. Has a deep story. (Like Saya no Uta)
6. Has amazing writing that uses complex words and fits with the tone of the visual novel. (Like Saya no Uta)
7. Has replay value. (Like Saya no Uta)
8. Has no gameplay elements other than choices to further the story. And aforementioned choices must be few, with each leading to a unique ending. (Like Saya no Uta)
9. Has sex scenes that have a purpose in the story. (Like Saya no Uta)
10. Has a male lead with only one romantic interest. (Like Saya no Uta)
11. Has a character with a mental disorder of some sort. (Like Saya no Uta)
12. Has art that fits the tone of the visual novel. (Like Saya no Uta)
13. Has bittersweet and depressing endings, with no "happily ever after" ending. (Like Saya no Uta)
14. Is a game that has an impact on your life. (Like Saya no Uta (for me))
15. Has a dark story. (Like Saya no Uta)

tl;dr: My ideal visual novel exists, and it is Saya no Uta.

I meant your favorite genre in general.
I don't think that there is such a thing as a shounen visual novel, but there are action-based VNs.

I'm not a huge Lucky Star fan, but I would love to be able to date Kagami in a VN~ I also discovered this VN a while back, and I was really surprised that no one had translated it.

95% of Ecchi Shows: Why don't you just watch hentai?

Kodomo no Jikan: I know this looks like lolicon porn, but trust me, it's actually pretty good.

Neon Genesis Evangelion: The world lies in the hands of a pussy boy, an emo girl, and a bitchy German.

95% of Ecchi Shows: Why don't you just watch hentai?

Kodomo no Jikan: I know this looks like lolicon porn, but trust me, it's actually pretty good.

Starry ☆ Sky ~in Spring~ seems the most light-hearted.

Haruhi Suzumiya. Everyone and their dog seems to like her and I cannot fathom why. She's the most selfish character in anime I've seen, not to mention her blackmailing the computer club and sexual harassment of Mikuru. And SHE NEVER LEARNS. SHE NEVER GETS SCOLDED FOR THE HORRIBLE THINGS SHE DOES AND THEREFORE SHE NEVER LEARNS.

One of the major advantages of eroge is that they're targeted at an adult and highly literate audience. This sets a higher bar for storytelling that's difficult to achieve when everything has to be dumbed down to a 5th grade reading level to appeal to a mainstream audience. Also like Clephas said, not having to appeal to a mainstream demographic allows a much greater freedom of storytelling and the ability to explore themes that wouldn't be accepted by a mainstream audience. It's not really the medium that's special. It's the unique market that has risen around the medium that's special, enabled in part because VNs are cheap to produce and don't require the massive budgets that other mediums require (thus necessitating mainstream appeal).

I love visual novels because you can read a story while listening to the characters' voices and hear music AND see images of what is happening. They're like movies and books combined. Visual novels are the best form of storytelling in my opinion.