Does it bother you that most VNs only give you two options when making choices?

[RoseGold]

A little bit. I like it when games have lots of choices, even if it's just flavor text. RPGs and Interactive fiction have spoiled me a little, in that regard.

 

[Venter]

I'd say yes, because you can tell right away (usually) which way adds love points for the LI and which not.

 

[Shuyi🤍]

Not really, I prefer it that way so I wouldn't struggle making a decision. But I understand your reasoning too ;;

 

[はなび]

It doesn't bother me to only have two options because I think what is more important is that all options are given equal attention and lead to equally interesting (and thematic) outcomes. That is actually easier to do with fewer options, as the writer wouldn't need to come up with as many variations that they care less about writing. Usually, the story still needs to go a certain way, and it becomes clear that certain options lend better to what is intended to happen, so the other options end up seeming inferior or are forced to unnaturally converge back to the intended events - I would rather all options be equal in this regard, or to have fewer (or even no) options, rather than forcing options that are written worse or detract from the story.

I'm fine with however many options are needed for the writer to say whatever they want to, whether that's having no choices at that point (and just advancing the story linearly), just having two options, or having more. But usually, fewer options (and choices in general) are better imo because the choices are usually more meaningful then, rather than just being changes in flavor text. And stories are usually better if the writer has full control over what happens, instead of the reader choosing an option that ends up negatively impacting the storytelling (because it was just there to have an obligatory choice), which is why I sometimes like it more when there are no choices.

 

[itselliottmalone]

It doesn't bother me, necessarily, but when a narrative design scheme becomes so pervasive, it ossifies, in a way. In other words, binary choices feel less like a deliberate decision, meant to convey a certain aspect of the work, and more like the safe go-to, no though behind it. I've seen many interesting choice-making systems throughout the years (Ladykiller in a Bind, despite not being an otome, comes to mind), so I wish otome games experimented more with this.

 

[anibroco]

Hmm, I think it depends on the game or the story. Imagine you have several options, but no matter which one you choose, it leads to the same ending, that's frustrating. (╥﹏╥) I'd like options that actually change the story, but that aren't too obvious either.

 

[shuubaruotaku]

im so used to vns having 2 choices so when theres more than 2 im like "thank god" because i have more freedom to pick whatever

 

[ynnaliaa]

A little, yeah. I wish some VNs gave you more nuanced choices instead of making you pick between two extreme options. But if the two choices are well-written and both lead to different character reactions, I don't mind it too much.

 

[amonholic]

It depends really, most of the time I'm okay with 2 options, but sometimes both options annoy me, so that's when it starts to bother me and I start wishing for another option.

 

[qcqq]

Only two options sometimes make me think that important events will happen next, so I am afraid that I will choose the wrong option.

 

[damselette]

i dont mind only having two options at all as long as it's not painfully obvious which one is the "good" end vs "bad" end

 

[sweetymana]

I kinda getting some other viewpoints having multiple choices in the options. But for me, I perfer two simple choices so it make it easier. I get overwhelmed when giving choices more than 3 and I was confused what to do next. I played otome danshi, they give me two choices everytime. It was simple and funny game that I could completed easily. But yeah, when you playing Hugh expectations game its kinda making more choices to view different routes. I think more ending would best when they give more choices to choose!

 

[30-END]

Sometimes? I wish there will be more option for me to explore the game more. At the same, it will be stressful because I have no idea of how those chosen options will affect the story and the end. I'm not a hardcore or challenge person. Being stressed while playing can make me lose interesting in game. So, I'm leaning on 2 options for now.

 

[joaoka]

I think most choices amount to the same thing a lot of time tbh ! I don't understand why one is considered negative and one positive when they're almost always so similar !! I think over requiemz did a good job with its choice system