Not always. It depends on the theme and gameplay mechanics the creator wants to incorporate.
Yes. A point system can enhance the gameplay. It can be used to unlock different storylines or endings, depending on the choices the player makes and the points they accumulate. For example, in a romance visual novel, points might be related to the relationship with different characters. High points with a particular character could lead to a romantic ending with them.
It depends. If you want to fully appreciate the depth and complexity of the story, playing Steins Gate 1 first is advisable. But if you're just looking for a standalone experience, you can start with 0 and still have an enjoyable time.
First, you need a good story. Then, decide on the art style and characters. Also, programming skills for implementing interactivity are essential.
Yes, usually you do need DirectX for a smooth playing experience of visual novels. It helps with graphics and performance.
Maybe. While a point system can be effective, it's not the only option. Some visual novels could use a combination of methods. For instance, they could have a simple point - based indication of relationship status in the background, while also using more nuanced dialogue and event - based relationship building in the foreground.
Yes, it is often necessary. Many visual novels are originally in Japanese. If you don't know Japanese, you might miss out on a large number of great visual novels. Only a portion of the most popular ones get translated into other languages.
I'm not sure specifically as there could be many different 'critical point visual novels'. It might be a story that reaches a crucial or 'critical point' in the plot, which is common in visual novels. Visual novels usually involve a lot of text and some illustrations, so it could be about a character's decision at a critical moment, like in a mystery where they figure out the key clue at a crucial time.
Not necessarily. You can enjoy either one first. The anime and the visual novel have their own unique charms and can be appreciated independently.
You need to focus on the storylines and character development. They're key in these games.
There's 'Danganronpa'. It has a really unique style with mystery and high - stakes situations. The choices you make can have significant consequences, much like in 'point of no return visual novel'. Also, 'Fate/stay night' is quite similar. It has different routes and a point where the story really commits to a particular path, similar to the concept of no return.