What are the best practices for character customization in an itch.io visual novel?

To create a character customization system, it's important to plan it out. Decide what kind of customization you want - physical features, personality traits, or both. For the implementation, you might need to learn some programming languages like Python if you're using Ren'Py. You can also get inspiration from other media, like RPG games where character customization is common. Make sure the customization options are intuitive for the players to use so they can enjoy creating their unique characters in your visual novel.

Some popular ones include 'Doki Doki Literature Club'. It's well - known for its unique storytelling and engaging characters. However, it also contains disturbing themes that some may find uncomfortable.

One popular visual novel on itch io is 'Oxenfree'. It has a supernatural theme and engaging dialogue system. The story is about a group of friends who accidentally open a rift to another dimension while on an overnight trip. 'Papers, Please' is another interesting one. You play as an immigration inspector in a fictional dystopian country, and your decisions shape the story. Additionally, '80 Days' is based on Jules Verne's classic novel. You race around the world in 80 days, and there are various paths and adventures along the way.

Well, one feature is the use of sound. They usually have eerie background music and sound effects like creaking doors or howling winds that enhance the horror experience. Also, the decision - making aspect in these visual novels can lead to different outcomes, some of which can be even more terrifying. Some of them also use psychological horror elements, playing on the player's fears and insecurities. For instance, a character's slow descent into madness can be really unsettling. Moreover, the pacing can be slow at times to build up tension before a big scare or revelation.

Well, 'Lucah: Born of a Dream' is a great non - NSFW visual novel on itch io. It has a unique art style and an engaging story. 'VA - 11 HALL - A' is also very popular. It takes place in a bar where you interact with various characters and uncover their stories. And 'OneShot' offers a really interesting meta - narrative that draws players in without any NSFW elements.

You can start by looking at the top - rated and most - downloaded ones on the itch io website. The reviews and ratings can give you a good idea of the quality.

To find good visual novels on itch io, first, explore the collections dedicated to visual novels. These collections often gather high - quality works. Follow some indie game developers or visual novel creators on itch io. They may post about their new releases or recommend other great visual novels. Another way is to join itch io communities or forums where people discuss and recommend visual novels. You can get a lot of insider tips there.

One horror visual novel on itch io worth checking out is 'Angels of Death'. It has a unique setting in a building full of killers and a girl trying to escape. The characters are well - developed and add to the overall horror feel. There's also 'Misao', which is set in a school environment and has some really creepy elements. 'The Witch's House' is another great option with its own brand of horror and puzzles.

You can start by using the search function on itch.io and filter out inappropriate tags. Also, look for tags like 'family - friendly', 'all - ages', or specific genre tags such as 'fantasy' or 'mystery' that are not related to adult content.

First, go to the itch io website and type in relevant keywords like 'visual novel' and 'family - friendly' in the search bar. Then, sort the results by popularity or rating. Browse through the descriptions and screenshots of the visual novels that come up. Look for ones that mention positive values, simple and clean storylines, and lack of adult - themed content. Additionally, some itch io events or showcases might focus on family - friendly content, so keep an eye out for those as well.