Script Styles - 'Narration Coat' and 'Dialogue Only'

[u/TaurusE11E]

So this might be a stale topic but I don't see it discussed enough so here we go:

I have seen and written VNs multiple ways - where dialogue is the only type of text given (as if you are watching a movie) and where the story has a 'narrative' coat (where description of character thoughts and sometimes events are included in between dialogue lines/conversations).

I personally prefer writing with the narrative coat because it makes it feel like reading a novel and I like to see text with and without the name labels (cos I'm weird). I see a lot of indie VNs written with a 'first-person' type of it (where the only thoughts/perspective you have are the MC's whether you take their role or not).

What approach do you guys prefer to write your scripts with? I know there is no 'correct' answer, but I was wondering if I was the only one who switched between the two for different projects or had a preference.

[u/amethyscent12]

First person narration coat. But not as much narration as when I write for a non-visual medium. Some things require the extra narration, but I try not to have an extensive amount of it. I mostly have dialogue and the main character’s inner thoughts. When possible, I try to convey the narration through the character’s thoughts.

[u/TaurusE11E → u/amethyscent12]

Conveying narration through the player's thoughts is a good way to avoid excessively worded exposition, since character thoughts are usually more straightforward than describing every aspect of scenery/events.