Secret Angel
Secret Angel is a romance visual novel designed primarily for female audiences.
The concept is inspired by two distinct ideas. Firstly, it draws from a classic group game where individuals draw names to become a ‘secret angel’ to someone else in the group. In this role, they perform kind acts for their assigned person without disclosing their identity. Secondly, it plays on the similar-sounding term ‘secret agent.’
This unique blend leads to an intriguing ‘what-if’ scenario: Imagine a world where a detective agency exists, not to spy on individuals, but to offer secret and benevolent protection.
Warning: Spoiler Alert!
The Plot
The story centres around you, a young woman who discovers that she is the recipient of mysterious acts of kindness from an unknown individual (the gender is player-determined, but for convenience, referred to using ‘he/him’ here). With the help of your best friend, Sam, you eventually confront your enigmatic benefactor, a man named Lloyd. Initially, Lloyd evades you, concealing his identity and motives, yet continues his secret acts of kindness. Your quest to uncover Lloyd’s reasons intensifies, especially after he saves you in a critical situation, leading to an unexpected romance. However, Lloyd confesses that he can’t pursue a relationship with you. He is an agent of ‘Secret Angel,’ an agency whose code of ethics mandates anonymity and prohibits intimate relationships with clients. This revelation not only exposes Lloyd’s true intentions but also leads you to question the identity of Lloyd’s actual client. As the story unfolds, it shockingly emerges that the real source of kindness is Sam, your best friend, who has harboured a secret love for you for years. Now faced with a heart-wrenching decision, you must choose between Lloyd and Sam.
Controlling Idea
The central theme of the visual novel revolves around a poignant question: Is it necessary to reveal your identity when performing acts of kindness? This question, defined during the planning stage of the story, guides the narrative as the player embarks on a journey to find an answer.
Interactive Dialogue
In crafting the interactive dialogues, the game prioritises player agency while avoiding overly complex branching narratives. At the end of the story, players have the freedom to choose their love interest, leading to various story endings.
Inclusiveness
The visual novel is told from a second-person perspective, and the protagonist’s identity is entirely determined by the player. To ensure inclusiveness, subtle choices are provided that allow players to reflect their sexual orientation. These choices will determine the genders of the two major love interests – the spy Lloyd and the best friend Sam. This approach enables players to find that the game narrative aligns with their sexual orientation seamlessly, without them being overtly aware of having made these choices.
Endnote
I embarked on this project with a solid background in linear novel writing, where mastering story arcs and language were no longer significant challenges. As an avid fan of visual novels, I was also confident in my branching technique. However, the most challenging aspect turned out to be managing the story’s atmosphere and the player’s perception of its genre. Since the story is a romance with a mysterious veneer, striking the right balance between the two is crucial. During playtesting, there were instances where the mystery elements overshadowed the romance, making Lloyd, particularly in the early stages, appear more like a stalker or killer than the protagonist’s guardian. Several adjustments were necessary to achieve a harmonious blend.