Translation guide
A video game genre focused on exploration, puzzle-solving, and narrative. In Japanese, the term is usually borrowed from English, but there are distinctions between text-based adventures and action-adventures.
アドベンチャーゲーム
adventure game
The broad genre of video games involving exploration and story, as opposed to pure action or simulation.
The standard loanword for 'adventure game'. Covers both text-based and graphic adventures. Widely understood.
最近、面白いアドベンチャーゲームを探している。
Lately, I've been looking for an interesting adventure game.
Abbreviation for 'AdVenture Game', used in gaming communities and media. Pronounced as individual letters.
このAVGはストーリーが秀逸だ。
This AVG has an outstanding story.
Adventure games that emphasize reading, choices, and branching narratives, often with minimal gameplay mechanics.
Specifically refers to visual novels or sound novels, a subgenre of adventure games where text and static images drive the experience.
このノベルゲームは選択肢によって結末が変わる。
In this visual novel, the ending changes depending on your choices.
A term coined by Chunsoft for their text-heavy adventure games with atmospheric sound and minimal graphics. Often used interchangeably with visual novel.
『かまいたちの夜』は有名なサウンドノベルだ。
'Banshee's Last Cry' is a famous sound novel.
Games that combine adventure elements (exploration, puzzles) with action gameplay (combat, platforming).
The standard term for action-adventure games. Used for titles like Zelda or Tomb Raider.
ゼルダの伝説はアクションアドベンチャーの代表作だ。
The Legend of Zelda is a classic action-adventure game.
Classic adventure games controlled by pointing and clicking to interact with the environment, solve puzzles, and advance the story.
Directly borrowed phrase for the subgenre. Often shortened to 'ポイントアンドクリック'.
昔のポイントアンドクリックアドベンチャーは難しかった。
Old point-and-click adventure games were difficult.
While アドベンチャーゲーム is the broad term, ノベルゲーム specifically highlights the text-heavy, choice-driven style. Use ノベルゲーム when you want to emphasize the reading experience over gameplay.
これはアクション要素がないので、アドベンチャーゲームというよりノベルゲームだ。
Since there are no action elements, it's more of a visual novel than an adventure game.
In Japanese gaming magazines and online forums, AVG is a common shorthand. It's understood as 'adventure game' but may not be familiar to casual players.
Direct loanword for 'visual novel'. Often used for games with more emphasis on artwork and character sprites.
ビジュアルノベルは日本で人気のジャンルです。
Visual novels are a popular genre in Japan.