A Step Closer (visual novel)

***A Step Closer** (formerly known as Fated Desire)* is current work-in-progress visual novel that is based on the fanfiction story with the same name. The story is based on the original story made by Key, *Angel Beats!* The visual novel does not have an estimated release date, due to artist availability and funding.

## Gameplay

The visual novel will follow the traditional style of visual novels, in which the majority of the storytelling is done by text with the player able to make different choices which can affect certain outcomes.

The main storyline from the fanfiction will be present with major changes. There will also be choices that the player can explore which will reveal a variety of content, including fan-made backstories, information about the verse, and side content that may be or may not be relevant to the main storyline.

While still under debate, the developer of the game may force the player who boots the game for the first time to play through the original storyline of the fanfiction with minor change, before the player is allowed to make individual choices. Depending on the player choices, they are able to get onto a main route that the player can take to get onto a specific playthrough which focuses on a single character. They are also able to pursue the character within the route they are on romantically should they choose to do so.

The visual novel is planned to contain explicit content which pertains to various subjects such as drugs, sex, and violence. These may be depicted through the use of words and illustrations.

Some illustrations may be drawn by different artists, however the focus is to maintain the Angel Beats VN artstyle or something similar, while providing a derelict feel.

## Plot

The story of the visual novel is to be based on the *Angel Beats!* anime series and visual novel, which retains the role of Yuzuru Otonashi as the main protagonist. The player takes on the role of Otonashi, who has since been placed back in his original timeline and comes out of alive. Finding out that his sister is still alive and well but still hospitalized, he pursues his dream of becoming a medical professional and does so in order to save his sister. Overtime, the condition of his sister continues to deteroriate and time is running out for both Otonashi and Hatsune to find a solution. From thereon, Otonashi's personality and storyline will change according to the player's choices.

## Release

The visual novel is planned to be released as one package, containing all the possible routes, information, and side-content. A trial version will be released to those who have donated to the Patreon page supporting the game's development. The current release date is unknown, but is expected to take a year or more to get fully completed.

## Music

The music featured in the visual novel is not based on a singular soundtrack, but instead soundtracks and music from various artists, games, and medias. This also includes the original music from the Angel Beats anime and visual novel.

## Artwork

All the artwork in the visual novel is often done through orders of commissions. While some artwork was done by Shiredora, the rest of the orders are now currently being placed under 1710Nakamura due to a better art style that goes in line with the original seen in 1st Beat.

## Routes

Various routes are planned in the visual novel, with planned routes being more or less guaranteed to be in the visual novel. There are other routes that are still being drafted, which don't have a storyline associated with them yet but have the original intention of being in the visual novel.

### Planned Routes

* Yuri Nakamura
	+ Romantic
	+ Otonashi Aggressive
* Masami Iwasawa
	+ Romantic
* Eri Shiina
	+ Otonashi Drug Abuse
	+ Shiina Memory Loss
	+ Romantic
* Hideki Hinata
	+ Otonashi Suicidal
* Noda
	+ Past
* Fujimaki
	+ Romantic
* Ooyama
	+ Romantic (TBD)
* Shiori Sekine
	+ Romantic
	+ Kill

### Drafting Routes

* Miyuki Irie
* Yusa
* Ayane Sarashiki
* Shizuka Tatenashi
* Orimura Yumiko