--- key: mechanic/visual-novel--family-21 type: mechanic id: visual-novel--family-21 lang: en title: Narrative structures summary: >- Connections between scenes, points of view, and paths determine the order in which the story is encountered and the parts of it that are accessible. updatedAt: '2026-10-22' status: active url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/visual-novel--family-21/' jsonUrl: >- https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/visual-novel--family-21.json markdownUrl: >- https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/visual-novel--family-21.md aliases: [] tags: - Visual novels - Structures sourceIds: - source-8fcf1671c353b49b sources: - id: source-8fcf1671c353b49b title: Disco Elysium url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/' verifiedAt: null relations: [] placements: - catalogId: visual-novel id: family-21 title: Visual novels url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/visual-novel/#family-21' categoryIds: - section-4 supersededBy: [] attributes: preview: updatedAt: '2026-10-22' title: Narrative structures description: >- Connections between scenes, points of view, and paths determine the order in which the story is encountered and the parts of it that are accessible. image: src: images/mechanics/disco-elysium-dialogue.webp width: 1440 height: 810 crop: x: 563 'y': 38 width: 825 height: 712 game: Disco Elysium sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/' originalUrl: >- https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/632470/ss_23836438cd455287232be5ae9c4f48d5c488967b.1920x1080.jpg?t=1780913406 credit: ZA/UM rights: © ZA/UM. All rights reserved. caption: Replies offer different conversation paths alt: Replies offer different conversation paths markers: - x: 79 'y': 72 label: Available replies define the next transitions tips: - 'Distinguish perspective, story branches and revisiting a familiar scene.' examples: - title: Disco Elysium url: >- https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/ endsAt: null provenance: >- Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review. license: CC-BY-4.0 codeLicense: MIT attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors catalogKey: catalog/visual-novel --- # Narrative structures id: visual-novel--family-21 type: mechanic key: mechanic/visual-novel--family-21 lang: en status: active url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/visual-novel--family-21/ Connections between scenes, points of view, and paths determine the order in which the story is encountered and the parts of it that are accessible. ## At a glance ![Replies offer different conversation paths](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/disco-elysium-dialogue.webp) [Disco Elysium](https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/) · © ZA/UM. All rights reserved. 1. Available replies define the next transitions - Distinguish perspective, story branches and revisiting a familiar scene. - [Disco Elysium](https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/) ## How it works Connections between scenes, points of view, and paths determine the order in which the story is encountered and the parts of it that are accessible. ## Variants ### Variants and applications - Linear kinetic novel. Type: Structures. Rule: The story proceeds without choosing a plot direction; Interactivity may be limited to reading. - Branch tree. Type: Structures. Rule: Consistent decisions lead to divergent scenes and endings... - Fork with toe. Type: Structures. Rule: Different episodes return to a common plot point... - General route and separate branches. Type: Structures. Rule: The opening line leads into the route of the character or plot topics. - Nodal structure with a center. Type: Structures. Rule: The player returns to the place where he selected independent episodes. - Parallel lines of heroes. Type: Structures. Rule: History consists of several points of view... - Nonlinear discovery of fragments. Type: Structures. Rule: Parts of the story are available out of chronological order. - Cyclic structure. Type: Structures. Rule: History involves a return to a familiar period or state. - Assembling a story from conditional events. Type: Structures. Rule: Suitable episodes are selected based on the current state of the world and the hero. - Multiple endings. Type: Structures. Rule: The ending is determined by a set of conditions and decisions. - Unlockable final route. Type: Structures. Rule: The final line requires you to go through other routes or collect information... - Cumulative epilogue. Type: Structures. Rule: The total is compiled from individual results for characters and storylines. ## Context and limits Author's working classification for designing games and interactions. Options can overlap and combine; the list is not a generally accepted standard or proven exhaustive list. Application examples are conditional unless a specific verifiable observation is indicated nearby. Sources support individual techniques and technical limitations. ## Connected materials ## Sources and provenance Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review. - [Disco Elysium](https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/) (id: source-8fcf1671c353b49b) CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors