[deleted, double post]

If you play games purely for their story, then yes. Games are played for the gameplay content. But my point is with regards to games where the story is the primary appeal of the game (or rather "game"), things like walking simulators. You don't get to make any interesting choices in a walking simulator, so what's even the point of holding W?

For the experiance of playing it. Plus most people like to play through a game themslves rather than just watching one.

Plus people can enjoy a relaxing experience.

Sure is, dating "simulators" ... ?

Fire Emblem is one of my favorite games as well. Good taste my dude. I've played and replayed Fire Emblem 7 about 6 times and I'll probably replay it again at some point in the future.

In terms of Visual Novels, it depends on the VN in question. One of the only VNs I've ever played was Danganronpa (I think its a VN at least, someone correct me if I'm wrong), and I only did that recently. Player agency *is* a big deal in that game. Your choices, coming to your own conclusions through trial and error, and a gameplay element that ties directly into story progression is present. There is an actual "game" portion that is directly connected with story progression. Seeing a mystery being solved (as oftentimes no-commentary youtube playthroughs aren't blind but done by people who already know all the correct answers) versus solving it yourself through your own attempts at conclusions and trial and error are two very different things.
Though that was sort of a puzzle/ murder mystery VN and its also, again, one of the only VNs I've played.
Considering how important decisions are in the context of visual novels, if a youtuber takes a different decision than you, its just... not the same. In the context of Danganronpa, a murder-mystery puzzle VN, it would be best to come through your own conclusions through trial and error, especially for such a wild game (or VN, whatever) like it. The lacking sense of realization and the increased detachment through watching a youtuber do it is just not the same, though I will admit that for VNs its a lot easier to experience through watching than other types of games. Though its not always the case and it can spoil experiences.

Not an expert here, but playing things yourself does make a difference, even if the gameplay is minimal at best. Something about feeling in control. Or pacing with walking simulators. The option to take envrionments in on your own time adds something that would be lost, if you only consumed the narrative portions. The few VNs I played also featured a first person perspective, so the game and its characters were addressing you directly. Just a tiny bit immersion I think would be lost as well. If you're into the uncensored stuff my guess is that might be difficult to find on Youtube as well. Not to mention seriously challenging to properly enjoy, when some joker tries to be funny in his lewd letsplay.

Or just download the free one and check it out for yourself. Diving right in usually gets the best results, if you want to broaden your horizon.

This might sound strange, but sometimes I actually find it difficult to watch videos of games like Dear Esther because the player doesn't look where I want to look. Merely having control over the in-game camera and deciding what to look at and when to look at it could be considered a choice. Is that a meaningful choice? Well, the answer to that will probably vary from person to person, but I imagine it would be considered meaningful by people who want to buy the game (and who enjoy playing it).

Edit: Even for kinetic novels, there is the question of reading speed, which also varies by person. I'd rather play the VN directly and read at my own natural pace than fiddle with playback controls for uploaders who read slower or faster than I do.

It's simple really. You control the pace. For example, you are at a scene and you see a background art with lot of details. You can sit there and examine it for how long ever you like or listen to the wonderful music until you decide to move on with the story. Also many VNs have choices to make which lead to different endings that might take maaaany hours to go through. Would you sit through a 50-70 hour playthrough on YT ? I wouldn't. In addition, as another commenter pointed out, you don't have to put up with the "funny" comments of the random YT person that plays the game. Lastly, don't underestimate the immersion you get when you are playing.

PS. Most Walking Simulators have a bad story and boring writing(i am looking at you Dear Esther) while that is not true for most VNs IMO.

Depends on the type of visual novel, they can be very different.

Some VNs include pretty well done gameplay. There are VNs with RPG elements, strategy gameplay, interactive adventure game elements, and so on.

But for VNs without gameplay, your question can be answered by a counter question: What is the appeal of books?

Most VNs are just books with illustrations, music, and (sometimes) voice acting. Many also include some branching - you can see different variants of the story depending on your choices. There can also be distinct routes - different stories that develop from the same starting point.
If you like to read, then visual novels can be a very worthwhile medium.

So what kind of games are these? Telltale type stuff with a J-twist?

I actually grabbed the freebie one that looks more like a turnbased strat game. I absolutely LOVED this strange little Gameboy (or maybe DS?) game called Super Robot Taisen - so I'm hoping it's a bit like that (though I don't expect it to be quite as deep).

From looking at the video in the announce post on the front page, it looks like one of them is a "Walk in during shower S(t)imulator)" LOL.

Apparently not liking something that's popular is worthy of down votes, despite the fact that I'm not unhappy they are here. Not happy, by any means, but not unhappy.

Its more not being open (the person). Just because you don't like a game, doesn't mean it should'nt be here and you should turn into a Steamian and say I dont want this upon my store so you have no right to sell it! People like different things, and people need to learn to ignore things they don't like.

Nice to see Higurashi When They Cry on here. Hope Umineko When They Cry and the fighting game spin off Golden Fantasia end up on gog eventually too.
also the salt this announcement cause is too delicious.

Cool, I already got Hustle Cat in a bundle. Did not find the time yet to play/read it (but that goes for many games and has nothing to do with the genre).