No doubt, the thing you want is Ren'py.
Basically, it operates through the programming language Python and is specifically designed to be a visual novel engine, which lends itself well to the whole dating sim style of game. I can tick off nearly everything on your list if you'd like.
- Multiple choice responsesBy far probably the easiest to work with. Ren'py can save string, float and integer responses, and can even seamlessly integrate this in with dialogue between characters. You can summon 'menus' with choices listed out for the player, or you can program your own to use your own design if you want.
- Narration, maybe, although I like to 'show' not 'tell'.The narration is also super simple, write dialogue, assign to a specific actor in the project, and bravo that character is now saying the spoken dialogue. Can also do all basic bb code in the text, even links if you want to be able to explain something by a person clicking on a piece of text.
- ImagesRen'py is designed to use images as it's sprites, mainly just import pictures using specific programming, and that image will be logged under an easy to use the tag for the rest of the game.
- SoundsRen'py sports not only sound but three different sound channels for music, sounds and voice, all with customizable volumes, as well as the ability to create unique sound tags with different internal volumes.
- Simple animations or sequences, maybe. Not pixel art.It's got the basics, this is the one I'm not as sure about, as I'm not sure what is required for the project. It has your fades, dissolves, slides and the basic movie maker level of effects available. (even pixelate
)
The only issue Ren'py presents is that it doesn't have much in the way of user-friendly mechanics, it creates a project, here's the base code, go wild. For those more unfamiliar with programming, wrangling this thing beyond an absolute basic text adventure can be troublesome. Of course, there are those that would be happy enough to help out with issues (such as myself, just hit me up with a PM if you have any issues
), but without a basic knowledge of programming, I honestly wouldn't recommend Ren'py, otherwise, Yes yes yes.
If you feel still uncomfortable with Ren'py, I can also recommend something along the lines of Novelty, however, the options available to you with building block editors are far inferior of the freedom Ren'py grants, but that's all up to you, it is your game.