泣(な)きゲー(Nakigē) is a genre of Visual Novels with the purpose of making the player burst into tears while they’re playing the game.
It is most famously, and possibly most effectively, by Key who, I believe, also coined the term ‘Nakige’^A). It is used most famously (and possibly most effectively) by Key.

The word ｢泣(な)きゲー｣ is a portmanteau of 泣(な)き(crying/weeping) and ゲーム(game). Hence ‘Crying Game’. The formula is¹⁾:
The first part of the story is dedicated to introductions and intended to get players attached to the characters through comedy and slice-of-life shenanigans.
After all the characters are introduced, we get a slight breather. During this time, we start to slowly learn about the pasts/problems of the characters.
At this point, the amount of comedy is reduced a bit. We eventually learn everything about the characters. The player usually has to solve whatever problems the characters have.
By the end of the game you’re left crying.

• I started to think that perhaps this is more of a story structure than a genre, but oh well.