RELATED: Best-Rated $60 Games on Steam (& Worst)
Due to the overwhelming number of visual novels on Steam, it is difficult for fans to know where to start. To get readers started, here are the top visual novels on Steam. These rankings are based on the quality of the story, characters, and visual/audio presentation.
Updated November 9th, 2022 by Russ Boswell: Steam features a wide array of visual novels that cover quite a few genres. There should be something for everyone when it comes to the best visual novels on Steam, and there are likely quite a few independent and lesser-known projects that many players don’t know about. Although many visual novels appeal to those seeking romantic storylines, there are still quite a few titles out there that offer completely different and unique experiences. Some of the best visual novels subvert the genre and give players access to unique premises that will keep them on the edge of their seats. To better showcase the best visual novels on Steam, the following list has been updated.
21 Bad End Theater
Price: $9. 99
Not all Visual Novels have a heavy focus on romance or relationships. Those looking for something that’s a bit more rooted in mystery and excitement should check out Bad End Theater. This colorful, video game-esque visual novel that has players making decisions in order to protect (or hinder) a cast of characters. The choices made can affect the story of each individual involved and players will have to go through multiple storylines to see the fate of each cast member present.
Bad End Theater oozes visual style, setting itself apart from the usual visual novel offerings with a dark, bleak, yet strangely appealing art style.
20 Aokana - Four Rhythms Across The Blue
Price: $34. 99
Those looking for something a bit different should be sure to check out Aokana - Four Rhythms Across The Blue. This visual novel is one of the best-rated on the Steam platform and although it does feature some romance elements, its main focus is on an interesting new futuristic sport. Characters in the world of Aokana wear special Anti-Graviton shoes and battle against one another to be the best at a game called Flying Circus.
This visual novel features some impressive art and a unique premise that should keep players hooked.
19 Hatoful Boyfriend
Price: $9. 99
Perhaps the most surreal, strange, and endearing visual novel on this list, Hatoful Boyfriend is a cult classic that spread like wildfire across the VN genre. Those that haven’t had a chance to place this insanely odd adventure should definitely put it at the top of their list. With situations that are rather comical and an array of downright emotional scenes, Hatoful Boyfriend sees players romancing a “flock” of potential suitors.
Although it’s perhaps not the best title on this list in terms of writing and direction, Hatoful Boyfriend has some impressively genuine scenes that may tug at a heartstring or two.
18 VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
Price: $14. 99
A fascinating mix of sim and visual novel, VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action places players in the shoes of a bartender whose drinks have the power to change the course of destiny (in the sense that they impact the story’s progression). Opting against a linear progression, VA-11 Hall-A brings a revolving door of intriguing personalities to the player’s bar stool, sparking conversations that can leave long-lasting impressions.
Visual novels live and die by their stories, and while VA-11 Hall-A’s narrative threads are not as gripping as some of the genre’s absolutely best offerings, they are complemented by delightful gameplay elements that most of the game’s contemporaries simply do not offer.
17 Doki Doki Literature Club!
Price: Free
As far as visual novels go, none have been as deceptively mundane and serene as Doki Doki Literature Club! The freeware title developed by Team Salvato was released back in 2017 and quickly gained popularity when word of its duplicitous narrative spread.
The story follows a protagonist who joins his childhood friend’s literature club, where he meets and interacts with three other heroines. The game seems to be a standard dating sim, but the routes unfold in rather unsettling and inconceivable ways.
16 Higurashi: When They Cry
Price: $53. 93 (Complete Collection)
Similar to DDLK, Higurashi presents itself as an innocent slice-of-life adventure before turning things around on the player. Higurashi creator Ryukishi07 masterfully utilizes an assortment of anime tropes to lull players into a false sense of security, before gradually undoing the pleasant veneer that initially covers the troubled village of Hinamizawa.
Higurashi follows Keiichi Maebra who after moving to the idyllic village of Hinamizawa, soon learns of a series of mysterious deaths attributed to the town deity, all of which revolve around the village’s annual Watanagashi Festival. As players learn more about Hinamizawa’s dark past, everything about the village – including Keiichi’s new friends – starts to raise suspicion. The series is split into individual question and answer arcs, with the former presenting players with the bulk of the main mystery, and the latter utilizing the clues spread throughout the narrative to gradually connect the dots.
15 Umineko: When They Cry
Price: $79. 97 (Complete Collection)
Unlike Higurashi, which carefully utilizes elements of psychological horror to unnerve players, Umineko instead presents them with a series of murder mysteries that seem impossible to solve. The story follows the events of the annual Urshiromiya Family gathering on the remote island of Rokkenjima. A devastating typhoon leads way to a series of occult murders, with Battler Ushiromiya, the sole survivor forced into a game of wits with the apparent culprit; Beatrice The Golden Witch.
RELATED: Longest Visual Novels (& How Long They Take To Read)
Umineko also makes use of various question and answer arcs to develop the various narrative threads and character arcs throughout the 50+ hour-long mystery. True to form, Ryukishi07’s story is filled with twists and turns that invite the player to do their best in solving the seemingly inexplicable mystery at large.
14 The Silver Case
Price: $19. 99
Grasshopper Manufacture might be more well known for games like Killer Is Dead, Lollipop Chainsaw, and No More Heroes these days, but they got their start with The Silver Case back in 1999. Possessing all the early trademarks of an early Suda game, The Silver Case places players in control of different characters in two separate scenarios, both revolving around a gruesome murder investigation.
The Silver Case didn’t get a worldwide release until 2016 and has since been ported from the PC to the Switch and PS4. It stands out as one of the most unique visual novels Steam has to offer, and the obscurity of the title makes it a hidden gem just waiting to be discovered.
13 Chaos;Child
Price: $34. 99
Serving as a thematic sequel to 2008’s Chaos;Head, Chaos;Child doesn’t necessarily require that you played the original, though a certain knowledge of its world and lore would certainly make for a much more enjoyable experience.
The game follows Takuru Miyashiro and takes place six years after the events of the original. Just as in Chaos;Head the narrative revolves around a series of bizarre murders which draws the main character into a world of deception and mystery. Chaos;Head has tons of replay value, as it forces players to complete its main route before unlocking subsequent paths which help uncover elements of the overall mystery later on.
12 Psychedelica Of The Ashen Hawk
Price: $29. 99
Psychedelica of the Ashen Hawk is an Otome visual novel that is a sequel to Psychedelica of the Black Butterfly. Otome (maiden games) are aimed at a female audience and allow the player to romance the male cast. The story follows Jed, a young woman who is raised as a man because of her red-colored eyes. Red eyes in the world of Psychedelica of the Ashen Hawk are a sign of a witch that brings misfortune. Follow her through her journey to hide her identity and survive the old Salem reminiscent town where she lives.
11 Raging Loop
Price: $29. 99
Raging Loop is a mystery/horror visual novel where a young man finds himself trapped in a strange, remote village with bizarre traditions. Follow the protagonist as he struggles to stay alive when murders begin to occur, and villagers say it is due to a mythical deity. Find out why these murders are happening, and if this tragedy is being caused by gods or humans. Fans of this game know that it keeps you on the edge of your seat as you anticipate what could possibly happen next.
10 Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Price: $29. 99
Containing the original Phoenix Wright trilogy, this collection offers great value for money for newcomers to the series. While those who already played these games will not find too much to get excited about in this trilogy, everyone else can look forward to 50+ hours of crime-solving, over-the-top personalities, and anime goodness.
Phoenix Wright is incredibly well-written, with each case coming with its share of twists, heart-pounding moments in the court, and development for the recurring characters. Each individual game is a contender for one of the best visual novels ever, so the trilogy is a no-brainer.
9 AI: The Somnium Files
Price: $39. 99
AI: The Somnium Files is a sci-fi/mystery visual novel. The protagonist, Date, is a special police officer who becomes wrapped up a serial killer case nicknamed the Cyclops Killer. Date obtains the ability to explore other characters’ dream worlds as short, timed puzzle segments.
RELATED: The Best Puzzle Games of All Time (According to Metacritic)
This visual novel has a notably beautiful presentation with gorgeous and moving 3D models instead of still images.
8 The Fruit Of Grisaia
Price: $39. 99
The Fruit of Grisaia is a psychological drama/romance visual novel. The main character, Yuuji, is a transfer student to a small school with only five students. Yuuji and the other students all have their own “unique circumstances” that require them to be there. The main female characters are all romanceable and have their own unique story routes.
The Fruit of Grisaia is very long, with over 50 hours of story, and has two direct sequels to enjoy after completion.
7 Senren ＊ Banka
Price: $34. 99
Released in February 2020, Senren ＊ Banka is a charming supernatural, romance visual novel with six routes. Set in the picturesque town of Hoori that seems to be a few decades behind the rest of the world, Arichi Masaomi accidentally breaks a mythical sword that causes a speak in spirit-themed mishaps. Naturally, Masaomi ends up engaged to a Shrine Priestess and stuck in the middle of a lot of demonic activity.
Senren ＊ Banka features likable characters, an intriguing sense of mystery surrounding the history of Hoori, and decent romance-driven routes for Masaomi’s potential love interests.
6 Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Price: $19. 99
Danganronpa is one of the more well-known games on this list. It is known for the crazy characters that inhabit its world and its thrilling mystery story. Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc is the first game in this series of “killing” games. The story of Danganronpa begins with Hope’s Peak Academy, a school of elite students all with their own ultimate ability.
RELATED: Danganronpa: Reasons V3 Ruined The Series (& For Why It Made The Series Better)
The main character, Naegi, is on his way to his first day at Hope’s Peak Academy when he loses consciousness and awakens in one of the classrooms under strange circumstances. He realizes that he is trapped there with a group of other students. Then, a strange game begins where the classmates are told they must kill each other if they want to ever leave the school.
5 Steins;Gate
Price: $29. 99
Steins;Gate is another well-known visual novel, particularly adored by anime fans. This visual novel is a sci-fi/mystery, and the second game in the Science Adventure series. Okabe Rintarou, a “mad scientist,” is the main character, who figures out a way to time travel with only his microwave.
As funny as this premise may sound, the story becomes more gripping and less humorous over time as the consequences of time travel become apparent.
4 Zero Escape: The Nonary Games
Price: $29. 99
Zero Escape: The Nonary Games includes the first two games in the Zero Escape series. These two games are 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, and Virtue’s Last Reward. These games are mystery/puzzle visual novels.
There is a lot to enjoy here with interesting and memorable characters, a compelling mystery, and brain-testing puzzles. Zero Escape: The Nonary Games will take players around 40 hours to complete.
3 Clannad
Price: $44. 99
Clannad is a romance/drama visual novel by Key. The main character, Tomoya, is depressed and lost at the beginning of the story. Follow Tomoya as he finds his purpose through the people he meets and the romances he pursues.
RELATED: Every Possible Hawaii Date in Persona 5, Ranked
Clannad has many branching character routes, one for each of the main female characters, and is roughly 80 hours long.
2 Little Busters!
Price: $34. 99
Little Busters! is another romance/drama game by Key, the same creators of the previous entry, Clannad. The main character is a weak young man with narcolepsy named Riki. The story follows his daily life with his childhood friends. However, the player soon finds that not everything is as it seems in this peaceful world.
There are many different endings to uncover in Little Busters! so players will need to replay the game multiple times to grasp the entirety of the story.
