Visual novels have become some of the most played video games on the market, from well-known favorites such as the Phoenix Wright games to lesser known gems like Tokyo Dark. Many visual novels are adapted from manga or anime, or they inspire an anime adaptation. With multiple storylines and often several possible endings, visual novels have earned a reputation for compelling storytelling and beautiful visuals.
However, with so many visual novels on the market, and across so many platforms, fans or newcomers might be overwhelmed by the wealth of choice. For those who love playing on a PC, there are some visual novels that remain an absolute must-play for new and long-standing players.
10 AI: The Somnium Files Is An Intriguing Sci-Fi Mystery
AI: The Somnium Files is a compelling sci-fi mystery visual novel. The players follow Date, a police officer who gets wrapped up in a case pursuing the Cyclops Killer. AI: The Somnium Files also puts an interesting twist on the neo-noir detective genre.
In the game, Date can explore other characters' dream worlds in short, timed puzzle segments. Created by Kotaro Uchikoshi (Zero Escape) and Yusuke Kozaki (NO MORE HEROES, Fire Emblem), AI: The Somnium Files is unsurprisingly beautiful, with moving 3D models instead of still images.
9 Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy Is A Classic Must-Play
The original Phoenix Wright trilogy remains one of the most successful visual novels on the market and has gained a massive fan base. The trilogy includes over 50 hours of crime-solving, and each unique case presents players with new twists and significant character developments.
As Phoenix Wright, players fight to save innocent clients in a court of law and solve the intriguing mysteries behind each case. The trilogy has sold over six million copies worldwide, making it a must-play title for any new or long-time visual novel fans.
8 Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Is One Of The Best "Killing" Games
In Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, the player controls Makoto Naegi, a student from the elite school Hope's Peak, who' forced into a killing game with other students. The first game in the series of killing games, Danganropa is full of unique characters, who each have special abilities.
Trigger Happy Havoc's pacing is excellent, with the chapters split into two parts: School Life and the Class Trial. After waking up in one of the school's classrooms, Naegi realizes he's trapped with a group of other students. The classmates soon discover they must kill each other if they ever want to leave the school.
7 The Fruit Of Grisaia Is Heart-Wrenching And Beautiful
The Fruit of Grisaia is a psychological drama, romance visual novel where players follow transfer student Yuuji to a small, five student only school. Yuuji and the other students each have unique backgrounds, and all the main female characters are romanceable.
The Fruit of Grisaia provides players with over 50 hours of story and a branching plot line with multiple endings, each depending on the decisions the player makes. There are five major plot lines following each heroine, but some decisions will end the game prematurely.
6 Senren ＊ Banka Puts A Supernatural Twist On Romance
Senren ＊ Banka is a newer visual novel. The charming supernatural romance takes place in the town of Hoori, which seems to be a few decades behind the rest of the world. After being forced to visit his grandfather, Arichi Masaomi attends a spring festival and accidentally breaks a mythical sword, leading to various spirit-themed mishaps.
Masaomi ends up engaged to a Shrine Priestess and lands smack in the center of the demonic activity. Armed with the sword Murasumemaru, Masaomi decides to purge Hoori of its curse. Like any good visual novel, Senren * Banka includes several storylines with unique characters throughout.
5 Steins;Gate Is The Best Installment In Science Adventure
Developed by 5pb. and Nitroplus, Steins;Gate is the second game in the Science Adventure series, following Chaos;Head. This interesting sci-fi story follows a group of students as they develop time altering technology. Players mainly follow Okabe Rintarou, who discovers time travel via his microwave.
Steins;Gate is indeed humorous, but becomes more gripping and intense as the story continues, especially as each character comes to grips with the dire consequences of changing history. Brittany Vincent at Destructoid describes it as "an exemplary visual novel with a thrilling premise, memorable characters, and a fantastic 'true' ending that may very well move you to tears."
4 Zero Escape: The Nonary Games Are The Forerunners Of Escape Games
Zero Escape: The Nonary Games includes the first two games in the Zero Escape series (999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, and Virtue's Last Reward). The Nonary Games have around 40 hours of mystery and puzzle solving content, with players following a group of individuals who've been kidnapped by a person code-named "Zero."
Like Saw or Alice in Borderland, the group must play a game of life and death in order to escape. The gameplay is thrilling and involving, split between novel sections and puzzle gameplay. Like many other visual novels, Zero Escape has branching storylines and multiple endings influenced by player choices.
3 Little Busters! Is Heartbreaking But Stunning
Little Busters! is one of the most successful and heartbreaking games by Key, the same creators behind Clannad and Summer Pockets. Players follow the orphan Riki as he navigates daily life with his childhood friends, the Little Busters: Kyousuke Natsume, Masato Inohara, Kengo Miyazawa, and Rin Natsume.
However, not everything is as it seems. With multiple endings and storylines, players will need to replay the game multiple times to grasp the entirety of the story. Little Busters! proves itself a visual novel bound to make players break down in tears.
2 Clannad Is A Fan Favorite High School Drama
Clannad is an emotional romance drama visual novel, following high schooler Tomoya as he tries to find purpose through the people he meets and the romances he pursues. After his mother's death, Tomoya struggles and wishes to find deeper meaning in life.
After meeting fellow delinquent Nagisa, Tomoya begins to make friends and enjoy his life. Clannad has many branching character routes, one for each of the main female characters, and has around 80 hours of gameplay.
1 The House In Fata Morgana Is Stunningly Gorgeous Gothica
The House in Fata Morgana is arguably the best visual novel on Steam and has a fantastically woven story, one that's impossible to forget. Players are an amnesiac man who awakens in a mysteriously beautiful gothic mansion, where a nameless maid tells him a story that allows him to uncover the mysteries connected to the mansion and himself.
Not only does The House in Fata Morgana have stunning visuals reminiscent of Castlevania, but it also has a chilling soundtrack and an epic storyline. The story spans several time periods as players learn more about the protagonist and his past, returning to centuries long past.