15 best visual novel games on PC to play in 2024

The mainstream Western gamer would rather play something more fast-paced and action-packed than visual novel games on PC, but this genre nonetheless managed to find its niche. The gameplay of such titles can be relatively poor, as it can be summarized as ‘click through to the next line, pick the reply option, that’s about it’. But the real highlight that draws the attention of the fans is the rich story. 

These games are worth reaching for if you value the plot and relationship development between characters more than any other aspects. The owners of Steam Deck should also pay attention to the genres; thanks to low requirements, they will not drain your device’s battery, making it a perfect choice for playing on the go. Therefore, it works perfectly for a pleasant, relaxing night’s reading.

What is a visual novel?

The gaming industry has become enormous and diverse, so there’s no shame in not knowing every type. “What is a visual novel?” – you may ask. Well, it’s a genre that originated in Japan but managed to gain popularity among a narrow circle of Western fans. Thus, don’t give yourself a tough time for not knowing.

Many gamers shrug such titles off as silly means of entertainment, which focus on the mere portrayal of 2D Japanese schoolgirls with different degrees of cuteness. We’re not going to deny that, although definitely not judging. You do you. But they can also offer some more ambitious and complex productions, which aren’t necessarily created in Japan.

But what is a visual novel game in a nutshell or in terms of gameplay? To oversimplify, it is an interactive comic book where a ”reader” determines the plot by making decisions. Each choice leads to another window with new dialogs and decisions that will determine the story’s ending.

Many gamers say that these should not be compared with series such as Call of Duty or Total War. The control mechanics are primitive, and the play-through looks more like a book-reading session than a regular video game. Nonetheless, these belong to a gaming category.

What are the best visual novel games on PC

Forget about quick-time events and chaotic action. Here’s our list of the best visual novel games on PC we think are worth trying out in 2024. Even if you’re not a fan of Japanese games, two titles from the list were developed in Europe. So, no excuses!

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy

These popular visual novels were previously available only on mobile devices and Nintendo’s consoles, but CAPCOM finally decided to release them on other platforms. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy is a must-play for all fans of the series, especially with a bunch of adjustments and bonus content included with this new edition.

As for the gameplay, it remains mostly unchanged. Stepping into the shoes of a lawyer, players will have to collect evidence and rack their brains in order to crack the case. The court battles are delightfully over-the-top, featuring plenty of shocking plot twists. As this collection includes three lengthy games, you will have numerous opportunities to scream “OBJECTION!” at the screen.

Clannad

Some veteran otakus might recognize it from the anime series of the same title. It’s a touching story about the fate of Tomoya, who graduates from school and soon starts his adult life. During his last year of studies, he meets several girls and tries to get to know them better. Although it sounds like the beginning of a cliché romantic comedy, players should not expect an unoriginal, whishy-washy story. 

Moral dilemmas, problems complicating the characters’ lives, and unexpected turns of fate will make even the toughest guys shed a tear, especially when Tomoya decides to start a family. At its debut in 2004, the game took the local market by storm, becoming the best-selling PC game in Japan.

Danganronpa Trilogy

Students and a psychopath teddy bear. What could go wrong? As it turns out, everything! All three main installments of the Danganronpa series are equally thrilling and have the same setting. A group of dozens or so high school students are locked up together. The only way to get out of the trap is to murder.

After a student gets eliminated and the crime scene is discovered, the trial begins. If the identity of the murderer is established, he will be executed. The killing spree will continue if you decide to convict the innocent student instead of the real culprit. As macabre as it sounds, the game series has its arresting vibe.

Doki Doki Literature Club

This is a beautiful example of how appearances can be deceptive. The game starts off as a typical dating simulator set in a high school’s literature club but, at a certain point, turns into something disturbing. Don’t let yourself be fooled and discouraged by the infantile beginning before getting to the real core of this visual novel. After all, there is a reason why it’s recommended for the adult audience only.

You don’t need to reach for the paid version to get to know Doki Doki Literature Club right away. The free version of the game is still available in the official distribution. Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! additionally offers a few new side stories and a few improvements, such as a built-in music player and better resolution.

Short on money but still need to enlarge your collection? Then check out our article about the best free single player games on PC to play in 2024.

Seers Isle

And here’s the promised break from Japanese aesthetics. The French developer Nova-Box decided to try their strength by developing an interactive fiction. The result turned out pretty good! To be more precise, Seers Isle takes place in a fantasy version of medieval Europe in the northern part of the continent.

The game tells the story of novice shamans who came to the mentioned island to learn the secrets of magic. However, the location hides many more mysteries and secrets players need to discover.

STEINS;GATE

The main character of STEINS;GATE is Okabe Rintarou, a student and self-proclaimed mad scientist who runs a laboratory in a rented apartment with his friends. After numerous unsuccessful experiments, one of his inventions starts working! It turns out that it had a more harmful effect on reality than anticipated. 

The scientist’s life turns upside down as he starts being followed by some hostile individuals. STEINS;GATE 0 is a sequel that continues the plot from one of the alternative endings. But it’s all too much to explain in one paragraph. You have to play and discover the mystery on your own. You’ll enjoy the ride as it’s considered one of the best visual novel games in 2024. 

The House in Fata Morgana

In this title, we dive into the tale of a man suffering from amnesia. After waking up, the protagonist comes across a woman claiming to be a maid. It turns out that he owns a vast household. (Nice!)

Together, they tour room to room to recover their lost memories. They realize there’s the manor house, and its inhabitants are cursed during the process. At first sight, the stories don’t seem to correlate, but the further the plot progresses, the more it becomes apparent that everything is connected. 

Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk

Are you getting bored of colorful titles with a cliché anime art style? Then the taste of Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk would certainly feel refreshing. Within the 20-minute play-through, it manages to leave a strong impression, even though the premise doesn’t sound like anything exciting. Doesn’t have refined visuals like many of the visual novel games on PC, but this characteristic works to its advantage.

When severe depression distorts your vision of reality, even a simple task of buying and drinking milk turns into a quest. That’s what the game portrays. The psychedelic black-and-red graphics and the hypnotic soundtrack do a splendid job of immersing us in the protagonist’s madness. The struggle continues in the sequel Milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk which maintains the grim atmosphere of apathy and despair.

Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries Of Honjo

Are you up for a spooky story inspired by Japanese urban legends? Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo starts with a bang, and then it gets even more crazy. As the plot thickens, reality starts mixing with fiction, resulting in a truly immersive (and sometimes scary) experience.

The gameplay is simple yet engaging. Players are tasked with investigating mysterious supernatural phenomena, which involves examining various objects and connecting the dots to reach the truth. Thanks to its dark atmosphere and gripping plot, many gamers consider Paranormasight to be among the best adult visual novel games on the market.

Umineko/Higurashi When They Cry

This horror adventure is a bit different from other visual novels in the way it’s played. The story is entirely linear most of the time, and the player practically has no way of influencing it except at the end of Umineko When They Cry. 

Despite the rather minimalistic gameplay, the plot twists are so engaging and unexpected that it’s hard to take your eyes off your screen.

Zero Escape Trilogy

Zero Escape combines the features of novelties and adventure games. Thus it’s divided into two gameplay elements. The first one is a story sequence, which is pretty standard for novels, while the second one resembles the Myst series. As you control from the first-person viewpoint, the player’s task is to solve the puzzles. In this story, you find yourself among kidnapped students who are forced to participate in a brutal game. Blood and violence are expected.

It is worth playing the two games included in The Nonary Games pack in chronological order, as the events of both games are closely related. The third installment of the series, Zero Time Dilemma, was set in the period between the first two entries. The plot is not directly related to the history of the previous installments. Still, the presented story allows you to get answers to many questions that may arise after completing the main plot.

eden*

Visual novel games on PC tend to lack some quality, but you will not experience anything like that with eden*. Every aspect of the title is on point, including the mesmerizing soundtrack, the characters’ design, length and depth of the plot. Earth’s last love story between a soldier and a genetically modified superhuman is actually tearjerking. 

Another peculiar feature that differentiates the production from the vast majority of visual novels is animations. Small details like blinking eyes are a nice touch that brings the events to life. We can’t recommend this title enough to whoever is taking an interest in the genre.

Slay the Princess

If you’re looking for a psychological narrative with plenty of horrifying moments, look no further, because Slay the Princess may well be right up your alley. This is a great example of a decision-based game, as it features multiple choices and branching story paths.

Is it well-written, though? You bet it is! Following its engaging story with eyes glued to the screen and making wild guesses about its course is definitely the biggest part of the experience. Moreover, it all comes with stylish, pencil-drawn art. Slay the Princess is definitely among the best visual novels on Steam, especially for those who are not keen on anime-inspired titles.

AI: The Somnium Files

If static images are not your cup of tea, then AI: The Somnium Files might be a fantastic pick for you. It still stays true to its genre with pages of dialogues to read. At the same time, thanks to dubbing (English, Japanese, and Chinese), numerous puzzles, as well as fully-animated characters and backgrounds, it becomes a splendid entry-level visual novel for hesitant players.

In addition to that, AI: The Somnium Files is a wonderful game in general. From the get-go, you can’t help but get engrossed in an investigation of a serial killer, during which you get to know charming characters. After the play-through, you’d instantly want to listen to the soundtrack because it’s this charming. 

VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action

Still convinced that the genre is incapable of surprising you? We kept one of the best visual novel games for last. 😊 VA-11 Hall-A brings an unforgettable atmosphere and magnificent portrayal of Cyberpunk to the table. Yet, it’s not a game about making ends meet in the dystopian future or making drinks and serving clients.

It’s about the detailed world that you discover through objects around you. It’s about people that inhabit it and interact with you. And each interaction is precious with its top-notch writing. VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action is perfect to the very last pixel and block of text. A jaw-dropping review score of 97% on Steam is another strong argument as to why we strongly recommend it. 

And that’s how the story ends. What do you think of our list? In your opinion, did you find all of the best visual novel games? Leave your comments with your personal favorites below. 👇