Best Visual Novel Games
144 Visual Novel games, ranked by the Rank and Play community.
Slay the Princess: The Pristine Cut
Released: Oct 24, 2024
Critic rating: 95.0 / 100
Rating: M
Genres: Point-and-click, Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Adventure, Indie, Visual Novel
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Mac, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Game modes: Single player
Slay the Princess is a choice-driven psychological horror visual novel with dramatic branching, light RPG elements, and hand-penciled art.
The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante
Released: Mar 4, 2021
Critic rating: 85.0 / 100
Rating: T
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Strategy, Adventure, Indie, Visual Novel
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Game modes: Single player
A narrative-driven RPG set in a gritty world where a person's Lot is determined at birth, while the gods are real and preside over the fates of men.
Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask
Released: Feb 26, 2011
Critic rating: 85.2 / 100
Rating: E10+
Genres: Point-and-click, Puzzle, Visual Novel
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
Game modes: Single player
Professor Layton's first adventure on the Nintendo 3DS system takes him to the colorful city of Monte d'Or, where he must stop a mysterious man from wreaking havoc with the powerful Mask of Chaos.
Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box
Released: Nov 29, 2007
Critic rating: 85.0 / 100
Rating: E10+
Genres: Point-and-click, Puzzle, Visual Novel
Platforms: Nintendo DS, Legacy Mobile Device
Game modes: Single player
Professor Layton may be a world-famous sleuth, but even he will need your assistance to crack these challenging puzzles.
The House in Fata Morgana
Released: Dec 31, 2012
Critic rating: 80.0 / 100
Rating: M
Genres: Adventure, Indie, Visual Novel
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS, Android, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS
Game modes: Single player
A gothic suspense tale set in a cursed mansion.
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
Released: Jun 30, 2021
Critic rating: 82.5 / 100
Rating: M
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Adventure, Indie, Visual Novel
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Mac, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Game modes: Single player
Welcome to the club!
Hotel Dusk: Room 215
Released: Jan 22, 2007
Critic rating: 80.0 / 100
Rating: T
Genres: Point-and-click, Puzzle, Quiz/Trivia, Adventure, Visual Novel
Platforms: Nintendo DS
Game modes: Single player
Take control of an interactive mystery novel and discover the secrets of Hotel Dusk.
Beacon Pines
Released: Sep 22, 2022
Critic rating: 85.0 / 100
Rating: T
Genres: Adventure, Indie, Visual Novel
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Game modes: Single player
Beacon Pines is a cute and creepy adventure game within a magical storybook.
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Released: Nov 25, 2010
Critic rating: 82.3 / 100
Rating: M
Genres: Point-and-click, Adventure, Visual Novel
Platforms: Linux, Android, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Mac, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation Portable
Game modes: Single player
In Danganronpa, players dive into a series of class trials and expose the lies and contradictions of their classmates to find out who's behind each grisly murder.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Released: Apr 17, 2014
Critic rating: 82.3 / 100
Rating: T
Genres: Puzzle, Simulator, Adventure, Visual Novel
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo 3DS, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Game modes: Single player
Defend the innocent and save the day!
The Devil on G-String
Released: May 29, 2008
Critic rating: 81.6 / 100 • 23 votes
Rating: PEGI 18
Genres: Simulator, Adventure, Visual Novel
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Game modes: Single player
You play the role of Azai Kyousuke, the son of a legendary gangster infamous in the underworld.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Released: Sep 15, 2005
Critic rating: 80.0 / 100
Rating: T
Genres: Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure, Visual Novel
Platforms: Nintendo DS
Game modes: Single player
Meet Phoenix Wright, the rookie defense lawyer new to the scene with the wildest cross-examination skills in town!
2064: Read Only Memories
Released: Jul 13, 2014
Critic rating: 82.6 / 100
Rating: M
Genres: Point-and-click, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie, Visual Novel
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Ouya, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Mac, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One
Game modes: Single player
In Neo-San Francisco, a vibrant city of low life and high tech, you will witness the world’s first sapient robot learning to grow and live as you become embroiled in the darkest scandal of 2064.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice
Released: Jun 9, 2016
Critic rating: 81.4 / 100
Rating: T
Genres: Point-and-click, Puzzle, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Visual Novel
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS, Android, iOS
Game modes: Single player
Ace Attorney 6 continues the investigation and courtroom of its predecessors, in which players take the role of the defense attorneys; Phoenix Wright, Apollo Justice, and Athena Cykes, and try to defend their clients.
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy
Released: Apr 24, 2025
Critic rating: 82.0 / 100
Rating: M
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Strategy, Adventure, Visual Novel
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch
Game modes: Single player
A new adventure from the creators of the Danganronpa and Zero Escape series!
Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Released: Nov 29, 2012
Critic rating: 82.4 / 100
Rating: T
Genres: Puzzle, Strategy, Adventure, Visual Novel
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
Game modes: Single player
Join forces with expert investigator Professor Layton and ace attorney Phoenix Wright in this unbelievable crossover adventure!
Milk Inside a Bag of Milk Inside a Bag of Milk
Released: Aug 26, 2020
Critic rating: 80.3 / 100 • 97 votes
Rating: T
Genres: Adventure, Indie, Visual Novel
Platforms: Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Nintendo Switch
Game modes: Single player
A short story about what sort of challenges everyday little things can be.
Raging Loop
Released: Dec 3, 2015
Critic rating: 80.3 / 100 • 23 votes
Rating: M
Genres: Adventure, Indie, Visual Novel
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Android, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, PlayStation 5, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Game modes: Single player
Immerse yourself in a thrilling psychological horror visual novel taking place in the secluded Japanese village of Yasumizu.
HuniePop
Released: Jan 19, 2015
Critic rating: 82.5 / 100
Genres: Puzzle, Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Strategy, Indie, Visual Novel
Platforms: Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac
Game modes: Single player
HuniePop is a 2015 adult dating sim/match-3 puzzle game published and developed by HuniePot.
Until Then
Released: Jun 25, 2024
Critic rating: 80.2 / 100 • 23 votes
Rating: T
Genres: Adventure, Indie, Visual Novel
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Mac, Nintendo Switch
Game modes: Single player
Mark, an average irresponsible high school student, tries to get by and find purpose in a humdrum life of scrolling, cramming, and traffic.
The Ratchelor: A Rat Dating Sim
Released: Feb 14, 2021
Critic rating: 80.2 / 100 • 38 votes
Genres: Indie, Visual Novel
Platforms: Web browser
Game modes: Single player
A new dating sim about finding and marrying the rat of your dreams.
Gnosia
Released: Jun 20, 2019
Critic rating: 80.0 / 100
Rating: T
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie, Visual Novel
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Android, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, PlayStation 5, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Game modes: Single player
Gnosia is a Sci-Fi Social Deduction RPG in which you will engage in discussion with a variety of unique characters, with the aim of identifying the Gnosia among the group.
Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma
Released: Jun 28, 2016
Critic rating: 79.9 / 100
Rating: M
Genres: Puzzle, Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Adventure, Visual Novel
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo 3DS, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation Vita, Xbox One
Game modes: Single player
Zero Time Dilemma is the third and final entry in the Zero Escape series.
Professor Layton and the Last Specter
Released: Nov 26, 2009
Critic rating: 83.6 / 100
Rating: E10+
Genres: Point-and-click, Puzzle, Visual Novel
Platforms: Nintendo DS
Game modes: Single player
Last Specter is the fourth game in the Professor Layton series, and is a prequel that takes place three years before the first trilogy, detailing how Professor Layton met his apprentice, Luke Triton.
Venba
Released: Jul 31, 2023
Critic rating: 86.7 / 100
Rating: T
Genres: Puzzle, Simulator, Adventure, Indie, Visual Novel
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Mac, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Game modes: Single player
Venba is a narrative cooking game, where you play as an Indian mom, who immigrates to Canada with her family in the 1980s.