Top 10 Best Visual Novels To Play Today (Visual Novel Games With Great Story)

Best Visual Novels
Updated:
09 Nov 2023

Okay, we all know why you’re here. You want to play the best visual novels you can, correct?

Lucky for you, this article contains just that. This article contains 10 visual novels that you need to check out if you are looking for some great visual novels to play today.

10. Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth

Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth is adapted from the best-selling novel of the same name and converted into an interactive novel that will blow you away. You play as the characters Jack, Aliena, and Philip as you change the events of the book through decisions, exploration, and dialogue. The game is highly praised for its beautiful art, impactful characters, and compelling storytelling. The game is definitely well-adapted from the novel and is a must-try experience.

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Pretty 2D art, and uh, don’t mind her...

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Get ready to go on a beautiful journey.

9. Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Danganronpa is a franchise that you probably heard of if you are diving into the world of visual novels. It is about a group of students of Hope’s Peak Academy, which houses the brightest high school students in Japan. Makoto Naegi and his fellow classmates soon discover that they are trapped in the school and cut off from the outside. 

They are subjugated by an odd, insane bear named Monokuma. He orders the students to kill each other and get away with it, and in return they get their freedom. It is up to you to find out who Monokuma is and why you have been taken from the world you always knew.

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An unBEARably good game.

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A visual novel with some gameplay? And it has an interesting story?! Why aren’t you playing this?!

8. Steins;Gate 0

One of the most highly acclaimed visual novels to hit the market is back and better than ever! Steins;Gate 0 is the sequel to the popular visual novel Steins;Gate. This game still contains a time traveling theme, but it also gives an artificial intelligence taste to the story. 

The plot is basically a bunch of students using  time travel to prevent World War III. You interact with the story and flow of it by using your phone to reply to messages or just ignoring them altogether. The choice is yours!

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One of the most gorgeous visual novel art styles you'll ever see.

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The game’s art goes well with the overall themes of this dark, compelling plotline.

7. Batman- The Telltale Series  

This entry isn’t technically a traditional visual novel. But, it does feature a choice-based story. You play as Bruce Wayne (AKA Batman) who will soon realize that his world is being shattered, and the city of Gotham is becoming corrupted. 

You play through all five episodes of this action-packed story where your choices lead to who Batman will become. You can play the first episode for free and see that this game is worth the buy.

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"What, are you dense?"

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Are you the Batman who never kills, or the Batman who does whatever it takes to save his city? The choice is yours.

6. Monster Prom

Monster Prom is the highlight of the 2018 releases of visual novels. The game is about you, a monster, that goes to a high school for monsters. As prom is coming up in three weeks, your task is to get a prom date within that time. 

It’s just a fun way to enjoy your day, and it can also be played with up to four players. So go challenge your friends and see who gets that girl you both always wanted to take to prom.

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Seriously, don't be that guy.

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This visual novel may or may not be really, really entertaining...

5. Love Bites

Play as Brandon or Kaitlyn as they try to find part-time employment and get a cure for their strange sickness. On the way, they meet different kinds of people who can help them find a job and cure. Being a male or female doesn’t change who you can romance. All romantic interests can be romanced by the male or female protagonist.

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When you're right, you're right.

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Sample is sometimes better. 4. The Letter

A horror-themed visual novel about seven characters as they find themselves caught up in a curse that has been plaguing the Ermengarde Mansion for centuries. Your choices affect and move the story forward. The characters’ fate is up to you. This visual novel is worth it if you are into horror games that focus a lot on character development and relationships.

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For best results, play in the dark.

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Players beware, you’re in for a scare...

3. Tokyo Dark

The game is about a detective who is on the case of her missing partner, but it becomes a nightmare that causes her to face her past. This story is all in your hands. Your choices and actions will affect Detective Ito’s state of mind and will lead to different paths. As you go through these paths, you shall discover how dark the world around you truly is.

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Make your choices wisely...

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Get ready for a ride on this dark tale.

2. Sixtieth Kilometer

The game starts as you, the main protagonist, goes to work by train. But, strange events happen as time goes on. The train stops, pink fog surrounds the train, and the man who gets off the train drops dead. 

You, along with the rest of the train’s passengers, are trapped on the train. You will have to choose the actions that will affect your story and your relationships with the people around you.

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Well that isn’t good...

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Do what you can to stay alive...

1. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

This is by far the oldest visual novel entry included in this article, but it’s still worth checking out! This game is about Phoenix Wright, a newly-hired defense attorney. It is your job to defend your client in the court of law and to put together the mystery of your client’s case. 

The game consists of  five cases for you to solve and to successfully defend your clients.

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No objections here.

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The best assistant/spirit medium/burger connoisseur you could ever ask for.

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Gamer Since:
1996
Currently Playing:
Devil May Cry 5, 428: Shibuya Scramble, Baba Is You
Top 3 Favorite Games:
Batman: Arkham City, Undertale, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance