The visual novel genre continues to go from strength to strength. In an era dominated by 3D games, the charm of a 2D visual novel endures, with developers continuing to push what is possible with the format. We’re covering the 5 best visual novel games ever, ranking them, and seeing which ones you should play in 2025 and beyond.
Credit: MAGES. Inc
The first Steins;Gate remains one of the best. This title is mostly dialogue-based, with most of the gameplay revolving around reading the text that appears on the screen. When decisions arise that influence the direction of the story, players are then given a choice. Most decisions are made via phone calls and text messages, pushing the plot in a specific direction. While it may not be the most complex title nowadays, Steins;Gate earns its place among the best visual novel games ever thanks to its influence on the genre as a whole.
Credit: Team Salvato
Doki Doki Literature Club! is a lesson in subverting expectations. On the surface, you might think of it as cutesy dating simulator. Delve a little deeper to find a fourth-wall-breaking psychological horror game featuring multiple endings depending on player actions. The game has a unique mechanic in which players must compose poems for the girls as part of the literature club, which affects the relationship with these characters. Best of all? It’s completely free to play, so there’s no excuse not to give Doki Doki Literature Club! a try.
Credit: MAGES. Inc
Steins;Gate Elite is a remake of the original game in the series. It feels like we’re cheating by putting both titles on the list of the best visual novel games ever, but it’s impossible not to, really. This remake uses animations from the anime adaptation to fully animate the entire game, giving it a fresh coat of paint. In terms of gameplay, it’s exactly like the original, but when it comes to presentation, there’s no competition, really.
Credit: Capcom
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney has possibly the most unique concept of any title among the best visual novel games. The player takes control of Phoenix Wright, a rookie defense attorney, who must defend their clients across five different cases to secure a “Not Guilty” verdict. Players must gather information in between cases, in order to have all the knowledge required to clear their client. They then have the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses during trial, resulting in the most unique experience among the best visual novel games.
Credit: Black Tabby Games
Stylish and subversive, Slay the Princess is the best visual novel game ever made. This title features a unique aesthetic, as well as an interesting twist on the “Save the Princess” trope. As the game’s title might imply, your goal is to kill her. Slay the Princess has deep psychological horror DNA, making it not for the faint-hearted, but it’s a must-play for any fans of the visual novel genre.
Read also:The 10 Best RPG Games Ever, Ranked
LOL
CS2
Dota 2
Valorant
Fortnite
Call of Duty
Mobile Games
Gaming
