With Steam's collection of visual novels growing all the time, it can be hard to know where to start with such a huge and expansive genre. Even for players that have some experience with VNs, seeking out the next storytelling masterpiece from amongst the Steam Store's huge range can be difficult.
For anyone worried they're missing out, Reddit is here to help by sharing which visual novels they think are absolute must-play titles regardless of experience. With everything from Ace Attorney and Danganronpa to The House in Fata Morgana and Stein's Gate, there's reason to give all of these games a try.
Higurashi When They Cry (2002-2006)
07th Expansion is a legendary name in the world of visual novel game development thanks in no small part to their legendary debut in the genre starting in 2002. Redditor jackpoll4100 comments that they "like mystery VNs the most" and that's why they can't help but consider Higurashi When They Cry a must-play title.
Centered on a group of friends living in a village plagued by unexplainable occurrences, the game does a great job of building up a sense of paranoia surrounding its murder mystery elements whilst also containing lighthearted slice-of-life elements that make its twisted moments even more striking.
Steins;Gate (2009)
Some of the better visual novels end up getting adaptations to other media but, having spawned a sci-fi anime considered one of the best ever made, it's fair to say that Steins;Gate is on another level. Redditor jayveedees was one of many users to call the game "definitely a must-have."
The central appeal of Steins;Gate is its fascinating and at times heartwrenching story which is centered on a group of students who discover the secret to time travel only to soon realize the full consequences of what they've done. Time travel can be a tricky mechanic but few pull it off better than Steins;Gate which even features multiple endings depending on the player's choices.
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc (2010)
For anyone that loves solving mysteries, courtroom drama, psychological horror, and everyday social simulation gameplay, Danganronpa combines them all into a package that has won no shortage of loyal fans since it began in 2010. With three mainline titles and a couple of spin-offs, Redditor DarshTefa recommends that everyone play "all the Danganronpa series."
The first game, subtitled Trigger Happy Havoc, sets the tone by introducing a distinctive class of elite students that have been locked inside an empty school and tasked with competing in a terrifying murder game. Decisions count too as it's a game with a memorable ending for those who make the wrong choice.
Muv-Luv (2003)
Silly, light-hearted romance and warfare with giant mechs might not seem like a natural combination, but it's exactly what has made Muv-Luv an iconic visual novel for nearly two decades. Redditor ruffraida is one of many users that put forward the game, commenting "the feels I got from this one have not been matched so far."'
When the game's ordinary high-schooler player character is suddenly thrust into a situation they're completely unprepared for after waking up in bed with a powerful heiress, Muv-Luv begins to set up one of the biggest genre shifts in history. Steam features a revamped version of the game with official English subtitles thanks to a massive Kickstarter campaign.
The House In Fata Morgana (2012)
Darkly ambitious, The House in Fata Morgana presents a fascinating gothic tale that takes place across nearly a millennium as well as multiple genres. Redditor The_First_LaLaLa comments that their must-play visual novel has "gotta be the House in Fata Morgana" but encourage players to read the content warnings before setting out.
That's because The House in Fata Morgana is nothing if not devastating and goes to some uncomfortable places. Love and tragedy go hand-in-hand in the game's massive story that's presented in vivid, evocative paintings. Though the game is lacking somewhat in interactivity, that's rarely a disappointment when the story is so richly told.
Little Busters! English Edition (2017)
Clannad might be slightly more well-known but players that have delved into this emotional visual novel made by the same developers often have overwhelmingly positive responses. Redditor hackrabbits puts Little Busters! at the top of their list of must-play titles, adding that it's worth playing the "complete version including all extra routes."
Originally released in 2007, subsequent versions have expanded the story and characters with the English Edition being the first to package it all together in HD resolution for an English-speaking audience. Its dating-sim format disguises a simple but powerful story as well as a chance to get invested in some unique and memorable characters.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy (2019)
Many have tried to emulate the Ace Attorney titles but there are simply no games quite like the real thing. The characters and scenarios may be ridiculous, but it's impossible not to get swept along by the over-the-top courtroom drama that makes Ace Attorney games unique.
Redditor Global-Personality-2 rates the games highly and comments that "starting with the trilogy is recommended when playing AA for the first time." Phoenix Wright is the face of the Ace Attorney games for a reason and stepping into the shoes of the spiky-haired lawyer as he sets out to get to the bottom of strange and often baffling murders is a simple joy that can't be found anywhere else in gaming.
Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen (2002)
For anyone that finds low-interactivity and minimal gameplay visual novels a little offputting, Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen and the rest of the games in the Utawarerumono trilogy are more than worth checking out. Combining classic VN storytelling with thrilling tactical RPG gameplay, Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen immediately sets itself apart from the crowd.
Redditor Evolved_Algorithm considers the game "a must" and comments that it's "kind of like the LOTR of VNs as in that it's an adventure sort of epic." Like The Lord of the Rings, it's the distinctive characters and absorbing setting that give weight to all of those epic moments and huge battles.
Umineko When They Cry - Question Arcs (2016)
07th Expansion's second massive series is no less ambitious than Higurashi, presenting a long and complex mystery that takes some serious unwrapping. Redditor turtleman000 considers it a must-play as it "is easily the most intelligent and unique of all the VN's I have read."
It's no surprise that one of the game's biggest strengths is its cast, which is one of the most interesting and varied of any visual novel. However, it's Umineko's story that means it's consistently at the top of people's must-play lists, managing to be shocking and thought-provoking at times in ways that few games manage.
Clannad (2004)
Though it's now known for the tear-jerking anime adaptation as much as the classic visual novel, Clannad still stands as one of the best-told emotional dramas in the genre. Redditor Zealous-Vigilante considers Little Busters! from the same people to be better but says they would "still recommend Clannad before" that game.
That's because Clannad is an icon of the genre and makes for a great demonstration of the kind of storytelling visual novels are capable of for those new to it. With well-developed characters, unforgettable twists, and now in HD for the Steam version, there's no reason not to begin playing.
Source:gamerant.com