Highlights
- Ren'Py is an accessible and easy-to-use software for creating visual novels, allowing developers to innovate and create unique experiences.
- Notable Ren'Py visual novels include Doki Doki Literature Club, Our Life: Beginnings & Always, Butterfly Soup, and Sepia Tears.
- Ren'Py games remain popular due to their simple interface, flexibility, and the ability to create compelling stories and characters.
Visual novels are the hidden gems of the gaming community. Laxer than a fully interactive title, they often offer gameplay that is easier to relax to while still feeling like a video game. Yet, many people aren't familiar with how visual novels are made and will become confused when asked about Ren'Py.
15 Visual Novels That Are Amazing (After A Rough Opening Few Hours)
These visual novels take a while to get exciting, but once they do, they will keep players glued to their screens.Ren'Py is an open-source visual novel-making software that is designed to be easy to access and use. Despite the limited coding knowledge needed, this simple program has made some of the best indie visual novels the industry has to offer. From famous choices like Doki Doki Literature Club to lesser-known choices, there is no end to the options available from Ren'Py.
Updated December 15, 2023 by Rie Takumi: Despite new visual novel engines coming out, Ren'Py games remain popular. Developers and players alike love Ren'Py's simple interface and the engine's flexibility. It's this flexibility that allows visual novel developers to innovate on what mechanics they can introduce to players.
Aside from stat-raising, turn-based fights, programming, and other mini-games, Ren'Py also gives developers the tools to create unique experiences. The best Ren'Py visual novels can use the UI, input functions, and even the way the engine stores files to tell their story.
17 Our Life: Beginnings & Always
Overwhelmingly Positive (10,273 Steam Reviews)
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Released |
November 16, 2020 |
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How Long To Beat |
8.5 Hours 29.5 Hours (100% Completion) |
Players grow up with friends and potential love interests in Our Life: Beginnings & Always. Their relationships are player determinant as players can choose their character’s personality, gender, sexuality, and romantic orientation. Player choices also determine what other characters feel about them through ages 8, 13, 18, and 23.
Our Life also released a voiced name expansion. Love interest Cove Holden will say the player’s name if it’s present in the game’s name bank. Several character-focused DLCs were also released for fans who wanted more content.
Our Life: Beginnings & Always can be downloaded from here.
16 Doppelganger
Holostars EN First Official Game
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Released |
November 14, 2023 |
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Microsoft Windows |
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Doppelganger takes place in an alternate universe where players encounter “doppelgangers” of Holostars EN’s talents. Following visual novel traditions, each route has dark themes like cannibalism and suicide. Completing every route is also mandatory for players who want to see the true end, and exclusive lore key to the overall story.
Although predicated on familiarity with the vtuber agency Holostars EN, Doppelganger has solid writing on its own. Every character also features voice lines from their vtuber counterparts. Doppelganger is an atmospheric horror tie-up that players can coast through quickly.
Doppelganger can be downloaded from here.
15 Doki Doki Literature Club!
78 Metascore (PC) | Based On 7 Critic Reviews
Doki Doki Literature Club!
- Released
- September 22, 2017
- Genre(s)
- Visual Novel , Horror
- Developer
- Team Salvato
To anybody who has played their share of visual novels, Doki Doki Literature Club! should not be a new name. To many, it's one of the best novels this decade. The lone game from Team Salvato, DDLC has topped the charts of its genre all while remaining a free-to-play visual novel.
Centering around a group of high-school students in a literature club (much like the title implies), the story focuses on the MC who is looking to get close to various members of the club. Starting as a normal, run-off-the-mill visual novel, the player won't suspect when something seems off. With striking visuals and an excellent soundtrack to boot, Doki Doki Literature Club! is a good starting point for Ren'Py games.
Doki Doki Literature Club! can be downloaded from here.
14 Butterfly Soup
LGBT Friendships And High School Baseball
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Released |
September 16, 2017 |
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How Long To Beat |
3 Hours |
One of the golden points of independent visual novels is its increased selection of LGBT+ novels. While there's a huge selection of these types of visual novels, one of the most popular is Brianna Lei's Butterfly Soup.
Focused on a group of queer Asian-American girls attending a high school baseball club, Butterfly Soup offers a fresh view of important issues in society. Of course, this doesn't mention the unique art style and deep characters. Overall, Butterfly Soup is a great visual novel for people looking for a fresh perspective.
Developer Brianna Lei released a sequel in 2022. Butterfly Soup 2 still follows Diya, Noelle, Akarsha, and Min-seo. Now set in 2009, players will see the kids navigate through high school life, homophobia, and racial tensions.
Butterfly Soup can be downloaded from here.
13 Sepia Tears
Very Positive (911 Steam Reviews)
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Released |
February 28, 2014 |
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Genre(s) |
Romance |
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How Long To Beat |
5 Hours |
Sepia Tears feels and plays like a traditional, early 2000s visual novel. The player will guide Mark, the main character, through his days as he tries to uncover a repressed memory of his. Throughout the story, players will discover more about the mysterious world around them, as they learn about a girl named Myra.
12 Best Visual Novels Of The Decade, Ranked
Visual novels became more mainstream during the 2010s, and these games represent the genre at its best.Granted, Sepia Tears does start slowly. However, players who have the resolve to play through will be rewarded with a story riddled with twists. Not only that, but the visual novel also has fairly cute artwork and a decent soundtrack. It's available for free on Steam, so there's no reason not to give it a try.
Sepia Tears can be downloaded from here.
12 Loren The Amazon Princess
Very Positive (398 Steam Reviews)
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Released |
April 30, 2012 |
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How Many Routes Or Endings |
8 Romance Options |
Most visual novels are more interactive than others. And while these types tend to be more difficult to make, their efforts are rewarded most of the time with an excellent gameplay experience — Loren the Amazon Princess proves that much.
Focused on the story of Princess Loren who's searching for her missing mother, the story takes with it a lot of the qualities that make RPGs enjoyable: turn-based combat, classes, and customizable heroes. All in all, this makes Loren the Amazon Princess interactive while still delivering the in-depth story of a visual novel.
Loren the Amazon Princess can be downloaded from here.
11 Don't Open Your Eyes
Short Indie Horror Experience
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Released |
March 29, 2019 |
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Genre(s) |
Horror |
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How Long To Beat |
30+ Minutes |
Horror has had a spot in the visual novel genre for a long time, with titles like Higurashi and Saya no Uta. However, indie Ren'py visual novels also have their charm, and Don't Open Your Eyes is one of these gems. During the game, the player will play as an insomniac person just trying to fall asleep.
However, the game's usage of simplistic, yet creepy line artwork and clashing colors makes for an anxiety-inducing experience despite the simple premise. The actual meaning of the game is left up for individual interpretation, making for an experience that is ultimately personal and one-of-a-kind.
Don't Open Your Eyes can be downloaded from here.
10 Katawa Shoujo
8.9 Metacritic User Score | Based On 216 User Reviews
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Released |
April 29, 2009 |
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Genre(s) |
Romance |
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How Many Routes Or Endings |
6 Romance Options |
Katawa Shoujo is perhaps the most famous Ren'Py game to date, considered by many as one of the best. For many, this was their first visual novel in general, not just of Ren'py games. Focused on the story of a young man, the visual novel explores the struggles of five women with disabilities.
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Players may need to keep some tissues nearby while experiencing these heartwrenching visual novels.In one word, this visual novel is professional. The artwork is clean, the music is top-quality and even has an animated opening. Every part of this game expresses peak effort on the side of the production staff. And this is to a very successful end, as the story draws in audiences with its compelling visuals.
Katawa Shoujo can be downloaded from here.
9 Over The Hills And Far Away
Very Positive (192 Steam Reviews)
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Released |
April 1, 2015 |
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How Long To Beat |
2 Hours |
While historical visual novels aren't always the most common type, Ren'Py does produce some gems for the genre from time to time. Produced by WarGirl Games, Over The Hills And Far Away focuses on the War of 1812.
A rogue redcoat, William Aubrey has fled to the frontiers of the Northwest, where he meets a Shawnee girl named Mai. The story offers a heartwarming and tragic view of warfare and the life of outcasts, perfect for history buffs and drama lovers alike.
Over The Hills And Far Away can be downloaded from here.
8 Everlasting Summer
Overwhelmingly Positive (70,101 Steam Reviews)
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Released |
November 19, 2014 (English) |
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Though released in 2013, Everlasting Summer offers a semi-nostalgic feeling while also providing excellent visual content. A visual novel developed by Soviet Games, the story takes place in the Soviet Union during a summertime pioneer camp. The protagonist, Seymon, has been transported here from the modern world, now looking to figure out why and how he has been transported to the camp.
However, there is a lot more to the story than what might initially be apparent. This is ultimately what makes Everlasting Summer so enjoyable, as players will learn more about the characters and plot as they complete more endings. For those who wish to avoid mature content, there is a completely clean version available both in mobile app stores and on Steam.
Everlasting Summer can be downloaded from here.
7 Analogue: A Hate Story And Hate Plus
Very Positive (1,622 Steam Reviews)
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Released |
January 31, 2012 |
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Unlike other mentions, Analogue: A Hate Story and its sequel Hate Plus are miracles of the sci-fi genre. Set thousands of years in the future, the story takes place on the Mugunghwa, a spaceship that has suddenly shifted to Joseon Korean culture.
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Visual novels aren't often lengthy affairs, but, in the case of these 10 releases, readers will have to seriously consider clearing their schedules.The story is an interesting blend of old and new in one. Focused on the blending of futuristic and ancient principles, players are sure to find an interesting take on what a visual novel can be. Not only that, but the game features amazing artwork and a great user interface.
Analogue: A Hate Story can be downloaded from here.
6 Long Live The Queen
Overwhelmingly Positive (5,606 Steam Reviews)
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Released |
June 2, 2012 |
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How Many Routes Or Endings |
24 Endings (More Variations) |
Frankly, it's hard to call Long Live The Queen a "true" visual novel. Truly, it feels more like a simulation, in the best of ways. As the title alludes, the game focuses on a young princess Elodie. With her mother the Queen recently deceased, she is to be coronated in 40 weeks; the job of the player is to ensure that she lives long enough to become the new ruler.
In general, this visual novel is addicting. Unlike other visual novel-style games, Long Live The Queen features a massive amount of endings. Leaving so much content and variation, players will have plenty of time to admire the complex logic and aesthetics of the game.
Long Live The Queen can be downloaded from here.
5 Cinderella Phenomenon
Overwhelmingly Positive (3,845 Steam Reviews)
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Released |
October 29, 2016 |
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Similar in theme to Long Live The Queen, Dicesuki's Cinderella Phenomenon is an otome visual novel focused on the life of royalty. The main character, Lucette, has become the Crown Princess after the loss of her mother.
Now, she must get used to the life of a royal figure, the story offering dramatic turns and five pursuable bachelors. Cinderella Phenomenon is perfect for audiences that want the drama of royalty with a focus on romance rather than simulation.
Cinderella Phenomenon can be downloaded from here.
4 A Year Of Springs
Overwhelmingly Positive (512 Steam Reviews)
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Released |
September 29, 2021 |
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Genre(s) |
Slice Of Life |
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How Long To Beat |
2 Hours |
Not every visual novel needs to have a dark atmosphere. At least, this isn't the case in A Year Of Springs. Technically three visual novels in one, each one focuses on a different protagonist and their internal struggles: a trans woman, an ex-delinquent, and a university student.
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Visual Novels are interactive story games, usually accompanied with anime visuals. On Steam, you can find some of the best of the medium.However, despite the struggles that the visual novels confront, players will feel more relaxed than in other similar games. Simply put, A Year Of Springs is adorable: from the artwork to the holiday setting, one can only describe this visual novel as cute.
A Year Of Springs can be downloaded from here.
3 Stillwater
Very Positive (93 Steam Reviews)
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Released |
October 1, 2021 |
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Genre(s) |
Mystery |
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Admittedly, the detective storyline is one of the most uncommon among visual novels. However, Stillwater proves just how exciting a detective story can be without becoming too overly complicated.
Focused on the story of Private Investigator Hugo Laurent, Stillwater is a Ren'Py visual novel known for its suspense and expert sound usage. A perfect visual novel for audiences looking to experience the suspensefulness of an expertly crafted investigation.
Stillwater can be downloaded from here.
2 Sound Of Drop - Fall Into Poison
Very Positive (338 Steam Reviews)
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Released |
June 30, 2015 (English Version) |
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How Many Routes Or Endings |
31 Endings (4 True, 27 Bad) |
As their name would imply, visual novels use visuals to stimulate the senses. However, some visual novels are more notable for this than others, which is the case with Sound of Drop - fall into poison. Exploring a crimson aquarium, the player will guide the protagonist, Mayumi, to uncover the building's mysteries.
In short, Sound of Drop is a striking member of the psychological horror genre. Its usage of visual cues and sound to stimulate anxiety is far more subtle than other similar novels. And with 30 different endings, the player will be forced to play over and over again.
Sound of Drop can be downloaded from here.
1 Fatal Twelve
Very Positive (777 Steam Reviews)
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Released |
April 9, 2017 |
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How Many Routes Or Endings |
7 Endings (3 True, 4 Bad) |
With Sound of Drop, Fatal Twelve is a visual masterpiece of the Sekai Project. The visual novel's premise highlights its excellence. The player is Shishimai Rinka, a high-schooler recently killed in a train explosion who is caught in a battle royale to undo her death.
The visual novel dwells on the strong themes of ethics, resolve, and regret, the fundamental issue of saving one's life at the expense of others. Visually stunning, Fatal Twelve features one-of-a-kind music and character design. A perfect choice for players looking for a riveting story with dramatic tones.
Fatal Twelve can be downloaded from here.