There are thousands of games across genres to satisfy the needs of people. While hardcore gamers prefer action-adventure games that take several days or even months to complete, casual and novice players can cozy up to visual novels that can take them on a vivid journey that has a heart-warming story.
Visual novels are easy to play and require almost no time at all to get into the groove. These games offer players a rich storyline and a cast of admirable characters. People can meet eccentric characters that have unique and often hilarious ways of interacting with players. Take a look at these underrated visual novels available on steam.
10 Clannad
Published by Sekai Project, Clannad is a visual novel that is available to play in Japanese and English. It has a rich story that is centered around a high school student, Tomoyo, and his relationship with his family and friends. Tomoya has a tough time mending his relationship with his alcoholic father to find meaning in life.
As a delinquent, Tomoyo goes around the high school campus looking for fun. During his time at the high school, he meets Nagisa, a young girl in her senior year. Together, Nagisa and Tomoyo take it upon themselves to revive the school drama club. The game features a Dangopedia, a useful resource that helps people understand terms and traditions from Japanese culture.
9 Cinderella Phenomenon
Cinderella Phenomenon is a visual novel that takes place at the end of the Great War. Play as the Crown Princess Lucette of Angielle as she gets acclimatized to her new life. After the loss of her mother, Lucette must accept her step-family and overcome the Fairytale Curse to regain her crown in an unfamiliar kingdom.
As the Crown Princess, Lucette can meet 15 characters that have their own unique storylines within the game. Cinderella Phenomenon has more than 10 different endings that are based on the choices people make throughout the game. It also has a Right Choice Indicator to steer decisions in favor of Lucette when faced with tough decisions.
8 Growing Up
Growing Up is a visual novel that entails the story of a person from their birth to their adulthood. The expansive story of Growing Up lets people live a life of endless choices. The game allows players to create characters with diverse skillsets and attributes that result in varied outcomes.
There are more than 30 locations that are designed to inspire people to make better choices for their characters. Players can indulge in various activities within the visual novel that includes watching a movie, shopping for clothes, and making friends.
7 Monster Prom
Monster Prom is a visual novel and a dating simulator. People are given 3 weeks to get a date for the Monster Prom. Play as a high school student and a monster in search of the love of their life. The dating sim offers thousands of quirky situations that are fun to play. It also features absurdly funny dialogues that tickle the funny bone of many people.
People can play Monster Prom by themselves or play with up to 4 of their friends in online multiplayer mode. The art style of the game is unique and makes every party memorable. Date different kinds of monsters and take selfies with them to create an experience that is unforgettable in Monster Prom.
6 STEINS;GATE
STEINS;GATE is a sci-fi adventure game and a stunning visual novel. It follows the story of Rintaro Okabe, a freshman at Tokyo Denki University. He spends his time developing gadgets in his laboratory. He invents a special system that allows people to send messages to the past that cause events with unpredictable outcomes.
The game has a Phone Trigger system that lets players receive calls and text messages and respond to them. The calls and messages people reply to will steer the story forward. STEINS;GATE provides more than 30 hours of gameplay and an incredible cast of characters.
5 Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony is a murder mystery visual novel. Set in a fantastical environment, an entirely new cast of 16 characters find themselves kidnapped and imprisoned in a school. People can investigate twisted murders to save their friends or condemn them to their death.
Uncover the true motivations behind the actions of people involved in each murder and help them survive. The fast-paced action of Danganronpa V3 requires wit and skills to lead classmates to the right conclusions. The visual novel also has several mini-games and trials to make the game much more enjoyable than its prequels.
4 Buried Stars
Released in November 2021, Buried Stars is a visual novel and a survival game. The story takes place at a live audition when the building suddenly collapses. Players must talk to the contestants and staff members trapped inside the building to find out the truth behind the mysterious incident.
While the rescue team arrives at the site, players can communicate with multiple people to gather clues and organize a cohesive story to draw conclusions. People must gain the trust of the remaining survivors to complete the game. Buried Stars features exquisite 3D graphics to depict dramatic scenes in the visual novel.
3 Love Esquire
Love Esquire is a romantic-comedy visual novel developed by Yangyang Mobile. People can play as a squire in the game to explore the land and discover untold riches. The squire is a carefree boy wanting to find the girl of his dreams. The visual novel is a dating sim that allows the squire to date women in the kingdom of Caerulia.
The visual novel has a turn-based combat system to level up in the game. Players can taunt, cheer, heal, and loot enemies in battle. Love Esquire is a fully voiced visual novel with multiple endings.
2 VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action is a visual novel about technology and life in a post-dystopian city. In the game, humans are oppressed and serve corporations that reign supreme. People can play as a bartender at VA-11 Hall-A, a small bar that attracts the most fascinating people from the town.
Players can get to know their clients and their tastes to prepare the best drinks to satisfy their needs. Unlike other visual novels, the story of the game progresses based on the drinks that the player offers to the clients.
1 Disco Elysium – The Final Cut
Disco Elysium – The Final Cut is an outstanding visual novel and RPG. Solve murders as a detective using a sophisticated skill system in the city of Revachol. Disco Elysium is a fully voiced visual novel that lets people intimidate enemies, persuade allies, engage in fights, write poetry, sing karaoke, and dance.
The game offers several interesting choices that let people manipulate events, play people against each other, and even fall in love. Players can customize the appearance of the detective with over 80 clothing items. Disco Elysium – The Final Cut was released for PC in October 2019.