A visual novel is a type of video game that focuses on interactive storytelling. As the name suggests, visual novels prioritize visual elements such as character sprites, backgrounds, and text boxes, and often feature anime-style artwork. The story is usually told through text dialogue and narration, with occasional choices presented to the player that affect the outcome of the story.

Visual novels have gained popularity in Japan and other parts of Asia, where they are often marketed towards a predominantly male audience. However, the medium has also gained a following in the West, with many visual novels being translated and localized for English-speaking audiences.

Overall, visual novels offer a unique storytelling experience that combines the interactivity of video games with the narrative depth of literature, making them a popular choice for fans of both mediums. In this article, Gurugamer is going to showcase the top 10 best visual novels on PC in 2023.

1. Muv-Luv Alternative

Despite not having the best-written plot, the most endearing characters, or the most stunning artwork, Muv-Luv Alternative has been my favorite visual novel for the past five years and counting. It's a memorable love story with elements of hard science fiction, and every fictional concept in the game is explained in a plausible manner. I was completely captivated by the story when I first played it in 2013 and have yet to find another visual novel that has provided me with the same level of engagement and excitement. Muv-Luv Alternative continues to be one of the most highly regarded visual novels in the western market for a good reason.

Initially, the visual novel appeared to be a charming high school romantic comedy, but it gradually subverted both the genre and format, taking me on an emotional roller coaster. There were moments of happiness when the protagonist, Takeru, found love with his friends, but they quickly gave way to confusion and disappointment. This cycle repeated itself, causing me to experience a range of emotions, including nausea during certain scenes. Despite this, the story's ultimate resolution brought me immense joy, as all the questions were answered, and each character's life was given meaning. The amount of despair I experienced throughout the story was surpassed only by the elation I felt at the conclusion.

It is not advisable to play Muv-Luv Alternative before finishing Extra and Unlimited in the first game. Doing so would be similar to watching Return of the King before viewing the first two parts of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and would result in missing out on crucial character development and world-building necessary for the third game.

2. Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception and Mask of Truth

Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception and Mask of Truth are two halves of the same story and can't really be broken up.

I absolutely adore this visual novel - it's my all-time favorite. The combination of the story, characters, sound, art, world, and gameplay creates something truly magical, and I believe even those who are new to the genre can appreciate it. I could go on and on about how much I love it, and I hope that my enthusiasm will persuade you to give it a try.

The story is lengthy, taking around 80 hours to complete on your first playthrough, but every moment is used effectively. The characters are developed in an organic manner, and I found myself growing attached to them over time, much like in the original Mass Effect trilogy. The world-building is intricate, with both ancient secrets and mundane details, making it an engaging and intriguing place to explore. The story builds up to big moments that hit hard, and then balances them with lighthearted moments, like a Robin Hood wannabe throwing gold bars through people's windows, giving a catgirl a suggestive backrub, or getting drunk and stupid with friends. And then it's back to political maneuvering, fate, war crimes, mecha Godzilla battles, and suffering.

3. Higurashi

In my opinion, the Higurashi series is hands down one of the most exceptional works of fiction I have ever encountered. I finished reading all eight story arcs around seven years ago, yet even now, just thinking about it can elicit a sense of wonder and amazement that I usually experience when completing an outstanding story. I have yet to come across any other books or movies that can match it in terms of storytelling. It captivated me so much that I often found myself unable to sleep, consumed by thoughts of the plot and creating theories in my mind.

This story was clearly crafted with a well-planned idea from the beginning. Upon rereading the first arc, there were many little details and foreshadowing that make more sense after knowing the whole story. The way everything fits together is satisfying to discover gradually. Higurashi employs psychological horror, which is not about shock scares or graphic imagery, but rather leaves things to the reader's imagination. It slowly creeps up on you.

The immersive music and sound effects play a significant role in creating an emotional impact. In the later arcs, the OST left a lasting impression on me. Alongside the mystery, each of the main characters has a well-written, compelling backstory that adds to the overall plot. Their emotions, experiences, and fates are given equal importance as the central mystery, which makes the story truly remarkable. Without the characters, the story wouldn't be as successful as it is.

4. Steins;Gate

Steins;Gate is an exceptional visual novel that I've had the pleasure of experiencing. The story quickly drew me in, which is quite impressive considering my limited attention span. Time travel is a complicated topic that's easy to mess up, but Steins;Gate manages to avoid this pitfall with ease. The universe's rules are clearly presented to the readers, and the story manages to make sense within those rules. The characters are well-written and their conversations are always engaging, whether they are comedic or emotional. My only complaint is the slow pace of the first half, but I understand its purpose in making the second half even more impactful.

Okabe Rintarou is portrayed as a mad scientist wannabe in Steins;Gate who possesses the ability to remember events from other timelines, called "READING STEINER," which is later explained in the game. Although his cocky and delusional alter ego put me off at first, it later grew on me as it added drama and emotional depth to the story when it was eventually phased out.

The way all the lab members interacted with Okabe was remarkable and helped bind the storytelling together. The chemistry between them was fantastic, especially between Kurisu and Okabe (who I believe is the best girl). Unlike other visual novels, I didn't find myself mindlessly clicking through Steins;Gate waiting for the climax, but instead, I was actively paying attention and engrossed in the story.

5. The House in Fata Morgana

The House in Fata Morgana is not just a game, but a well-crafted work of art. Its unique and clever Gothic art style, along with its magnificent story and moving music, provide players with a unique gaming experience.

The game's plot is a grand romantic tragedy that spans from the Middle Ages to the Industrial Age, incorporating some magical elements while still maintaining its standard. The suspenseful atmosphere and gradual approach to the truth of the experience will allow players who can immerse themselves in it to appreciate the script's charm. The game's subject matter is also unique in the visual novel genre and should not be missed by interested players.

The lack of full voice acting is a significant regret for the game, as it limits immersion despite providing space for players to imagine. The plot may be too slow for some players, and the antiquated system interface and feedback are major flaws. Additionally, the Gothic art style may be a significant threshold for players who do not enjoy that style.

6. Umineko

In my subjective opinion, Umineko is a rare type of story that only emerges once in a while. It has the power to alter your thinking and challenge your views on reality in various ways. The story delves into questions about truth, perception, and the role of emotions in the search for truth. After experiencing it, you will come out changed, and I wish I could forget it all and experience it again. Nonetheless, I am eager to replay it multiple times as the story has hidden depths that will keep me discovering something new with each playthrough.

Umineko initially appears as a typical murder mystery, heavily influenced by Agatha Christie's 'And Then There Were None'. As a mystery, it is successful with its unforgettable characters, which the story takes the time to introduce and explore. The characters' first impressions will be challenged, and their true nature will be revealed as the story progresses, giving readers a chance to empathize with or pass judgement upon them. The story is accompanied by an exceptional soundtrack, featuring an assortment of compositions that perfectly complement the various moods and atmospheres of the narrative. However, Umineko is more than just a great mystery novel. The real magnificence of the story begins to emerge in Episode 2 after the readers have been given time to absorb the initial premise.

The story takes an unexpected turn and shifts into metafiction, bringing the philosophical themes to the forefront as the reader is pulled into a battle of distorted reasoning to uncover the truth behind the island's murder mysteries. It's difficult to describe without revealing too much, but the story introduces a distinctive tool that challenges and aids the reader in uncovering the truth. This tool, known as the 'red' device, is a major draw for the series, and transforms debates of logic into thrilling and engaging experiences for both the reader and the characters involved.

7. Clannad

At first glance, I thought Clannad was just another anime about high school girls, but I was completely wrong. It turned out to be the most captivating and emotional story I have ever experienced. I highly recommend it to anyone. Originally released in Japan in 2004 as a visual novel, Clannad was re-released in 2008 with added voices and an official English version came out in 2015. It is considered by many in the visual novel community as a masterpiece and one of the best examples of the genre.

The game features several love stories, which can be read in almost any order. Unlike other visual novels that cater to sexual fantasies, Clannad's stories focus on tugging at the reader's heartstrings. I found some of the stories to be so relatable that I had to pause and collect myself before continuing. Some were so good that I went back to reread them again just a few days later.

Prepare yourself to shed tears at least once when you finish Clannad; don't be fooled by anyone who claims otherwise. If you're hesitant about playing the game, know that I was once in your shoes. I was uncertain about whether or not to give it a chance, but I took a leap of faith after hearing positive reviews. And now, I can't stop praising it as one of the most outstanding pieces of fiction I've ever encountered.

8. White Album 2

This game is ideal for those seeking a visually stunning and musically rich Visual Novel that portrays romance in a soul-crushingly realistic way. It's no surprise that White Album 2 is considered one of the best on Vndb and often referred to as a "God-game".

To sum up, White Album 2 is a remarkable romantic visual novel with a love triangle theme, and it stands out among the best in the genre due to its deep story, well-developed characters, and exceptional soundtrack. Although the game starts off slow, this is part of its slow-burn romantic drama formula, which takes you through the daily lives of the protagonists until it finally culminates in an emotionally intense finale that will move you to tears. It's not an exaggeration to say that this game is unique and one-of-a-kind, as no other game quite matches its level even after a decade since its release. If you're looking for a game that will leave a lasting impression on you and make you cry, then White Album 2 is the perfect choice.

The main focus of the game remains on the love-triangle, which is prevalent throughout the entire story from the Introductory Chapter to the Coda. The two main heroines, Kazusa and Setsuna, are at the center of the plot, although the Closing Chapter offers other options with three additional heroines - Chiaki, Koharu, and Mari. I personally rank these heroines based on the complexity of their characters and the intensity of their routes.

The route of Chiaki is particularly noteworthy because in order to unlock her true ending, you must replay the Introductory Chapter and understand how intertwined her story is with the other heroines. Chiaki's character is multifaceted and controversial, and her route can evoke strong feelings of love, pity, or a combination of both.

For the Coda, you must follow Setsuna's route in the Closing Chapter, which is known to elicit even stronger emotions than the previous two chapters. Be prepared for a heart-wrenching experience.

9. Baldr Sky

Baldr Sky is one of the best recent VNs and JRPGs to have been localised to the West, delivering an entertaining story, memorable characters, and robust action RPG combat.

The game is set in a cyberpunk version of urban Japan that has been ravaged by a disaster known as Gray Christmas. The event has left an entire city in ruins and various parties, including local and federal governments, a private corporation, a research team, and a religious cult, have been implicated in the disaster, each blaming the others. The main cast of the game includes survivors, many of whom are alumni of a prestigious school, who believe they had witnessed suspicious events prior to the disaster during their school days.

The game's protagonist, Kou Kadokura, is a survivor of Gray Christmas and works as a freelance mercenary, trying to uncover the truth behind the tragedy. In this world, conflicts are often resolved in cyberspace, so mercenaries are skilled in online combat using avatars. As Kou encounters his old school friends, he realizes that many of them have aligned themselves with factions he suspects. The game draws inspiration from various sources such as classic cyberpunk series, popular manga and anime, and other visual novels. It delves into themes of technology, identity, and reality, while also incorporating politics and religion. The storytelling is masterful, with the unraveling of the core mystery and character development occurring simultaneously. Once you start playing, it's difficult to put down until you've reached the end.

10. Majikoi! Love Me Seriously!

Majikoi is widely considered to be the best romantic comedy visual novel. I had read the original English fan translation back in 2015, but I'm enjoying re-reading this version as it seems to be an improved translation overall.

At its core, Majikoi is a light-hearted visual novel that combines comedy, slice of life, and action scenes. The characters have exaggerated personalities and interact in humorous ways, with jokes being a frequent occurrence. While there are a fair number of action scenes, they are often intentionally over-the-top and accompanied by punchlines. If you enjoy the comedic style presented in the first 15-20 minutes of the story, you'll likely find the rest of the novel to be similarly amusing, as the humor remains consistent throughout without becoming repetitive.

Although the visual novel is generally light-hearted, some of the main characters face real personal and psychological issues, adding occasional drama to the story. These issues include finding true friends, realizing that hard work may not be enough, and disagreements between close friends. Despite this, the personal drama does not detract from the overall feel of the visual novel, and instead helps to make the characters feel more like real people rather than caricatures.

In contrast to many protagonists of romance harem visual novels, Yamato Naoe, the main character of Majikoi, is outgoing and active. He is social with many of his classmates and acquaintances, while remaining most loyal to his close friends. Yamato's most notable trait is his unabashed use of trickery, cheating, and calculated actions during conflicts and fights. However, he remains a good and moral person at heart, making him an entertaining character to watch.

>>> Read more: What Are The Best Pokemon Games Ever Made?

When Doki Doki Literature Club was released in 2017, it became a massive hit of the year within the gaming community. With lightly, playful music and four cute anime girls, Doki Doki Literature Club looks like just every other dating sim game while hiding a secret that will terrify you when it comes. That is all I can say about the game because I don't want to spoil it for people who haven't played it yet. I just want to say that Doki Doki Literature Club deserved every single praise that it has got so far.

Anyway, fast forward to today, it has been 2 years and the hype is gone. Fans have made all kinds of modes, theories, fantasies that they could have done out of Doki Doki Literature Club. No one would have thought Doki Doki Literature Club would get updates or new content anymore. But it seems that the creator, Dan Salvato, is still having something for it.

According to the Tweet, this additional for Doki Doki Literature Club will not be a sequel. We don't even know that it is going to be playable or not. But considering that it took so long to release it, it could be a prologue or even side stories. No one can really tell what it is, which is great, true Doki Doki Literature Club style. I really hope that we will get to see another adventure or story to dive into the game once again.

Apart from the Doki Doki Literature Club update, Dan Salvato also tease about the upcoming Visual Novel that he has been working on for 2 years. I am sure all fans are thrilling to see if the developer can surprise the world once again with this new game or not.

Doki Doki Literature Club is available on Steam for PC for free so if you haven't played it yet, I recommend that you really should spend the next few hours for it now.

5. Doki Doki Literature Club!

Doki Doki Literature Club! is a visual novel made by  Team Salvato, an American developer, despite its anime graphics style. At first sight, the game looks like a normal wholesome dating sim visual novel, but it will give you a pretty big (unpleasant) surprise halfway through the game. It is actually categorized as a Psychological Horror on Steam even though it really doesn't look like one no matter how you look at it.

You will be playing as the main character who is invited to join a literature club that is full of beautiful girls in the school. In the club, you will decide who you will spend time with the most by making poems that they like. Until... one day, something strange happens and then you realize that strange things have been going on since the day you join that club. Now that is all can tell you so far or else it would be a spoiler.

Doki Doki Literature Club! is now available on Steam for PC for free, infinitive times cheaper than it should have costed you. So if you have finished the game and love it, make sure to buy the DLC "Doki Doki Literature Club Fan Pack" and support the developer.

4. The Silver Case

The Silver Case is a visual novel made by Grasshopper Manufacture in 1999 for Play Station. You will be put in the shoes of a member of "Republic," a Special Forces unit. A serial murder occurs in the Tokyo city, which forces the Police Department to send 2 detectives out to solve the case. Evidence eventually lead to Kamui Uehara, a serial killer who died a few years ago. Is this serial killer really Kamui or someone else? What is his final goal? You will discover all of them gradually as you talk to people in the city and solve puzzles in the game in text-based situations through point and click mechanics. The Silver Case is inspired by classic hardboiled detective movies. Along with revolutionary gameplay, it is a game that all crime mysteries fan should take a look at.

The Silver Case is now available on Steam for PC for $7.99 now with a 60% discount.

3. Danganronpa Series

The Danganronpa series is a Japanese visual novel series made by Spike Chunsoft about high school murder. You will be playing as a highschool teenage detective, who is trapped in a school that forces students to kill each other. The protagonist and their friends must discover who is the killer among them before all of them get killed.

Each game in the series has its own memorable cast of characters with noir's visual style and an interesting mystery that built up by various murder cases and dramas. In the end, they all give players a satisfying ending that even the most experienced players can't predict.

There are 3 games in the series in total, Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havocm, Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair, and Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony. You can buy a bundle with all three of them on Steam with a price of $32.97 and save 59%. If you just want to start slowly, I recommend you to start with Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havocm first which is $7.99 now on Steam with a 60% discount.

2. Steins;Gate

If you are a fan of time traveling and films such as The Butterfly Effect, Back To The Future,... then I have something just for you right here. Steins;Gate is a time travel visual novel created by MAGE. Inc and is considered as one of the best visual novels of all time. The game just has simply done right on almost every aspect. You will join the adventure of a group of students who form a “Future Gadget Research Laboratory,”  to create futuristic gadgets. That being said, the only thing that actually works is a Phone Microwave, which turns bananas into a green gel. But somehow, they also found out that it is not the only thing this machine does. It can also send text messages to the past which can alter the present and create consequences that are out of their control.

The game has multiple endings that based on you choose throughout the game. You will be able to get the taste of the consequences for your actions times after times and maybe learn a lesson for yourself.  For a curious fan such as myself, it has taken me around 30 hours to find out about every possibility I want to discover.

The game is now available on Steam for Pc with a price of $11.99

1. Zero Escape Trilogy

Zero Escape Trilogy tells a story about a group of 9 people, who are abducted and locked by a person called Zero. They are forced to play a deathly game so they can escape. The game has 2 parts, the Novel part where you get to see the story of the game are showed and the Escape part where you solve puzzles in different rooms to get out. The game has multiple ending and your actions will determine the final outcome.

The most special aspect of this game is its characters. You can understand more about them and grow a real relationship with them as you play. And these characters are not one dimensional at all, their personality will grow and change throughout the series. The narrative and dialogues are also very well-written with a good mix of darkness and humor.

The Zero Escape Trilogy is now available on Steam for a price of $39.98 with a 20% discount.

Earlier today, Freebird Games has announced about their upcoming project named Imposter Factory - which is the third installment of the To the Moon franchise. According to the developers, this game is more-or-less being a stand-alone game than a sequel, so you probably don't have to play both the prequel to jump in on this game. The game will be available for PC via Steam, with the release date of Late 2020.

Being a narrative-driven adventure game, like its predecessor, the game functioned much like a visual novel. This new game focus on a new character - Quincy, who got invited to a party at a mansion. Somehow, this mansion also has a time machine, and then people start dying. Quincy will have to try his best to survive, and also trying to solve the mystery of the party and of this mansion.

The first game of this series, To the Moon, is a game that was really well-received by many. According to fans and critics, the game's story and music are exceptional. Back in 2011, this game also received the Best story awards in the 'Game of the Year' event created by GameSpot, surpass some really big titles of that time like Catherine, Ghost Trick Detective, and Xenoblade Chronicles. Along with that, an animated film adaptation of this game is currently in development. According to the studio, this movie will be a collaborative project, with Chinese company Ultron Event Horizon funding all the cost for the movie.

A mobile remake version of To the Moon was also got released in 2017 for both iOS and Android. This remake was also well-received and is a big reason that contributes to the expansion of Freebird Games studios' fame, as well as To the Moon's status as the pinnacle of story-telling.

Imposter Factory will be available for PC via Steam in Late 2020.

KFC, the famous global chain of fast food restaurants, is working on a video game. With the help of a game developer named Psyop, the fried chicken mogul is going to create a brand new dating simulator dubbed “I Love You Colonel Sanders!. According to a KFC representative, the game would be available for free to everyone on Steam – beginning on Sept. 24.

"I Love You Colonel Sanders!" will put the players in the shoes of a freshman of a culinary school – who’s going to be a classmate of a young Colonel Sanders. While pursuing love, you have to pass every exam at the culinary school too. If you are skilled enough, the Colonel might even offer you to be his business partner. Amongst the nine characters in the cast, there is a dog who’s actually a professor of the school.

According to KFC, there would be quite a few hours of gameplay plus a secret ending and special recipes. Along with the culinary theme, there will also be cooking battles, the 11 herbs and spices recipe, and plenty of miniature foods. All the memes also remind potential customers that KFC actually did sponsor this game.

While "I Love You Colonel Sanders! A Finger-Lickin' Good Dating Simulator" is a super weird way of promoting chicken fast food products, it is not something that is too out of line. The KFC Gaming twitter official was launched in 2018 – posting memes and video clips all over the place. Recently it also announced a collaboration with Rainbow Six Siege – declaring the game “the best in a World Cup of Games”.

The reaction from the video game community to this dating sim has been great so far – and Sept. 24 can’t come soon enough.

Interested in more Dating Sim videogames? Check this article out for an excellent dating sim on mobile.