Games Like Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers

Arcade Spirits is a romantic visual novel that follows an alternative timeline where the 1983 video game crash never occurred. It's 20XX and you've just started a new job at the Funplex game arcade. Who will you meet along the way? Will you find the romance you're seeking?

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 18.9%, Dating Sim 13.7%, Otome 13.5% ★, Romance 12.3%, Visual Novel 10.5%

"Monster Prom 2: Monster Camp" brings you more of the world's best (and maybe only?) multiplayer dating sim; but in a way you've never expected!

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 28.9%, Dating Sim 22.4%, Romance 14.2%, Visual Novel 13.6%, Story Rich 6.1%

Dust off your coffee machine and prepare your warmest smile to meet your customers again in the second episode of the much loved coffee brewing and heart-to-heart talking simulator; Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 26.1%, Interactive Fiction 18%, Visual Novel 16.7%, Emotional 10.3%, Choices Matter 10%

Experience the stories of Haru, Erika, and Manami, a trio of friends navigating their feelings of love, connection, and just wanting to belong.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 27.4%, Visual Novel 16.2%, Interactive Fiction 13.5%, Emotional 11.9%, Romance 10.2%

Play the role of a young alchemist apprentice who is unwillingly bound to an illegal spirit. Suddenly drawn into a war between humanity and magic, they must join a group of unlikely heroes to escape their own doom, hopefully saving the world along the way.

Why similar: Otome 21.2% ★, Dating Sim 15%, LGBTQ+ 15%, Visual Novel 12.6%, Romance 12.5%

In this sequel to the award-winning roleplay visual novel, Arcadia Fallen, you play as a senior student at the Seven Winds Academy. Choose from three different magical disciplines, and let your choices shape the personality of your character as you navigate school life during a time of great change.

Why similar: Otome 20.6% ★, LGBTQ+ 17.3%, Dating Sim 14.5%, Visual Novel 12.5%, Romance 11.7%

Date your weapons! Romance swords, daggers, and polearms to level them up in this “shack-and-slash” dungeon crawling adventure.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 30.6%, Dating Sim 21.2%, Romance 18.3%, Story Rich 10.6%, Choices Matter 10.2%

Date wizards, match gems, and level up in this match-3 visual novel with a lot of heart and a little spice. Form deep relationships with faeries, sirens and werewolves, each with their own endearing personalities and challenges. Make choices that affect your relationships, and their destinies.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 15.6%, Dating Sim 15.4%, Romance 14.2%, Visual Novel 12.4%, Interactive Fiction 11.1%

Play as Marcel and determine whether or not he has the skills to become Lord Sandor's heir and whether or not he forms a romantic attachment to one of four potential love interests: an ex-gladiator turned gardener, a perfectionist butler, the local doctor, or a mischievous elven Lord.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 27.6%, Romance 15.7%, Dating Sim 15.5%, Visual Novel 14.2%, Otome 8.5% ★

Solve pixel puzzles, date superheroes, and save the day! Dating sim meets puzzle game in this romantic comedy adventure.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 20%, Dating Sim 15.5%, Romance 13.5%, Visual Novel 11.6%, Interactive Fiction 11.3%

Mission: It’s Complicated is a narrative-based, visual novel where you match super-awesome superheroes to go on missions during the night and dates during the day. The more compatible the pair of superheroes are, the more likely that they will fall in love and save the world.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 22%, Dating Sim 16.3%, Romance 16%, Visual Novel 13.9%, Choices Matter 8.4%

In this episodic visual novel, follow the adventures of MSPA Reader as they return to Alternia once more to save their friends... and realize that nothing is as it seems.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 27.6%, Visual Novel 19.7%, Hand-drawn 16.3%, Choices Matter 12.8%, Story Rich 10.6%

A bickering and bantering rivals-to-lovers visual novel where you fall in love after first hack.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 22.5%, Dating Sim 18.3%, Otome 17.8% ★, Visual Novel 13.9%, Romance 13.7%

A visual novel/sim game about life, love, and working in the entertainment industry. Play as makeup artist Sian Goodin as she navigates the world of showbiz. Make friends, forge business relationships, and maybe even find romance!

Why similar: Otome 41% ★, Visual Novel 24.1%, Dating Sim 20.3%, Romance 12.5%, Indie 1.8%

The continuation of the lighthearted romance stories from Blooming Nightshade. Now living in Akiramine, Himeka must adjust to her adult life and responsibilities while supporting her friends. Continue from the romantic endings of the previous game or see a collection of new stories!

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 29.3%, Romance 18.4%, Emotional 13.3%, Dating Sim 8.7%, Visual Novel 8.6%

Start a virtual indie band in this behind-the-music comedy. Date, dance, skate, and run for your life across 5 episodes and interactive music videos, in a heartfelt story of what you risk to chase your dreams. All episodes out now!

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 24.8%, Romance 16.6%, Interactive Fiction 12.9%, Emotional 12.5%, Visual Novel 11.7%

Relive the days of the early internet and dive into this fictional video game era, where the 'Kinmoku Shark’ gaming system and its online social network 'Videoverse' were still popular…

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 16.2%, Visual Novel 15.7%, LGBTQ+ 14.2%, Emotional 10.6%, Story Rich 9.1%

Can you save magic before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve? Life After Magic is a queer, retro visual novel that follows jaded ex-magical girls as they reconnect, deal with young adulthood, and face off against one last threat before Y2K hits.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 28.6%, Dating Sim 18.3%, Visual Novel 15.2%, Romance 14.9%, Story Rich 9.1%

Play as twins Hazel and Jace in this wholesome romcom visual novel. After a silly bet is made, the protagonists must find a boyfriend or girlfriend before their twin beats them to it!

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 21.6%, Otome 18.5% ★, Romance 14.9%, Dating Sim 14.7%, Visual Novel 13.6%

In this interactive tale of love and war, be the force of reason that your kingdom needs, or perpetuate its reputation as a force of destruction. Find love and weave friendships, or cast it all away for the sake of retribution.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 17.3%, Romance 15.2%, Interactive Fiction 15.1%, Dating Sim 14.2%, Character Customization 10%

Tender is a narrative game that explores connection and rejection in the era of swipe culture. It’s a story told by and through the modern interface for finding love.

Why similar: Dating Sim 20%, Interactive Fiction 16.5%, LGBTQ+ 16.2%, Visual Novel 14.7%, Hand-drawn 10.9%

A BL dating sim with elements of studio management and interactions with voice actors! Follow Aki, a newbie voice director who has to complete the recordings for several BL dramas, and interact with the charming voice actors. Come give voice to the language of love!

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 31%, Dating Sim 20.5%, Romance 17%, Visual Novel 12.7%, Story Rich 8%

The first sequel to the Boys Love visual novel Paradise. Play through the continuation of the original game's good endings, and unlock flashbacks to the first Paradise from new perspectives. Contains new CGs, characters, and lots of romance!

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 30.7%, Romance 16.6%, Visual Novel 16.5%, Dating Sim 14.1%, Story Rich 9.1%

A GxB visual novel that explores a whimsical, yet dangerous world which blends the solarpunk and cyberpunk aesthetics into a unique adventure. As you follow the MC on her journey, pursue various love interests in a stand-alone story unique to that route.

Why similar: Otome 23.4% ★, Romance 14.7%, Visual Novel 12.4%, Interactive Fiction 11.6%, Character Customization 7.7%

The afterstory to Find Love or Die Trying is here! Continue your romance with your chosen partner in the world beyond the killer dating show. Will your love survive, when the world turns against you?

Why similar: Dating Sim 28.1%, Romance 21.9%, Visual Novel 19.9%, Emotional 14.4%, Story Rich 7.3%

Step into Pixel's shoes in this one-of-a-kind journey that bridges time, memories, and the aroma of fresh coffee. Dive deep into a city balancing its past and future. Engage in intense arcade challenges, immerse yourself in heartfelt stories, and navigate a world crafted in pixel art.

Why similar: Visual Novel 35.8%, Story Rich 22%, Arcade 18.3%, Choices Matter 12.3%, 2D 6.6%

Infinite Stars is a visual novel filled with romance, mystery & roleplaying elements where you choose how the adventure unfolds. Establish your character & personality through the hundreds of choices presented in this interactive fiction inspired by stories like Dune, The Expanse & Mass Effect.

Why similar: Otome 18.2% ★, LGBTQ+ 14.8%, Dating Sim 11.7%, Interactive Fiction 10.2%, Visual Novel 10.2%

From the creator of Coffee Talk and What Comes After, comes a slice-of-life adventure set in modern Jakarta about love, loss and finding your own way forward. Step into the shoes of Rama, a young musician struggling to move on with life after the death of his girlfriend, Cinta.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 17.7%, Dating Sim 12.4%, Hand-drawn 10.9%, Romance 10.6%, Interactive Fiction 10.2%

Continue your adventure in Cordale Academy, following up on your previous choices and experiencing all-new content, including: Story, Animations, Locations, Quests and more!

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 23.2%, Visual Novel 14.6%, Romance 14.6%, Dating Sim 12.5%, Choices Matter 8.4%

In a society plagued by visions of the future, a group of friends attempt to find their own way in a predestined life. This isn't easy, however, when they live under the Argus Corporation - a superpower dedicated to maintaining social order. A fully voice acted dystopic story/dating-sim. Play today!

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 17.2%, Otome 13.8% ★, Romance 11.7%, Dating Sim 11.5%, Visual Novel 10.2%

Kitty Powers' special brand of matchmaking returns in this remastered version of the viral sensation Kitty Powers' Matchmaker. It's time to make love happen, again!

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 26%, Dating Sim 20.7%, Romance 19%, Character Customization 13.2%, Choices Matter 7.7%

A cozy visual novel about running a tavern in a D&D-inspired fantasy! Gather rumors, serve magical drinks, and meet adventurers on a life-changing quest.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 26.1%, Visual Novel 14.9%, Interactive Fiction 13.8%, Hand-drawn 11.8%, Emotional 11.3%

Button City is a cozy narrative adventure game about a fox and his friends banding together to save their local arcade! Explore a diorama world, play exciting arcade games, complete quirky quests and meet cute animal friends.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 28.6%, Arcade 24.1%, Funny 17.4%, Story Rich 16.1%, Adventure 8.3%

The Radiants is a magical adventure visual novel with light stat raising & multiple endings. Choose what kind of Oracle you will become and maybe find romance along the way.

Why similar: Otome 24.2% ★, Dating Sim 16.6%, Romance 15.2%, Visual Novel 13.8%, Interactive Fiction 11.9%

A marvellous romance with a hint of murder, where every playthrough is different! Seek love, friendship, or more... intimate encounters. Help a murdered man find justice. And watch out for the bats.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 21.1%, Dating Sim 15.7%, Romance 14.5%, Visual Novel 13.5%, Alternate History 10.6%

Coffee Talk Tokyo is the newest entry in the beloved series, set in a late-night café in Tokyo. Brew drinks, meet humans and yōkai, and experience heartfelt stories in a cozy, story-rich world.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 20.2%, Interactive Fiction 17.4%, Visual Novel 17.1%, Emotional 11.9%, Choices Matter 10.9%

ValiDate is a romantic visual novel about 13 adults in Jercy City navigating new relationships and the harsh realities that come alongside them.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 30.2%, Dating Sim 20.1%, Romance 20.1%, Visual Novel 17.2%, Casual 3.7%

Emily <3 is a brand new story set on an old-new social media. Customize your facenook profile, send some friend requests and determine the outcome of your senior year.

Why similar: Dating Sim 23%, Visual Novel 14.2%, Choices Matter 14.1%, Emotional 14%, Romance 12.3%

Embark on a road trip like no other in this co-op narrative survival adventure. Visit fun locations, meet wacky characters, and manage your resources wisely. And yes: you still can date some hot monsters ;)

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 26.6%, Dating Sim 18.4%, Visual Novel 15.3%, Romance 13.3%, Choices Matter 9.7%

Forge your own story and explore the world of Athens in Athenian Rhapsody, a souls-like platonic dating simulator with cooking-mama and WarioWare style battle mechanics... and by that I mean it's a choose-your-own-adventure action RPG with the ability to trade ENTIRE PLAYTHROUGHS between friends!!

Why similar: Dating Sim 27.2%, Interactive Fiction 25.7%, Character Customization 17%, Choices Matter 11.4%, Funny 8.7%

An immersive MMORPG-simulation chatroom based romance / otome visual novel. You are the leader of a raiding guild in the world's hottest MMORPG, Emberfate. Will you lead your guild to success in the newest raid — and perhaps find love along the way among your guildmates?

Why similar: Otome 21.8% ★, Dating Sim 14.2%, LGBTQ+ 12.8%, Interactive Fiction 11.6%, Visual Novel 10.9%

Upon finding a mysterious social media account, Alex sets out to find the origins of the photos and meets three urban explorers, each of them unearthing something new and unfamiliar in her heart.

Why similar: Otome 22.2% ★, LGBTQ+ 19.5%, Dating Sim 15.2%, Romance 14%, Visual Novel 13%

Coffee Talk is a coffee brewing and heart-to-heart talking simulator about listening to fantasy-inspired modern peoples’ problems, and helping them by serving up a warm drink or two.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 26%, Visual Novel 19.5%, Interactive Fiction 16.6%, Emotional 12%, Story Rich 10%

Branching dialogue! Hard choices! A cemetery's worth of phantoms, wraiths, and poltergeists lookin' for love in all the blight places.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 18.9%, Dating Sim 13.9%, Visual Novel 11%, Interactive Fiction 11%, Romance 9.5%

A dating sim where you jump into the shoes of the modern Millennial to find yourself and love in a time when true romance seems fleeting.

Why similar: Casual 66.4%, Indie 33.6%

Emily is Away Too is a brand new story featuring new characters and multiple different endings. Message your friends, surf the web and choose your path through this branching narrative.

Why similar: Dating Sim 28.3%, Choices Matter 16.7%, Visual Novel 15.7%, Story Rich 11.9%, Romance 6.3%

It's not what you say, it's how you say it. We should talk is a short-form narrative game that will make you think carefully about the words you choose. Can your relationship survive the night?

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 22.4%, Romance 14.6%, Visual Novel 14%, Interactive Fiction 13.8%, Emotional 10.8%

A light admonishment from Mom sparks the realization that these twin sisters care for each other in more than a familial sense. In this dramatic & romantic yuri Visual Novel, it's up to you to navigate the forbidden tension between the sisters so their love can flourish without growing one-sided.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 28.1%, Visual Novel 17.9%, Romance 12.9%, Dating Sim 10.9%, Choices Matter 8.3%

"Trivia About You" is a romance visual novel about furry characters sharing meaningful moments in Carol’s House. After moving into the shop, you become roommates with three charming furry characters. Through daily life, from spring to autumn, you slowly build deeper connections with them.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 38.4%, Dating Sim 18.8%, Visual Novel 17.3%, Romance 11.7%, Choices Matter 5%

Andromeda Six is a sci-fi inspired visual novel, with romance elements and an immersive, choice based story. Take on the role of a lost Traveler and uncover the truth of your past. Fight for a future for both yourself, and those you grow close to throughout your journey.

Why similar: Romance 23%, Visual Novel 21.3%, Otome 15.6% ★, Choices Matter 10.6%, LGBTQ+ 8.2%

Love Curse is a GL visual novel. You’ve fallen under a curse, and the only way to break it is to find your soulmate! The clock is ticking… Will you find true love? And what secrets will you uncover along the way?

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 36.9%, Dating Sim 17.9%, Visual Novel 15.3%, Romance 12%, Choices Matter 6%

"Curtain Call" is a visual novel about (literally) breaking through social masks by forming meaningful connections with incredibly deep personalities. Whether you’re looking to make new friends or something more, there’s a whole cast of characters just dying to meet you!

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 23.3%, Dating Sim 17.2%, Romance 15%, Interactive Fiction 14.2%, Visual Novel 13.5%

Spend your teenage years on an alien planet in this narrative RPG with card-based battles. Explore, grow up, and fall in love. The choices you make and skills you master over ten years will determine the course of your life and the survival of your colony.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 25.1%, Dating Sim 19.2%, Interactive Fiction 15.2%, Visual Novel 15.2%, Choices Matter 11%

You move to a new city to live with your "former" stepfather. Work, make friends, and explore the thrilling world of romance in this captivating game. Are you ready for the excitement? Let the journey begin!

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 45%, Dating Sim 16.4%, Romance 10.1%, Choices Matter 6.9%, Story Rich 6%

The hit series BUSTAFELLOWS continues with an all-new season! Fight for love and fight against crime, in this romantic, mystery, visual novel!

Why similar: Otome 20% ★, Romance 16.4%, Dating Sim 15.1%, Visual Novel 14.5%, Interactive Fiction 12.3%

You are the Monarch. Choose between diplomacy and tyranny. Romance allies or enemies. Your decisions define your rule and the fate of those closest to you in this character-driven interactive tale.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 15.6%, Romance 14.4%, Interactive Fiction 13.4%, Dating Sim 13.1%, Visual Novel 10.2%

Love is in the air, but work, life, and spicy Ramen keep getting in the way! From 8 hours to 8 years, this time-jumping saga will change the way you feel about fate forever.

Why similar: Romance 32.8%, Adventure 20.7%, Emotional 18.1%, Story Rich 11.9%, Indie 8.3%

Pat the dogs... and then their owners. Step into the world of Rainbow Bay in Best Friend Forever, a dating sim-meets-dog care sim where you pat, pamper and train your pup while you search for your own forever friend.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 23.4%, Dating Sim 18%, Romance 16%, Visual Novel 15%, Choices Matter 9.3%