Games Like malViolence - Definitive Edition

Kidnapped and taken to an unfamiliar location, nine people find themselves forced to participate in a diabolical Nonary Game by an enigmatic mastermind called Zero. Why were they there? Why were they chosen to put their lives on the line? And more importantly, who can be trusted?

Why similar: Visual Novel 25.5%, Choices Matter 14.3%, Multiple Endings 14.2%, Story Rich 12.8%, Anime 11.7%

Why You'll Like It: This title is the gold standard for combining dark, high-stakes sci-fi narratives with complex escape-room style puzzles.

Play as detective Kaname Date on the case of an elusive serial killer in this thrilling, sci-fi murder mystery.

Why similar: Visual Novel 28.7%, Anime 21.9%, Story Rich 13.7%, Sci-fi 11.7%, Multiple Endings 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: It features a gripping sci-fi detective story that utilizes unique puzzle-solving mechanics within the visual novel format.

Investigate murders, search for clues and talk to your classmates to prepare for trial. There, you'll engage in deadly wordplay, going back and forth with suspects. Dissect their statements and fire their words back at them to expose their lies! There's only one way to survive—pull the trigger.

Why similar: Visual Novel 31.5%, Anime 27.4%, Dark Comedy 18.8%, Story Rich 13.7%, Puzzle 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: This game perfectly captures the intense, high-stakes atmosphere of a death game combined with logic-based investigation gameplay.

Your Turn To Die -Death Game By Majority- is a multi-ending horror adventure game. Sara Chidouin returns home from school late one night to discover that something's gone terribly wrong. When she comes to, she finds herself, her friend Joe, and 9 other people trapped in a mysterious place.

Why similar: Multiple Endings 26.2%, Anime 22.4%, Dark 20.3%, Story Rich 13.6%, Colorful 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, suspenseful visual novel that forces players to solve puzzles and make difficult choices in a life-or-death setting.

How far would you go to bring someone back from the dead? Discover the depths that some will go to in this horror-adventure game.

Why similar: Visual Novel 29.5%, Anime 22.5%, Multiple Endings 16.4%, Hand-drawn 16.1%, Story Rich 12.4%

Why You'll Like It: A supernatural mystery that blends traditional visual novel storytelling with clever investigative puzzle elements.

Rescue squad captain Watase Kasasagi wakes up without his memories in the middle of his most critical mission yet-- a nuclear meltdown at a research facility. In an unfamiliar place and without his years of training, he must rescue the survivors and escape...

Why similar: Visual Novel 35.3%, Anime 19.8%, Multiple Endings 14.1%, Story Rich 11.9%, Sci-fi 11.2%

Why You'll Like It: A complex sci-fi visual novel that incorporates unique 'Senses Sympathy System' mechanics to influence the narrative path.

A dark visual mystery novel featuring transhumanism, traditional marriage, loneliness, and cosplay. Two pursuable characters. Five endings. Welcome to the future.

Why similar: Visual Novel 50.1%, Anime 20%, Sci-fi 16.6%, Story Rich 7%, Multiple Endings 3.5%

Why You'll Like It: A sci-fi mystery that requires players to piece together the history of a derelict ship through logs and archives.

Synergia is a yuri thriller visual novel that takes place in a cyberpunk future, wrapped up in a beautifully unique, vibrant neon aesthetic. At the end of the world, sometimes love is the ultimate crime.

Why similar: Dystopian 24.7%, Cyberpunk 24.2%, Visual Novel 14.5%, Anime 9.7%, Sci-fi 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: A beautiful, dystopian cyberpunk visual novel that focuses on the emotional consequences of artificial intelligence.

Developed by 5pb. and Nitroplus, STEINS;GATE was awarded Famitsu magazine's coveted annual Game of Excellence award and was voted one of the most emotionally charged “tear-inducing games” ever made, in a Famitsu poll. It is a gripping and moving Visual Novel, which has already spawned manga and anime adaptations.

Why similar: Visual Novel 23.9%, Science 20.8%, Anime 15.6%, Sci-fi 12.1%, Story Rich 10.7%

Why You'll Like It: A quintessential sci-fi visual novel that explores dystopian themes and time-travel consequences with deep, story-rich writing.

VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action is a booze em' up about waifus, technology, and post-dystopia life.

Why similar: Cyberpunk 27.6%, Dystopian 23.8%, Visual Novel 14.3%, Anime 8.9%, Choices Matter 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a deeply immersive cyberpunk atmosphere where the narrative is driven by the interactions and stories of the characters you serve.

Five girls meet in an isolated underground city. As they slay and betray each other, what fate awaits them at the end of their journey? Hope? Or despair? Enjoy an immersive story, fully voiced and boasting multiple endings!

Why similar: Visual Novel 22.4%, Dystopian 18.3%, Anime 17.4%, Story Rich 10.2%, Puzzle 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, puzzle-heavy visual novel that traps characters in an underground facility, mirroring the tension of the seed game.

MINDS BENEATH US is an emotional sci-fi narrative game. Through the eyes of a humble individual, experience a mad world where humans are exploited as computing devices for AI. Listen to the concerns of those you meet and offer guidance. Together, face challenges and confront an uncertain destiny.

Why similar: Dystopian 23.6%, Cyberpunk 22.1%, Visual Novel 12.2%, Choices Matter 9.4%, Multiple Endings 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: A cinematic cyberpunk story that emphasizes player choice and the dark realities of a technologically advanced society.

Roleplaying in the ruins of interplanetary capitalism. Live the life of an escaped worker, washed-up on a lawless station at the edge of an interstellar society. Inspired by the flexibility and freedom of TTRPGs, explore the station, choose your friends, escape your past and change your future.

Why similar: Dystopian 29%, Cyberpunk 28.3%, Sci-fi 13%, Multiple Endings 10.5%, Hand-drawn 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: A narrative-driven RPG set in a dystopian space station that focuses on survival and complex character relationships.

"What if you're born into this world without your permission?" DIVINATION is a very short visual novel where you act as a fortune teller in a futuristic world. Talk and listen to people's stories, then foresee their future using the runes they had drawn.

Why similar: Cyberpunk 24.7%, Dystopian 20.6%, Visual Novel 14%, Choices Matter 8.8%, Sci-fi 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: A short, experimental cyberpunk visual novel that focuses on philosophical choices and dark, atmospheric storytelling.

In a world where psychological states can be quantified, every choice has consequences, victims can become criminals, and the very nature of truth can warp and shift. Can detectives Nadeshiko Kugatachi and Takuma Tsurugi remain on the path of justice as they face the ugly truths of humanity?

Why similar: Cyberpunk 27.1%, Visual Novel 25.3%, Anime 22.6%, Dystopian 18.7%, Sci-fi 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: Based on the popular anime, this visual novel explores a dystopian society where morality is measured by technology.

The Gnosia lie. Pretending to be human, they’ll get in close, trick and deceive, and then eliminate one victim at a time...

Why similar: Visual Novel 31.5%, Anime 24.9%, Sci-fi 23%, Story Rich 16.3%, Singleplayer 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: A sci-fi social deduction game that uses visual novel elements to create a loop-based mystery puzzle experience.

A cyberpunk adventure game from the studio that brought you Gemini Rue and Blackwell! The year is 2087. Genetic engineering is the norm, and an omnipresent AI powers the city. Take control of three citizens of this world as they struggle to understand a deadly conspiracy.

Why similar: Cyberpunk 65.8%, Sci-fi 19.6%, Story Rich 10.2%, Singleplayer 3.2%, 2D 1.2%

Why You'll Like It: This cyberpunk adventure features intricate puzzle-solving and a dark, thought-provoking narrative set in a futuristic city.

Hack into crime scenes, look for evidence, analyze data, interrogate criminals, track suspects and deal with the consequences of your decisions. This is a dark and brutal detective story with a Black Mirror-esque atmosphere of digital dominance and the narrative structure of a US crime procedural.

Why similar: Dystopian 27.2%, Cyberpunk 21.8%, Visual Novel 12.6%, Choices Matter 11.4%, Multiple Endings 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: A detective simulation game set in a dystopian future where you must hack and investigate to solve complex cases.

Your end is my beginning. A short psychological visual novel with exploration and puzzle elements... it already lays shattered.

Why similar: Visual Novel 28.1%, Anime 20.4%, Hand-drawn 14.9%, Story Rich 11%, Colorful 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: A psychological horror visual novel that combines point-and-click exploration with a dark, investigative narrative.

Sanctuaries. Secrets. Serious consequences. A solo-developed psychological horror/drama visual novel.

Why similar: Visual Novel 29.5%, Anime 25%, Dark 14.7%, Story Rich 14.3%, Hand-drawn 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: A psychological horror visual novel that delves into dark themes and unsettling narrative twists.

Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER is a story-rich adventure and the sequel to 2064: Read Only Memories. Explore the rich world with an intuitive point-and-click interface as you take on the role of a young psychic agent tasked with tracking down a mysterious antagonist hiding in people's memories.

Why similar: Cyberpunk 30.3%, Visual Novel 16.2%, Multiple Endings 11.1%, Choices Matter 10.6%, Sci-fi 10.5%

Why You'll Like It: A cyberpunk mystery that utilizes unique memory-diving puzzle mechanics to progress the story.

Follow Sybil in her pursuit for survival, having to sacrifice everything - her culture, her identity, her values - to achieve a single objective: escape from a place that is constantly trying to kill her. A short game about persecution and identity.

Why similar: Dystopian 25.3%, Visual Novel 18.8%, Multiple Endings 16.7%, Story Rich 12.6%, Dark 12.4%

Why You'll Like It: An emotional and dark visual novel that features multiple endings and a heavy, story-rich atmosphere.

Sci-Fi Mystery Visual Novel. Nine people are trapped in an underground research facility, forced to play a game of life and death. Check your log to find the truth that connects those apparent strangers - if you even want to, that is.

Why similar: Visual Novel 29.5%, Sci-fi 22.7%, Anime 20.7%, Story Rich 14.6%, Dark 7%

Why You'll Like It: A mystery-focused visual novel that explores sci-fi themes regarding identity and consciousness.

A mystery visual novel about six students forced to play a 12-hour long killing game.

Why similar: Visual Novel 41.4%, Anime 19.5%, Puzzle 15.8%, Dark 13%, Colorful 4.8%

Why You'll Like It: A detective-style visual novel that challenges players to solve mysteries under a strict time limit.

ALLBLACK Phase 1 is a visual novel adapted from light novel with the same title. Follow the journey of the amnesiac and seemingly abnormal "Theodore Quentin" as he uncovers his identity while escaping from the people who wants him at all cost...

Why similar: Visual Novel 26.5%, Anime 22.4%, Sci-fi 19.7%, Story Rich 12.7%, First-Person 11.3%

Why You'll Like It: A psychological thriller visual novel that features a dark, sci-fi aesthetic and intense narrative stakes.

A visual novel about raising a cute robot child, which may or may not go horribly wrong. Your choices decide the outcome.

Why similar: Visual Novel 25.8%, Anime 21.7%, Choices Matter 12.6%, Sci-fi 11.4%, Multiple Endings 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: A unique horror visual novel that uses a sci-fi premise to deliver unsettling and philosophical experiences.

Immerse yourself in neon, smoke, and high-stakes legal gambles as a Defense Attorney with uniquely Killer insights in this episodic, diabolically stylish visual novel adventure game.

Why similar: Cyberpunk 22.9%, Dystopian 18.4%, Visual Novel 13.6%, Lore-Rich 12.5%, Anime 8.4%

A linear visual novel about five short stories, unrelated at first glance. Be prepared for mysticism, gloomy atmosphere and light psychological horror. Not recommended to play if you are experiencing depression or severe psychological state.

Why similar: Visual Novel 33.7%, Dark 20%, Anime 20%, Story Rich 16.3%, 2D 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, supernatural visual novel that focuses on psychological horror and disturbing narrative themes.

Conversation is a dangerous game. Manipulate a fractured band of renegade divers to reach the depths of this short narrative puzzle. Uncover alliances and expose betrayals — before something horrific from the dark abyss silences you all. Don’t let the conversation get too deep.

Why similar: Sci-fi 15.6%, Dystopian 15.3%, Choices Matter 13.3%, Story Rich 11.5%, Puzzle 11.2%

Why You'll Like It: A narrative-heavy game that blends atmospheric exploration with puzzle elements in a dark, mysterious setting.

Can you save a test subject from your life’s work? A cinematic sci-fi visual novel about cybernetic research and its sickening consequences. A prequel to malViolence.

Why similar: Science 23.4%, Cyberpunk 16.2%, Dystopian 15.1%, Visual Novel 9.9%, Anime 8.4%

Lucid9 is a visual novel focused on a web of intricate mysteries set in the fictional 2018 metropolis of Isamu. Lucid9: Inciting Incident is the first part of the story, focused on a string of disappearances that occur at a prestigious, uppity boarding academy.

Why similar: Visual Novel 45.4%, Anime 31.7%, Story Rich 14%, Choices Matter 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: A mystery-themed visual novel with a strong anime aesthetic and a focus on uncovering hidden secrets.

Ever since the day the powers appeared, crime has ruled the streets of Scum City. As the conniving villains grow stronger and stronger, and the heroes find themselves walloped rather than walloping... it falls to you to rehabilitate S-rank villains in this short visual novel!

Why similar: Visual Novel 25.9%, Anime 21.8%, Sci-fi 19.2%, Story Rich 10.6%, Hand-drawn 10.5%

An otome visual novel - play a powerless victim of a terrifying, unfair world. 200+ choices, 50+ endings, 20+ hours of play - and only one way to escape.

Why similar: Visual Novel 22.2%, Multiple Endings 17.3%, Anime 16.8%, Choices Matter 15.3%, Story Rich 13.1%

A visual novel about obsession, loneliness, and, based on your choices, varying amounts of murder.

Why similar: Visual Novel 42.9%, Anime 35.6%, Multiple Endings 8%, Choices Matter 6.1%, Story Rich 3.6%

A mad and romantic ADV. Unravel a strange world of science and philosophy with a mecha girl, zombie girl, or beastfolk. Some paths may disturb you... or thrill you.

Why similar: Visual Novel 24.6%, Anime 20.2%, Sci-fi 15.7%, Lore-Rich 14.3%, Multiple Endings 11.1%

Extreme Life-and-Death Massage! Enjoy magician's look of agony and cure embarrassing ailments! From hemorrhoids that cause earthquakes to rhinitis that make huge explosion...nothing too fancy that you can't handle. However, if your skills fall short, these powerful, unclothed magicians may kill you.

Why similar: Dystopian 27.7%, Dark Comedy 18.6%, Visual Novel 17.4%, Anime 14.5%, Multiple Endings 9.3%

The first visual novel about fake news! Investigate in 2044 in a humorous and cyberpunk universe. Counter your opponents' lies and thwart the plot that threatens Néo-Sorbonne!

Why similar: Science 31.7%, Cyberpunk 22.8%, Visual Novel 16.9%, Sci-fi 13.2%, Story Rich 6.7%

MOOD is a short visual novel combining horror, dark humor, and dialogues on a wide variety of topics, from old movies to ancient wars. You were the one who summoned your new companion, there is no backing out now!

Why similar: Visual Novel 21%, Anime 14.6%, Choices Matter 13.6%, Multiple Endings 12.8%, Dark 12.5%

An adventure game with visual novel-style narrative, Minotaur tells a dark mystery story set in a newly created science fantasy world of synthets, magic-wielding androids and cybernetically enhanced penguins… God, what a (bloody) mess.

Why similar: Cyberpunk 45.7%, Visual Novel 24.8%, Anime 11.5%, Story Rich 11.2%, Sci-fi 6.8%

select your protagonist and explore a variety of terrible fates!

Why similar: Visual Novel 27.2%, Multiple Endings 21.8%, Choices Matter 19.2%, Story Rich 14.9%, Anime 9.9%

It's rumored that those who play 'BAD END'- a Visual Novel will die in REAL LIFE if they make the wrong decision in the game itself.

Why similar: Visual Novel 31%, Anime 25.4%, Multiple Endings 20%, Story Rich 14.7%, Colorful 7.4%

Quantum Suicide is a game of betrayal, deception and romance in the cold depths of space.

Why similar: Visual Novel 23.6%, Anime 17.8%, Choices Matter 16.7%, Multiple Endings 16.5%, Story Rich 12.9%

Change the minds of evildoers…for good! MINDHACK is a text adventure game where you meet unique evildoers, hack their minds, and rewrite them into happy people!

Why similar: Dystopian 37%, Visual Novel 20.1%, Sci-fi 12.1%, Story Rich 10.6%, Anime 8.9%

Become an android repair technician in a cyberpunk city where the sun never rises. Rotate the unique circular puzzle 'D1AL' and merge modules to fix their broken bodies and hearts. Your precise repair is the conversation starter. Turn the dial and listen to their stories.

Why similar: Cyberpunk 26.1%, Dystopian 23.8%, Visual Novel 11.1%, Multiple Endings 8%, Sci-fi 7.4%

What does a SUPERVILLAIN do, when he is forbidden from doing anything evil for the day? WARNING: This is not the type of game where you can make meaningful choices.

Why similar: Visual Novel 48.9%, Anime 19.9%, Story Rich 19.5%, Colorful 8.7%, Singleplayer 3%

Aoba's vibrant cyberpunk world is one of contrasts: high-tech virtual reality battles versus street gang turf wars, ultra-exclusive luxury resorts and tiny junk shops. The choices you make will shape the path of Aoba's journey into the dark secrets lurking beneath the glossy sheen of the city.

Why similar: Visual Novel 23.8%, Cyberpunk 23%, Anime 15.9%, Choices Matter 11.3%, Multiple Endings 9.7%

A cinematic techno-thriller about the fate of the intermediate links of progress.

Why similar: Cyberpunk 27.6%, Dystopian 23.8%, Visual Novel 14.1%, Sci-fi 12.3%, Anime 11.1%

An escape-room styled series of puzzles await in the car that seems to contain neither rhyme nor reason. See if you can solve the mysteries of the photographs, and figure out what it means to be the ONE IN THE BACK.

Why similar: Anime 21.5%, Puzzle 20.2%, Hidden Object 19.1%, Story Rich 18.5%, Hand-drawn 13.5%

Winion Virus is a pixel-art visual novel horror game. It features adorable and charming graphics paired with a dark fairy-tale story full of unexpected twists. As a point-and-click adventure, your task is to fix the errors occurring within the computer.

Why similar: Visual Novel 30.5%, Lore-Rich 24.9%, Sci-fi 14.2%, Story Rich 11.6%, Dark 10.3%

In a game show starring only criminals, you must gamble against rival players to prove yourself worthy of being pardoned for your wrong deeds— But is the show really about proving your innocence? Jackpot Crash Course is a death game visual novel about crime, luck and spectacle.

Why similar: Dark Comedy 23.9%, Visual Novel 20.5%, Choices Matter 13.8%, Multiple Endings 13.4%, Story Rich 10.6%

Twilight Town: A Cyberpunk Day In Life is a chill, linear visual novel set in an ambient yet melancholic town in the distant future. Play as Ikuro and work with all kinds of shady figures to take care of your personal robot companion you're so hopelessly in love with.

Why similar: Cyberpunk 35.4%, Dystopian 25.1%, Visual Novel 17.1%, Story Rich 8.1%, Anime 6.6%

Train of Afterlife is a mystery, psychological, horror Visual Novel.

Why similar: Visual Novel 45.3%, Anime 22.2%, Multiple Endings 8.6%, Choices Matter 8.5%, Story Rich 6.9%

I Am The Prosecutor is a non-linear Visual Novel about defending a cute Tomboy named Sophie where you're given just 30 seconds to make the right choice each time. Help make Sophie's case against her abusive mother and give her much needed closure.

Why similar: Visual Novel 22.2%, Anime 15.7%, Multiple Endings 15.1%, Choices Matter 14.5%, Story Rich 11.6%

Type-NOISE: Shonen Shojo is a multi-ending mystery adventure game. A group of boys and girls who have lost their memories gather in a “Tokyo” that is both familiar and unfamiliar. They must trace their lost memories to escape the bizarre labyrinths. Are they prepared to confront their “true selves”?

Why similar: Visual Novel 23.2%, Anime 19%, Sci-fi 17.6%, Multiple Endings 14.4%, Story Rich 11.3%

Nine participants awaken, trapped in an underground facility. To escape, they must play a game with deadly consequences. Who will live, and who will die? The choice is yours. Let the Decision Game begin…

Why similar: Visual Novel 25%, Choices Matter 14.6%, Puzzle 13.7%, Anime 12.7%, Story Rich 12.6%

Play as 25yo writer Jian Xun in a 5-min deadline loop. Your script is alive! In this thriller puzzle, use "keyframe sorting" to piece stories. Fight AI, break the 4th wall & escape the nightmare!

Why similar: Cyberpunk 32.3%, Visual Novel 17.5%, Multiple Endings 13.1%, Anime 13%, Puzzle 9.8%

Humanity Must Perish is a short, comedic visual novel in which the fate of humanity is placed in the hands of a witty, pessimistic android.

Why similar: Visual Novel 59.9%, Anime 40.1%

DERE EVIL EXE is both a terrifying thriller with a gripping meta horror story and a retro 16-bit pixel platformer with unique puzzles and obstacles.

Why similar: Anime 30.9%, Sci-fi 26.1%, Visual Novel 23.7%, Story Rich 14.9%, 2D 4.4%

Horror/thriller visual novel with RPG elements about two friends that explores guilt, co-dependency, and personal limits being pushed.

Why similar: Visual Novel 42.5%, Multiple Endings 23.3%, Choices Matter 15.7%, Story Rich 10.7%, 2D 5.2%

Sequel to the sci-fi visual novel Bionic Heart. The game is told from four different points of view: each character choice will change the outcome of the story.

Why similar: Science 23.9%, Cyberpunk 18.2%, Visual Novel 11.6%, Anime 9.7%, Sci-fi 9.3%