Games Like Root Double -Before Crime * After Days- Xtend 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 31.6%, Multiple Endings 12.5%, Mystery 12.4%, Story Rich 10.3%, Anime 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: This title shares the intense, high-stakes survival atmosphere and complex puzzle-solving mechanics found in the best moments of Root Double.

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

Why similar: Visual Novel 30.1%, Anime 14.9%, Mystery 12.6%, Story Rich 9.4%, Multiple Endings 7.1%

Why You'll Like It: This detective mystery features a unique sci-fi premise and deep, character-driven storytelling that mirrors the investigative tension of the seed game.

From the creators of the critically acclaimed STEINS;GATE comes a sensational new visual novel: CHAOS;CHILD. Set in Shibuya in 2015, a group of high school students who survived an earthquake six years ago find themselves at the center of a new series of bizarre murders in the city.

Why similar: Visual Novel 32.2%, Anime 11.9%, Mystery 11.1%, Gore 7.7%, Story Rich 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: This psychological thriller offers a dark, complex mystery with heavy sci-fi themes and multiple endings that reward thorough investigation.

A kidnapping on the streets of Shibuya brings together a hot-blooded detective, hard-hitting journalist, former gang leader, the head researcher of a big pharma manufacturer and a part-timer stuck in cat costume for a series of events each more unexpected and outrageous than the last.

Why similar: Visual Novel 51.8%, Mystery 17.3%, Story Rich 11.2%, Adventure 6%, Violent 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: It utilizes a brilliant multi-perspective narrative system that forces you to manage different characters' fates simultaneously, much like the branching structure of Root Double.

If you can't save the one you love… How can you save humanity? Sequel to the visual novel cult classic. Experience an alternate worldline of STEINS;GATE.

Why similar: Visual Novel 37.1%, Anime 15.9%, Story Rich 12.3%, Multiple Endings 10.1%, Sci-fi 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: A quintessential sci-fi visual novel that explores the consequences of time-altering events and the weight of individual choices.

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 35.7%, Anime 18.3%, Mystery 14.9%, Story Rich 12.1%, Sci-fi 10.9%

Why You'll Like It: A sci-fi social deduction game that captures the paranoia and high-stakes decision-making of being trapped in a facility with unknown threats.

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 32.2%, Mystery 13.3%, Anime 10.7%, Story Rich 10.7%, Multiple Endings 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: The final installment of the series provides a chaotic, non-linear narrative experience that tests your resolve in extreme survival conditions.

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 29.7%, Mystery 24%, Anime 23.2%, Story Rich 14.2%, Adventure 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: A gripping death game scenario that forces you to make difficult choices with life-or-death consequences for the entire cast.

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 35.4%, Anime 17.5%, Multiple Endings 14%, Mystery 13.4%, Story Rich 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: This mystery game features a clever multi-perspective narrative that requires you to piece together disparate clues to uncover the truth.

The feast has begun, can you escape the village alive?

Why similar: Visual Novel 45.4%, Mystery 15.4%, Story Rich 9.9%, Anime 7%, Gore 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: A psychological horror mystery that uses a time-loop mechanic to force you to uncover the truth behind a village's dark curse.

A mystery adventure set at the collapse site of a live survival audition show. Trapped contestants communicate with each other—and the outside world through social media—as they wait for rescue. But as unexpected events unfold, trust begins to crack, and survival becomes far more complicated.

Why similar: Visual Novel 34.4%, Mystery 16.4%, Anime 15.7%, Story Rich 11.6%, Thriller 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: A survival-focused mystery where you must navigate social dynamics and limited resources to escape a collapsed building.

This is the first chapter in newest entry When They Cry visual novel series produced by Ryuukishi07. It features HD graphics, more detailed animations, and newly created songs by many of the composers from Umineko, as well as several new additions.

Why similar: Visual Novel 35.3%, Anime 12.6%, Mystery 12.4%, Violent 10.9%, Story Rich 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: A complex sci-fi narrative that deals with global conflict and deep mysteries, perfect for fans of the genre's more intellectual side.

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 37.7%, Anime 21.3%, Mystery 16.8%, Story Rich 10.7%, Great Soundtrack 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: Features a high-stakes death game setting where uncovering the truth is the only way to survive, echoing the intensity of the rescue mission.

Japan, 2030 A.D. Memories can now be digitized and archived, allowing people to communicate with the deceased. With only one week left before his best friend’s memories are deleted, can Hiroki uncover the truth behind Sorano’s death?

Why similar: Visual Novel 53.7%, Anime 25.7%, Sci-fi 7.3%, Story Rich 5.7%, Adventure 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: A sci-fi thriller that explores the ethics of technology and memory, fitting well with the themes of the seed game.

CHAOS;HEAD NOAH is now available on Steam!

Why similar: Visual Novel 37.5%, Anime 13.9%, Mystery 11.9%, Gore 10.8%, Story Rich 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: A foundational psychological mystery that explores the blurring lines between reality and delusion in a high-stakes urban setting.

Thanks to the rising popularity of the PhoneDroid—a device which features augmented reality (A.R.)—the age of advanced technology has finally reached Tanegashima. On that island, Central Tanegashima High's "Robot Research Club" is about to have their club disbanded.

Why similar: Visual Novel 41.5%, Anime 13.4%, Mystery 10.7%, Story Rich 9.5%, Sci-fi 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: A sci-fi adventure that balances character development with a grand, overarching mystery involving technology and conspiracy.

Legend tells of a door deep below Tokyo's sewers. All who enter are lost forever. Detective Ito's partner is missing. Explore Tokyo & uncover the darkness that lays beneath the streets in this Point & Click - meets Visual Novel - narrative adventure that questions the very core of Ito's sanity.

Why similar: Visual Novel 31.4%, Anime 19.6%, Mystery 11.6%, Multiple Endings 7.4%, Story Rich 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: A detective-themed mystery that utilizes a 'decision-matter' system to drastically alter the outcome of the investigation.

Kou Kadokura, a cyber officer, seeks to uncover the truth behind the tragedy that ended his once peaceful life. A war looms, and the answers he’s looking for are locked away in him... So why can't he remember anything? Unravel the mysteries hidden in his lost memories through this fast-paced mech action game!

Why similar: Visual Novel 31.5%, Multiple Endings 13.6%, Anime 11.9%, Sci-fi 9.6%, Story Rich 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: Combines deep sci-fi world-building with action-oriented gameplay and a complex, branching plot that spans multiple timelines.

A mystery adventure game and visual novel set on solitary Shironagasu Island. Discover its secrets, solve its mysteries, and escape from the ominous island!

Why similar: Visual Novel 40.8%, Mystery 16.8%, Anime 12.6%, Adventure 8.2%, Story Rich 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: A tight, suspenseful mystery set on a remote island that requires careful observation to solve the central enigma.

You awaken to find your memories gone. To learn the truth behind your amnesia, you’ll choose from five romantic paths, each its own world. With 20+ endings, can you write the lasting love story you deserve, or will your love and life come to an end?

Why similar: Visual Novel 52%, Anime 18.5%, Multiple Endings 11%, Mystery 6.8%, Story Rich 5%

Why You'll Like It: While romance-focused, its core mystery and branching path structure provide a similar experience of piecing together lost memories.

The tragedy of Hinamizawa is over. Those held captive within its grip are free from the fate that bound them to June 1983. Yet the tale of Hinamizawa is not truly complete. There are many worlds not yet explored.

Why similar: Visual Novel 41%, Anime 20.8%, Gore 9.4%, Violent 8.7%, Adventure 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: A masterclass in building psychological tension and mystery through a recurring, multi-perspective narrative structure.

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 42.9%, Anime 19.4%, Mystery 14.2%, Story Rich 8.7%, Gore 4.2%

Why You'll Like It: A mystery-focused visual novel that builds a compelling narrative around a series of strange occurrences in a school setting.

Playtime's over. Time for despair. Experience the definitive version of a masterpiece in the Muv-Luv trilogy's thrilling conclusion. Note: therapy not included.

Why similar: Visual Novel 36.7%, Anime 17.2%, Gore 10.4%, Story Rich 9.8%, Violent 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: An epic sci-fi war story that features some of the most intense, high-stakes narrative shifts in the visual novel medium.

SIX FRUITS BARE THEIR FANGS AT THE WORLD. --The academy was their orchard. In this place of learning, protected by high walls from the outside world, there arrived a single young man who'd lost his purpose in life. He'd lost sight of what he wanted to protect.

Why similar: Visual Novel 42.8%, Anime 20.6%, Multiple Endings 13.6%, Story Rich 9.9%, Violent 4.4%

Why You'll Like It: Offers a deep, character-driven story with multiple branching paths that explore the dark pasts of its cast.

Shishimai Rinka was a high schooler who ran a small café named Lion House in place of her grandmother. She lived her life much like any other person her age, but one day, she was caught up in an explosion while returning home on the train alongside her friend, Hitsuji Naomi.

Why similar: Visual Novel 35%, Anime 14.2%, Multiple Endings 14%, Mystery 10.8%, Story Rich 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: A death game visual novel that focuses on the psychological toll of survival and the moral weight of your choices.

Sanzenkai Setsuna awakens on the shore of isolated island Urashima with no memories of his past. Befriending three local girls, Rinne, Karen, and Sara, Setsuna's quest to discover the secrets of Urashima and how they tie into his own past - and future - begins.

Why similar: Visual Novel 37%, Anime 19.1%, Story Rich 10.1%, Mystery 9.7%, Multiple Endings 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: A sci-fi mystery that deals with isolation and the unraveling of a complex, time-bending plot.

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 31.9%, Anime 17%, Multiple Endings 14.1%, Story Rich 10.2%, Sci-fi 10.1%

Nestled in the heart of Tokyo, the quaint little aquarium, Manten Aquarium. Numerous urban legends have arisen from here. On the night of the full moon the waters turn to blood and man faced fish lurk within.

Why similar: Visual Novel 39.9%, Anime 17.8%, Gore 10.5%, Violent 8.6%, Mystery 4.8%

Why You'll Like It: A horror-mystery visual novel that emphasizes survival and the discovery of dark secrets within a confined location.

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

Why similar: Visual Novel 25.1%, Multiple Endings 12.5%, Anime 12.3%, Mystery 11.9%, Story Rich 9%

Why You'll Like It: A sci-fi mystery set on a spaceship that forces you to make difficult choices to survive, mirroring the high-stakes environment of the seed game.

Higurashi When They Cry is a sound novel. The music, backgrounds and characters work together to create a world that is the stage of a novel for the user to read. They laugh and cry and get angry. The user takes the point of view of the protagonist to experience the story.

Why similar: Visual Novel 40%, Anime 16.2%, Mystery 13.5%, Story Rich 8.6%, Gore 5.2%

This is an isolated town, a town of memories that have been forgotten by its people. However, this small town has not been quiet and peaceful since the murders began... Time passes by, where are the sinful spirits going? Are my memories reality, or just a dream?

Why similar: Visual Novel 20.8%, Anime 12.1%, Multiple Endings 11.6%, Mystery 11.3%, Gore 9.2%

Higurashi When They Cry is a sound novel. The music, backgrounds and characters work together to create a world that is the stage of a novel for the user to read. They laugh and cry and get angry. The user takes the point of view of the protagonist to experience the story.

Why similar: Visual Novel 31.5%, Anime 16.3%, Mystery 12.6%, Great Soundtrack 8.2%, Story Rich 8.2%

Higurashi When They Cry is a sound novel. The music, backgrounds and characters work together to create a world that is the stage of a novel for the user to read. They laugh and cry and get angry. The user takes the point of view of the protagonist to experience the story.

Why similar: Visual Novel 35.7%, Anime 16.3%, Mystery 13.5%, Story Rich 9.4%, Great Soundtrack 6.4%

A group of friends unknowingly perform an occult ritual that traps them in an otherworldly elementary school. Here, the vengeful spirits of young children threaten their lives and their sanity, and the only hope of survival is to uncover the chilling details behind the murders of those trapped before them...

Why similar: Visual Novel 28.2%, Anime 24%, Gore 12.6%, Multiple Endings 9.7%, Story Rich 8.3%

Umineko When They Cry is the 2nd series of Sound Novel released by 07th Expansion. The steam version features renewed character sprites which is swappable from the classic art.

Why similar: Visual Novel 38.9%, Mystery 18.6%, Great Soundtrack 13.4%, Story Rich 12.5%, Anime 11%

The hero moves to a new city. However, along with him comes a masked killer who begins to kill his friends one by one... Make decisions to build your adventure. Can you stop him before it's too late?

Why similar: Visual Novel 30.6%, Anime 16.3%, Mystery 13.3%, Story Rich 10.3%, Multiple Endings 8.4%

Higurashi When They Cry is a sound novel. The music, backgrounds and characters work together to create a world that is the stage of a novel for the user to read. They laugh and cry and get angry. The user takes the point of view of the protagonist to experience the story.

Why similar: Visual Novel 45.5%, Anime 18.2%, Mystery 16.6%, Story Rich 10.1%, Great Soundtrack 4%

Answer the summons to the parallel world of "Kamitsubaki City" and meet a cast of colorful characters as you set out on a quest to save this city from the brink of destruction in this dark-fantasy sci-fi visual novel!

Why similar: Visual Novel 48.8%, Multiple Endings 27.5%, Anime 13.5%, Adventure 8.1%, Singleplayer 2.1%

In a desperate attempt to exterminate the BETA, mankind has forsaken the Earth. Stranded onboard a TSF carrier in the South Pacific, a handful of survivors scramble to find a way back home to America. This is where Muv-Luv Unlimited: The Day After begins.

Why similar: Visual Novel 42.7%, Anime 21.6%, Gore 9%, Story Rich 8.7%, Violent 8.1%

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

Why similar: Visual Novel 52.2%, Anime 16.6%, Mystery 7.5%, Multiple Endings 7%, Adventure 6.7%

Overwrite each other. A story-driven exploration adventure shaped by tragedy. ― I woke up in a research facility. And... someone was already inside me. (I initiated the experiment at this research facility.) (My first—and final—experiment for my sake. I staked everything on it.)

Why similar: Multiple Endings 21.2%, Sci-fi 18.3%, Adventure 15.7%, Story Rich 13.3%, Gore 12.7%

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 37.8%, Mystery 17.8%, Anime 17.2%, Story Rich 12.2%, Sci-fi 12.1%

Higurashi When They Cry is a sound novel. The music, backgrounds and characters work together to create a world that is the stage of a novel for the user to read. They laugh and cry and get angry. The user takes the point of view of the protagonist to experience the story.

Why similar: Visual Novel 36.1%, Anime 16.3%, Mystery 13.4%, Story Rich 9.8%, Violent 9.4%

You awaken in a field of snow with no memory of even your name. The local monstrosities nearly devour you before you meet your rescuer, a beautiful girl named Kuon—who has animal ears and a tail. She names you Haku⸺ The Japanese hit tactics-RPG visual novel series returns to PC at last!

Why similar: Visual Novel 44.9%, Anime 23%, Great Soundtrack 8.4%, Gore 6.7%, Violent 6.5%

When a letter is delivered 15 years late - you discover an old pen-friend was involved in a murder, before she disappeared. Travelling to her hometown, you must investigate the murder, using her past letters as clues to uncover the disturbing truth.

Why similar: Visual Novel 29.8%, Anime 16.5%, Multiple Endings 14.6%, Mystery 13.7%, Violent 10%

Basically the story goes as visual novel form. Sometimes, the system switches into dot part, and you can control the character to continue the story.

Why similar: Visual Novel 25.8%, Anime 20.8%, Multiple Endings 10.9%, Mystery 10.9%, Violent 8.9%

fault - milestone two side:above is a Cinematic Visual Novel that takes place right after the events of milestone one. Please note that this novel is a direct sequel to fault - milestone one and contains massive spoilers of the first story. Play through of the first title is highly advised.

Why similar: Visual Novel 53.2%, Anime 24.5%, Story Rich 13.2%, Great Soundtrack 6.2%, Adventure 1.9%

You're going to work by train, but strange things happens on the way: the train stops, the pink fog appears outside and the man who came off the train immediately dies. The main characters turned out to be locked in the train without any clues about what's happening...

Why similar: Visual Novel 78.3%, Multiple Endings 3.9%, Anime 3.4%, Story Rich 3.2%, Violent 2.2%

A tale of the planet's final love story told using the full force of minori's critically acclaimed illustrative style, engaging musical compositions, and the highly talented staff that has led fans coming back for more every single time!

Why similar: Visual Novel 51.2%, Anime 28%, Story Rich 9.3%, Great Soundtrack 5.4%, Adventure 3%

The first entry of the Abime Series. Eight captives must cooperate or compete to escape an underground subway under the manipulation of a dangerous psychopath. Can you really trust anyone? What about yourself? And what is the meaning of a good ending? Is reaching one even possible?

Why similar: Visual Novel 25.2%, Multiple Endings 13.9%, Mystery 13.2%, Anime 13%, Story Rich 9.7%

"Project Vostok" is a non-linear horror visual novel about a group of airplane crash survivors finding a mysterious Soviet-era bunker in Altai mountains. Uncover the story full of drama, horrors and decide the fate a of various cast of heroes in this free visual novel.

Why similar: Visual Novel 34.7%, Anime 17.8%, Multiple Endings 13.3%, Gore 10.4%, Story Rich 8.2%

Outside the door is a mystic visual novel set within one office. You are about to figure out the stories of a few visitors without having a single memory of yourself.

Why similar: Visual Novel 40.9%, Anime 23.6%, Multiple Endings 12.3%, Mystery 10.1%, Violent 5.9%

It is an adventure game with multiple endings. An original script written by a well-known light novelist with a total of 400,000 words. With reasoning, suspense, love, and science fiction elements, it allows players to embark on a highly immersive journey of salvation on the submarine train.

Why similar: Visual Novel 32.6%, Anime 15.3%, Multiple Endings 12.6%, Mystery 12.5%, Story Rich 11.3%

Seek the root of the Fate franchise. Return to where it all began.

Why similar: Visual Novel 43.3%, Anime 18.4%, Multiple Endings 14.7%, Story Rich 10.6%, Great Soundtrack 4.8%

Higurashi When They Cry is a sound novel. The music, backgrounds and characters work together to create a world that is the stage of a novel for the user to read. They laugh and cry and get angry. The user takes the point of view of the protagonist to experience the story.

Why similar: Visual Novel 36.8%, Anime 16.3%, Mystery 13%, Story Rich 8.5%, Gore 7.4%

"This is a tale of 'flowers' that never bloom." Shirohime, a girl who has lost her memory, and Kurofude, a mysterious boy, traverse through classic Japanese fairy tales within the land of Adabana, a realm of illustrated books. What awaits them after they mend the distorted tales?

Why similar: Visual Novel 42.7%, Story Rich 15.3%, Adventure 12.7%, Multiple Endings 11.5%, Anime 10.2%

In the bayside area of Kanto, a murder with unknown motivations sets off a series of seemingly random events bringing together peculiar individuals, one of whom is detective Tokio Morishima. When their ambitions begin to collide, a truly shocking pattern emerges…

Why similar: Visual Novel 45.5%, Mystery 14.6%, Violent 14.4%, Great Soundtrack 9%, Adventure 8.7%

A new cast of 16 characters find themselves kidnapped and imprisoned in a school. Inside, some will kill, some will die, and some will be punished. Reimagine what you thought high-stakes, fast-paced investigation was as you investigate twisted murder cases and condemn your new friends to death.

Why similar: Visual Novel 39.1%, Anime 19.4%, Mystery 15.5%, Story Rich 12.4%, Great Soundtrack 8.2%

Higurashi When They Cry is a sound novel. The music, backgrounds and characters work together to create a world that is the stage of a novel for the user to read. They laugh and cry and get angry. The user takes the point of view of the protagonist to experience the story.

Why similar: Visual Novel 32.1%, Anime 18.2%, Mystery 14%, Story Rich 9.8%, Gore 8.5%

Mysterious phenomena from space. A researcher's fatal accident. Cryptic codes engraved on an unknown material. Together with your brilliant sister-in-law, you must unravel a mystery that could determine the fate of Earth. A sci-fi mystery visual novel of discovery and suspense.

Why similar: Visual Novel 43.5%, Anime 19.6%, Mystery 14.4%, Sci-fi 12.3%, Adventure 7.5%