Games Like STEINS;GATE ELITE

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: Time Travel 34.5% ★, Visual Novel 21.9%, Anime 11.5%, Sci-fi 7.2%, Great Soundtrack 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: The original visual novel experience that provides a more detailed look at the core story and character internal monologues.

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: Time Travel 33.3% ★, Visual Novel 22%, Anime 11.8%, Great Soundtrack 7.5%, Sci-fi 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: A direct sequel that explores the darker, alternate timeline consequences of the original game's events.

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

Why similar: Visual Novel 34.3%, Anime 21.2%, Story Rich 10.1%, Sci-fi 8.9%, Great Soundtrack 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: A gripping sci-fi mystery that features high-stakes detective work and complex, branching narrative paths.

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 32%, Time Travel 14.5% ★, Anime 11.9%, Story Rich 9.8%, Great Soundtrack 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: A masterclass in sci-fi mystery that utilizes time-loop mechanics and intense puzzle-solving to drive its story.

To the promise we once made and the place we must return

Why similar: Visual Novel 38.9%, Anime 21.2%, Sci-fi 12.6%, Romance 7.9%, Adventure 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: A classic sci-fi visual novel that shares the same complex time and space manipulation themes as Steins;Gate.

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 35.9%, Anime 16.5%, Great Soundtrack 8.9%, Story Rich 8%, Sci-fi 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, psychological sci-fi mystery set in the same shared Science Adventure universe as Steins;Gate.

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 40.7%, Anime 16.3%, Sci-fi 13.9%, Great Soundtrack 12.1%, Story Rich 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: A science-adventure title that shares the same tone and universe, focusing on technology and conspiracy.

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 60.4%, Story Rich 12.6%, Great Soundtrack 10.3%, Adventure 6.4%, Violent 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: A brilliant branching narrative game that weaves multiple perspectives together to solve a city-wide mystery.

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: Time Travel 43.5% ★, Visual Novel 21.8%, Anime 14%, Sci-fi 10.3%, Story Rich 7%

Why You'll Like It: A unique sci-fi time-loop mystery that combines social deduction mechanics with deep character-driven storytelling.

A story for every lab member. Discover a new side of each STEINS;GATE character and get a glimpse of their inner thoughts through 10 new stories.

Why similar: Time Travel 37.9% ★, Visual Novel 24.2%, Anime 12%, Sci-fi 8.7%, Story Rich 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: A collection of side stories that provide deeper insight into the perspectives of the various supporting characters.

Takuya Arima receives a package from his supposedly deceased father. It contains the mysterious Reflector Device which allows the user to travel between parallel worlds. Takuya must unearth the mystery of his father's legacy to prevent a calamity threatening to envelop reality itself.

Why similar: Visual Novel 35%, Time Travel 20.7% ★, Anime 17.5%, Sci-fi 8.7%, Story Rich 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: A foundational time-travel visual novel that heavily influenced the genre's approach to branching timelines.

Hack Into God

Why similar: Visual Novel 46.2%, Anime 27.3%, Story Rich 10.2%, Adventure 9.1%, Choices Matter 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: A modern sci-fi thriller from the Science Adventure series that focuses on hacking and the manipulation of reality.

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 41%, Anime 18.5%, Story Rich 8.5%, Sci-fi 8.4%, Multiple Endings 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: An intense sci-fi thriller that features a complex branching system and high-stakes survival scenarios.

CHAOS;HEAD NOAH is now available on Steam!

Why similar: Visual Novel 42.3%, Anime 19%, Story Rich 10%, Gore 7.4%, Violent 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: A psychological sci-fi mystery that serves as the thematic precursor to the Science Adventure series.

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

Why similar: Visual Novel 41.8%, Anime 22.1%, Story Rich 9.6%, Great Soundtrack 8.4%, Multiple Endings 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: An iconic visual novel with deep lore, supernatural elements, and significant branching narrative paths.

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 36.5%, Anime 15.1%, Story Rich 11.4%, Sci-fi 10.1%, Great Soundtrack 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: The final chapter of the Zero Escape series, offering a tense, time-travel-heavy conclusion to the franchise.

One of the most highly-acclaimed visual novel series arrives on Steam, newly revamped and officially in English! An interdimensional love story that takes high school romance on a roller-coaster ride through the depths of despair, culminating in a sci-fi grand finale of epic proportions.

Why similar: Visual Novel 35.2%, Anime 23.3%, Sci-fi 13.2%, Story Rich 10.2%, Romance 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: An epic sci-fi story that evolves from a lighthearted romance into a high-stakes military drama with deep world-building.

Fall in love with the lab members all over again in this sweet and slapstick romantic comedy!

Why similar: Visual Novel 59.3%, Anime 24%, Adventure 6.1%, Romance 5%, Story Rich 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: A lighthearted, character-focused spin-off that offers a more relaxed look at the cast.

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 42.4%, Anime 27.2%, Violent 8%, Adventure 6.3%, Gore 6%

Why You'll Like It: A psychological mystery series that masterfully uses time-loop and horror elements to build tension.

From the world renowned visual novel studio Key, the highly rated story of CLANNAD is now available on Steam! Improved visuals, achievement integration, and Dangopedia make this the best version of CLANNAD to date.

Why similar: Visual Novel 40.9%, Anime 22.2%, Great Soundtrack 11.9%, Story Rich 9.3%, Romance 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: A highly emotional, story-rich visual novel that excels in character development and long-term narrative payoff.

After jointly founding the so-called Space Club, Youichi and his friend Amamiya Ginga, the son of Amamiya Daigo, spent their school days building a rocket -- until one fateful night, a mysterious young girl called Aries crash-lands near them, her memories also lost from the shock of the landing.

Why similar: Visual Novel 30.9%, Anime 19.7%, Sci-fi 13.9%, Story Rich 9.6%, Romance 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: A sci-fi visual novel that explores themes of memory, time, and human connection.

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: Time Travel 31.2% ★, Visual Novel 25.4%, Anime 16.4%, Sci-fi 6.6%, Story Rich 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: A sci-fi mystery visual novel that deals with themes of isolation and time-based paradoxes.

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 40.5%, Anime 28.5%, Great Soundtrack 16.9%, Story Rich 10.8%, Adventure 2.1%

Why You'll Like It: A high-stakes mystery game that features intense character interactions and shocking plot twists.

Capturing the hearts of countless fans since 2007, Little Busters! is an emotional visual novel from Key, the minds behind Angel Beats! and CLANNAD. This special English release supports touch controls and dynamic switching between English and Japanese text, and is in HD for the first time on PC.

Why similar: Visual Novel 45.9%, Anime 20.6%, Great Soundtrack 11.6%, Story Rich 8.1%, Romance 4.4%

Why You'll Like It: A heartfelt story-rich visual novel that hides deep mystery elements beneath its slice-of-life exterior.

"This is the Gunjo Broadcasting Club. Is there anyone left out there?” CROSS†CHANNEL is now available to the whole world for the first time ever. Eight students relive an eternally looping week as tensions rise. Can they mend their broken friendships, or are they too far gone to salvage...?

Why similar: Visual Novel 42.1%, Anime 22.2%, Great Soundtrack 15.3%, Story Rich 9.3%, Adventure 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: A psychological visual novel that explores the isolation of a time-loop through a unique protagonist.

A gothic suspense tale set in a cursed mansion. "The House in Fata Morgana" is a full-length visual novel spanning nearly a millennium that deals in tragedy, human nature, and insanity.

Why similar: Visual Novel 34.1%, Anime 17.5%, Great Soundtrack 14.5%, Story Rich 10.8%, Romance 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: A deeply emotional and story-rich tragedy that uses time-based revelations to unravel a complex mystery.

Half a year after the events of ROBOTICS;NOTES ELITE, Kaito Yashio is introduced to Itaru Hashida through Nae Tennouji. Unsettling incidents start occurring all around them, harbingers of an event that will again plunge the world into chaos.

Why similar: Visual Novel 35.7%, Anime 22.5%, Sci-fi 18.5%, Story Rich 17.7%, Adventure 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: A direct sequel to Robotics;Notes that features crossover elements and further sci-fi mystery.

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 35.9%, Anime 15.9%, Great Soundtrack 13.4%, Sci-fi 11.5%, Violent 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: A complex sci-fi mystery from the creators of Higurashi that focuses on global conflict and advanced technology.

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 43.2%, Anime 23.8%, Story Rich 9.4%, Violent 6.4%, Great Soundtrack 6.1%

Fall in Luv all over again! Familiar faces and worlds collide in three massive new adventures, including the long-awaited follow-up to Muv-Luv Alternative!

Why similar: Visual Novel 34.6%, Anime 23.5%, Sci-fi 9%, Gore 7.6%, Violent 5.8%

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 40.8%, Anime 23%, Great Soundtrack 13.4%, Story Rich 10%, Violent 5.8%

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 35.4%, Anime 22.7%, Great Soundtrack 17%, Story Rich 8.6%, Violent 5.9%

Next in line to manage a multi-million dollar corporation is our protagonist, Rei Sawatari. He inherited one very important heirloom from his late grandfather: a single pocket watch that grants him a mysterious power— The power to go five minutes back in time.

Why similar: Time Travel 36.3% ★, Visual Novel 23%, Anime 12.5%, Story Rich 6.8%, Romance 5.9%

From renowned visual novel studio Key, which brought you the highly rated visual novel “planetarian~the reverie of a little planet~”, this is “Harmonia”, the latest kinetic novel in the series.

Why similar: Visual Novel 42.1%, Anime 26.1%, Great Soundtrack 10.8%, Adventure 5.8%, Violent 5.4%

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 39.5%, Anime 27.7%, Story Rich 11.3%, Violent 7.4%, Adventure 7.2%

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 39.8%, Anime 22.2%, Great Soundtrack 14.5%, Story Rich 10.1%, Violent 9%

planetarian HD is an engaging and emotional visual novel from legendary game studio, Key. A sub-brand of VISUAL ARTS, Key are also famed for creating Kanon, AIR, CLANNAD, Little Busters!, Rewrite, Angel Beats!, and Summer Pockets.

Why similar: Visual Novel 48.7%, Anime 30.9%, Story Rich 5.8%, Great Soundtrack 5.6%, Sci-fi 4.7%

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: Time Travel 44.9% ★, Visual Novel 21%, Anime 12.2%, Story Rich 6.8%, Romance 5.3%

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 46.4%, Anime 23.5%, Great Soundtrack 9.6%, Story Rich 9.4%, Violent 4.7%

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 43.2%, Anime 29.4%, Great Soundtrack 8.4%, Story Rich 7.4%, Romance 5.7%

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 50.7%, Anime 17.8%, Great Soundtrack 14%, Story Rich 8.7%, Adventure 7.7%

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 42.3%, Great Soundtrack 26.8%, Anime 15%, Story Rich 12.8%, Adventure 1.5%

In a world where flying through the sky is as simple as riding a bicycle, the sport "Flying Circus" is all the rage. Following the discovery of anti-gravitons, special shoes that allow an individual to fly, Anti-Graviton Shoes, took the world by storm.

Why similar: Visual Novel 49.4%, Anime 26%, Story Rich 8.8%, Romance 7.3%, Great Soundtrack 4.9%

This is the 2nd half of the Umineko When They Cry sound novel series, featuring episodes 5 through 8. This steam version features multi-language options, swap-able renewed character sprites, as well as the original BGMs and un-cut content.

Why similar: Visual Novel 41.3%, Great Soundtrack 26.1%, Anime 14.6%, Story Rich 12%, Adventure 2.9%

YOU and ME and HER: A Love Story is the visual novel medium in its purest form. Will Shinichi choose Miyuki, the beautiful queen bee of the school, or the endearingly awkward misfit Aoi? With art by Tsuji Santa, these beautifully rendered romances will stay with you forever.

Why similar: Visual Novel 48.3%, Anime 19.3%, Romance 7.6%, Story Rich 6.9%, Great Soundtrack 5.7%

A tale told with vivid colors and rich sound in a classic TYPE-MOON visual novel.

Why similar: Visual Novel 52.6%, Anime 22.6%, Great Soundtrack 12%, Story Rich 7.9%, Adventure 3.9%

"As the world sank, I found you." In the near future, a sudden and unexplained sea rise has left much of human civilization underwater. In a little town slowly being enveloped by the ocean, an unforgettable summer is about to begin for a boy and a mysterious robot girl...

Why similar: Visual Novel 43.3%, Anime 20.5%, Story Rich 9.4%, Great Soundtrack 7.8%, Romance 7.7%

What starts with a conversation between two long lost friends spills out into a captivating visual novel about four youths struggling to pursue their dreams and find their place in the world as love complicates everything.

Why similar: Visual Novel 41%, Anime 20.3%, Story Rich 12%, Romance 10.6%, Multiple Endings 6.2%

The reborn HD edition, Remastered by Siro! Set in Piova, the city of music and endless rain. Guide Chris Vertin on the path to become a master musician in a harmonious fusion of Visual Novel and Music-based gameplay.

Why similar: Visual Novel 35.3%, Anime 23.5%, Story Rich 11.8%, Romance 8.7%, Multiple Endings 7.7%

Tyler is a high schooler on a mission. He's going to use every minute of summer vacation to go on as many GPS-assisted scavenger hunts as possible. After running into some old friends during one of these hunts, strange things start happening: The day resets and today plays out exactly like yesterday

Why similar: Visual Novel 51.4%, Anime 25.7%, Adventure 9.8%, Story Rich 6.1%, Romance 6.1%

Immerse yourself in a dramatic yet charming and witty world of evidence-gathering, deduction and courtroom battles with this double-pack of the adventures of rookie lawyer Ryunosuke.

Why similar: Visual Novel 44.8%, Anime 26.1%, Story Rich 10.4%, Great Soundtrack 9.6%, Adventure 5.8%

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

Why similar: Visual Novel 51.8%, Story Rich 10.8%, Time Travel 10.3% ★, Anime 10.3%, Adventure 5.3%

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 57.7%, Anime 18.5%, Sci-fi 12.3%, Story Rich 4.9%, Great Soundtrack 3.7%

Relive the four days of destiny...

Why similar: Visual Novel 52.2%, Anime 29%, Adventure 7.3%, Story Rich 5.4%, Multiple Endings 3.7%

Omnimus. Welcome to the future! A visual novel about a daring experiment.

Why similar: Visual Novel 32.5%, Anime 19.3%, Sci-fi 14.6%, Adventure 11.8%, Story Rich 8.6%

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 42.1%, Anime 26.1%, Great Soundtrack 16.4%, Story Rich 12.5%, Adventure 1.8%

Unravel a string of gruesome murders terrorizing Tokyo in this mystery-thriller visual novel. The secrets of a case from six years prior may just be the key to the current unending cycle of tragedy—and the thing that cracks this woeful world’s shell may be one girl’s smile.

Why similar: Visual Novel 47%, Anime 14.3%, Romance 10.5%, Choices Matter 8.6%, Multiple Endings 6.1%

Let's spend the next three real-time days together uncovering the mystery of what went horribly wrong on a derelict generation ship, with the help of a spunky/more-than-slightly-traumatized AI sidekick! A sequel to Analogue: A Hate Story that tells a whole new hate story of its own.

Why similar: Visual Novel 55.3%, Anime 18%, Sci-fi 13.5%, Story Rich 5.5%, Great Soundtrack 5.4%

A coming of age story that sets the protagonist and his friends on a journey kickstarted by a chain of serial murders.

Why similar: Anime 31.3%, Great Soundtrack 29.1%, Story Rich 16.1%, Visual Novel 10.6%, Multiple Endings 6.5%

It's the Dawn of a New Age- The 21st century has brought about its own slew of problems for society at large. Asa result, the most promising youths from around the world have been gathered and enrolled in Amakawa Noble Academy.

Why similar: Visual Novel 45.2%, Anime 17.9%, Story Rich 13.9%, Romance 9.7%, Multiple Endings 6.1%