Games Like STEINS;GATE: Linear Bounded Phenogram

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 36.8% ★, Visual Novel 23.4%, Anime 10.9%, Great Soundtrack 8.7%, Sci-fi 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: The original masterpiece that establishes the core time-travel mechanics and character dynamics central to the entire series.

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 34.3% ★, Visual Novel 22.7%, Anime 10.8%, Great Soundtrack 9.4%, Story Rich 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: A direct, emotionally heavy sequel that explores the darker consequences of the original story's timeline.

STEINS;GATE ELITE follows a rag-tag band of tech-savvy young students who discover the means of changing the past via e-mail using a modified microwave.

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 fully animated reimagining of the original game that brings the visual novel experience closer to the anime adaptation.

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

Why similar: Visual Novel 54.5%, Anime 19.5%, Adventure 18.8%, Story Rich 4.3%, Singleplayer 2.8%

Why You'll Like It: A lighthearted spin-off that focuses on the romantic side of the lab members, perfect for fans of the characters.

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 40.5%, Anime 16.5%, Great Soundtrack 12.2%, Story Rich 11.4%, Sci-fi 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: Part of the same Science Adventure universe, this title offers a gripping mystery with deep psychological themes.

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 33%, Adventure 20.9%, Sci-fi 12.7%, Great Soundtrack 11.9%, Anime 11.8%

Why You'll Like It: Another entry in the Science Adventure series that shares the same world-building and high-quality character writing.

Hack Into God

Why similar: Visual Novel 40%, Adventure 26.4%, Anime 20.9%, Story Rich 11.2%, Singleplayer 1.5%

Why You'll Like It: The latest entry in the Science Adventure series, focusing on hacking and reality-bending sci-fi concepts.

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

Why similar: Visual Novel 36.1%, Anime 19.7%, Story Rich 13.4%, Adventure 11.2%, Sci-fi 10.6%

Why You'll Like It: A detective-themed visual novel with a strong sci-fi premise and complex, branching narrative paths.

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 31%, Time Travel 18.2% ★, Anime 13.7%, Adventure 13.5%, Story Rich 9%

Why You'll Like It: A classic time-travel visual novel that heavily influenced the genre and shares similar themes of causality.

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 34.2%, Time Travel 15.5% ★, Story Rich 13.3%, Anime 11.3%, Great Soundtrack 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: An essential collection for fans of time-travel and complex, branching sci-fi mysteries.

Special Agents Mizuki and Ryuki, along with their AI partners Aiba and Tama, are tasked to solve the bizarre Half Body serial killings in this sequel to the critically acclaimed AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES.

Why similar: Visual Novel 39%, Anime 23%, Sci-fi 21.1%, Adventure 16.9%

Why You'll Like It: A direct sequel that expands on the investigative gameplay and surreal sci-fi mystery of the first game.

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 40.2% ★, Visual Novel 20.2%, Anime 11.5%, Sci-fi 10.8%, Story Rich 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: A unique sci-fi social deduction game that utilizes a time-loop mechanic to uncover the truth behind a mysterious threat.

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

Why similar: Visual Novel 43.9%, Anime 20.6%, Story Rich 12.8%, Great Soundtrack 10.7%, Adventure 10.5%

Why You'll Like It: A seminal visual novel featuring deep lore, multiple endings, and high-stakes supernatural battles.

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 38.5%, Great Soundtrack 29.5%, Story Rich 14.8%, Anime 12.1%, Adventure 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: An incredibly dense and rewarding mystery visual novel that challenges the player to solve its complex narrative puzzles.

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

Why similar: Visual Novel 47%, Anime 17.9%, Great Soundtrack 13%, Adventure 11.8%, Story Rich 9%

Why You'll Like It: A beautifully produced visual novel from Type-Moon that offers a cinematic experience and a compelling, character-driven story.

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 36.8%, Great Soundtrack 28.1%, Story Rich 13.6%, Anime 11.6%, Adventure 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: The conclusion to the Umineko mystery, providing the necessary closure and revelations for the series' intricate plot.

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 45.1%, Anime 21.8%, Great Soundtrack 15.9%, Story Rich 13%, Adventure 3%

Why You'll Like It: A legendary visual novel known for its profound emotional impact and extensive character-focused storytelling.

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 36.4%, Great Soundtrack 18.7%, Anime 16.5%, Story Rich 14.5%, Adventure 11.8%

Why You'll Like It: A masterfully written gothic mystery that, like Steins;Gate, relies on deep character development and a complex, unfolding plot.

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 31.5% ★, Visual Novel 25.7%, Anime 14.7%, Story Rich 8.3%, Sci-fi 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: A sci-fi mystery visual novel that deals with time-travel and isolation on a remote island.

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 48.3%, Anime 21.4%, Story Rich 12.8%, Great Soundtrack 9.4%, Adventure 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: A psychological horror mystery that uses time-loop-like narrative structures to explore its dark, small-town secrets.

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 44.8%, Anime 25.2%, Adventure 11%, Story Rich 6.8%, Great Soundtrack 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: A short, poignant sci-fi story that focuses on the relationship between a human and a robot in a post-apocalyptic world.

From the creators of Angel Beats! and CLANNAD, Key, comes their latest emotional, award-winning journey. Follow protagonist Takahara Hairi as he travels to the secluded island Torishirojima, where he rediscovers what it means to enjoy summer vacation.

Why similar: Visual Novel 41.3%, Adventure 19.3%, Anime 15.2%, Great Soundtrack 15.1%, Story Rich 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: A touching, story-rich visual novel that excels at character-driven drama and emotional depth.

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 44.8%, Anime 17.8%, Great Soundtrack 13.7%, Adventure 13.3%, Story Rich 10%

Why You'll Like It: A classic visual novel that balances humor and deep, emotional character arcs with a mysterious underlying plot.

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 33.5%, Adventure 15.6%, Great Soundtrack 15.1%, Anime 13.1%, Sci-fi 12.1%

Why You'll Like It: A sci-fi mystery from the creators of Higurashi that explores global conflict and high-tech weaponry.

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 39.5%, Anime 20.4%, Adventure 17.2%, Story Rich 11.6%, Great Soundtrack 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: A brilliant mystery series that shares the same focus on investigation and logical deduction found in the best visual novels.

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 38.4%, Anime 21.1%, Adventure 17.9%, Great Soundtrack 11.9%, Story Rich 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: A short but emotional sci-fi visual novel that explores what it means to be human in a world of machines.

"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 33.3%, Adventure 30.6%, Story Rich 14.2%, Great Soundtrack 13.2%, Anime 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: A story-rich visual novel that uses folklore and meta-narrative elements to create a unique, atmospheric experience.

"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 37.8%, Anime 17.7%, Great Soundtrack 16.6%, Adventure 16.2%, Story Rich 10.6%

Why You'll Like It: A cult-classic visual novel featuring a time-loop premise and a focus on the psychological state of its protagonist.

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 42.7%, Anime 25.8%, Great Soundtrack 10.1%, Story Rich 9.2%, Adventure 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: A beautifully illustrated sci-fi romance that focuses on the final days of humanity with a strong, character-centric narrative.

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 41.5%, Adventure 21.3%, Great Soundtrack 13.9%, Anime 12.9%, Story Rich 9.1%

Delve further into the world of CLANNAD and experience the stories beyond the original visual novel adventure. Known as CLANNAD Hikari Mimamoru Sakamichi de in Japan, This Steam version features high resolution assets and is translated into English for the very first time.

Why similar: Visual Novel 59.3%, Anime 17.4%, Great Soundtrack 12.2%, Story Rich 11.1%

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 42.7%, Anime 20.8%, Adventure 15.6%, Story Rich 11.8%, Great Soundtrack 7.3%

Enigma is an atmospheric, full-length visual novel where you discover the secrets of Enigma, a worldwide epidemic, and a forest on a lonely island that bears its name.

Why similar: Visual Novel 40.8%, Adventure 23%, Anime 19.3%, Great Soundtrack 16.9%

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 33.9%, Great Soundtrack 19.7%, Anime 19.3%, Adventure 15.1%, Story Rich 10.4%

A side story for The Labyrinth of Grisaia, this episode takes place just after Kusakabe Asako officially names Kazami Yuuji her successor as number 9029, and details his globe-hopping exploits thereafter. Yet more secret passages of The Labyrinth of Grisaia are revealed within...

Why similar: Visual Novel 42.2%, Anime 23.8%, Adventure 18.3%, Story Rich 13.4%, Singleplayer 2.4%

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

Why similar: Visual Novel 36.8%, Adventure 23.4%, Anime 17.8%, Sci-fi 13.5%, Story Rich 7.5%

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 36.9%, Anime 22.2%, Adventure 16.2%, Sci-fi 10.8%, Story Rich 7.4%

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 38.7%, Anime 19.2%, Great Soundtrack 17%, Story Rich 12.4%, Adventure 11%

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

Why similar: Adventure 33.3%, Visual Novel 27.3%, Anime 14.4%, Sci-fi 13.9%, Story Rich 9.2%

CHAOS;HEAD NOAH is now available on Steam!

Why similar: Visual Novel 44.5%, Anime 17.7%, Story Rich 13.3%, Adventure 11.6%, Great Soundtrack 6.1%

Become Phoenix Wright and experience the thrill of battle as you fight to save your innocent clients in a court of law. Play all 14 episodes, spanning the first three games, in one gorgeous collection.

Why similar: Visual Novel 36.9%, Great Soundtrack 20.8%, Anime 16.9%, Story Rich 14.5%, Adventure 9.3%

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 38.1%, Anime 23.7%, Adventure 23.3%, Story Rich 13.8%, Singleplayer 1%

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 42.2%, Anime 24%, Adventure 21%, Great Soundtrack 6.4%, Story Rich 4.2%

What happens "After?" Five stories to continue the possible endings of Yumeutsutsu Re:master.

Why similar: Adventure 54.1%, Visual Novel 25.8%, Anime 8%, Great Soundtrack 6.6%, Story Rich 4.7%

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 30.2%, Story Rich 19%, Sci-fi 17.7%, Anime 16.9%, Adventure 16.2%

Fall into the magically complicated world of Overture as the three main characters embark on an adventure that will shake their lives and the world around them. Will they fan the flames of the growing revolution, or will they be the key to extinguishing it?

Why similar: Visual Novel 45.7%, Anime 18.3%, Adventure 17.1%, Story Rich 8.9%, Great Soundtrack 8.2%

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%, Anime 20.5%, Sci-fi 14.9%, Story Rich 12.8%, Adventure 9%

From renowned visual novel studio Key, this is the sequel to the highly acclaimed visual novel CLANNAD. Featuring a truly memorable continuation to Tomoya and Tomoyo's journey, Tomoyo After promises to draw you even further into CLANNAD's world.

Why similar: Visual Novel 51.3%, Anime 21.3%, Adventure 13.2%, Great Soundtrack 6.8%, Story Rich 6.5%

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 45.4%, Anime 23%, Story Rich 13.4%, Great Soundtrack 11.8%, Adventure 5.1%

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 46.5%, Adventure 22.2%, Anime 18.2%, Story Rich 11.4%, Singleplayer 1.6%

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 40.5%, Anime 20.3%, Great Soundtrack 16.1%, Story Rich 12.6%, Adventure 8.9%

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 37%, Story Rich 14.7%, Anime 13.6%, Sci-fi 11.6%, Adventure 11.1%

Embark on a quest of epic importance in Pesterquest, a grimsical episodic visual novel adventure set in the darkly funny Homestuck / Hiveswap universe, created by American author and artist Andrew Hussie.

Why similar: Time Travel 35.8% ★, Visual Novel 28.1%, Adventure 15.9%, Story Rich 7.8%, Sci-fi 7.8%

Join rookie attorney Apollo Justice and his mentor, the legendary Phoenix Wright, in this collection of 3 games! This title features 16 episodes (including previously DLC-only episodes) and supports English, French, German, Japanese Korean, and Traditional and Simplified Chinese.

Why similar: Visual Novel 40%, Adventure 19.9%, Anime 17.8%, Story Rich 10.6%, Great Soundtrack 9.9%

Relive the four days of destiny...

Why similar: Visual Novel 47.4%, Anime 23.4%, Adventure 22.4%, Story Rich 6.2%, Singleplayer 0.6%

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 48.2% ★, Visual Novel 22.5%, Anime 11.6%, Story Rich 9.3%, Adventure 8.4%

In this direct continuation of "ef - the first tale", Yuu tells the tale of a young woman who has lost one of her eyes due to an accident, but who may have lost so much more beneath the surface.

Why similar: Visual Novel 34.6%, Adventure 28.2%, Anime 19.4%, Story Rich 15.9%, Singleplayer 1.9%

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

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 33.7%, Anime 26.6%, Story Rich 19.5%, Visual Novel 10.1%, Adventure 7.3%

"planetarian: Snow Globe," the prequel to Key's sci-fi kinetic novel "planetarian: The Reverie of a Little Planet," is now available with binaural audio support! Enjoy the story of a companion robot and her coworkers at a planetarium, and the simple joys they find in their everyday lives.

Why similar: Visual Novel 37%, Adventure 20.8%, Anime 20.4%, Sci-fi 18.3%, Story Rich 3%