- #1 AI: The Somnium Files
97% matchVery Positive92% of 9,101 reviews2019
Dev: Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
Windows
Median: 4.6 hrsMean: 15.1 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Play as detective Kaname Date on the case of an elusive serial killer in this thrilling, sci-fi murder mystery.
Why similar: Visual Novel 27.8%, Detective 21.1%, Mystery 15.7%, Violent 12.1%, Great Soundtrack 9.5%
- #2 428: Shibuya Scramble
96% matchVery Positive95% of 3,587 reviews2018
Dev: Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
Windows
Median: 4.2 hrsMean: 11.9 hrs≥1hr: 82%
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 35.5%, Mystery 16.2%, Great Soundtrack 11.7%, Violent 11.3%, Adventure 10.4%
- #3 CHAOS;CHILD
96% matchVery Positive94% of 3,800 reviews2019
Dev: MAGES. Inc.Pub: Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
Windows
Median: 4.2 hrsMean: 81.1 hrs≥1hr: 81%
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 34.3%, Violent 20.9%, Great Soundtrack 16.4%, Mystery 16.1%, Story Rich 6.3%
- #4 The Silver Case
95% matchVery Positive89% of 1,085 reviews2016
Dev: GRASSHOPPER MANUFACTURE INC.
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.4 hrsMean: 8.6 hrs≥1hr: 85%
The Silver Case – the debut title from world-renowned developer SUDA51 has been fully remastered and localized to English for the first time ever!
Why similar: Visual Novel 31%, Detective 26.7%, Mystery 21.3%, Adventure 12.7%, Story Rich 8.3%
- #5 Zero Escape: The Nonary Games
94% matchVery Positive93% of 6,967 reviews2017
Dev: Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
Windows
Median: 6.5 hrsMean: 21.7 hrs≥1hr: 88%
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 35.2%, Mystery 18.8%, Great Soundtrack 15.2%, Story Rich 8.9%, Violent 8.6%
- #6 Tokyo Dark
94% matchVery Positive84% of 1,336 reviews2017
Dev: CherrymochiPub: Square Enix
Windows
Median: 4.5 hrsMean: 5.5 hrs≥1hr: 90%
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 29.5%, Detective 25%, Mystery 14.7%, Violent 11.2%, Adventure 7.8%
- #7 Spirit Hunter: Death Mark
93% matchVery Positive82% of 496 reviews2019
Dev: EXPERIENCEPub: Aksys Games
Windows
Median: 3.3 hrsMean: 13.2 hrs≥1hr: 70%
A strange rumor is spreading through the shadows of Tokyo's H City: a mysterious disfigurement has been appearing on the bodies of certain individuals. Anyone who receives the Mark will rapidly die of unknown, horrifying causes. The countdown to death has already begun...
Why similar: Visual Novel 36.8%, Violent 35.8%, Adventure 17.5%, Detective 9.9%
- #8 Umineko When They Cry - Question Arcs
92% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 2,634 reviews2016
Dev: 07th ExpansionPub: MangaGamer
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 13.9 hrsMean: 40.4 hrs≥1hr: 82%
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: Great Soundtrack 34%, Visual Novel 27.9%, Mystery 18.1%, Detective 10.4%, Story Rich 7%
- #9 Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.2 Watanagashi
91% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 1,766 reviews2015
Dev: 07th ExpansionPub: MangaGamer
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.3 hrsMean: 17.1 hrs≥1hr: 93%
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 40.2%, Mystery 18.5%, Great Soundtrack 16.1%, Violent 13.7%, Story Rich 6.7%
- #10 Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.4 Himatsubushi
91% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 867 reviews2016
Dev: 07th ExpansionPub: MangaGamer
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.2 hrsMean: 20.9 hrs≥1hr: 91%
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 29.3%, Violent 22.5%, Great Soundtrack 20.5%, Mystery 14.7%, Adventure 6.8%
- #11 Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
90% matchVery Positive83% of 21,767 reviews2017
Dev: Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
Windows
Median: 9.2 hrsMean: 30.6 hrs≥1hr: 91%
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 28.3%, Detective 25%, Great Soundtrack 21.2%, Mystery 15.2%, Story Rich 6.9%
- #12 Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.3 Tatarigoroshi
89% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 1,224 reviews2016
Dev: 07th ExpansionPub: MangaGamer
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.5 hrsMean: 22.0 hrs≥1hr: 92%
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 33.3%, Great Soundtrack 21%, Mystery 16.9%, Violent 16%, Story Rich 6.7%
- #13 Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.5 Meakashi
89% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 1,008 reviews2017
Dev: 07th ExpansionPub: MangaGamer
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.8 hrsMean: 21.9 hrs≥1hr: 92%
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 27.8%, Great Soundtrack 25.7%, Violent 15.7%, Mystery 15%, Adventure 10.2%
- #14 Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.7 Minagoroshi
88% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 663 reviews2019
Dev: 07th ExpansionPub: MangaGamer
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 15.8 hrsMean: 91.0 hrs≥1hr: 87%
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 33.8%, Violent 21.4%, Mystery 19.9%, Adventure 17%, Story Rich 8%
- #15 Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.6 Tsumihoroboshi
87% matchOverwhelmingly Positive99% of 873 reviews2018
Dev: 07th ExpansionPub: MangaGamer
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 6.2 hrsMean: 40.2 hrs≥1hr: 88%
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 36.6%, Violent 18.5%, Mystery 17.5%, Adventure 10.9%, Great Soundtrack 10%
- #16 Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.8 Matsuribayashi
86% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 753 reviews2020
Dev: 07th ExpansionPub: MangaGamer
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 19.6 hrsMean: 76.9 hrs≥1hr: 86%
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 47.7%, Great Soundtrack 25.4%, Adventure 20.1%, Story Rich 6.8%
- #17 The Shell Part I: Inferno
85% matchVery Positive91% of 1,325 reviews2023
Dev: Innocent GreyPub: Shiravune
Windows
Median: 10.7 hrsMean: 110.2 hrs≥1hr: 70%
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 37.7%, Detective 30.4%, Mystery 21.8%, Adventure 7.6%, Story Rich 2.4%
- #18 The Murder Hotel
84% matchVery Positive95% of 59 reviews2025
Dev: Wegenbartho Games
Windows
Interrogate suspects, search for clues, & uncover a dastardly plot, as you solve a string of mystifying murders to help reluctant detective Ilmarinen escape the foreboding Fafnir Hotel.
Why similar: Visual Novel 27.3%, Detective 22.8%, Surreal 19.5%, Mystery 17.2%, Story Rich 6.7%
- #19 √Letter - Root Letter -
86% matchMostly Positive79% of 575 reviews2017
Dev: DRAGAMI GAMES, LTD.
Windows
Median: 5.0 hrsMean: 11.7 hrs≥1hr: 92%
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 25.7%, Violent 25.5%, Detective 22.7%, Mystery 16.1%, Adventure 10%
- #20 The Sekimeiya: Spun Glass
84% matchVery Positive86% of 279 reviews2021
Dev: Trinitite Team
Windows · Mac · Linux
An intricate mystery visual novel. Search text, piece together clues, and jump around the story to unravel the tangled events within the sealed tower.
Why similar: Visual Novel 27.7%, Detective 24.5%, Mystery 19.2%, Surreal 13.9%, Adventure 7.4%
- #21 CHAOS;HEAD NOAH
82% matchVery Positive89% of 1,696 reviews2022
Dev: MAGES. Inc.Pub: Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
Windows
Median: 4.2 hrsMean: 52.6 hrs≥1hr: 82%
CHAOS;HEAD NOAH is now available on Steam!
Why similar: Visual Novel 40.5%, Mystery 17.3%, Violent 16.8%, Great Soundtrack 8.9%, Adventure 8.6%
- #22 Urban Myth Dissolution Center
81% matchVery Positive88% of 5,751 reviews2025
Dev: HakababunkoPub: SHUEISHA GAMES
Windows
Median: 7.7 hrsMean: 9.8 hrs≥1hr: 84%
Join forces with the psychic Director of the Urban Myth Dissolution Center and solve a variety of cases involving cursed relics, rental properties with shady histories, and dimensional anomalies. Monstrous oddities and otherworldly planes abound in this occult mystery adventure game!
Why similar: Visual Novel 38.8%, Mystery 20.9%, Detective 19.1%, Adventure 12.7%, Story Rich 8.4%
- #23 Kara no Shojo
83% matchVery Positive92% of 439 reviews2018
Dev: Innocent GreyPub: MangaGamer
Windows
Median: 6.1 hrsMean: 165.3 hrs≥1hr: 64%
Play as a detective tasked with catching a serial killer in this visual novel set in post-war Japan. Investigate key locations, question many complex characters, piece together clues, and try to stop the culprit before they end yet another young girl's smile.
Why similar: Visual Novel 35.8%, Detective 31.9%, Mystery 22.7%, Story Rich 9.6%
- #24 Paradise Killer
81% matchVery Positive93% of 4,378 reviews2020
Dev: Kaizen Game WorksPub: Fellow Traveller
Windows
Median: 5.0 hrsMean: 7.4 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Paradise Island, a world outside reality. There’s been a murder that only "investigation freak" Lady Love Dies can solve. Gather evidence and interrogate suspects in this open world adventure. You can accuse anyone, but you’ll have to prove your case in trial. It’s up to you to decide who’s guilty.
Why similar: Surreal 31.1%, Detective 30.8%, Mystery 21.6%, Story Rich 9.8%, Great Soundtrack 5%
- #25 Lucid9: Inciting Incident
82% matchVery Positive90% of 1,038 reviews2016
Dev: Fallen Snow Studios
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 1.8 hrsMean: 12.1 hrs≥1hr: 71%
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 49%, Mystery 21.9%, Violent 12.5%, Great Soundtrack 9%, Story Rich 7.7%
- #26 Umineko When They Cry - Answer Arcs
80% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 1,457 reviews2017
Dev: 07th ExpansionPub: MangaGamer
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 24.7 hrsMean: 46.6 hrs≥1hr: 87%
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: Great Soundtrack 33.5%, Visual Novel 27.6%, Mystery 17.4%, Detective 9.4%, Story Rich 6.6%
- #27 Sunlight Scream
79% matchVery Positive84% of 81 reviews2023
Dev: Faithy Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
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 29%, Detective 25.3%, Mystery 17.1%, Violent 13.1%, Adventure 7.8%
- #28 The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog
76% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 24,770 reviews2023
Dev: SEGA
Windows · Mac
Median: 1.9 hrsMean: 5.6 hrs≥1hr: 66%
Sonic the Hedgehog...was murdered!? Get to the bottom of the mystery in this brand-new adventure!
Why similar: Visual Novel 37.5%, Detective 25.8%, Mystery 20.9%, Great Soundtrack 14.5%, Story Rich 1.3%
- #29 Tangle Tower
78% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 5,973 reviews2019
Dev: SFB Games
Windows · Mac
Median: 5.5 hrsMean: 6.7 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Unravel a thrilling mystery by exploring a strange and twisted mansion, discovering curious clues, interrogating peculiar suspects and solving unique puzzles. Will you be able to uncover the secrets of Tangle Tower?
Why similar: Detective 33.2%, Visual Novel 25.8%, Mystery 15.6%, Great Soundtrack 10.9%, Adventure 7.4%
- #30 Return to Shironagasu Island
78% matchVery Positive94% of 3,990 reviews2020
Dev: HYOGO ONIMUSHIPub: TABINOMICHI
Windows
Median: 5.5 hrsMean: 14.2 hrs≥1hr: 92%
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 38.6%, Mystery 21.5%, Adventure 19.6%, Detective 15.7%, Story Rich 4.6%
- #31 Root Double -Before Crime * After Days- Xtend Edition
79% matchVery Positive90% of 592 reviews2016
Dev: YetiPub: Sekai Project
Windows
Median: 8.9 hrsMean: 14.3 hrs≥1hr: 94%
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 45.5%, Mystery 14.7%, Violent 14.4%, Great Soundtrack 8.9%, Adventure 8.7%
- #32 D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die -Season One-
77% matchVery Positive80% of 1,971 reviews2015
Dev: Access GamesPub: PLAYISM
Windows
Median: 4.6 hrsMean: 6.1 hrs≥1hr: 89%
This is the story of a man with a very strange fate. His name is David Young. Two years ago, his wife was murdered by an unknown assailant, and Young suffered a blow to the head that cost him his memory. His wife's final words: “Look for D.”
Why similar: Detective 29.3%, Great Soundtrack 29.2%, Mystery 21.4%, Adventure 12.8%, Story Rich 7.3%
- #33 Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.1 Onikakushi
76% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 6,215 reviews2015
Dev: 07th ExpansionPub: MangaGamer
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.0 hrsMean: 21.9 hrs≥1hr: 85%
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 47.8%, Mystery 23.7%, Great Soundtrack 14.8%, Story Rich 8.2%, Adventure 5.5%
- #34 Tales From Off-Peak City Vol. 1
75% matchOverwhelmingly Positive99% of 592 reviews2020
Dev: Cosmo DPub: Cosmo D Studios LLC
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.2 hrsMean: 10.3 hrs≥1hr: 84%
On the corner of July Avenue and Yam Street, all is not what it seems. What role will you play in a city's fate?
Why similar: Great Soundtrack 33.5%, Surreal 31.4%, Mystery 16.3%, Adventure 12.3%, Story Rich 6.5%
- #35 Sound of Drop - fall into poison -
77% matchVery Positive85% of 536 reviews2015
Dev: aiueoKompanyPub: Sekai Project
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 8.8 hrs≥1hr: 95%
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 42%, Violent 26.7%, Great Soundtrack 13.1%, Adventure 8%, Mystery 6.8%
- #36 The Occult Detective
72% matchMostly Positive72% of 323 reviews2025
Dev: Battlecry Studio
Windows
A narrative detective game blended with supernatural elements. Play as a rookie investigator, discover vital clues in every case, dive into unscripted interrogations and uncover truths that break minds. But with each revelation, the world feels... less human.
Why similar: Visual Novel 35.1%, Detective 27.8%, Mystery 16.5%, Story Rich 10.6%, Adventure 10%
- #37 PSYCHO-PASS: Mandatory Happiness
75% matchMostly Positive79% of 178 reviews2017
Dev: MAGES. Inc.Pub: NIS America, Inc.
Windows
Median: 4.8 hrsMean: 7.9 hrs≥1hr: 87%
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: Visual Novel 59.6%, Adventure 22.7%, Detective 17.7%
- #38 Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma
74% matchVery Positive82% of 4,723 reviews2016
Dev: Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
Windows
Median: 4.6 hrsMean: 11.5 hrs≥1hr: 89%
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 39.7%, Mystery 22.2%, Great Soundtrack 18.1%, Story Rich 10.2%, Adventure 9.7%
- #39 Dies irae ~Amantes amentes~
73% matchVery Positive87% of 687 reviews2017
Dev: lightPub: views Co., Ltd
Windows
Median: 1.4 hrsMean: 25.5 hrs≥1hr: 53%
Night after night, the same dream of a guillotine. A headhunting serial killer. And the "knights" in black who follow soon after. Irrationality that defies the realm of common sense begins to assault and devour the city.
Why similar: Visual Novel 39.9%, Violent 25.4%, Great Soundtrack 18.9%, Adventure 9.3%, Story Rich 6.6%
- #40 The House in Fata Morgana
72% matchVery Positive95% of 6,041 reviews2016
Dev: NOVECTPub: MangaGamer
Windows
Median: 6.4 hrsMean: 27.3 hrs≥1hr: 84%
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 34.5%, Great Soundtrack 28.2%, Mystery 19.1%, Adventure 9.2%, Story Rich 9%
- #41 Return of the Obra Dinn
71% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 33,398 reviews2018
Dev: Lucas PopePub: 3909
Windows · Mac
Median: 6.7 hrsMean: 8.5 hrs≥1hr: 81%
Lost at sea 1803 ~ The good ship Obra Dinn.
Why similar: Detective 37.2%, Mystery 24.8%, Great Soundtrack 17.6%, Violent 9%, Story Rich 7.4%
- #42 Staffer Case: A Supernatural Mystery Adventure
70% matchVery Positive94% of 3,907 reviews2023
Dev: Team Tetrapod
Windows · Mac
Median: 7.6 hrsMean: 8.8 hrs≥1hr: 92%
Staffer Case is a new sort of mystery game, asking players to find clues, arrange them into documents, and point out the contradictions between them to solve a series of murders. Each mystery unraveled leads you closer to the truth lying at the heart of each case!
Why similar: Detective 34.1%, Visual Novel 28.3%, Mystery 19.7%, Adventure 9.4%, Story Rich 8.6%
- #43 The Monster Inside
73% matchVery Positive88% of 2,060 reviews2017
Dev: Random Seed Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 12 minMean: 1.5 hrs≥1hr: 10%
A film noir style audio-visual novella. A mysterious woman... a string of murders... and a man with a hidden past.
Why similar: Visual Novel 40.2%, Detective 35.8%, Mystery 24%
- #44 Deadly Premonition: The Director's Cut
74% matchMixed66% of 4,689 reviews2013
Dev: Rising Star Games
Windows
Median: 3.9 hrsMean: 7.5 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Play as special agent Francis York Morgan in this open-world action-adventure as you solve the case of the Red Seed Murders and survive in a small, quirky American mountain town where supernatural creatures and a mysterious raincoat-clad, axe-wielding killer seek to end his investigation for good.
Why similar: Great Soundtrack 26.1%, Surreal 20.6%, Detective 18.7%, Adventure 12.8%, Mystery 11.2%
- #45 The Case of the Golden Idol
68% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 10,171 reviews2022
Dev: Color Gray GamesPub: Playstack
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 7.0 hrsMean: 8.0 hrs≥1hr: 90%
A new kind of detective game that allows you to think and investigate freely. Discover clues surrounding 12 strange and gruesome deaths and build your own theory. Pick your suspect, deduce the motive, unmask the awful truth.
Why similar: Detective 44%, Mystery 33.3%, Adventure 11.6%, Story Rich 11.1%
- #46 Hashihime of the Old Book Town
71% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 612 reviews2019
Dev: ADELTAPub: MangaGamer
Windows
Follow the protagonist's pursuit to uncover the death of his friends during the Taisho era of Japan. An highly-acclaimed, psychedelic BL murder-mystery visual novel from indie developer ADELTA!
Why similar: Visual Novel 46.8%, Violent 24.6%, Great Soundtrack 9.9%, Story Rich 7.4%, Adventure 7.3%
- #47 Master Magistrate
71% matchVery Positive91% of 206 reviews2020
Dev: IRODORIPub: Shiravune
Windows
Median: 5.1 hrsMean: 8.9 hrs≥1hr: 93%
The samurai detective visual novel! Solve crimes and pass judgment on vigilantes, officials, inventors, and brigands to protect a city of eternal cherry blossoms.
Why similar: Visual Novel 25.2%, Detective 21.3%, Violent 19.4%, Mystery 13.1%, Great Soundtrack 12.5%
- #48 MMM: Murder Most Misfortunate
73% matchVery Positive82% of 124 reviews2017
Dev: Michael LongPub: Foolish Mortals Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.2 hrsMean: 3.3 hrs≥1hr: 82%
A gruesome murder interrupts an evening party at a secluded mansion and you are the prime suspect! Explore the mansion, search for clues, and interrogate the other guests as you strive to unmask the killer in this open-ended mystery.
Why similar: Visual Novel 41.1%, Adventure 28.2%, Mystery 21.9%, Story Rich 8.8%
- #49 Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II
69% matchVery Positive98% of 154 reviews2024
Dev: EXPERIENCEPub: Aksys Games
Windows
Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II is a suspense-horror game set at a prestigious academy. When rumors circulate about supernatural occurrences at the famed Konoehara Academy in Tokyo’s H City, it’s up to the head of the Kujou family, also known as the “Spirit Doctor,” to take on the case.
Why similar: Visual Novel 55%, Violent 23.7%, Adventure 21.4%
- #50 Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
69% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 30,083 reviews2016
Dev: Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 10.8 hrsMean: 33.0 hrs≥1hr: 91%
Jabberwock Island—You and your classmates were ready for fun in the sun until Monokuma returned to restart his murderous game! Trapped in a kill-or-be-killed situation, your only hope rests in solving the island’s mysteries.
Why similar: Visual Novel 26%, Detective 25.9%, Great Soundtrack 22.2%, Mystery 15.4%, Story Rich 6.5%
- #51 Kindaichi Mystery Series: The Honjin Murders
68% matchMostly Positive73% of 174 reviews2025
Dev: coly Inc.
Windows · Mac
Famous detective Kosuke Kindaichi's first case, the Honjin Murder Mystery. Honjin descendant Kenzo Ichiyanagi and his new wife Katsuko Kubo lay dead in a bed of blood on the night of their wedding. Kosuke Kindaichi searches for the truth about this locked room murder mystery. However...
Why similar: Visual Novel 32.1%, Detective 27%, Mystery 22.5%, Adventure 10.4%, Story Rich 8%
- #52 The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
67% matchVery Positive94% of 9,045 reviews2021
Dev: CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
Windows
Median: 11.4 hrsMean: 34.7 hrs≥1hr: 90%
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 30.6%, Detective 23.6%, Mystery 16.5%, Great Soundtrack 12.6%, Adventure 10.9%
- #53 Notch - The Innocent LunA: Eclipsed SinnerS
69% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 3,292 reviews2015
Dev: Angels Blue Digital EntertainmentPub: DigitalEZ
Windows
Median: 5.5 hrsMean: 161.9 hrs≥1hr: 92%
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: Great Soundtrack 23.9%, Surreal 22.8%, Visual Novel 21.6%, Mystery 15.9%, Adventure 8.9%
- #54 TOKYO PSYCHODEMIC
70% matchMostly Negative32% of 104 reviews2024
Dev: GRAVITY GAME ARISEPub: GRAVITY
Windows
5% of murder cases remain unsolved... it's time to open up these cases and confront the supernatural with forensic science! Solve cases by analyzing evidence and consulting with specialists. Enter a world that artfully blends 2D illustration and real-life visuals!
Why similar: Visual Novel 30.2%, Detective 28.4%, Mystery 19.3%, Adventure 13.5%, Story Rich 8.5%
- #55 Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
67% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 35,609 reviews2016
Dev: Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 7.9 hrsMean: 22.8 hrs≥1hr: 88%
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 27.7%, Detective 23.4%, Great Soundtrack 22.2%, Mystery 16.7%, Story Rich 6.1%
- #56 DETECTIVE - Rainy night
66% matchVery Positive81% of 78 reviews2025
Dev: k148 Game StudioPub: JanduSoft
Windows
Detective Rainy Night is a narrative adventure with elements of deduction. Violent crimes, mature stories, and a touch of psychological horror await you at the Motel Holiday. Grab a pencil and paper because solving this case won’t be easy.
Why similar: Detective 47.5%, Mystery 35.3%, Adventure 17.2%
- #57 It was a human.
67% matchMostly Positive76% of 478 reviews2024
Dev: Loser/sPub: GAMER Plan
Windows
A short SF psychedelic interrogation ADV game that focuses on the interrogation of a suspect in a dismemberment murder case. The protagonist is a lieutenant colonel, tasked with interrogating the suspect. The protagonist needs to find out why she killed the two men and how she committed the crime.
Why similar: Visual Novel 35%, Detective 16%, Surreal 14.2%, Mystery 13.4%, Adventure 13.4%
- #58 Slender Threads
64% matchVery Positive91% of 589 reviews2025
Dev: Blyts
Windows · Mac · Linux
In this paranormal point-and-click adventure, a traveling salesman races to stop a string of horrific deaths in a quiet seaside town—before he’s next.
Why similar: Adventure 37.7%, Great Soundtrack 20.7%, Surreal 18.3%, Story Rich 12.3%, Mystery 11.1%
- #59 Darkness Within 1: In Pursuit of Loath Nolder
70% matchMostly Positive73% of 623 reviews2014
Dev: Stormling StudiosPub: Iceberg Interactive
Windows
Median: 1.4 hrsMean: 5.2 hrs≥1hr: 54%
Explore disturbing corners of the human psyche. Delve into a dimension of nightmares, the occult and a tense psychological world created in classic Lovecraftian style. As police detective Howard E. Loreid, you are tasked to solve the murder of Clark Field, a wealthy man involved in the occult.
Why similar: Detective 40.4%, Adventure 35.9%, Great Soundtrack 23.7%
- #60 Persona 4 Golden
64% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 83,940 reviews2020
Dev: ATLUSPub: SEGA
Windows
Median: 12.9 hrsMean: 44.7 hrs≥1hr: 90%
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 41.6%, Mystery 15.4%, Detective 14.5%, Story Rich 9.8%, Visual Novel 7.9%