- #1 Banebush
97% matchVery Positive95% of 2,325 reviews2024
Dev: Hinterland Mood
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.7 hrsMean: 6.6 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Banebush is a nonlinear and very red visual novel in the horror genre. Do you dare to step into a fairy tale if it turns out to be reality? 💀
Why similar: Visual Novel 29.4%, Horror 19.6%, Psychological Horror 17.9%, Story Rich 11.2%, Atmospheric 9.3%
Why You'll Like It: A close tonal match built around atmospheric psychological horror, visual-novel storytelling, and unsettling mysteries in a remote setting.
- #2 Slay the Princess — The Pristine Cut
96% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 34,471 reviews2023
Dev: Black Tabby Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.0 hrsMean: 6.9 hrs≥1hr: 88%
You're here to slay the princess. Don't believe her lies.
Why similar: Visual Novel 26.8%, Psychological Horror 18.1%, Choices Matter 15.4%, Horror 13.8%, Story Rich 9.8%
Why You'll Like It: A deeply replayable horror visual novel whose branching conversations and conflicting narrators make every choice feel dangerous and consequential.
- #3 Raging Loop
96% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 11,351 reviews2017
Dev: KEMCO
Windows
Median: 24.2 hrsMean: 60.5 hrs≥1hr: 83%
The feast has begun, can you escape the village alive?
Why similar: Visual Novel 37.5%, Psychological Horror 18.5%, Story Rich 11.5%, Gore 8.1%, Violent 6.2%
Why You'll Like It: This rural folk-horror visual novel traps its cast in a deadly supernatural game and combines paranoia, local legends, and route-based revelations.
- #4 Scarlet Hollow
95% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 5,335 reviews2021
Dev: Black Tabby Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 8.1 hrsMean: 14.0 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Your aunt’s dead, your cousin hates you, and you’re stuck in the dead-end town of Scarlet Hollow. Choose your path through a branching narrative so dense that you'll see less than 1/5 of the game on a single playthrough. You won't be able to save everyone. Good luck, and welcome home.
Why similar: Visual Novel 24.7%, Psychological Horror 17.2%, Horror 16.7%, Choices Matter 14.6%, Story Rich 11.7%
Why You'll Like It: Its choice-driven small-town supernatural mystery captures Tiny Bunny's dread of secrets, social tension, and a community haunted by something inhuman.
- #5 Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.1 Onikakushi
94% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 6,855 reviews2015
Dev: 07th ExpansionPub: MangaGamer
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.0 hrsMean: 21.5 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 41%, Dark 15.1%, Story Rich 12.9%, Anime 8.1%, Great Soundtrack 7.6%
Why You'll Like It: A seemingly ordinary childhood in an isolated village gradually fractures into paranoia, violence, and horrifying local folklore.
- #6 The Letter - Horror Visual Novel
94% matchVery Positive85% of 1,534 reviews2017
Dev: Yangyang MobilePub: Neon Doctrine
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 6.6 hrsMean: 11.1 hrs≥1hr: 89%
When seven people fall prey to a vicious curse, they will discover that horror rests not from the shadows lurking about, but within themselves. To what ends will one go in order to survive?
Why similar: Visual Novel 27.1%, Horror 19.9%, Choices Matter 10.1%, Psychological Horror 9.6%, Gore 8.8%
Why You'll Like It: A multi-protagonist haunted-house narrative with extensive choices, branching deaths, and steadily mounting supernatural dread.
- #7 Lake of Voices
93% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 643 reviews2018
Dev: GB Patch Games
Windows · Mac
Median: 30 minMean: 3.4 hrs≥1hr: 35%
A free horror Visual Novel about an ill-fated journey across Sinnlos, a lake where gruesome monsters lurk just beneath the surface. With times being so dire you'll need to decide what, and who, is going to be sacrificed. Anyone can be saved, but not everyone can be.
Why similar: Visual Novel 33.4%, Horror 14%, Choices Matter 12.5%, Dark 11.5%, Psychological Horror 9.9%
Why You'll Like It: This branching horror visual novel focuses on an isolated lake, a sinister cult, and decisions that determine who survives the night.
- #8 Doki Doki Literature Club!
92% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 228,468 reviews2017
Dev: Team Salvato
Windows · Mac
Median: 3.0 hrsMean: 38.4 hrs≥1hr: 74%
The Literature Club is full of cute girls! Will you write the way into their heart? This game is not suitable for children or those who are easily disturbed.
Why similar: Visual Novel 21.8%, Psychological Horror 20.4%, Horror 12.3%, Dark 10.2%, Gore 6.8%
Why You'll Like It: A seemingly harmless visual novel slowly mutates into metafictional psychological horror that weaponizes player expectations.
- #9 Corpse Party
91% matchVery Positive89% of 1,404 reviews2016
Dev: GrisGrisPub: XSEED Games
Windows · Linux
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 16.9 hrs≥1hr: 81%
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: Horror 25.8%, Visual Novel 16%, Psychological Horror 14%, Gore 12.4%, Dark 6.6%
Why You'll Like It: A brutal school-based horror story combining visual-novel narrative, gore, ghosts, and many bad endings caused by player decisions.
- #10 Spirit Hunter: Death Mark
91% matchVery Positive83% of 533 reviews2019
Dev: EXPERIENCEPub: Aksys Games
Windows
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 13.2 hrs≥1hr: 72%
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 37.5%, Horror 30%, Violent 18.6%, Adventure 5.4%, Anime 4.8%
Why You'll Like It: A grim supernatural investigation visual novel where each urban legend leads to lethal choices and disturbing ghost stories.
- #11 The Song of Saya
90% matchVery Positive89% of 10,280 reviews2019
Dev: NitroplusPub: JAST
Windows
Median: 4.1 hrsMean: 64.6 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Bear witness to a love that will change the world, in this classic horror romance visual novel from acclaimed writer Urobuchi Gen.
Why similar: Visual Novel 26.8%, Psychological Horror 18.6%, Gore 15.4%, Horror 10.2%, Dark 7.9%
Why You'll Like It: An intensely disturbing psychological horror visual novel that uses an unreliable perspective and grotesque imagery to blur love, madness, and reality.
- #12 Cooking Companions
89% matchVery Positive94% of 1,212 reviews2021
Dev: Deer Dream StudiosPub: Serenity Forge
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 4.6 hrs≥1hr: 95%
Unravel the mystery in this cute psychological horror VN, set deep in the woods of the Tatras Mountains. Will you wind up on the chopping block?
Why similar: Visual Novel 22.1%, Horror 16.2%, Psychological Horror 15.6%, Dark 12.4%, Story Rich 10.4%
Why You'll Like It: This deceptively cute branching visual novel turns an isolated woodland trip into increasingly gruesome survival horror with multiple endings.
- #13 PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo
89% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 7,313 reviews2023
Dev: Square Enix
Windows
Median: 8.8 hrsMean: 10.2 hrs≥1hr: 87%
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 37.5%, Horror 24.7%, Story Rich 14.6%, Anime 9.1%, Point & Click 7.9%
Why You'll Like It: Its tightly written occult murder mystery uses curses, local legends, and narrative perspective shifts to create persistent unease.
- #14 Fran Bow
88% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 23,083 reviews2015
Dev: Killmonday Games AB
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 7.4 hrsMean: 11.1 hrs≥1hr: 91%
Fran Bow is a creepy adventure game that tells the story of Fran, a young girl struggling with a mental disorder and an unfair destiny.
Why similar: Psychological Horror 24.6%, Horror 15.4%, Story Rich 12.7%, Dark 12.1%, Point & Click 10%
Why You'll Like It: Its child protagonist, disturbing hallucinations, and grim psychological themes make it a strong fit for fans of horror seen through youthful eyes.
- #15 Little Misfortune
87% matchVery Positive92% of 14,190 reviews2019
Dev: Killmonday Games AB
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 10.4 hrs≥1hr: 90%
Led by her new friend, Mr. Voice, Misfortune ventures into the woods, where mysteries are unraveled and a little bad luck unfolds.
Why similar: Psychological Horror 18.7%, Horror 13.9%, Choices Matter 12.9%, Story Rich 12%, Point & Click 9.6%
Why You'll Like It: A young girl's innocent narration contrasts sharply with a cruel, surreal world full of dark humor and implied psychological horror.
- #16 Sally Face - Episode One
86% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 29,849 reviews2016
Dev: Portable Moose
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.4 hrsMean: 9.3 hrs≥1hr: 84%
An unsettling adventure following a boy with a prosthetic face. After a string of mysterious murders, Sal and his three friends discover something truly sinister casting shadows over their small town.
Why similar: Psychological Horror 21.1%, Horror 16.7%, Dark 16.2%, Story Rich 14.8%, Atmospheric 8.8%
Why You'll Like It: A dark, character-driven horror mystery about a troubled child uncovering cults, trauma, and supernatural evil in his community.
- #17 Milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk
85% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 22,405 reviews2021
Dev: Nikita Kryukov
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.6 hrsMean: 7.5 hrs≥1hr: 79%
A sequel to Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk. Dive into demented and bizarre world once again and help the girl become a little happier.
Why similar: Visual Novel 34.4%, Psychological Horror 27.9%, Story Rich 9.5%, Horror 8.3%, Great Soundtrack 6.6%
Why You'll Like It: It expands the first game's fractured inner world into a surreal, melancholic psychological-horror experience.
- #18 CHAOS;HEAD NOAH
86% matchVery Positive88% of 2,108 reviews2022
Dev: MAGES. Inc.Pub: Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
Windows
Median: 4.5 hrsMean: 54.9 hrs≥1hr: 84%
CHAOS;HEAD NOAH is now available on Steam!
Why similar: Visual Novel 31.4%, Gore 15.6%, Psychological Horror 14%, Story Rich 10.7%, Violent 6.6%
Why You'll Like It: A paranoia-heavy visual novel about delusions, murders, and a protagonist who cannot trust his senses or the people around him.
- #19 Who's Lila?
84% matchVery Positive94% of 3,836 reviews2022
Dev: Garage Heathen
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 4.7 hrs≥1hr: 78%
A reverse-detective adventure, where you control your character's face
Why similar: Visual Novel 22%, Psychological Horror 18.6%, Horror 18%, Choices Matter 11.3%, Interactive Fiction 11.1%
Why You'll Like It: Its uncanny dialogue mechanic and surreal murder mystery create the same uncomfortable feeling that something is deeply wrong beneath everyday life.
- #20 Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk
83% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 34,372 reviews2020
Dev: Nikita KryukovPub: Nikita Igorevich Studio
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 24 minMean: 8.4 hrs≥1hr: 11%
A short story about what sort of challenges everyday little things can be. Help the girl buy milk, be the first not to disappoint her.
Why similar: Visual Novel 34.8%, Psychological Horror 24.2%, Horror 18.6%, Interactive Fiction 9.5%, Story Rich 5%
Why You'll Like It: A short but intensely intimate psychological-horror visual novel centered on distorted thoughts, fragile perception, and unsettling dialogue.
- #21 CHAOS;CHILD
84% matchVery Positive93% of 4,142 reviews2019
Dev: MAGES. Inc.Pub: Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
Windows
Median: 4.2 hrsMean: 81.2 hrs≥1hr: 82%
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 28.5%, Gore 12.4%, Psychological Horror 11.6%, Story Rich 9.8%, Horror 9.8%
Why You'll Like It: This dark murder-mystery visual novel explores trauma, delusion, and gruesome crimes through multiple routes and psychological choices.
- #22 YOU and ME and HER: A Love Story
82% matchVery Positive95% of 7,095 reviews2020
Dev: NitroplusPub: JAST
Windows
Median: 7.7 hrsMean: 133.0 hrs≥1hr: 87%
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 31.9%, Psychological Horror 21.4%, Horror 8.6%, Story Rich 7%, Gore 5.9%
Why You'll Like It: A relationship visual novel that becomes unnerving psychological horror as its choices and characters begin to violate the game's apparent reality.
- #23 Project Vostok: Episode 1
82% matchVery Positive82% of 117 reviews2022
Dev: Natrix
Windows · Mac · Linux
"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 17.7%, Horror 12.5%, Psychological Horror 12%, Dark 10.6%, Gore 9.3%
Why You'll Like It: A psychological-horror visual novel that emphasizes bleak atmosphere, unsettling discoveries, and a narrative-driven descent into dread.
- #24 The Shell Part I: Inferno
80% matchVery Positive90% of 1,505 reviews2023
Dev: Innocent GreyPub: Shiravune
Windows
Median: 10.8 hrsMean: 116.0 hrs≥1hr: 71%
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 26.9%, Psychological Horror 16.6%, Dark 13.3%, Choices Matter 12.5%, Gore 10.1%
Why You'll Like It: A bleak detective visual novel about grotesque serial murders, trauma, and psychological darkness in an atmospheric historical setting.
- #25 Spirit Hunter: NG
81% matchVery Positive90% of 293 reviews2019
Dev: EXPERIENCEPub: Aksys Games
Windows
Median: 5.3 hrsMean: 20.7 hrs≥1hr: 72%
Beware the Creeping Horror... Face nightmares you thought were merely urban legends. Uncover a dark mystery, making deadly decisions just to survive. Play this chilling companion story to the award-winning Spirit Hunter: Death Mark game and bring the terror home.
Why similar: Visual Novel 31.6%, Horror 22.7%, Gore 21%, Violent 16.7%, Adventure 5.3%
Why You'll Like It: This sequel delivers another oppressive supernatural investigation with gruesome urban legends and choices that can doom the cast.
- #26 Paper Lily - Chapter 1
78% matchOverwhelmingly Positive99% of 8,923 reviews2024
Dev: Leef 6010
Windows
Median: 4.0 hrsMean: 8.1 hrs≥1hr: 76%
Paper Lily is an RPG horror game in which you can solve puzzles in different ways. Explore a hidden world, meet strange characters, and guide Lacie as she attempts to find answers about her unusual condition.
Why similar: Psychological Horror 25.2%, Horror 15.8%, Story Rich 15.1%, Choices Matter 12.8%, Dark 8.1%
Why You'll Like It: Its hand-drawn horror world, unsettling puzzles, and vulnerable young protagonist evoke the intimate unease of Tiny Bunny's darkest scenes.
- #27 The Witch's House MV
79% matchVery Positive95% of 4,173 reviews2018
Dev: FummyPub: DANGEN Entertainment
Windows · Mac
Median: 2.8 hrsMean: 9.7 hrs≥1hr: 85%
A young girl, Viola, is drawn inexorably to a mysterious manor that seems to change behind her back. It is a place of pain, turmoil and death. Plumb its detestable depths and abominable history. Untangle riddles that bar your perilous path. And flee the hellish halls of The Witch’s House.
Why similar: Horror 43.9%, Psychological Horror 15.1%, Dark 8.2%, Story Rich 7.7%, Great Soundtrack 5.1%
Why You'll Like It: A compact but punishing horror tale filled with cruel twists, puzzle-driven exploration, and sudden lethal consequences.
- #28 Sound of Drop - fall into poison -
81% matchVery Positive85% of 539 reviews2015
Dev: aiueoKompanyPub: Sekai Project
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 8.8 hrs≥1hr: 94%
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 27.8%, Horror 17.2%, Gore 13%, Violent 9.2%, Psychological Horror 6.2%
Why You'll Like It: A horror visual novel set in an aquarium where a school outing turns into a bloody supernatural mystery with branching outcomes.
- #29 Mad Father
79% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 6,818 reviews2016
Dev: senPub: PLAYISM
Windows
Median: 3.8 hrsMean: 7.3 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Witness the tale of a most foolish family. A remake of the classic horror exploration game makes its way to Steam.
Why similar: Horror 25.8%, Psychological Horror 23.4%, Dark 11.3%, Story Rich 9.1%, Violent 8.7%
Why You'll Like It: This story-rich horror adventure follows a child discovering grotesque family secrets inside a mansion full of monsters and tragedy.
- #30 Misao - 2024 HD Remaster
78% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 2,575 reviews2017
Dev: senPub: PLAYISM
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 8.3 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Explore a school plagued by unnatural phenomena in this horror-adventure game revolving around the missing girl Misao. Improving upon 2017's "Definitive Edition" with refreshed graphics and support for HD resolutions, you can now experience the terror in a new form.
Why similar: Horror 21.9%, Psychological Horror 21.1%, Dark 16.2%, Story Rich 13.7%, Atmospheric 10.7%
Why You'll Like It: A school horror mystery with a bleak emotional core, multiple outcomes, and supernatural violence tied to bullying and loss.
- #31 MiSide
74% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 142,774 reviews2024
Dev: AIHASTOPub: IndieArk
Windows
Median: 5.8 hrsMean: 24.0 hrs≥1hr: 92%
Let's imagine that you have a game in which you care for a character. But could you imagine one day getting into that game yourself?
Why similar: Psychological Horror 29.6%, Horror 21.3%, Story Rich 15.2%, Atmospheric 9.4%, Cute 7.7%
- #32 Tiny Bunny: Prologue
77% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 2,262 reviews2020
Dev: Saikono
Windows
Median: 42 minMean: 2.7 hrs≥1hr: 38%
Tiny Bunny: Prologue is a non-linear horror visual novel. Those, who have heard the voice of the forest, are beyond help.
Why similar: Visual Novel 33%, Horror 27.6%, Dark 7.7%, Psychological Horror 7.6%, Point & Click 5%
- #33 An alt girl for skoof
76% matchVery Positive83% of 10,577 reviews2024
Dev: Terletski Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.3 hrsMean: 5.8 hrs≥1hr: 77%
There is a rumor that any skuf can legally receive a fee alt girl from the state; to do this, you just need to log in to a special service and enter your personal data.
Why similar: Visual Novel 36.8%, Psychological Horror 23.7%, Hentai 10.7%, Horror 8.6%, Anime 8.4%
- #34 Everlasting Summer
77% matchVery Positive94% of 78,183 reviews2014
Dev: Soviet Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 5.4 hrsMean: 59.6 hrs≥1hr: 75%
Visual novel loved by many – Everlasting Summer – now on Steam!
Why similar: Visual Novel 41.2%, Great Soundtrack 16.8%, Story Rich 16.2%, Choices Matter 13%, Anime 8.1%
- #35 Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
75% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 32,549 reviews2021
Dev: Team SalvatoPub: Serenity Forge
Windows · Mac
Median: 6.0 hrsMean: 84.3 hrs≥1hr: 80%
Welcome to the club! Write poems for your crush and experience the terror of school romance in this critically-acclaimed psychological horror story.
Why similar: Visual Novel 28.7%, Psychological Horror 25.8%, Gore 10.1%, Story Rich 8.6%, Anime 7%
- #36 Pink Noise
75% matchVery Positive87% of 134 reviews2026
Dev: Somber GamesPub: Caspianborn Publishing
Windows
Pink Noise is a nonlinear visual novel in the psychological horror genre, immersing you in the retro atmosphere of the '90s. It tells the tale of a group of teenagers who unknowingly set off a chain of terrifying events. What secrets lie within the mysterious VHS tape they should’ve never played?
Why similar: Visual Novel 18.6%, Psychological Horror 14%, Horror 13.4%, Choices Matter 11.4%, Dark 9.6%
- #37 LIZARDS MUST DIE
73% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 26,481 reviews2023
Dev: Smola Game Studio
Windows · Mac
Median: 1.0 hrsMean: 6.4 hrs≥1hr: 51%
The great exploits of the Ancient Rus in the war with the lizards. Immerse yourself in the world of Hyperborea and defeat hordes of Lizards and other unholy who encroached on holy places Ancestors. Choose a blessed hero and go save the world from the green plague.
Why similar: Atmospheric 72.7%, Singleplayer 13.7%, Hentai 13.7%
- #38 Love, Money, Rock'n'Roll
76% matchMostly Positive79% of 7,152 reviews2022
Dev: Soviet Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 11.4 hrsMean: 38.5 hrs≥1hr: 91%
Love, Money, Rock'n'Roll: the romanticism of the Eighties, mystery and intrigues, betrayal and sacrifice, hatred and passion — all this and more in the new game from the creators of the legendary visual novel Everlasting Summer!
Why similar: Visual Novel 31.3%, Choices Matter 15.4%, Story Rich 13.6%, Atmospheric 12.2%, Interactive Fiction 11.2%
- #39 No, I'm not a Human
72% matchVery Positive93% of 31,055 reviews2025
Dev: TrioskazPub: CRITICAL REFLEX
Windows
Median: 3.8 hrsMean: 5.7 hrs≥1hr: 91%
WARNING. Stay inside. Lock your doors. Close the blinds. Only let humans in. Eliminate all Visitors. An anxiety horror about paranoia in the End of Times.
Why similar: Horror 19.4%, Psychological Horror 18.5%, Choices Matter 13.8%, Dark 13.4%, Gore 11.7%
- #40 Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.2 Watanagashi
74% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 2,000 reviews2015
Dev: 07th ExpansionPub: MangaGamer
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.4 hrsMean: 17.0 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 26%, Horror 15%, Psychological Horror 13.6%, Dark 9%, Story Rich 7.8%
- #41 MOOD
72% matchVery Positive86% of 487 reviews2025
Dev: MAT Affect
Windows
MOOD is a short visual novel combining horror, dark humor, and dialogues on a wide variety of topics, from old movies to ancient wars. You were the one who summoned your new companion, there is no backing out now!
Why similar: Visual Novel 20.7%, Dark 15.1%, Psychological Horror 14.7%, Horror 12.7%, Choices Matter 10.5%
- #42 Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.5 Meakashi
73% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 1,182 reviews2017
Dev: 07th ExpansionPub: MangaGamer
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.9 hrsMean: 21.6 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 20.1%, Horror 15%, Psychological Horror 13.5%, Great Soundtrack 11.3%, Gore 8.3%
- #43 Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.6 Tsumihoroboshi
73% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 1,034 reviews2018
Dev: 07th ExpansionPub: MangaGamer
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 7.0 hrsMean: 38.6 hrs≥1hr: 89%
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 26.4%, Horror 15.5%, Psychological Horror 13.8%, Gore 9.6%, Story Rich 8.8%
- #44 Escape from Yandere
71% matchMostly Positive75% of 1,449 reviews2026
Dev: VorhGames
Windows
Median: 1.2 hrsMean: 26.9 hrs≥1hr: 56%
Yandera has locked you in your house and is asking for a declaration of love. You can stay with her or try to escape. Explore the house, but be careful, Yandera can kill you.
Why similar: Horror 31.9%, Psychological Horror 18%, Anime 13.7%, Violent 9%, Hentai 8.7%
- #45 YAMIKKO TROUBLEMAKER
70% matchVery Positive97% of 115 reviews2025
Dev: お湯めのPub: 半角全角感嘆符
Windows
A long-form, choice-driven psychological horror and depression game in which the protagonist’s ending changes based on the choices made by “you,” the voice he hears in his head.
Why similar: Psychological Horror 20.8%, Horror 15.8%, Dark 15%, Visual Novel 12.5%, Story Rich 9.6%
- #46 Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.7 Minagoroshi
71% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 790 reviews2019
Dev: 07th ExpansionPub: MangaGamer
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 15.6 hrsMean: 84.2 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 22.6%, Horror 15.9%, Psychological Horror 15.4%, Gore 10.5%, Story Rich 9.8%
- #47 Nightmare Zapping
70% matchVery Positive99% of 76 reviews2023
Dev: Maldo19
Windows
A horror channel browsing game where each channel holds a different nightmare to experience, explore them and find out the truth about what has happened in a small town where the inhabitants have disappeared.
Why similar: Visual Novel 21.3%, Horror 14.5%, Dark 12.7%, Psychological Horror 11.8%, Story Rich 9.8%
- #48 Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.3 Tatarigoroshi
71% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 1,401 reviews2016
Dev: 07th ExpansionPub: MangaGamer
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.6 hrsMean: 21.7 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 23.5%, Horror 11.6%, Dark 10.7%, Psychological Horror 9.5%, Great Soundtrack 8.7%
- #49 Enelia: Dawn of Madness
69% matchVery Positive95% of 129 reviews2024
Dev: Indra Studio
Windows
Immerse yourself in the enigmatic world of Nauris, where enchanting landscapes hide terrifying secrets: the strange behavior of elders, sinister rituals of priests, and the disappearance of citizens. Madness lurks everywhere – will you master it or become its victim? The choice is yours.
Why similar: Visual Novel 20.6%, Horror 14.3%, Psychological Horror 10.7%, Story Rich 10.3%, Choices Matter 9.3%
- #50 Sister Other Paranoia
69% matchMostly Positive73% of 677 reviews2026
Dev: HazeDenkiPub: Serenity Forge
Windows
A dark visual novel by acclaimed creator nyalra. Overly sensitive to other people's emotions, the protagonist—a light novel writer—develops the ability to read minds, only to be driven even deeper into isolation. His sole remaining comfort is his younger sister, gifted yet lonely.
Why similar: Visual Novel 24.7%, Psychological Horror 19.2%, Dark 12.4%, Story Rich 10%, Gore 9.9%
- #51 Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.4 Himatsubushi
70% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 995 reviews2016
Dev: 07th ExpansionPub: MangaGamer
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.2 hrsMean: 20.6 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 23.3%, Psychological Horror 12.8%, Dark 10.8%, Horror 9.9%, Great Soundtrack 9.7%
- #52 HAPPY SAIN† SHEOL
68% matchVery Positive84% of 258 reviews2024
Dev: HUNGRYCULTPub: Sekai Project
Windows · Mac · Linux
Two thousand years ago, the Pestis Disaster swept through the land, corrupting all living things and making it to difficult to live on the land. Having touched the darkest darkness the world has seen, one must now face the dazzling light. Thus I pose this question. Whose wings did I see that day?
Why similar: Visual Novel 23.6%, Horror 16.9%, Dark 16.1%, Gore 11.8%, Violent 7.3%
- #53 Humans are not that against Lizardwomen
66% matchVery Positive94% of 3,169 reviews2024
Dev: Hue Axis Entertainment
Windows
Median: 2.6 hrsMean: 4.0 hrs≥1hr: 80%
Once again vile lizards descended upon the lands of Hyperborea, and their plans are as wicked and perverse as ever! It's time to take a swig of the fortifying waters of Baikal and repel these reptile temptresses! We'll push them against the wall and show them the true might of our heroic spears!
Why similar: Visual Novel 40.8%, Hentai 17.4%, Choices Matter 13.8%, Story Rich 13%, Cute 6%
- #54 outside the door
66% matchVery Positive94% of 776 reviews2024
Dev: basandaika games
Windows
Median: 2.0 hrsMean: 2.8 hrs≥1hr: 79%
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 35.8%, Psychological Horror 23.6%, Choices Matter 10.6%, Horror 10.5%, Anime 9.9%
- #55 Choice of Life: Middle Ages
68% matchVery Positive89% of 1,847 reviews2020
Dev: Blazing Planet Studio
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 1.9 hrsMean: 5.6 hrs≥1hr: 71%
A card game in a Medieval setting where you make decisions on which not only your life will depend, but also the future of the kingdom!
Why similar: Choices Matter 65.3%, 2D 10.3%, Singleplayer 9.9%, Adventure 8.3%, Indie 6.2%
- #56 Choice of Life: Middle Ages 2
67% matchVery Positive94% of 1,007 reviews2022
Dev: Blazing Planet Studio
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 4.8 hrs≥1hr: 82%
Explore your kingdom and rule wisely in the card game - Choice of Life: Middle Ages 2
Why similar: Choices Matter 39%, Story Rich 32.2%, Adventure 9.3%, 2D 9.1%, Singleplayer 6.4%
- #57 Metel - Horror Escape
67% matchVery Positive94% of 2,476 reviews2020
Dev: Linked Squad
Windows · Mac
Median: 2.8 hrsMean: 5.1 hrs≥1hr: 77%
Metel - Horror Escape is a first-person 3D game in the quest, horror genre. Welcome to the home of an insane maniac hungry for new blood and suffering! You are a victim in his hands. Be careful trying to find a way out. The maniac should not notice your escape attempt.
Why similar: Horror 46.2%, Dark 26.6%, Story Rich 21.3%, Indie 3.8%, Singleplayer 2%
- #58 PANELKI
67% matchVery Positive86% of 2,770 reviews2022
Dev: Alexander Gromyko
Windows
Median: 1.9 hrsMean: 5.7 hrs≥1hr: 71%
A utility worker earns for a ticket to leave the endless Siberian city of panel houses. Permafrost, day/night cycle, dynamic weather and open world. Feel the atmosphere of the northern city, having been in the role of a handyman. Now with multiplayer!
Why similar: Dark 41.4%, Atmospheric 40.3%, Cute 13.1%, Adventure 5.2%
- #59 Tokyo Dark
68% matchVery Positive84% of 1,347 reviews2017
Dev: CherrymochiPub: Square Enix
Windows
Median: 4.5 hrsMean: 5.6 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 22.1%, Horror 15.2%, Psychological Horror 13.3%, Point & Click 8.2%, Choices Matter 7.3%
- #60 A Conversation With Mister Rabbit
69% matchMixed64% of 59 reviews2021
Dev: Sigyaad Team
Windows
A Conversation With Mister Rabbit is a very short, linear visual novel with a dark and bloody twist. The story follows an aspiring knight who seeks wisdom from a big and fluffy rabbit.
Why similar: Visual Novel 28.8%, Story Rich 14.5%, Dark 14.3%, Horror 9.1%, Atmospheric 8.8%