Games Like Zugzwang

A text-based RPG with a nonlinear story set in a free Slavic fantasy world. Shape the heroine's character through your choices and unlock multiple endings. Mystery, folklore, and relationships — your fate depends only on you.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 21.8%, Hand-drawn 14%, Choose Your Own Adventure 12.7%, RPG 11.6%, Visual Novel 11.4%

Balance sleuthing and romance to solve the murder of a Duke who... pretty much deserved it. Both the Empire and your love are at stake!

Why similar: Hand-drawn 15.2%, Visual Novel 15.1%, Interactive Fiction 13%, Choices Matter 11%, RPG 10.8%

A surprising mix of adventure and memory games, featuring RPG-inspired mechanics and immersive storytelling. Explore a crypt filled with traps, dangers, and hostile creatures. Will you uncover the crypt’s secrets, or will you become its next victim? Make strategic choices to survive.

Why similar: Dark Fantasy 18.5%, Interactive Fiction 17.6%, RPG 11.2%, Choose Your Own Adventure 10.2%, Choices Matter 9.3%

They steal your crew and force your ship to crash-land on an alien planet where you must start fresh with nothing but a dilapidated base and a... talking cat?

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 22.3%, RPG 13.1%, Choose Your Own Adventure 13%, Visual Novel 11.7%, Romance 8.1%

A story-rich coming-of-age experience told through a 2004 desktop, where friendships, music, and late-night conversations shape who you become. Explore chats, drama, mini-games, and the early internet in a branching story about growing up, making mistakes, and finding your place.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 23.2%, Visual Novel 14.4%, Dialogue Heavy 12.7%, Choices Matter 9.5%, Text-Based 7%

You are Nikaria. An agent of a mysterious god, sent to another country. Does the end justify the means? Is the will of the god above the law? Is the death of a non-believer insignificant? The decision is yours alone.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 19.6%, Hand-drawn 11.7%, Visual Novel 11.4%, Choose Your Own Adventure 10.7%, RPG 10.1%

You've been tasked with collecting data on an alien planet. Choose between exploring the jungle tropics or navigating deep into the bioluminescent sea.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 21.5%, Visual Novel 11.7%, Choose Your Own Adventure 11.6%, RPG 10.7%, Romance 10.2%

An adventure visual novel with a pixel art style. About ghosts, past love, and a world of the unconscious.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 26.9%, Hand-drawn 17.1%, Visual Novel 14.1%, Dark Fantasy 12.8%, Romance 7.3%

A narrative-driven hardcore RPG set in a gritty world ruled by real but unrelenting gods. Set out on a challenging lifetime journey, where every choice has a price and entails consequences. Will you become an inquisitor, a judge, or conspire against the old order? Dare to decide!

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 22.9%, Choices Matter 16.9%, RPG 11.8%, Choose Your Own Adventure 10.6%, Visual Novel 10.4%

Under developement, Grave Knight is an interactive RPG adventure inspired by SRD 5.1 ruleset and classical game books, where your decisions weave the fate of the characters and the story. Let the dice forge the fate of your hero and the realm by fighting the Grave knight and his horde.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 23.5%, RPG 17.4%, Visual Novel 15.8%, Choose Your Own Adventure 11.4%, Choices Matter 9.3%

Your job is to make humanity happy. Observe the people living in your assigned district and make the best choices to ensure everyone's happiness.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 24.7%, Choose Your Own Adventure 14.6%, Visual Novel 12.8%, Dialogue Heavy 10.6%, Hand-drawn 9.1%

Embark on a journey of this text anime quest with RPG elements! Walk through beautiful locations, overcome challenges and make Peter’s dreams come true. Every step you take matters. And don’t forget to take the diary - you’ll need it!

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 16.9%, Hand-drawn 13.3%, Romance 11.4%, Visual Novel 10.2%, Choose Your Own Adventure 9.2%

A semi-autobiographical horror visual novel about unhealthy relationships. Can you help Alsie save her relationship from ruin?

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 18.3%, Visual Novel 10.4%, Dialogue Heavy 9.3%, Romance 8.6%, Hand-drawn 8.2%

AN IOU is the debut visual novel by Davey Cadaver. The music, backgrounds, & characters work together to create a world that is the stage of a novel for the user to read. The user takes the POV of the protagonist to experience a memorable story with an incredible soundtrack and multiple endings.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 18.3%, Visual Novel 11.2%, Dialogue Heavy 10.5%, Hand-drawn 9.9%, Choices Matter 8.1%

Will you rise to the heavens when you wield the magic of fallen stars? Call lightning, ride the wind, and raise the dead in this fantasy epic!

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 22%, Dark Fantasy 15.1%, RPG 12%, Choose Your Own Adventure 11.1%, Text-Based 8.6%

Step into the high-stakes world of journalism in this Playbook! As a reporter at the "The Meridian" newsroom, YOU are the hero. Chase a massive investigative scoop, navigate ruthless office politics, and build deep relationships. Will you break the story, or will the deadline break you?

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 23.9%, Choose Your Own Adventure 13.9%, Visual Novel 12.5%, RPG 11.3%, Romance 9.4%

Alcyone: The Last City is an interactive sci-fi novel where your choices can lead to the salvation or destruction of the last refuge of civilisation in the universe. Immerse yourself in a branching narrative of diverse characters, intrigue, and world-altering decisions.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 19.2%, Choose Your Own Adventure 10.5%, Visual Novel 10.5%, Hand-drawn 9.9%, Dialogue Heavy 9.8%

THE SIN COLLECTOR: REPENTLESS is a game on the border of a visual novel and a classic text RPG, set in the world of The Sin Collector, a series of books written by Michał Gołkowski. Action takes place a couple of years before the events presented in the books.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 18%, Dark Fantasy 12.7%, Hand-drawn 11.7%, Visual Novel 10%, Choose Your Own Adventure 9.6%

Where Control Ends is a psychological visual novel about Astra, a young girl trying to hold herself together after a night she cannot fully remember.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 20.9%, Visual Novel 13.1%, Romance 12.2%, Hand-drawn 10%, Dialogue Heavy 9.5%

You came here with a motive, so as everyone, except that you are able to change theirs. Ride with Lucas to turn down all the love interests or end their trouble in this (obviously artificial intelligence-themed) sci-fi BL visual novel. Enjoy the long-waited grand finale in this trilogy!

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 23%, Visual Novel 13.3%, RPG 12.3%, Dialogue Heavy 11.2%, Choices Matter 7.6%

Become an investigator in a dark fantasy story. People keep going missing in Maligree, before being forgotten by all who knew them. Will you solve the case before you forget?

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 17.8%, Hand-drawn 13.4%, Visual Novel 12.2%, Dark Fantasy 11.4%, Choices Matter 9.9%

A dark fairy tale about the woods outside a small village and the monster that roams within them. Become Sage and play through to uncover the mystery when they're tossed away from everything they've ever known.

Why similar: Dark Fantasy 17.9%, Interactive Fiction 16.1%, Visual Novel 11.8%, Choose Your Own Adventure 10.6%, Multiple Endings 8.5%

As an immortal being in a world of epic fantasy, spend an eternity in romance with a host of unique, fantastical characters!

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 27.3%, RPG 16.4%, Romance 13.9%, Text-Based 10.9%, Choices Matter 9.3%

Return to a hometown that hasn’t changed the way it should have. A psychological visual novel focused on atmosphere, relationships, and a reality that slowly refuses to stay still. Can you uncover the truth before it consumes you?

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 21.3%, Dialogue Heavy 11.9%, Visual Novel 11.7%, Choose Your Own Adventure 11.5%, Hand-drawn 9.4%

Hope flickers against impossible odds. In this narrative RPG, step into the shoes of a retired soldier, thrust into a desperate last stand to save Jeomdo Village. With supplies dwindling and time running out, your decisions will shape the fate of those who look to you for salvation.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 20.9%, RPG 14.1%, Hand-drawn 13.6%, Visual Novel 13.1%, Choices Matter 11.5%

A dullahan goes to a speed-dating event: Will she fall head over heels or trip up on her chances for love?

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 20.6%, Hand-drawn 13%, RPG 11.5%, Visual Novel 11.1%, Choose Your Own Adventure 10.1%

世界上的所有人都住在同一栋楼里，用数字代号作为名字，一周有八天...这是众所周知的事实，在此之前，我从来就没有产生过任何疑问。在这个视觉小说当中，扮演主人公2169，享受高中生酸酸甜甜的校园生活（暂时性地），尝试着去发现事情的真相，或者尽力把这份甜蜜的生活维护下去。

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 29.8%, RPG 16.9%, Romance 15.8%, Visual Novel 15.4%, Text-Based 5.7%

The curse wove your fates together. Now their thoughts and feelings influence you and your actions determine their fates. Will you be able to break the curse? Or will their dark pasts drag you into an inescapable despair? And can a fresh start really erase the past?

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 18.4%, Hand-drawn 13.5%, Visual Novel 12.8%, RPG 9.7%, Choose Your Own Adventure 9.4%

Unleash your lust and your thirst in a battle for the soul of London! Will passion lead you back to humanity, or will you embrace the night as a vampire?

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 28.3%, RPG 17.3%, Dark Fantasy 13.5%, Text-Based 10%, Romance 9.9%

Hand drawn visual novel with complex sprites, cinematic scenes, and frame-by-frame drawn animated h-scenes. Refuge of Embers features a wide cast of characters to romance and multiple endings in an original fantasy setting. Adult content can be toggled to your preference.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 16.9%, Dark Fantasy 14.2%, Hand-drawn 13.1%, Dialogue Heavy 11.6%, Visual Novel 10.4%

A hardcore narrative RPG about an inquisitor who defied the Gods and returned from the Afterlife against Their Will. In a world where faith is fracturing, power is waning, and blood is spilled ever more often, your choices will decide what remains of the Empire. Complete the story of Sir El Brante!

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 22.4%, RPG 16.4%, Dark Fantasy 13.7%, Choices Matter 13.1%, Visual Novel 11.7%

“Lone Bird in the Tree” is an ADV with male and female versions of each of the four characters. The story alternates between the “future” of the main character, who is deeply traumatized by the grief of his/her best friend, and the “story leading up to the loss of his/her best friend”.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 17.9%, Hand-drawn 16.8%, Visual Novel 10.6%, Choose Your Own Adventure 10.3%, Dialogue Heavy 7.8%

As an elf in a panicked flight from home, you discover a more dangerous secret: a human claiming to be a dragon.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 20.5%, Hand-drawn 14%, Choose Your Own Adventure 10.4%, Romance 10%, Visual Novel 9.2%

Bleedings Moons is an interactive story revolving around the themes of fate, duty and free will. Your actions and decisions will shape the story of the game, so that Ian's story will be your story, with the logical consequences of your choices.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 17.5%, Dark Fantasy 13.7%, Hand-drawn 11.5%, Romance 10.4%, Visual Novel 9.7%

Two vampires — an ambitious Kindred and a wretched Thinblood. Their fates clash in this Visual Novel set in the World of Darkness, where your arsenal extends beyond just words — from political machinations to forbidden Alchemy. Claw your way to power and leave your bitemarks on Berlin's underworld.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 15.9%, Dark Fantasy 11.8%, Hand-drawn 11%, Dialogue Heavy 9.3%, Visual Novel 9.3%

A psychological horror story, with a spiking sense of danger and gentle melancholy. An out of this world adventure, revolving around books, memories and mortality. Along the way, perhaps you shall pick up pieces of a long forgotten heart, or some unlikely companions that you never knew you needed.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 19.3%, Romance 11.3%, Visual Novel 10.8%, Choose Your Own Adventure 10.2%, Dark Fantasy 9.4%

Will you spill the tea about the secret, cozy magical cafe on your college campus? Brew potions and romance on coffee dates with your new friends! A text-based novel of magic and romance, with hundreds of choices and without graphics or sound effects.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 27.8%, RPG 22.1%, Romance 13.7%, Choose Your Own Adventure 13.4%, Text-Based 10%

Experience the triumphs and tribulations of two Caribbean immigrants in post-war Britain, in the world’s first Windrush video game, from the creators of the BAFTA nominated Before I Forget. How will you shape your story in this branching narrative interactive photo album?

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 31.2%, Hand-drawn 21.7%, Choices Matter 10.2%, Multiple Endings 7.7%, Dialogue Heavy 7.3%

Delve into a dark fantasy visual novel where evil isn't always as it seems. Make your choices and grow your skills to help determine who survives the Great Culling. Featuring the voice talents of Ralph Ineson, Simon Callow, Savannah Steyn, and more.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 18.8%, Dark Fantasy 17.4%, Visual Novel 10.3%, Hand-drawn 10.1%, Text-Based 9.1%

A Greek Myth-based, heartfelt narrative game where you're a demigod named Aelius trying to find your godly father and re-forge your family.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 24.6%, RPG 13.6%, Visual Novel 12.6%, Dialogue Heavy 10.8%, Hand-drawn 9.8%

When you start the game, the narrator will instruct you to “close your eyes.” At that moment, whether you actually close them or keep them open will change the course of the story. Listen carefully to the voice as you proceed, and find your way to the truth.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 23%, Visual Novel 13.7%, Hand-drawn 11.9%, Dialogue Heavy 9.3%, Multiple Endings 9.1%

Pasajeros is developed through a collection of urban and surreal stories collected in a taxi in Bogotá . It’s a four-night adventure packed with micro-stories of vampires, mariachis, and thugs. In addition to the opportunity to find love or madness in the night magic of a city.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 21%, Dialogue Heavy 12.7%, Visual Novel 11.9%, Choose Your Own Adventure 8.7%, Romance 8.5%

A brave hero and a bound lich rescue a legendary warrior from a forgotten tomb and put the romance back in necromancy. Necromance is a dark fantasy comedy visual novel with light puzzle elements, 3 endings, and 15 ways to die!

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 18.4%, Hand-drawn 11.2%, Visual Novel 11.1%, Dark Fantasy 10.9%, Choose Your Own Adventure 10%

Winter 1999. Kicked out of your house after being outed by your closest friend, you plan to leave your hometown. Your girlfriend, Mika, wants to see you one more time. Decide whether or not you'll stay together.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 16.8%, Romance 13.4%, Visual Novel 12.2%, Hand-drawn 11.2%, Dialogue Heavy 10.8%

In this haunting visual novel, you become Salem - torn between forbidden love and regime loyalty. Make split-second decisions that transform his personality in a solarpunk dystopia. With multiple paths and endings, your choices define who Salem becomes in a world where being different is dangerous.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 15%, Hand-drawn 13.5%, Visual Novel 9.7%, Romance 9.1%, Dialogue Heavy 8.9%

The church is impatient. The church is hungry. The church is willing to do anything to get you back.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 27.5%, Choose Your Own Adventure 15.4%, Visual Novel 14.3%, Hand-drawn 10.1%, Choices Matter 9%

A visual novel where your choices matter. Derek has a job, a beloved boyfriend, friends, and… “piranha thoughts.” Everything was perfect until his younger sister Rina returned to town.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 25.6%, Visual Novel 13.5%, Romance 12.7%, Hand-drawn 12.5%, Choices Matter 10.5%

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: Interactive Fiction 20.5%, Visual Novel 13.4%, Hand-drawn 10.5%, Choose Your Own Adventure 10.1%, Romance 9.4%

"The Silent Huntress" is a visual novel in the genre of a dark fairy tale with choices and different endings. Not only the development of events will depend on your choices, but also the conclusions that the main character makes about her life and the world around her.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 20.5%, Dark Fantasy 16.1%, Visual Novel 11.3%, RPG 10.4%, Romance 10.2%

Roadwarden is an illustrated text-based RPG that uses isometric pixel art and combines mechanics borrowed from RPGs, Visual Novels, adventure games and interactive fiction.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 20.5%, RPG 18.1%, Text-Based 14.2%, Dark Fantasy 9.5%, Choose Your Own Adventure 9.4%

Defy nature’s laws and avenge your slain pantheon! Humanity once feared and hated you, but now, awakened from a thousand-year slumber, you are their only hope. A text-based interactive game.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 26.1%, RPG 20.4%, Dark Fantasy 17.7%, Choose Your Own Adventure 12.6%, Text-Based 9.5%

- Cannibalism X superpowers X Suspense X Original worldview - "Fried Chicken Wings Cause a Love Fire" is a BL mystery comedy long visual novel. It uses the first-person perspective with a fixed protagonist, Aris; contains elements of horror and sexual innuendo.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 21.1%, Dark Fantasy 15%, RPG 11.4%, Romance 10%, Hand-drawn 9.6%

As a humble baker in a quiet medieval town, your life takes a dark turn when a stranger arrives equipped for battle. Thrust into a hidden world of supernatural beings—elves, demons, fae, and more—you must make choices that alter the fate of the world you thought you knew.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 22.6%, Dark Fantasy 16.4%, Visual Novel 12.2%, RPG 11.2%, Choose Your Own Adventure 11.2%

Scribe is a scribe simulator in which you can secretly shape the destinies of the inhabitants of the estate: resolve disputes, influence the course of family intrigues, decide who lives and who does not. Choose what to write in letters and whether to change their recipients!

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 21.3%, Choose Your Own Adventure 10.7%, Visual Novel 10.4%, Choices Matter 10.3%, Text-Based 8.6%

A point-and-click visual novel. You’re thrust into a mysterious dungeon, where your mission is to traverse it and find love amongst its inhabitants. Explore, survive and interact with characters.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 17.6%, Hand-drawn 16.5%, Dark Fantasy 14.2%, Visual Novel 11.2%, Choices Matter 8.8%

In this hand-drawn RPG, you play as Joe, a young man attending a dinner party with his new girlfriend. What he doesn't know is that every decision he makes, no matter how small, will have its consequence...

Why similar: Hand-drawn 17.9%, Interactive Fiction 16.4%, Choices Matter 10.8%, Choose Your Own Adventure 10.7%, Multiple Endings 9.7%

It's the night of the big ball, and things are going...well...they're going. When so many people of so many different species are gathered together in one place, you're sure to have an interesting time. But what if something a little more malicious is happening under the surface?

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 16.2%, Hand-drawn 15.3%, Visual Novel 12.5%, Romance 11.9%, Choices Matter 9.4%

Get yourself into and out of another fine mess! Win glory, renown, and much-needed money through cunning schemes that will seem like good ideas at the time.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 28%, RPG 19.2%, Text-Based 11.9%, Romance 11.1%, Choices Matter 10.8%

A dating visual novel where you play as a young salaryman trying to balance work and romance. Make choices that guide your relationships, meet unique waifus, and fulfill your hidden desires.

Why similar: Hand-drawn 17.9%, Visual Novel 16.5%, Romance 16%, Interactive Fiction 15.9%, Multiple Endings 7.3%

You are Hidu, a beastman mercenary in a port city. You must survive one very bad day. How? That’s entirely up to you. There are countless ways for events to unfold — and 25 endings.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 22.9%, Choose Your Own Adventure 12.3%, RPG 11.8%, Visual Novel 9.6%, Choices Matter 9.3%