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Visual Novel

Category Tier-2 Genre

Top 150 best Steam games of all time tagged with Visual Novel, according to gamer reviews.

Rank, title, date, tags, platforms and price Score Rating
8.61
98% 37,830 votes
8.38
97% 5,140 votes
8.35
98% 3,617 votes
8.30
95% 17,382 votes
8.22
96% 4,246 votes
8.19
95% 3,816 votes

Correlated tags

Correlation is how often another tag appears together with this tag. If one in every five games tagged with Visual Novel is also tagged with a correlated tag, the correlated tag has 20% correlation. 100% correlation means the pair of tags always appear together.

Tags most frequently applied to the same games as Visual Novel, with at least 15% correlation.

  1. Casual 56%
  2. Adventure 56%
  3. Story Rich 52%
  4. Anime 52%
  5. Singleplayer 50%
  6. Indie 43%
  7. 2D 42%
  8. Sexual Content 35%
  9. Romance 35%
  10. Nudity 32%
  11. Cute 32%
  12. Dating Sim 29%
  13. Choices Matter 29%
  14. Multiple Endings 28%
  15. Simulation 26%
  16. Female Protagonist 24%
  17. Choose Your Own Adventure 24%
  18. Interactive Fiction 24%
  19. RPG 22%
  20. Drama 20%
  21. Mature 19%
  22. Atmospheric 18%
  23. NSFW 17%
  24. Fantasy 17%
  25. Colorful 17%
  26. LGBTQ+ 17%
  27. Text-Based 16%
  28. Mystery 15%
  29. Comedy 15%

The Visual Novel tag refers to a genre of interactive storytelling in video games that places a strong emphasis on narrative and visual elements. Visual novels are similar to interactive books or graphic novels, combining text-based storytelling with static or animated visuals, character portraits, and backgrounds.

In visual novels, players assume the role of a protagonist who navigates through a series of choices and branching paths that determine the outcome of the story. These choices often lead to different story arcs or endings, encouraging replayability as players explore various routes and outcomes.

The main features of visual novels include:

  • Story-driven Narrative Visual novels prioritize storytelling over gameplay mechanics. The narrative is usually presented through dialogue, descriptive text, and character interactions. The depth and complexity of the story can range from lighthearted and romantic themes to intense dramas, mysteries, or even fantasy worlds.
  • Character Development Visual novels often offer deep characterization for their cast members, allowing players to form emotional connections with the characters as they progress through their individual storylines.
  • Multiple Endings Depending on player choices throughout the game, visual novels typically offer multiple branching paths that lead to different conclusions. This encourages replay value as players strive for various endings or unlock hidden content.
  • Aesthetic Presentation Visuals play a significant role in enhancing the storytelling experience in these games. Character artwork, backgrounds, music/sound effects contribute strongly towards setting up mood & atmosphere.

Examples of popular visual novel titles include:

  • Doki Doki Literature Club! This game hides a disturbing psychological horror story beneath its seemingly innocent premise of joining a high school literature club.
  • Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Players step into the shoes of an attorney in a light-hearted and comical courtroom drama, where they must investigate crime scenes and defend clients in captivating trials.
  • Steins;Gate This sci-fi visual novel follows a group of friends who accidentally discover time travel, and explores the consequences as they try to manipulate timelines and prevent disastrous events from occurring.

Visual novels provide an immersive storytelling experience, appealing to players who enjoy engaging narratives, character-driven plots, and making choices that influence the outcome. They often blur the line between gaming and literature, offering unique interactive experiences within digital entertainment.

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