reading games/visual novels i've played
Definition of a reading game: a game that involves a lot of reading, but isn't a visual novel.
NEED A RECOMMENDATION? click the note i put on the title.
Some games I've played before aren't on here (ie Danganronpa, Dandelion) because I want to replay them before re-rating them.
TOP 5: Utawarerumono Mask of Truth, Remember11, The House In Fata Morgana, Umineko When They Cry, AI The Somnium Files
NEED A RECOMMENDATION? click the note i put on the title.
Some games I've played before aren't on here (ie Danganronpa, Dandelion) because I want to replay them before re-rating them.
TOP 5: Utawarerumono Mask of Truth, Remember11, The House In Fata Morgana, Umineko When They Cry, AI The Somnium Files
124 Games
PLAY THIS! ✔️ (This is part two of Umineko.) These games are genius. Play them right now. Also use 07thmod to get rid of the ugly Steam pachinko sprites.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ It's a pretty great AA game.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ EASILY one of the greatest vns of all time. A nonstop incredible story that will leave you breathless and sobbing also.
You will need to play Utawarerumono Mask of Deception in order to understand this game, and Utawarerumono/Utawarerumono Prelude to the Fallen for this game to be kino. They are both great, please play the whole trilogy.
You will need to play Utawarerumono Mask of Deception in order to understand this game, and Utawarerumono/Utawarerumono Prelude to the Fallen for this game to be kino. They are both great, please play the whole trilogy.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ You will either need to know Japanese or watch Ace's liveTL but do it!
PLAY THIS! ✔️ A very solid otome game. Especially recommend if you like acting/musicals/theatre or if you were a FORMER theatre kid.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ PEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK. Possibly the only downside is you can really feel this game was supposed to lead to more (iirc this would have been a series with 3 games), but this is a Type Moon game, so of course that did not happen and this is the only entry we have. But still an absolutely fantastic time. Has some fantastic animations to make this feel like a whole movie.
PLAY THIS! ✔️It's a little bit ridiculous but a good ridiculous! Play Ghost Trick!
PLAY THIS! ✔️(This is part of Higurashi, ranked chapters separately based on my thoughts on them.) Good chapter. I love when girls are insane.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ Bro it's the ace attorney trilogy it's good.
PLAY THIS! ✔️IT'S PEAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK RAUAUUUUUUUUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
PLAY THIS! ✔️ Words can't describe how fantastic Fatamoru is. If you haven't played it already just jump in. People say the beginning is a slow start, I disagree a little bit and was still plenty captivated, but once you hit Door 4 it's like getting on a rollercoaster that never ends. Genius game.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ (This is part one of Umineko.) These games are genius. Play them right now. Also use 07thmod to get rid of the ugly Steam pachinko sprites.
MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️I really did not care for the story, but the SRPG part is fun.
I don't think 13 Sentinels qualifies as a visual novel in the slightest but most people unfamiliar with the genre think it is one, so I'll put this game in here to account for them.
I don't think 13 Sentinels qualifies as a visual novel in the slightest but most people unfamiliar with the genre think it is one, so I'll put this game in here to account for them.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ This is useless without already having played Fatamoru, so go do that first. If you've just finished Fatamoru, wait a bit before playing this one, I found my eyes glazing over the first time but when I reread it a few months later I was way more engaged. Very painful. Loved it
MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️(This is part of Fate Stay Night.) Okay, this is probably the best route of FSN, but I genuinely dislike Sakura so I feel really mixed about it lol.
PLAY THIS! ✔️Layton call me. (You should at minimum play the first two games before this one.)
PLAY THIS! ✔️ The greatest Infinity game. Anyone who disagrees just didn't get it. Do not let anything stop you from playing this game and letting it consume your every thought like it did for me.
Play Remember11 Gestalt Edition if you're trying this out!
Play Remember11 Gestalt Edition if you're trying this out!
PLAY THIS! ✔️ Only play this if you've played Fate Stay Night to its completion. This is a super great fandisc and some of the stories in it are absolutely genius. Jesus would be an Avenger type wouldn't he?
MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️I fucking hated rintaro and some of the extremely unfunny jokes but every other visual novel fan loves Steins;Gate so whatever
PLAY THIS! ✔️(This is part of Higurashi, ranked chapters separately based on my thoughts on them.) Love this chapter and the utter sense of despair it brings on toward the end that is somehow empowering at the same time.
PLAY THIS! ✔️(This is part of Higurashi, ranked chapters separately based on my thoughts on them.) This chapter goes so hard and I think accurately encapsulates the feeling of helplessness you have as a child. Makes my heart hurt.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ Last Window rules and I'm sick of no one talking about it. It sidesteps all the issues I had with Hotel Dusk and is genuinely a great time.
PLAY THIS!✔️ One of Uchikoshi's best. Buy the Nonary Games collection so you can get VLR as well.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ (This is part of Fate Stay Night.) This is the best Fate route. Without question. Without doubt. Fate is worth getting into for just this route alone.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ 428 rules! If you 100% it like me you will go utterly insane, but it's worth it.
PLAY THIS! ✔️(This is part of Higurashi, ranked chapters separately based on my thoughts on them.) This is the best chapter of Higurashi. I don't think it could stand on its own but it is the best.
PLAY THIS! ✔️Some of the dialogue makes it really clear they had no women writers but the gameplay element is super fun and the general story is great.
MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️ SeaBed is a bit vague with its storytelling which can be frustrating (on top of the pacing being extremely slow). I love it both in spite of and because of these quirks but your mileage may vary.
PLAY THIS! ✔️An Otome game bursting with personality and charm. This is probably one of the greatest on the Switch, and of course it's illustrated by Yuuya, my goat!!! Suffers from Aksys's issues with not proofreading their English TLs but definitely give this a shot it's probably my favorite Otome game ever?
PLAY THIS! ✔️ Bro it's the ace attorney trilogy it's good.
MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️An interesting idea for a game that I feel like falls apart the more you play it/get to the ending reveals. Genuinely I fail to see what everyone liked about it, it might be the nostalgia talking.
Play the sequel Last Window, it is 5000% better than this.
Play the sequel Last Window, it is 5000% better than this.
PLAY THIS!✔️ One of Uchikoshi's best. Buy the Nonary Games collection so you can get 999 as well.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ I'm not sure what genre AITSF really falls into (maybe more point and click adventure). By no means is this game perfect, but it is perfect to me. I love it so much.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ The weakest of the Utawarerumono trilogy in my opinion, but that's only because the other two are so insanely good. This is still a good time, and really picks up once you go to the ruins with Kuon (if you know you know). Check out the entire Utawarerumono series!!
if i paid for this shit on the 3ds in 2015 or whenever it came out i would have been so pissed. this is absolutely not a standalone title and as someone who played it as a standalone title years later before the official english release i really did not like it. but in the two-pack of tgaa it's alright!
so, TLDR, PLAY THIS! ✔️ (only in the two pack)
so, TLDR, PLAY THIS! ✔️ (only in the two pack)
PLAY THIS! ✔️A big booby game with a really fun plot!!! I liked it, okay!!!! Magical girls and superheroes... It's good!!!
PLAY THIS! ✔️ The best of the Trauma Center series. Full of soul.
PLAY THIS! ✔️(This is part of Higurashi, ranked chapters separately based on my thoughts on them.) This is a perfect conclusion and its non-linear storytelling with the kakera really scratched something in my brain.
PLAY THIS! ✔️Short but nice yuri vn.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ (This is part of Fate Stay Night.) This is an inoffensive route and pretty good overall.
PLAY THIS! ✔️Fun short horror game. It drops the ball in the later half/feels like it's speeding toward the finish line which is a shame, but was overall cute.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ Layton call me.
PLAY THIS! ✔️It's funny I like it (again)
PLAY THIS! ✔️(This is part of Higurashi, ranked chapters separately based on my thoughts on them.) Where it all starts... I think this is free on Steam still, so just try it out. (Use 07thmod.)
MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️honestly i don't even know if i can recommend this when this series is doomed to not be completed. really good game but then you will be haunted for the rest of your life because ryukishi is avoiding making the rest of it. fuck my life.
DON'T RECOMMEND❌There was legitimately too much rape in this game for me to want to continue through it, but also Nasu creating a world with VAMPIRES and still having it be boring as fuck is like an entirely separate crime from the bountiful sexual assault
PLAY THIS! ✔️ If you don't get stuck in a gameplay loop like I did this is a pretty good experience. I wish there was more content but this is an indie game and they did all they could. It's pretty fun.
MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️ If you like really, REALLY out there and nearly impossible to follow plots, you may like I/O. You'll probably never play anything else like this.
I think about going back to this game for a replay once every few months before stopping myself. Someday I will actually replay it and I may become super enlightened.
I think about going back to this game for a replay once every few months before stopping myself. Someday I will actually replay it and I may become super enlightened.
DON'T RECOMMEND❌If you're someone who's played Uchikoshi's modern works (999 and after), you may be tempted to try this game out. It is honestly very boring for 80% of its runtime and I don't recommend it unless you want to see how Uchikoshi grew as a writer rather than be enthralled by a great story.
Play Ever17 Himmel Edition if you're trying this!
Play Ever17 Himmel Edition if you're trying this!
PLAY THIS! ✔️ Actually pretty enthralling spooky mystery game. I was surprised by how much I liked this.
MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️ It's a fine game, but in retrospect having AA5 and AA6 be both 1) bad and 2) rewrite apollo's character again and again, it almost makes this game feel really fucking pointless.
MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️ I personally had the story fall kinda flat for me/I wasn't that moved by it, however if you love yuri this will be up your alley regardless.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ Layton call me.
MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️ Contains men fuckin other men. You have been warned. Sweet Pool feels gross and disgusting and I really, really love that about it. Just read the game description and determine if you wanna play something like that.
My extended thoughts on it are here: https://lonesgamethoughts.blogspot.com/2022/03/sweet-pool-review-saya-no-uta-but-for.html
My extended thoughts on it are here: https://lonesgamethoughts.blogspot.com/2022/03/sweet-pool-review-saya-no-uta-but-for.html
MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️You should really only play this if you already played DMMD. If you have, this is a great companion to DMMD and in some ways I prefer it to DMMD because it has all unique writing (instead of having the repeating story bits like DMMD did)
PLAY THIS! ✔️(This is part of Higurashi, ranked chapters separately based on my thoughts on them.) Stick with it, I think the timeline resetting is confusing to a lot of people but just stick with it.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ Yuuya strikes again with another masterfully drawn vn. The story is downright fantastic and the guys are all top tier. Worldbuilding is also out of the park. If Aksys released an update to proofread this game properly it would have been a 1000/10.
PLAY THIS! ✔️REALLY good Otome game. The plot is so convoluted it's awesome and the art style is to die for. Play Psychedelica of the Black Butterfly before you play this one to understand a lot of the references it makes.
DON'T RECOMMEND❌ THIS GAME FUCKING BLOWSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Almost everything with the new characters is good but everything with the returning characters is downright horrible and is enough to tank this game into being unredeemable. I have zero confidence in AITSF as a series going forward thanks to AINI.
Please let the next game have a maximum of three returning characters or we are so fucked. Explained my thoughts on this game in depth here: https://lonesgamethoughts.blogspot.com/2022/11/reflecting-on-aini-5-months-later.html?m=1
Please let the next game have a maximum of three returning characters or we are so fucked. Explained my thoughts on this game in depth here: https://lonesgamethoughts.blogspot.com/2022/11/reflecting-on-aini-5-months-later.html?m=1
PLAY THIS! ✔️ Bro it's the ace attorney trilogy it's good.
DON'T RECOMMEND❌this game sucks ass!!!!!!!!!!! holy shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLAY THIS! ✔️ I/O Revision II if it was good
MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️ I have to be honest this is a very nothing game after Unwound Future, to the point where it's almost like, painful. But if you play the EU version you get the little town sidegame and that's honestly cute enough to give this game a try.
DON'T RECOMMEND❌bad
PLAY THIS! ✔️Ohhhhh the long rambling here can be annoying but just trust the vision okay. It was an overall good time.
PLAY THIS! ✔️Otome game genius. Has just the right amount of extremely dark things happening in it to make it a classic.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ I really liked it, felt like a proper followup to Unwound Future. Layton's life sucks highkey.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ I think this collection of the two Another Code games is good, but also loses a lot of the soul by getting rid of a lot of the gimmicks (closing the DS to solve a puzzle, connecting a nun-chuk to solve a puzzle, etc).
I would honestly recommend playing both of the original games (on original hardware if you can) and then this, they are fairly short.
I would honestly recommend playing both of the original games (on original hardware if you can) and then this, they are fairly short.
MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️(This is part one of TAISHO x ALICE.) This famously had a very botched English release before it was fixed. I think the stories it tries to tell are good but they kept doing that Marvel movie thing where they undercut serious moments with comedy that wasn't very funny. I have yet to explore the rest of this series. I would say give this a shot if you're running out of Otome games to read.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ Higanbana is one of the Ryukishi greats that unfortunately gets overlooked quite often because it isn't easily accessible. I would highly recommend seeking it out and playing it. I think he shines in the short story format. (This is part two of the story.)
PLAY THIS! ✔️Utawarerumono'ers rise up. A good visual novel and a good SRPG (the gameplay won't wow you with its simpleness, but I like it nonetheless). Check out the entire Utawarerumono series!!
PLAY THIS! ✔️ Another Code R is a cozy time and I prefer this to its remake.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ The artstyle upgrade is so funny. This one has a much better expanded story than the first.
PLAY THIS! ✔️I see people calling this game bad and the twist is stupid but you guys are actually insane. This is a really solid game and the twist is no crazier than some of the other shit Layton goes through. Layton causing Phoenix and Miles to divorce is my favorite part of the game that definitely happens.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ Cute story with fun (but not really challenging) gameplay.
DON'T RECOMMEND❌naurrrrr
PLAY THIS! ✔️ The secondary route is honestly very unneeded for how solid the main girl route is.
PLAY THIS! ✔️Most of the guys are great and I love this style. Story is a bit nonsensical but we all need a bit of whimsy in our lives anyways. I miss when Cheritz made standalone titles/games without microtransactions.
PLAY THIS! ✔️Utawarerumono'ers rise up. A good visual novel and a good SRPG (the gameplay won't wow you with its simpleness, but I like it nonetheless). Check out the entire Utawarerumono series!!
(At this point, just play Prelude to the Fallen, it includes voice acting and is actually accessible to play.)
(At this point, just play Prelude to the Fallen, it includes voice acting and is actually accessible to play.)
PLAY THIS! ✔️ This is a really funny great game and to be honest the plot is a bit plot-hole-y but I don't even care. It's just a vehicle for jokes. It's a good game.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ A good free to play otome game. The art style isn't exactly my type but it's quite a good game.
MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️to be frank DMMD is really not that great story-wise but it has a ton of unique design/ways it plays with the concept of the game. Hard to explain. Also contains gay sex.
PLAY THIS! ✔️(This is part of Higurashi, ranked chapters separately based on my thoughts on them.) Good chapter. Also the chapter 07thmod puts all its mods over for other games lol.
DON'T RECOMMEND❌I think the version on the DS is better....
DON'T RECOMMEND❌i ufcking hate this dog shit game.
DON'T RECOMMEND❌played all of this while i had covid it not good.
MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️This one's fun but not really groundbreaking. The fandom is almost entirely comprised of fujoshi though so you unlock that as a perk if you finish it.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ It's not groundbreaking but it's 4 hours long, so like. Y'know.
PLAY THIS! ✔️It's funny I like it
DON'T RECOMMEND❌This game is so bad it almost gives you some kind of hope, like if they can put out this uninspired terribly written slop maybe you can make it somewhere someday.
I never want to think about this game again, I went from being so frustrated with it that I was writing down everything I didn't like to make a huge post to by the end just giving up and being too exhausted to even say anything other than "Not good".
I never want to think about this game again, I went from being so frustrated with it that I was writing down everything I didn't like to make a huge post to by the end just giving up and being too exhausted to even say anything other than "Not good".
MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️ I liked it for its non-linear storytelling/how you have to put the pieces together, but that might not be all for you.
MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️I like AAI1 enough but it's just an alright game. If you skipped this to get straight to the kino (AAI2) I wouldn't blame you.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ Buried Stars is so good!! 100%ing it is a challenge (especially because fast forwarding is so SLOW) but very worth if you have the time.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ I think some of the charm is lost if you haven't played Fatamoru, so definitely play that first. But this spoke to something deep in my soul. The English translation is occasionally wonky which is a shame given how good Fatamoru's English translations are.
PLAY THIS! ✔️ Higanbana is one of the Ryukishi greats that unfortunately gets overlooked quite often because it isn't easily accessible. I would highly recommend seeking it out and playing it. I think he shines in the short story format. (This is part one of the story.)
PLAY THIS! ✔️ They did surgery on a grape
DON'T RECOMMEND❌I ended up dropping this game because it's so frustrating. Please see my full Backloggd review for further thoughts.
I don't think Digimon Survive qualifies as a visual novel in the slightest but most people unfamiliar with the genre think it is one, so I'll put this game in here to account for them.
I don't think Digimon Survive qualifies as a visual novel in the slightest but most people unfamiliar with the genre think it is one, so I'll put this game in here to account for them.
DON'T RECOMMEND❌ L game
PLAY THIS! ✔️It's fun. I liked it. I like boobs. What can I say.
PLAY THIS! ✔️I'm ignoring the really huge age differences between the MC and the men in this game. This is a cute Otome game, though kind of loses steam toward the end. I really like it.
