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.

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".

PLAY THIS! ✔️It's funny I like it (again)

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! ✔️ 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.

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.

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

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.

DON'T RECOMMEND❌i ufcking hate this dog shit game.

DON'T RECOMMEND❌bro just go on a booru site and look up images of catboys. this game has the same amount of depth.

PLAY THIS! ✔️It's funny I like it

DON'T RECOMMEND❌The art is the only saving grace for LOOPERS. The story is quite short and very, very, very predictable, which is a shame because I think if the concept was stretched out (with typical Ryukishi pacing), it might be a classic.

The voice acting is extremely grating also.

PLAY THIS! ✔️ A very solid otome game. Especially recommend if you like acting/musicals/theatre or if you were a FORMER theatre kid.

DON'T RECOMMEND❌Flat out this is not a good game and is just a tier above something like Shrek Carnival Games on Wii gameplay wise. It is, however, very short, so you could bang this out in a weekend if you're really that curious about it. The voice acting for both languages is extremely grating so have fun with that.

MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️ Contains guys having sex w each other. The premise is interesting but I really feel like this was missing something deeper to bring everything together. Still a good time.

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.

MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️ Necrobarista has beautiful visuals but a really underwhelming story where it feels like none of the stakes matter until they try to clumsily tie it all together at the end.

DON'T RECOMMEND❌ Really great visuals but the story is very barebones. To prove how barebones it is one of the girls on the cover literally only shows up in one bad ending for 5 minutes but they had to stick her on the cover to make it seem like the game is bigger than it actually is.

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! ✔️(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 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! ✔️ Cute story with fun (but not really challenging) gameplay.

PLAY THIS! ✔️It's fun. I liked it. I like boobs. What can I say.

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.

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.

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.

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! ✔️(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! ✔️ 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 ⚠️ 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! ✔️ The secondary route is honestly very unneeded for how solid the main girl route is.

PLAY THIS! ✔️A big booby game with a really fun plot!!! I liked it, okay!!!! Magical girls and superheroes... It's good!!!

PLAY THIS! ✔️ Actually pretty enthralling spooky mystery game. I was surprised by how much I liked this.

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! ✔️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! ✔️ I/O Revision II if it was good

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.

DON'T RECOMMEND❌You will like this game if you are 5-9 years old. If you aren't you will not like this game. If you are, what are you doing on this website

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! ✔️(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! ✔️ A good free to play otome game. The art style isn't exactly my type but it's quite a good game.

PLAY THIS! ✔️ A semi-mystery game. You'll need to play it multiple times to get everything/see the full picture, but it's not too long.

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.

MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️I think the overall plot is very lost and not sure what it even wants to be. Please see my full review on Backloggd for more detail on this. I guess give this a try if you wanna see some old Kurahana Chinatsu art. Also the music is pretty fun.

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.

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.

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.

PLAY THIS! ✔️ ZTD is not a fantastic game, and it isn't great to look at, and honestly I really don't care for the plot, I don't uhhhhh care for most of this game but it's extremely funny. VERY very funny.

DON'T RECOMMEND❌Interesting concept that needed to be written MUCH better.

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.

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.

DON'T RECOMMEND❌bad

DON'T RECOMMEND❌I mean aside from the fact this is a really unengaging mystery I don't think you can play it anymore anyways because the eshop is closed.

PLAY THIS! ✔️I want to fuck old men.

MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️It's your standard dating game (protag gender is up to you, I think they're canon nonbinary), nothing groundbreaking. I guess play this if you REALLY like cats.

DON'T RECOMMEND❌ this game was not only boring but featured the most insufferable protagonist i wished he died alone

DON'T RECOMMEND❌I could see this game being pretty good if it had Higurashi levels of pacing (see: really slow but it builds your trust and care for its characters), but it really is pretty mid and only gets interesting toward the end— the ending felt hollow for me seeing how I didn't care much for its characters but they had to pretend i did.

This game is also really fucking gross for no reason. Like really gross sfx and art and voice lines do not eat while playing this.

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.

DON'T RECOMMEND❌this game sucks ass!!!!!!!!!!! holy shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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! ✔️ 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!!

DON'T RECOMMEND❌Anyone who had a hand in the creation of this game needs to be banned from public parks and schools

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

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)

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 ⚠️(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! ✔️Otome game genius. Has just the right amount of extremely dark things happening in it to make it a classic.

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! ✔️ 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 don't know why but I feel like this game was talking down on me

PLAY THIS! ✔️ An otome CLASSIC. The character design is lowkey corny by today's standards but I do not even care. Love this game to death.

PLAY THIS! ✔️Ohhhhh the long rambling here can be annoying but just trust the vision okay. It was an overall good time.

DON'T RECOMMEND❌ L game

MAYBE PLAY THIS ⚠️ If you don't like men having sex with other men this is not for you. NO, THANK YOU!!! has a plot that is surprisingly gripping and really entertaining? I really like parade's plots. The R18 scenes are nicely drawn too (though a lot of dubcon, not my thing).

Not sure if the Steam release is censored, so just buy from Mangagamer directly if you're trying this.

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! ✔️ You will either need to know Japanese or watch Ace's liveTL but do it!

DON'T RECOMMEND❌naurrrrr

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! ✔️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.

DON'T RECOMMEND❌played all of this while i had covid it not good.

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.

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.

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!✔️ One of Uchikoshi's best. Buy the Nonary Games collection so you can get 999 as well.

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.

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! ✔️ 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! ✔️ (This is part of Fate Stay Night.) This is an inoffensive route and pretty good overall.

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! ✔️ I really liked it, felt like a proper followup to Unwound Future. Layton's life sucks highkey.

PLAY THIS! ✔️IT'S PEAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK RAUAUUUUUUUUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

PLAY THIS! ✔️It's a little bit ridiculous but a good ridiculous! Play Ghost Trick!

PLAY THIS! ✔️ The best of the Trauma Center series. Full of soul.

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.

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.

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

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.