Summary
2023 has been a year full of riveting and immersive new adventures, from the heights ofTears of the Kingdomto the terrors ofAlan Wake 2. Keeping up with every new game was exhausting, but there were also many excellentvisual novelsfrom 2023 to relax with between the big triple-A titles.
Whether you enjoy sitting on the edge of your seat with a tense horror story orsnuggling under a blanket with something cozier, the year was full of interesting visual novels that pushed the medium forward or subverted our expectations. Narrowing it down wasn’t easy, but these are the best visual novels from 2023.
October 19th, 2023
Developer
Paweł Koźmiński
World of Horroris an ambitious game that embraces multiple genres and executes them all brilliantly. Inspired by the works of Junji Ito and Lovecraftian horror, this adventure draws you into a tense world containing intriguing yet terrifying mysteries.
Combining visual novel staples with a turn-based battle system and roguelike elements is a strange mix, but World of Horror cleverly brings them all together for one of the most goosebump-inducing games in the genre. This is one you might not want toplay before falling asleep.
April 20th, 2023
Toge Productions
If you prefer to play something to help you relax, there is almost nothing better than theCoffee Talkseries. You work as a barista in a world containing mermaids, vampires, and other mythical creatures, and it’s up to you to listen to their stories andserve them delicious drinks.
Coffee Talk 2 builds on the foundation of the original game with a few gameplay tweaks and a group of new characters for you to meet. It’s hard not to be absorbed by the wonderful writing and warm atmosphere of Coffee Talk 2, especially with its chill soundtrack playing on a loop in the background.
March 31st, 2023
Sega Social Team
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog launched as an April Fool’s Day joke, but the funniest thing about it is that it’s one of the best games in the long-running series. When everyone gathers for a murder-mystery-themed birthday party for Rose, it all goes wrong when someone takes it too far and actually kills Sonic.
Even if you’re not a big Sonic fan, you quickly understand each character’s personality because of how well everything is written. You’ll feel like a giddy Benoit Blanc reading through a Nancy Drew book for the first time, as the game does a fantastic job of hiding the real culprit until the end.
June 8th, 2023
Don’t Nod
Don’t Nod has been experimenting with different storytelling techniques since 2013’s Remember Me, and Harmony: Fall of Reverie is another excellent example of the developer finding new ways for you to experience their adventures. Starring a colorful cast of characters and vibrant art style, it’s easy to get lost in Harmony’s eight to ten-hour saga.
If you enjoy games with critical decisions that affect the outcome, few titles did it as well as Fell of Reverie this year. Your character can use the power of clairvoyance to see into the future, which will help you determine which paths to take to get the ending that you think is best.
August 24th, 2023
Eyeguys, Lorenzo Redaelli
For anyone who prefers the avant-garde and unusual over straightforward and predictable stories, Mediterranea Inferno deserves your attention. The dreamlike story of three friends who travel for a vacation together quickly unravels into something else you’ll need to see to believe.
Everything from the animations to the dialogue and music works like a metronome to hypnotize you into a zone of comfort before pulling the couch from beneath you. It should only take about five hours to finish the game, and each minute in Mediterranea Inferno is worth remembering.
August 16th, 2023
Deconstructeam
There are plenty of visual novels, but none are quite like The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood. It features a fantastic story with memorable characters, but it’s the inclusion of a tarot deck system that helps the game stand out in a very crowded genre.
Beyond the tarot card system, Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood presents a relatable narrative about isolation and self-discovery. The writing lures you into an enchanting world and will have you emotionally invested in the captivating story before the end of the first hour.
It’s hard to understand why Slay the Princess is one of the best visual novels of the year without picking it up and playing it for a bit. The art style might turn you away, but it’s an essential element to the game’s charm - and horror. Like many on this list, once you start playing it, you won’t want to stop.
Each run requires you to make important decisions that lead you to one ultimate dilemma - will you save or slay the princess? There is a lot of body horror and gore in Slay the Princess, making it one of the more unique and exciting visual novels of 2023.
Goodbye Volcano Highis an interactive visual novel set during the age of the dinosaurs, but instead of eating leaves and stuff, they live normal lives and stay busy by playing wonderful music or board games. Things become much less fun once they all realize that an incoming meteor could wipe out the whole planet and everything they love.
Full of fantastic characters, funny writing, and one of the best alt-rock albums of the year, Goodbye Volcano High is a bold statement about the importance of staying true to yourself until the very end. The visuals are fantastic as well and make you feel like you’re playing through an animated series or cartoon.
July 31st, 2023
Visai Games
Venba is one of the shortest games on this list, but it squeezes so much love and attention to detail in its short runtime that it manages to leave one of the biggest impacts. It follows a family that immigrates to Canada and highlights the difficulties of embracing heritage while adapting to a new culture.
Aside from reading about the family’s journey, you’ll spend some time in the kitchen preparing delicious-looking foods to help bring everyone together. If you’re looking for something short and sweet to enjoy, Venba can be completed in less than a couple of hours.
March 8th, 2023
Xeen
Not only doesParanormasightcontain one of the most riveting and suspenseful stories of the year, but it continuously keeps you invested by slowly peeling back the layers of its horrific tale. Once you think you know what’s happening, a subtle clue suddenly disproves it and leaves you wondering what’s going to happen next.
With a fantastic visual style, hauntingly pleasant soundtrack,and iconic characters, Paranormasight is a game you play and never forget. It’s consistently subverting your expectations and includes some amazing puzzles that require you to think outside the box.
