The Best Visual Novels For Beginners

Amid all genres of gaming, visual novels are probably the most beginner-friendly, as gameplay mechanics don't go that much beyond clicking to generate the next block of text, and it isn't too dissimilar from reading a book (hence the name). The only major difference is that the player is usually given some agency in the story by being prompted to make certain narrative choices along the way.

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Visual novels have spread across many different genres, such as horror, romance, and sci-fi, with thousands currently available on the gaming market. Deciding where to begin can be an impossible choice, as there are countless options that are bound to appeal to even the pickiest gamer. For those just starting their foray into visual novels, these are the most beginner-friendly entries in the genre.

9 Bad End Theater

Drenched In Mystery And Excitement

• Platform(s): PC, Android
• Release Date: October 26th, 2021
• Developer(s): NonnomNami
• Genre(s): Story Rich, Fantasy

Most visual novels tend to place a strong focus on romance, offering the player a wide variety of character options to woo throughout the game. While Bad End Theater does not completely cut romance out of the picture, there is also more to this game than just dating fictional characters.

Instead, players have more agency over the characters in this visual novel and can choose to either aid them in their endeavors or act as a hindrance. Though players need to do multiple playthroughs to witness each character's storyline, it is still a good place for beginners to get a feel for what an excellent and engaging visual novel should be like, without too many inappropriate themes to put them off the genre.

8 Vampire: The Masquerade - Shadows Of New York

Gorgeous Art Style

Vampire: The Masquerade was originally a tabletop RPG, allowing players to create a vampire who exists in the shadows of the real and current world, keeping their undead identity a secret while playing into vampiric politics to rise to the top or fade into obscurity. Shadows of New York places players in the shoes of a newly embraced vampire in the city that never sleeps, where tensions boil high and secret plots unfold.

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As the player character is a newly fledged vampire, players don't need to know anything about the world of VtM; they will learn alongside Julia as they are thrust into the eternal struggle. The gorgeous art style is more realistic and gritty than most anime-focused art styles, which gives players a break from the overly cutesy and cartoonish visual novels that overrun the genre. This could be the perfect way for players to ease themselves into the world of visual novels, as it is far more grounded than others.

7 Hatoful Boyfriend

A Game That Never Takes Itself Too Seriously

Most gamers have no doubt heard the name Hatoful Boyfriend, a game that involves romance, but with a twist...all the options appear to be sentient birds. It's an utterly bizarre concept designed not to be taken seriously at all and instead treated as a parody of romance visual novels, which could help players get ready before dipping their toes into a more serious romance story.

Weird and wonderful, Hatoful Boyfriend isn't likely to win any awards for its writing or art direction, but it has become a favorite cult classic for a reason, even among those who turn their nose up at the visual novel genre. New players should definitely check out the game that took the internet by storm, if they haven't already.

6 The Arcana

A Free-To-Play Mobile Game

• Platform(s): Android, iOS
• Release Date: October 17th, 2016
• Developer(s): Nix Hydra
• Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance

The world of The Arcana is rich and diverse, brimming with original lore, world-building, and characters players can't help but fall in love with. As the apprentice to the wandering and accomplished magician Asra, the player finds themselves acquainted with the most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes in all the kingdom. How lucky for them. Each romance choice leads players down a unique and enthralling story that will keep them coming back for more and more.

Developed for mobile and free to play, players don't need to own an expensive gaming console or dedicate hundreds of their hard-earned dollars to enjoy the game, as they can earn in-game rewards just for playing. This, combined with just how excellent the visual novel is, makes The Arcana a perfect romance visual novel for newcomers.

5 Mystic Messenger

Discover The Mystery Behind RFA And Its Members

Mystic Messenger is a game more grounded in realism, as it involves the main character finding herself as a member of an organization devoted to charitable deeds. With one of the core members missing, the remaining members look to the player to take charge of organizing the next party by liaising through text messages, either as a group or in private one-on-one chats, which allows the player to get close to their chosen romance option.

Played exclusively on a phone, mobile gamers will feel right at home with Mystic Messenger. Though there is a lot more going on behind the scenes with Rika's disappearance and the rise of the organization known as Mint Eye, it is still a fairly grounded and realistic story that won't confuse new visual novel players too much, while remaining an exciting story that encourages multiple playthroughs to uncover more mysteries.

4 VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action

Serve Drinks And Listen To Patrons' Stories

Typically, cyberpunk games usually involve the protagonist facing off against a digital or dystopian threat, brimming with weapons and cybernetic enhancements. However, VA-11 Hall-A tells the more personal tale of the bartender Jill and the colorful characters she meets through her work.

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She saves lives by making their chosen drink and listening to the tales they tell, before returning to her small apartment which she shares with her pet cat. It's a simple life and doesn't charge the player with too much challenging gameplay besides learning to make cocktails. It's a surprisingly fun game with some interesting plotlines stemming from the patrons that players will want to hear more about, night by night.

3 Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy

A Collection Perfect For Newcomers To The Series

Most people probably know Ace Attorney, either from the successful game franchise, the anime series, or even the memes that circle online, using the famed "Objection!" Line. The series has multiple titles now, but gamers can get the first three in this bundle, providing hours upon hours of fun gameplay and mystery solving.

This is the perfect way for Phoenix Wright newbies to experience the games, which are among some of the most fun visual novels ever made. Playing as a lawyer, gamers will need to put on their thinking caps and carefully listen to the testimonies of witnesses to look for any contradictions against the evidence, which they will need to search crime scenes for personally.

2 Monster Prom

Play Alone Or With Friends

Prom is the most stressful time of the year for many students. They must find the perfect dress or tux, and the perfect date to go with them. This is the crux of the story in the light-hearted and humorous Monster Prom, as players play a student at a school full of monsters and must find the creature of their dreams to agree to go to the prom with them. Conversations and actions allow them to catch the eye of their chosen date and hope they earned enough points to also earn their affection, or they face the embarrassment of going to prom alone.

What's more, Monster Prom can be enjoyed with friends, who can either help or hinder romantic endeavors. Part visual novel, part dating sim, and part party game, Monster Prom is diverse enough that it doesn't feel as cliched as other visual novels, and is the perfect way to introduce players to elements of the genre, such as hours of dialogue.

1 Hooked On You

A Spin-Off Of Dead By Daylight

Dead by Daylight is an asymmetrical multiplayer horror game, where one killer must chase down four survivors who try to repair five generators and escape the trial alive. With countless licensed characters from IPs ranging from Dungeons and Dragons to Halloween, as well as countless original survivors and killers, there is a wealth of characters players can choose from, but not for romance; that is, until Hooked on You came out.

There have been jokes about dating killers among fans of DbD for years now, but the devs at Behavior decided to give the fans what they wanted, resulting in this visual novel dating game, which gives players the option to pursue one of four killers from the game. While this is not the most typical of visual novels, that's what makes it perfect for newcomers to the genre. As it is unlikely fans of games such as Dead by Daylight have ever ventured into this genre, Hooked on You is the perfect gateway game.

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