Score: 8.0
Ages: 13+
2013/2015
Amnesia: Memories is yet another visual novel with amnesia theme. It seems almost silly to say it, but once more there is a good game behind that cliché. This is an otome game and if one is completely turned off by sweet nothings whispered to your ear by androgynous bishounen with soft voices, this game probably isn’t for them. The story also has some serious darker tones which sometimes strongly contradict all the fluffy romance stuff. Continue reading
Score: 9.0
2016
This somewhat short visual novel has an interesting mystery to be solved with a diverse group of characters. The protagonist Mariko wakes up in a basement of a mansion, with most of her memories gone. There are several other people present too, but everyone seems to be hiding something. A magical barrier surrounds the mansion and the group of people have no choice other than work together in order to get out. Continue reading
Score: 7.0
2019
I wanted to love this sci-fi mystery set in 1960’s Germany but the only exceptional thing about the game is its beautiful graphics. The hand-made backgrounds and the quite intriguing – if also very over-the-top – sci-fi plot are enough to make the game worthwhile, but the gameplay is rather sloppy and frustrating. Continue reading
Score: 7.5
2013
Long Live the Queen is a visual novel and a princess simulator with RPG elements and a widely branching story line. The life of a princess definitely isn’t easy, dangers lurk around every corner and most people cannot be trusted. There are countless ways for the princess to get herself killed or fail in other ways before the coronation. Continue reading
Score: 8.0
Ages: 7+
2017
AER is a lovely, atmospheric game of exploration and mystery. The player controls a young woman on a pilgrimage through floating islands. There are some light puzzles on the way, but mostly the game is about the journey, the scenery and the history of this mystical world. Continue reading
Score: 8.5
2017
Cinderella Phenomenon is a completely free-to-play romantic visual novel available on Steam. It has incredible quality for a free game and I’d recommend it to all visual novel players who don’t outright hate romantic plots. Continue reading
Score: 10.0
Ages: 10+
2016
Stardew Valley was clearly the game of the year 2016 for me. I didn’t manage to finish the review on time, but now that the multiplayer beta is live, I think it’s finally time to write down my thoughts about the singleplayer mode.
This indie gem has done so many things so well, it doesn’t really matter that it basically just combines things from the earlier famous titles of the genre. There is no need to always make something huge or explosively innovative, when one can combine all of the good stuff into a package that feels like the best thing ever. Continue reading
Score: 7.5
Ages: 12+
2012
Cinders is a visual novel that tells the story of Cinderella with a feminist twist. Cinders does not wait around to be saved by her fairy godmother and the prince, she’s going to change her life by herself. Continue reading
Score: 8.0
Ages: 13+
2017
Walkerman is a fantasy visual novel with a rich world and a cavalcade of interesting characters. The first act also includes a short prologue to the story, introducing the protagonist and walkermen in general. They are monster hunters, which is a dangerous job with bad pay and no recognition. But someone has to do it. Continue reading
Score: 8.5
Ages: 12+
2016
Oxenfree feels very nostalgic, like jumping into an old school supernatural thriller movie, the ones with a bunch of teenagers. The protagonist is going on an island trip with some friends and her new stepbrother. Everyone has their own issues, which start to culminate as the island begins revealing its eerie mystery.
Lux Atarnia 