Visual novels with horror elements

Summary

  • Some visual novels focus on horror elements and storytelling
    Kill the princess.
  • Doki Doki Literature Club
    surprises players with horror themes after seeming like a typical visual novel.
  • Needy streamer overload
    explores the dark side of fame and mental health in a unique visual novel.



Visual novels can be more relaxing as players lose themselves in detailed worlds full of unforgettable characters. VNs can tackle multiple genres, with their storytelling abilities being so strong that some of the best visual novels around are adapted into popular anime that most fans have probably heard of.

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However, there are some visual novels that prefer to terrify players through great visual design and storytelling. Players who want to immerse themselves in the unique horror Experiences should give these visual novels a chance.

Many of these visual novels deal with themes such as self-harm, fear, violence and mental health.


8 Kill the princess

A game based on the theme of “damsel in distress” that shocks players


systems

PC-1

Released
October 23, 2023

OpenCritic review
Powerful

Kill the princess appeared as one of the scariest visual novels with an enticing premise. Players are thrown into a scenario where a princess they would normally protect ends up being the very monster that a brave knight must defeat at any cost.

That's easier said than done, especially when the true extent of this princess's monstrous nature is revealed. Kill the princess is an incredible visual novel that doesn't lose sight of its cards before slowly introducing players to the depth of its amazing narrative.

7 Doki Doki Literature Club!

A visual novel that went viral after revealing a horror element that surprised players

Doki Doki Literature Club!

systems

PC-1 PlayStation 1

Released
September 22, 2017

OpenCritic review
Powerful

Doki Doki Literature Club! looks like a regular visual novel with dating sim elements. However, the penchant for horror only becomes apparent after players have spent a few hours with this title.


Since the theme of self-harm is prevalent in this title, it's easy to see why Doki Doki Literature Club! can be difficult for some players to bear. However, by taking full advantage of this experience, players can enjoy a sublime horror-focused visual novel that isn't afraid to surprise players with its disturbing content.

6 Milk outside a carton Milk outside a carton of milk

A sequel that explores what it's like to live with debilitating social anxiety and psychosis

  • Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
  • Release date: August 26, 2020
  • Developer: Nikita Kryukov

Most people can only imagine what it's like to live with debilitating trauma and psychosis, but Milk outside a bag of milk Outside a bag of milk shows excellently how shocking this situation can be. It's a successful sequel to the first game that's bigger and bolder in every way.


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The simple act of going to the grocery store and doing basic necessities becomes a nightmare with these debilitating ailments. The protagonist's challenges become something players can relate to by the end of this captivating visual novel.

5 Higurashi when they cry

A visual crime novel that can be scary

  • Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4
  • Release date: August 17, 2014
  • Developer: 07. Extension

A disturbing visual novel that seems completely normal at the beginning, but works after a short time Higurashi when they cry to show how messed up it is. Players who are squeamish about violence should give this game a chance.

The story takes place in a small village called Hinamizawa, where numerous terrible incidents occur. From deadly infections to bloody murders, Higurashi is full of disturbing images and plot twists that make it an effective visual novel with elements of the horror genre.


4 Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

The twisted murder game gets darker and darker with each death

DanganRonpa: Triggers Happy Havoc

Released
November 25, 2010

developer
Great

OpenCritic review
Powerful

Danganronpa is one of the best visual crime novels gamers can get their hands on, especially if they love it Ace Lawyer Series. However, that cannot be denied Danganronpa is even more twisted as a group of special high school students are forced to take part in a killing game.

Uncovering murders and witnessing the trauma caused by the sight of these corpses is unsettling, forcing the player to solve each case by any means necessary. To make matters worse, the final revelation of Trigger Happy Havoc gives its characters a sense of hopelessness and shows how messed up the world is Danganronpa Is.

3 Zero Escape: The Nonary Games

The Nonary games are twisted and lead to some terrible story moments


Zero Escape: The Nonary Games

Released
March 24, 2017

OpenCritic review
Powerful

Zero escape contains two amazing visual novels with escape room gameplay that throw players into the twisted Nonary Games. The characters must overcome certain challenges if they want to keep their lives intact, which is a troubling premise.

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To make matters worse, the story becomes even darker as players slowly uncover it, making the experience scarier than it has any right to be. For players who want to get closer to the truth, solving every puzzle in the game is crucial. The series is known for requiring players to somehow figure out the most complicated steps in order to unlock additional endings.

2 Corpse party

This horror game is structured like a visual novel with its long conversations


Released
October 20, 2021

developer
MAGICIAN. Inc.

OpenCritic review
Strong

Corpse party Although it is structured like an adventure game, the long dialogues and cutscenes are so extensive that players can confidently call this title a horror game. A group of students perform a ritual that leads them to a haunted version of their school, where dangers abound.

The game's unsettling atmosphere makes some of its shocking plot developments harder to stomach. Players who don't mind its fair share of supernatural horror and horrific deaths will be thrilled Corpse party brings it to the table.

1 Needy streamer overload

A visual novel in which players manage an idol who is disconnected from life

systems

PC-1 Super grayscale 8-bit logo

Released
January 21, 2022

A unique visual novel with management elements, Needy streamer overload lets players dictate the life of an introverted girl named Ame, who takes on a different role as she appeals to her growing number of followers. She may seem relatively cheerful, but Ame's mental state slowly begins to deteriorate as her need for fame overwhelms everything else.


Players can experience some truly disturbing scenes as her fragile mental state begins to break, leading to moments where Ame begins to harm herself. Consuming pills and substances may relieve their stress, but it is far from an ideal solution for someone so out of touch with reality.

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