Visual Novel
Ongoing coverage on Visual Novel.
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Coffee Talk Tokyo – Regular coffee shop? No, Japanese coffee shop? Yes
Coffee Talk Tokyo is a visual novel simulation game where players step into the role of a barista in Tokyo, serving drinks and hearing customer stories. Developed by Toge Productions and Chorus Worldwide Games, this spin-off of Coffee Talk features improved pixel art and music, with gameplay lasting around 5-8 hours. The game's core mechanic involves crafting the correct beverages to influence character relationships and story outcomes, with multiple endings and an unlockable endless mode offering replayability.
Kugayama Shiori’s Death Diary Review - Just, Hangin Out
Kugayama Shiori's Death Diary is a visual novel with a compelling supernatural mystery and a unique tone that balances dark undertones with macabre humor. The game features multiple endings influenced by player choices and a stylish art direction. Despite some minor issues with settings menus and a confusing early choice, it is a refreshing and well-handled entry in the genre.
Review: Coffee Talk Tokyo (Switch) - An Enjoyable, Bittersweet Third Blend
Coffee Talk Tokyo, the third entry in Toge Productions' visual novel series, offers an enjoyable, bittersweet experience set in Japan. The game retains its core loop of making drinks for fantastical customers and helping them navigate life struggles, featuring a new cast of characters based on Japanese yōkai. While the gameplay systems are iterative, the game excels through its presentation, well-written characters, and nuanced exploration of hard-hitting topics.
Removing Doki Doki Literature Club from Google Is a Bad Idea (for Google)
Google has removed the visual novel Doki Doki Literature Club from its Play Store and Android App Store, citing its inappropriate content. Developers Dan Salvato and Serenity Forge confirmed the removal, while other platforms like Steam still offer the game. This decision has sparked community outrage and discussions about censorship and arbitrary policy enforcement, especially given the game's 2017 release date.
Heartfelt Narrative Adventure Schrödinger’s Call Launches on PC and Switch on May 28th
The narrative adventure game Schrödinger’s Call will launch on May 28th, 2026, for PC and Nintendo Switch. Developed by Acrobatic Chirimenjako and published by Shueisha Games, the game features a Chapter 1 preview trailer and a playable Chapter 3 build at BitSummit PUNCH. Players will guide Mary, a girl who listens to final calls before Earth's destruction, exploring themes of grief and connection.
Kumitantei: Old School Slaughter – Episode 1 Review
Kumitantei: Old School Slaughter – Episode 1 is a visual novel heavily inspired by Danganronpa, featuring a cast of unique characters in a deadly experiment. The game blends exploration and investigation with trial segments where players use evidence to uncover the truth. While the soundtrack and voice acting are highlights, inconsistencies in trial logic and control schemes, along with occasionally unappealing visuals, detract from the experience.
Sleepover is a cosmic horror visual novel about the last person on earth and the stranger who shows up at their front door
Sleepover is a post-apocalyptic cosmic-horror visual novel where the protagonist believes she is the last person on Earth until a mysterious girl named Fermi appears. The game explores themes of depression, anxiety, and body horror, featuring explorable environments and interactive objects to uncover the protagonist's past. It is available to wishlist on Steam, with no release date announced yet.
Crunchyroll Adds Card-Battler Visual Novel Battle Suit Aces to Its Android Vault
Crunchyroll has added the card-battler visual novel Battle Suit Aces to its Android Game Vault for Mega and Ultimate Fan subscribers. Developed by Trinket Studios, the game features tactical deckbuilding combat, a space opera narrative structured like a cartoon series, and over 75 fully-voiced characters. The PC version was released in October 2025.
Saccharine Echo: Paranormal Dating Novel or Something More?
Saccharine Echo, a visual novel released on Xbox Series X|S, blends otome conventions with psychological horror elements inspired by Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking-Glass." Players guide Alice through her struggles with loneliness and self-rejection, making choices that shape her relationship with the enigmatic and morally gray character, Dinah. The game features pixel art, a distinct color palette, and explores themes of trauma, manipulation, and the nature of love.
Saccharine Echo – Romance, Horror And A Very Unsettling Mirror
Saccharine Echo, a psychological visual novel developed by Neverliss and published by Xitilon, is now available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game blends supernatural horror, romance, and choice-driven storytelling in a modern Scottish setting, focusing on a protagonist named Alice and her mysterious relationship with an entity named Dinah trapped within an antique mirror.
New Expelled from Paradise Game Is a Visual Novel
Toei Animation has announced Expelled from Paradise -The Stellar Angel-, a new visual novel set after the original 2014 movie. Developed by Studio51, the game will feature original characters Angela Balzac and Dingo and is slated for release on Nintendo Switch and PC in Winter 2026. Details on staff involvement, including potential contributions from Gen Urobuchi, are forthcoming.
New Expelled from Paradise Game Is a Visual Novel
Toei Animation has announced a new visual novel titled Expelled from Paradise -The Stellar Angel-, set to release for Nintendo Switch and PC in Winter 2026. The game will feature original characters Angela Balzac and Dingo and depict a story following the 2014 movie. Studio51 is developing the title, which will support Japanese and English languages.
Romance Reality Show & Death Game Visual Novel “Kiss or Kill” Steam Page Now LIVE
The indie suspense visual novel Kiss or Kill has launched its Steam page, combining romance reality show elements with a death game premise. Players control Valen, a programmer trapped in an AI-controlled dating simulation where participants must complete missions and maintain relationships over seven days, with failure leading to execution. The game features a multi-route narrative, romance options, and an AI host named Doki.
My Merry May with be remaster adds PS4 version
The science-fiction romance visual novel collection 'My Merry May with be' is receiving a remastered version that will include a PlayStation 4 release. Further details about the remaster are expected soon.
Sleepover Announced
ChimpWampus and Neverland Entertainment have announced Sleepover, a visual novel game that blends post-apocalyptic themes with cosmic horror. The game's narrative focuses on the last two survivors in a desolate world.
High Times gets Nintendo Switch release date, new trailer
Yangyang Mobile announced that its narrative dating and cooking simulation game, High Times, will be released on Nintendo Switch on July 23. The game features players managing a cafe and using donuts to help customers with their problems, alongside relationship building and cafe progression elements. A new trailer showcasing gameplay details has also been released.
Tavern Talk Gets Its First Physical Nintendo Switch Release with Strictly Limited
Strictly Limited and Gentle Troll Entertainment are releasing the first physical version of Tavern Talk Complete Edition for the Nintendo Switch. This definitive edition includes all updates and DLC, such as the Pirate Palooza and Tempest Tantrum story expansions, directly on the cartridge. Pre-orders for various editions are open until July 14, 2026.
KikiCan & Ronkad Announce Welcome, Dear Human
Independent developers KikiCan and Ronkad announced the full version of their monster dating sim visual novel, Welcome, Dear Human, is coming to Steam. The game, which began as a popular demo on itch.io, will feature 10 dateable monsters with individual routes and stories, expanding on the original premise with romance, comedy, and horror elements.
Psychological Horror Dating Sim 'Lover’s Enigma' Launches Later This Month; New Trailer Streaming Now
FallenCranberry and Okasan's Recipe announced that the psychological horror dating sim Lover's Enigma will launch for PC via Steam on May 20. The game follows a woman investigating her husband's death, uncovering a mystery involving grief, trauma, and a cult, with branching choices affecting relationships and story outcomes.
Feline Forensics and the Meowseum Mystery Review: An Enticing, But Overly Simplified, Murder Mystery
Feline Forensics and the Meowseum Mystery is a debut title from Nobody Crown that offers a simplified take on the murder mystery genre. While its laid-back atmosphere and cozy aesthetic are charming, the game's overly automated clue gathering and bloated menus may not satisfy hardcore fans of adventure games.
