The 10 Best Japanese Visual Novel Games on PlayStation 4

The PlayStation 4 might be getting on in years, but if you’re into visual novels there’s an excellent selection on offer. Whether you’re after a good story, memorable characters, or surprising twists, there’s likely something out there for you to dig into. We’re here to help you out with our list of the best Japanese visual novel games on the PlayStation 4. Got a favorite you don’t see here? Let us know in the comments below so we can all find more things to enjoy!

Witch on the Holy Night

Part of Type-Moon’s shared universe, Witch on the Holy Night is a prequel to the popular Tsukihime. Don’t worry if you haven’t played that one, as this story stands on its own quite well. Aoko Aozaki is a high school student who has moved into a mansion that was rumored to house a witch. Those rumors turn out to be true, and Aoko begins learning sorcery from that very woman. Strange things are afoot in this little town, however, and it’s up to Aoko and her friends to figure out what’s wrong before it’s too late. The pacing of this game is a little uneven, but it’s a story worth experiencing.

The House in Fata Morgana: Dreams of the Revenants Edition

A spirit must explore the history of a mansion full of secrets in order to find out what happened there and what its place in all of this is. The spirit is accompanied in this journey by a rather mysterious maid. You’ll often see this game on lists of the best Japanese visual novel games, and it’s easy to see why. Developed by Novectacle, The House in Fata Morgana is a time-spanning adventure that spins a narrative that will engage you from the start and have you turning the proverbial page until the very end. The plot is fantastic, and the atmosphere is extremely well-realized. A stunning achievement in the genre.

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles

Visual novels? Adventure games? The Ace Attorney series is a little bit of both, but enough of each that it fits in a list like this. In The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, the legal antics head back to the end of the 19th century. An ancestor of Phoenix Wright travels to England to study law, and ends up getting pulled into a number of murder cases. Like great-grandfather, like great-grandson. Collect evidence, question witnesses, and bring it all to the trial to prove your case. It’s a loop that has served this series well since the start, and it works great here.

428: Shibuya Scramble

A fascinating crime thriller from Spike Chunsoft, one of the pioneers of the genre on consoles. 428: Shibuya Scramble is set in the titular district of Tokyo and follows the events in and around a kidnapping from the viewpoints of several people. Choices you make with one character will affect the options of another, leading to a huge variety of branching paths and endings. Wrap it all up with its distinctive photo-realistic visuals and you’ve got a unique and enticing visual novel with plenty to offer.

AI: The Somnium Files

AI: The Somnium Files may not be a pure visual novel, with investigation sections that involve some light puzzle-solving, but fans of the genre won’t miss by giving it a shot. In a near-future version of Tokyo, a detective named Kaname Dato is brought in on a rather unusual murder case. You’re far from an ordinary detective, since you can jump into people’s memories using a special device to uncover additional clues. This one comes from Kotaro Uchikoshi, the creator of the Zero Escape series. While not every aspect the game fires on all cylinders, if you like mystery thrillers you’ll find this to be one of the best Japanese visual novel games on PlayStation 4.

Gnosia

There aren’t many games out there quite like Gnosia, as it weaves RNG elements into its visual novel structure to make for a very unpredictable experience. You’re on a ship with others fleeing from a planet that has been destroyed due to an organism known as Gnosia. When infected by Gnosia, people will be driven to kill and infused with an obsession with a god named Gnos. While you’ve escaped the planet, it turns out that one or more of your shipmates is infected. That might even include you! With each loop, you’ll learn more and more about your enemy and perhaps even find a way to escape alive. A very cool take on the genre.

Steins;Gate Elite

It would be remiss to make a list of the best Japanese visual novels without including Steins;Gate in some form or another. When a group of young tinkerers manage to stumble upon the secret of time travel, what initially seems like a dream come true soon becomes a complete nightmare. The main character, Okabe Rintaro, is forced to come to grips with the consequences of his actions, but is it too late to save what he cares about most? A stunning story with strong characters and a will to use both of those things to take the player on a real ride.

Clannad

Considered by many to be the masterpiece work of legendary visual novel developer Key, Clannad offers an outstanding story that feels like it’s already given you plenty before it has even hit its halfway point. A high school student who has had a difficult life finds his depressing days becoming brighter after a chance meeting with a girl. Clannad explores themes of family, trauma, and grief in a truly heart-wrenching coming-of-age tale. It’s one to check out if you’re looking for the best Japanese visual novel games on PlayStation 4.

Zero Escape: The Nonary Games

This bundle contains the first two games in the Zero Escape series. You get Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors and Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward here, and if you want to finish out the trilogy you can find Zero Time Dilemma available separately. These games have heavy adventure and puzzle-solving elements, but I’ve seen enough people call them visual novels that I’m putting them on this list. In each title, nine people must challenge the Nonary Game, a life-or-death contest where only the sharpest of wits will survive. Both games feature head-scratching stories that will keep you guessing as they twist and turn, and the puzzles add a little extra spice.

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen

There are two ways to think about Utawarerumono. You can either consider it a turn-based tactical RPG with heavy story elements or a visual novel with some turn-based battles sprinkled in here and there. Either way, you’ve got a gripping game to enjoy here. This is the first part of a trilogy and as such does a lot of work in setting up its characters and world, but it’s satisfying all on its own as well. Hakuowlo wakes up severely injured and missing his memories. You’ve been saved by the people of the village, and you will fight for their sake to pay them back.