Best Visual Novel Linux Games on Steam
Steam currently has 8,047 Visual Novel games, but not all of them are able to be played on Linux builds. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Visual Novel game rankings were last updated on 5/1/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best visual novel games on Steam
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1. Helltaker
Helltaker is a short game about sharply dressed demon girls.
Helltaker holds the #1 spot for "best Linux Visual Novel game on Steam" with a Player Score of 96. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 118,169 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 115,566 positive reviews and 2,603 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Helltaker on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
2. Our Life: Beginnings & Always
A twenty-dollar bill, four summers, fifteen years, and a one of a kind life. Create an experience that’s all your own in this near-fully customizable visual novel where you grow from childhood to adulthood with the lonely boy next door.
Our Life: Beginnings & Always has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Linux Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 11,016 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 10,896 positive reviews and 120 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Our Life: Beginnings & Always on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 11/16/2020 |
| Franchise | GB Patch Games |
| Developer | GB Patch Games |
| Publisher | GB Patch Games |
| Steam App Id | 1129190 |
3. VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action is a booze em' up about waifus, technology, and post-dystopia life.
VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Linux Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 33,958 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 33,113 positive reviews and 845 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 6/21/2016 |
| Franchise | Ysbryd Games |
| Developer | Sukeban Games |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 447530 |
4. A Date with Death
Fight against & romance the one hunting for your soul in A Date with Death, a romance chat simulator where you date(?) the Grim Reaper himself. Create your own character, decorate your apartment, and chat away with the charming yet dangerous Grim Reaper through text and video calls.
A Date with Death has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Linux Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,487 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,404 positive reviews and 83 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play A Date with Death on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 12/7/2023 |
| Franchise | Two and a Half Studios |
| Developer | Two and a Half Studios |
| Publisher | Two and a Half Studios |
| Steam App Id | 2415010 |
5. Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk
A short story about what sort of challenges everyday little things can be. Help the girl buy milk, be the first not to disappoint her.
Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Linux Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 24,837 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 24,089 positive reviews and 748 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $0.49 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $0.49 |
| Release Date | 8/26/2020 |
| Developer | Nikita Kryukov |
| Publisher | Missing Calm |
| Steam App Id | 1392820 |
6. I Wani Hug that Gator!
I Wani Hug that Gator! Is a choice-driven narrative about teenagers struggling to find their way. Help Inco, loser highschooler extraordinaire, navigate his budding friendships (and romance!) while surviving being the only human in a dinosaur-filled school.
I Wani Hug that Gator! has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Linux Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,166 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,155 positive reviews and 11 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play I Wani Hug that Gator! on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
7. Milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk
A sequel to Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk. Dive into demented and bizarre world once again and help the girl become a little happier.
Milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Linux Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 14,737 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 14,321 positive reviews and 416 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $8.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $8.99 |
| Release Date | 12/16/2021 |
| Developer | Nikita Kryukov |
| Publisher | Nikita Kryukov |
| Steam App Id | 1604000 |
8. Slay the Princess
You're here to slay the princess. Don't believe her lies.
Slay the Princess has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Linux Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 10,512 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 10,225 positive reviews and 287 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $17.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $17.99 |
| Release Date | 10/23/2023 |
| Franchise | Black Tabby Games |
| Developer | Black Tabby Games |
| Publisher | Black Tabby Games |
| Steam App Id | 1989270 |
9. BAD END THEATER
select your protagonist and explore a variety of terrible fates!
BAD END THEATER has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Linux Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 7,025 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,854 positive reviews and 171 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 10/26/2021 |
| Franchise | NomnomNami |
| Developer | NomnomNami |
| Publisher | NomnomNami |
| Steam App Id | 1764390 |
10. Scarlet Hollow
From the developers of Slay the Princess, return to the crumbling coal town your family built generations ago for the funeral of your aunt. You won't be able to save everyone. You might not even be able to save yourself. Welcome home.
Scarlet Hollow has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Linux Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,992 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,976 positive reviews and 16 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $24.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $24.99 |
| Release Date | 6/11/2021 |
| Franchise | Black Tabby Games |
| Developer | Black Tabby Games |
| Publisher | Black Tabby Games |
| Steam App Id | 1609230 |
More Visual Novel Linux Games on Steam
Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Visual Novel games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 80 | 5/11/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 238 | 11/16/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 48 | 6/21/2016 | 95 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 193 | 12/7/2023 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 22 | 8/26/2020 | 95 | $0.49 | Steam Charts | |
 | 85 | 2/14/2024 | 95 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 26 | 12/16/2021 | 95 | $8.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 169 | 10/23/2023 | 94 | $17.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 4 | 10/26/2021 | 94 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 33 | 6/11/2021 | 94 | $24.99 | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 1). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 1). Helltaker on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 30). Our Life: Beginnings & Always on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 21). VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 15). A Date with Death on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 17). Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 26). I Wani Hug that Gator! on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Slay the Princess on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). BAD END THEATER on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 17). Scarlet Hollow on Steam. Steam Store.