Best Visual Novel Linux Games on Steam

Steam currently has 9,725 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 1/12/2025.

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1. Helltaker

Helltaker is a short game about sharply dressed demon girls.

Helltaker banner

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 123,959 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 121,194 positive reviews and 2,765 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).

Release Date 5/11/2020
Developer vanripper
Publisher vanripper
Steam App Id 1289310

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 banner

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 11,925 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 11,787 positive reviews and 138 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 banner

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 35,490 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 34,594 positive reviews and 896 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 banner

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 8,604 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,463 positive reviews and 141 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. 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! banner

I Wani Hug that Gator! 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 4,273 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,226 positive reviews and 47 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).

Steam Price $14.99
Release Date 2/14/2024
Developer Cavemanon
Publisher Cavemanon
Steam App Id 1895350

6. Slay the Princess — The Pristine Cut

You're here to slay the princess. Don't believe her lies.

Slay the Princess — The Pristine Cut banner

Slay the Princess — The Pristine Cut 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 20,388 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 19,824 positive reviews and 564 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
Publishers
Steam App Id 1989270

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 banner

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 16,759 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 16,288 positive reviews and 471 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. 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 banner

Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Linux Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 27,759 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 26,874 positive reviews and 885 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $0.74 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 $0.74
Release Date 8/26/2020
Developer Nikita Kryukov
Publisher Missing Calm
Steam App Id 1392820

9. Until Then

A fateful meeting sets off a chain reaction, upending Mark's life. People disappear and memories prove unreliable. Uncover a hidden truth with Mark and his friends in this narrative adventure and race to unravel the mystery before it's too late.

Until Then banner

Until Then 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 6,392 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,259 positive reviews and 133 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $12.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $12.99
Release Date 6/25/2024
Franchise Maximum Entertainment
Developer Polychroma Games
Publishers
Steam App Id 1574820

10. BAD END THEATER

select your protagonist and explore a variety of terrible fates!

BAD END THEATER banner

BAD END THEATER 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 7,786 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,595 positive reviews and 191 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

More Visual Novel Linux Games on Steam

Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Visual Novel games available on Steam.

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. (2025, January 12). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, January 12). Helltaker on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, January 8). Our Life: Beginnings & Always on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, January 3). VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, January 10). A Date with Death on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, January 12). I Wani Hug that Gator! on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, January 3). Slay the Princess — The Pristine Cut on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, January 13). Milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 11). Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, January 9). Until Then on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, January 3). BAD END THEATER on Steam. Steam Store.

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