Free Visual Novel Games on Steam
Steam currently has 10,364 Visual Novel games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best free games ranked by popularity and ratings. Data for this list is calculated from reviews and player counts reported directly by Steam and will be updated in real-time. Free Visual Novel game rankings were last updated on 3/27/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best visual novel games on Steam
- Best visual novel Steam Deck games
- Best visual novel Steam games for Mac OS
- Best visual novel Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Banana
Banana is a clicker Game, in which you click a Banana! In Banana you click the Banana to gain even more Bananas! Every 3 hours, you get dropped a banana. Each banana is also made by the community in discord. Come hang out with us and let's grow into something awesome !
Banana holds the #1 spot for "best free Visual Novel game on Steam" with a Player Score of 82. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 87,842 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 72,540 positive reviews and 15,302 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It 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.
| Release Date | 4/23/2024 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 2923300 |
2. Limbus Company
As the Executive Manager of Limbus Company, lead your group of twelve Sinners, venture into the buried facilities of Lobotomy Corporation, and lay claim on the Golden Boughs.
Limbus Company has achieved a Player Score of 84, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 53,753 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 45,923 positive reviews and 7,830 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Limbus Company on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 2/26/2023 |
| Developer | ProjectMoon |
| Publisher | ProjectMoon |
| Steam App Id | 1973530 |
3. Crush Crush
Welcome to Crush Crush - the Idle Dating Sim! Meet, flirt, and fall in love with a motley cast of girls in this heartfelt and hilarious game.
Crush Crush has achieved a Player Score of 87, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 27,005 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 24,106 positive reviews and 2,899 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Crush Crush on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 10/19/2016 |
| Franchise | Sad Panda Studios Games |
| Developer | Sad Panda Studios |
| Publisher | Sad Panda Studios |
| Steam App Id | 459820 |
4. GIRLS' FRONTLINE 2: EXILIUM
Hello Commanders, Please board the Elmo and set off into the breaking dawn.
GIRLS' FRONTLINE 2: EXILIUM has achieved a Player Score of 85, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,220 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,094 positive reviews and 126 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Release Date | 2/11/2025 |
| Developer | SUNBORN Information Co., Ltd. |
| Publisher | Darkwinter Software Limited |
| Steam App Id | 3347400 |
5. ヘブンバーンズレッド
Key 麻枝 准が描く、最後の希望を託された少女たちの物語『ヘブンバーンズレッド （ヘブバン）』 フィールドを駆け回り、かけがえのない日常を体験しながら、命を賭した戦いに挑むドラマチックRPG！
ヘブンバーンズレッド has achieved a Player Score of 83, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,267 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,683 positive reviews and 584 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run ヘブンバーンズレッド on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 8/10/2022 |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | WFS, Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 1973710 |
6. Blush Blush
You are responsible somehow for a curse that befalls 12 unfortunate hawt dudes. Now you have to find them and break the curse with your love!!
Blush Blush has achieved a Player Score of 85, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 7,179 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,272 positive reviews and 907 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Blush Blush on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 4/22/2020 |
| Franchise | Sad Panda Studios Games |
| Developer | Sad Panda Studios |
| Publisher | Sad Panda Studios |
| Steam App Id | 777130 |
7. Reverse: 1999
Reverse: 1999 is a 20th Century Time-Travel Strategic RPG developed by Bluepoch. As the Timekeeper, the observer of eras, you will embark on a journey across time and space, from the Roaring '20s to the turn of the millennium, uncovering the truth about the "Storm" and the mystery of the year 1999.
Reverse: 1999 has achieved a Player Score of 89, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,823 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,712 positive reviews and 111 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Reverse: 1999 on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 10/9/2024 |
| Developer | BLUEPOCH GAMES CO., LIMITED |
| Publisher | BLUEPOCH GAMES CO., LIMITED |
| Steam App Id | 3092660 |
8. Action Taimanin
An intense, gorgeous hack-and-slash action RPG from the Taimanin fame!
Action Taimanin has achieved a Player Score of 82, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 18,425 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 15,335 positive reviews and 3,090 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Release Date | 10/6/2020 |
| Developer | LiLith |
| Publisher | Infini-Brain inc. |
| Steam App Id | 1335200 |
9. Doki Doki Literature Club!
The Literature Club is full of cute girls! Will you write the way into their heart? This game is not suitable for children or those who are easily disturbed.
Doki Doki Literature Club! has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 209,110 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 201,713 positive reviews and 7,397 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Doki Doki Literature Club! on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 10/6/2017 |
| Developer | Team Salvato |
| Publisher | Team Salvato |
| Steam App Id | 698780 |
10. CounterSide
Everything has another side Urban Graphic Novel RPG "CounterSide" A world where conflict never ends between Counters and Corrupted Objects after the Administration Failure We invite you to a journey to save the Reality.
CounterSide has achieved a Player Score of 73, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,603 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,702 positive reviews and 901 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play CounterSide on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 9/1/2022 |
| Developer | Studiobside Co.,Ltd |
| Publisher | Studiobside Co.,Ltd |
| Steam App Id | 1976440 |
More Free Visual Novel Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Visual Novel games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88,140 | 4/23/2024 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 14,128 | 2/26/2023 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,905 | 10/19/2016 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,279 | 2/11/2025 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,212 | 8/10/2022 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,117 | 4/22/2020 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 992 | 10/9/2024 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 640 | 10/6/2020 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 437 | 10/6/2017 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 401 | 9/1/2022 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 303 | 11/19/2014 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 204 | 7/30/2022 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 193 | 11/16/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 153 | 11/15/2023 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 150 | 3/4/2025 | 50 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 147 | 10/15/2021 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 146 | 12/7/2023 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 135 | 1/22/2025 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 128 | 8/29/2024 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 123 | 10/13/2023 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Player counts 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, March 27). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 27). Banana on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 27). Limbus Company on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 24). Crush Crush on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 27). GIRLS' FRONTLINE 2: EXILIUM on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 27). ヘブンバーンズレッド on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 27). Blush Blush on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 27). Reverse: 1999 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 27). Action Taimanin on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 22). Doki Doki Literature Club! on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 27). CounterSide on Steam. Steam Store.