Free Visual Novel Games on Steam
Steam currently has 9,562 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 12/14/2024.
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 84,105 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 69,680 positive reviews and 14,425 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 82, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 45,478 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 38,059 positive reviews and 7,419 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. Cats
Cats — and that says it all. Interactive cat clicker. Click on cats for new cats. That's all, really.
Cats has achieved a Player Score of 76, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,920 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,064 positive reviews and 856 negative reviews — making it "Mostly 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 | 5/21/2024 |
| Franchise | 100 Cozy Games |
| Developer | 100 Cozy Games |
| Publisher | 100 Cozy Games |
| Steam App Id | 2977660 |
4. 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 84, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,093 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,554 positive reviews and 539 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 |
5. 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 88, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 26,537 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 23,718 positive reviews and 2,819 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 | 10/18/2016 |
| Franchise | Sad Panda Studios Games |
| Developer | Sad Panda Studios |
| Publisher | Sad Panda Studios |
| Steam App Id | 459820 |
6. 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 #6 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 18,168 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 15,141 positive reviews and 3,027 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 |
7. 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 #7 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,511 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,626 positive reviews and 885 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 |
8. Book of Yog Idle RPG
The Book of Yog is a 3D idle RPG game presented with a Cel-Shading art style. You can rally heroes, develop the kingdom and explore the secrets of a lost world. Dozens of heroes, hundreds of skills, thousands of loot for you to combine freely. Come to embark on a journey to build the strongest team!
Book of Yog Idle RPG has achieved a Player Score of 63, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,843 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,395 positive reviews and 2,448 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Book of Yog Idle RPG on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
9. 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 #9 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,234 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,168 positive reviews and 66 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 | 10/8/2024 |
| Developer | BLUEPOCH GAMES CO., LIMITED |
| Publisher | BLUEPOCH GAMES CO., LIMITED |
| Steam App Id | 3092660 |
10. 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 #10 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 205,136 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 197,922 positive reviews and 7,214 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 |
More Free Visual Novel Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Visual Novel games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 116,325 | 4/23/2024 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 25,247 | 2/26/2023 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 23,558 | 5/21/2024 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 5,779 | 8/10/2022 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,449 | 10/18/2016 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 970 | 10/6/2020 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 799 | 9/1/2022 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 769 | 7/30/2022 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 582 | 10/8/2024 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 444 | 10/6/2017 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 401 | 12/7/2023 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 387 | 11/19/2014 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 363 | 10/13/2023 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 323 | 4/22/2020 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 175 | 11/15/2023 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 156 | 8/31/2024 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 155 | 4/27/2024 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 147 | 10/15/2021 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 125 | 11/21/2024 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 118 | 11/16/2020 | 96 | 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. (2024, December 14). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 14). Banana on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 13). Limbus Company on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 6). Cats on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 13). ヘブンバーンズレッド on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 12). Crush Crush on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 13). Action Taimanin on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 9). CounterSide on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 13). Book of Yog Idle RPG on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 5). Reverse: 1999 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 16). Doki Doki Literature Club! on Steam. Steam Store.