Free Visual Novel Games on Steam

Steam currently has 10,860 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 6/6/2025.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

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 banner

Banana holds the #1 spot for "best free Visual Novel game on Steam" with a Player Score of 81. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 89,689 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 73,864 positive reviews and 15,825 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.

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 banner

Limbus Company has achieved a Player Score of 83, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 63,294 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 53,003 positive reviews and 10,291 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. 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 banner

ヘブンバーンズレッド has achieved a Player Score of 83, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,346 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,743 positive reviews and 603 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

4. 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 banner

Crush Crush has achieved a Player Score of 87, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 27,175 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 24,232 positive reviews and 2,943 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

5. Action Taimanin

An intense, gorgeous hack-and-slash action RPG from the Taimanin fame!

Action Taimanin banner

Action Taimanin has achieved a Player Score of 81, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 18,641 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 15,492 positive reviews and 3,149 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

6. 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 banner

Reverse: 1999 has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,300 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,157 positive reviews and 143 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

7. Waifu Shop

Welcome to Vesper Island! Build your harem of sexy waifus, grow your shop, and amass a fortune in this unique mix of shop and dating sim. Recruit lusty workers, uncover the island’s secrets, and become the ultimate Master Trader while collecting all the hot babes!

Waifu Shop banner

Waifu Shop has achieved a Player Score of 68, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 218 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 157 positive reviews and 61 negative reviews — making it "Mostly 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 5/21/2025
Developer Tender Troupe
Publisher Nutaku Publishing
Steam App Id 3457380

8. 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! banner

Doki Doki Literature Club! has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 210,686 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 203,217 positive reviews and 7,469 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

9. Cats

Cats — and that says it all. Interactive cat clicker. Click on cats for new cats. That's all, really.

Cats banner

Cats has achieved a Player Score of 76, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,161 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,244 positive reviews and 917 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
Developers
Publishers
Steam App Id 2977660

10. GIRLS' FRONTLINE 2: EXILIUM

Hello Commanders, Please board the Elmo and set off into the breaking dawn.

GIRLS' FRONTLINE 2: EXILIUM banner

GIRLS' FRONTLINE 2: EXILIUM has achieved a Player Score of 84, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Visual Novel games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,644 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,452 positive reviews and 192 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 GIRLS' FRONTLINE 2: EXILIUM on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Release Date 2/11/2025
Developer SUNBORN Information Co., Ltd.
Publisher Darkwinter Software Limited
Steam App Id 3347400

More Free Visual Novel Games

Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Visual Novel games available on Steam.

ImageName
Actions
Banana steam charts
99,633
4/23/2024
81
Free
Steam Charts
Limbus Company steam charts
15,384
2/26/2023
83
Free
Steam Charts
ヘブンバーンズレッド steam charts
1,368
8/10/2022
83
Free
Steam Charts
Crush Crush steam charts
938
10/19/2016
87
Free
Steam Charts
Action Taimanin steam charts
838
10/6/2020
81
Free
Steam Charts
Reverse: 1999 steam charts
607
10/9/2024
90
Free
Steam Charts
Waifu Shop steam charts
517
5/21/2025
68
Free
Steam Charts
Doki Doki Literature Club! steam charts
466
10/6/2017
95
Free
Steam Charts
Cats steam charts
463
5/21/2024
76
Free
Steam Charts
GIRLS' FRONTLINE 2: EXILIUM steam charts
388
2/11/2025
84
Free
Steam Charts
CounterSide steam charts
365
9/1/2022
73
Free
Steam Charts
Blush Blush steam charts
287
4/22/2020
85
Free
Steam Charts
Everlasting Summer steam charts
264
11/19/2014
93
Free
Steam Charts
Book of Yog Idle RPG steam charts
263
4/25/2025
63
Free
Steam Charts
Our Life: Beginnings & Always steam charts
206
11/16/2020
96
Free
Steam Charts
A Date with Death steam charts
186
12/7/2023
95
Free
Steam Charts
The Eminence in Shadow: Master of Garden steam charts
183
8/29/2024
68
Free
Steam Charts
Life Makeover steam charts
157
11/15/2023
80
Free
Steam Charts
Come Home steam charts
137
10/15/2021
89
Free
Steam Charts
Romance Club - Stories I Play steam charts
122
10/13/2023
76
Free
Steam Charts
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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, June 6). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, June 6). Banana on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, June 5). Limbus Company on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, June 6). ヘブンバーンズレッド on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, June 6). Crush Crush on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, June 4). Action Taimanin on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, May 29). Reverse: 1999 on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, June 6). Waifu Shop on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, May 25). Doki Doki Literature Club! on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, June 1). Cats on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, June 6). GIRLS' FRONTLINE 2: EXILIUM on Steam. Steam Store.

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