Mirror 2: Project X
A story-driven game where you play as an FBRP agent protecting mankind from supernatural events. This game spans eight chapters and offers both story and challenge modes, blending decision-making with roguelike elements.
– Genres: Supernatural, Story-Driven, Roguelike
– Release Date: 2022
– Tags: Supernatural, Agency, Choices
Syberia: The World Before
Follow the intertwined stories of Dana Roze in 1937 and Kate Walker in 2004 as they unravel a mystery. This game is known for its period storytelling, beautiful sceneries, and puzzle-solving elements.
– Genres: Mystery, Puzzle, Adventure
– Release Date: March 18, 2022
– Tags: Time Travel, Puzzle, Mystery
NEEDY STREAMER OVERLOAD
A unique visual novel focusing on the life of a streamer, blending social media culture with personal drama.
– Genres: Drama, Contemporary
– Release Date: January 21, 2022
– Tags: Streamer Life, Drama, Social Media
Piofiore: Episodio 1926
An exceptional otome visual novel set in Italy, with a mafia story backdrop and a focus on historical events.
– Genres: Otome, Historical Fiction, Mafia
– Release Date: 2022
– Tags: Mafia, Italy, Historical
Corpse Factory
A visual novel exploring taboo subjects and eroticism, set in a narrative that challenges the player with provocative storytelling.
– Genres: Dark, Erotic, Subversive
– Release Date: 2022
– Tags: Taboo, Provocative, Dark
Perfect Gold: The Alchemy of Happiness
A brief, sweet visual novel about coming-of-age and romance, exemplifying micro-indie achievements in the genre.
– Genres: Romance, Coming-of-Age, Indie
– Release Date: 2022
– Tags: Romance, Youth, Indie
Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei
Set in the Genpei wars era, this historical fiction visual novel offers an epic narrative rarely explored in the genre.
– Genres: Historical Fiction, Epic, War
– Release Date: 2022
– Tags: Historical, Japan, War
Monster Prom
A high school set in a world of monsters, focusing on securing a date for the prom. Features humor and an emotionally expressive cast.
– Genres: Comedy, Romance, School Life
– Release Date: 2022
– Tags: Monsters, High School, Dating
The House in Fata Morgana
A captivating story set in a mysterious mansion, blending various genres and time periods seamlessly.
– Genres: Mystery, Time Travel, Horror
– Release Date: 2022
– Tags: Mystery, Mansion, Time Travel
Senren Banka
A romantic visual novel set in a Japanese village with rich history and folklore, involving a magical maiden and a mysterious sword.
– Genres: Romance, Folklore, Mystery
– Release Date: 2022
– Tags: Romance, Japanese Folklore, Mystery
Across the Grooves
An artistic visual novel with a compelling mystery, focusing on a woman’s journey across Europe in search of her past.
– Genres: Mystery, Artistic, Adventure
– Release Date: 2022
– Tags: Mystery, Journey, Europe
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
A thrilling visual novel where students at a prestigious academy must play a deadly game. The story involves solving murders to escape, with intense twists and moral dilemmas.
– Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Drama
– Release Date: 2022 (Re-release)
– Tags: Murder Mystery, High School, Survival
Doki Doki Literature Club!
A visual novel that starts as a typical dating sim but evolves into a dark, psychological horror, challenging player expectations and exploring complex themes.
– Genres: Psychological Horror, Dating Sim
– Release Date: 2022 (Re-release)
– Tags: Horror, Psychological, Metafiction
Chronicles from 4.012
A multi-choice otome game set in a cyberpunk world, offering diverse narrative paths and a rich, futuristic setting.
– Genres: Otome, Cyberpunk, Interactive Fiction
– Release Date: 2022
– Tags: Cyberpunk, Choices, Futuristic
Data on the top visual novel games was compiled from various sales charts, gaming forums, Reddit groups, social media posts, and websites including Gameranx, Digitally Downloaded, GamingScan, Rock Paper Shotgun, itch.io, and Gamepressure.