Without having to rely on cheap tactics like jump scares, visual novels can craft some truly terrifying stories designed to perfectly unsettle anyone that plays through them. Some are particularly horrifying and even seasoned fans of the genre know to not play through them all alone.
Updated January 24, 2023 by Layann Basileh: As different methods of narrating a compelling story have evolved and grown in popularity, so has the medium of visual novels. Visual novels continue to accrue more reading-inclined gamers as the storytelling format gains traction as both a gaming and literary form, interweaving a unique tapestry of pictures, words, and gameplay.
For curious newcomers and seasoned veterans, The Visual Novel Database has anyone looking for an enthralling horror visual novel to sink their teeth into covered. So courtesy of a horror tag dedicated to those seeking a deliciously unsettling thrill, here are the seventeen best horror visual novels according to VNDB.
17 Flowers - Le Volume Sur Automne - 8.10
The months of flowers flourishing, and sunny afternoons come to a close as Flowers begins the third chapter in its story of Saint Angraecum Academy and continues Suoh Shirahane’s investigation into the current whereabouts of her former Amitie partner and lover, who vanished from the school without a trace nor parting word.
To unlock the next piece of the puzzle, Suoh takes on a challenge from Yuzuriha Yatsushiro, who tells the shy girl that she must take Yuzuriha’s place as the school’s Council of Nicaea president if she wishes to learn what she knows.
16 Tsukihime - 8.17
The game is filled with classic horror tropes like vampires, magic, and a dash of romance. The game’s graphics are a little dated by today’s standard but the fantastic atmosphere Tsukihime offers still makes it worth checking out today. It was also eventually adapted into an anime showing just how excellent its story is.
15 Slow Damage - 8.18
The depiction of artists suffering for their craft is no rarity in fiction but Slow Damage’s protagonist, Towa, regularly puts his life at risk (and he’s got the scars to prove it) in pursuit of his obsession with dragging out and painting the deepest desires of his fellow Shinkoumi residents.
A fictional casino resort located in Japan, Shinkoumi is governed by the Takasatogumi, an elusive private managing group that’s allowed crime and violence rates to soar. This dangerous landscape provides the perfect pickings for Towa’s hunt for a muse.
14 Super Danganronpa 2: Sayonara Zetsubou Gakuen - 8.19
Danganronpa’s sequel entry takes its predecessor’s literal murder game mystery premise and flies it out to a tropical island destination. Similar to the previous game, a group of Hope’s Peak Academy students is trapped in a remote location and informed that their only means to escape is to kill another classmate and evade the remaining classmates’ suspicions of their identity as the killer.
Bursting with unexpected twists, charming characters, and a surprising amount of heart given its gruesome narrative, Super Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair distinguishes itself sharply from other horror visual novels and places itself on many’s best visual horror novel lists.
13 Flowers - Le Volume Sur Été - 8.19
This summery academia tale is the second installment of Flowers, a yuri visual novel series revolving around the adventures of Saint Angraecum Academy’s all-female student body. Despite its high ranking under VNDB’s horror tag, Flowers - Le volume sur été - is quite light on horror elements.
The visual novel instead centers its narrative around the daily lives of its characters that unfold alongside Flowers’ blossoming core mystery, emphasizing the growth and heartwarming relationships between its endearing characters, depicting their stories in gorgeous nearly watercolor-esque artwork.
12 Koshotengai No Hashihime (Hashihime Of Old Book Town) - 8.21
Working at a used book store may seem like a relaxing time but it could be much more sinister than it looks on the surface. Players follow the story of Tamamori, a student who failed to get into university but somehow got a full-time job working at the store called Umebachidou.
He begins to make friends but their sudden mysterious deaths show that there are more sinister things going on at the store than Tamamori could have ever guessed. Kurasawa Rinko put a lot of work into the story and visuals of this game and it shows.
11 Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward - 8.24
Wanna play a game? No, not that kind of game but it’s still a game of life and death. This is a sequel to the original Zero Escape and has a similar story where nine people must escape a warehouse or potentially die.
Many fans have said the game takes a bit longer to get into the story than the original and is a bit too over the top for most. Still, fans of the first game should certainly give it a try as they’ll find a similar experience to enjoy.
10 Zero Escape: 9 Hours 9 People 9 Doors - 8.28
Nine players have nine hours to pass through the door matching the number on their bracelet. If they don’t, they’ll sink alongside the ship. This simple premise goes far deeper than players could imagine, creating a game that can be played many times over before the true ending is found.
The version on the Nintendo DS introduced many players to the game making it one of the more recognizable horror visual novels out there.
9 Chaos;Child - 8.30
Chaos;Child and Steins;Gate share the same director and it shows. Sure fans can point to some of the side routes in the game being iffy but the characters and story more than make up for it.
This murder mystery surrounded by the events of a massive earthquake is the epitome of psychological horror while still stirring players emotionally to their core. Make sure to be braced for impact when playing this one.
8 Kara No Shoujo - The Second Episode - 8.38
A sequel to the popular adult horror visual novel, the second chapter of private investigator Reiji Tokisaka’s exploits into the realm of mysterious murders follows him as he attempts to unravel the truth behind a pious village’s deadly curse.
Years ago, the curse revealed itself when a woman was killed on the night of a festival celebrating Hinna-sama, a clay doll the village devoutly worships. Her death is deemed the result of Hinna-sama’s curse, a consequence of celebrating the doll without being worthy to do so. Now, in 1957, the curse has struck again.
7 Higurashi No Naku Koro ni - 8.51
Also known as Higurashi, When They Cry, this suspenseful title ignited one of the most iconic and highly related horror visual novel franchises to date, with its later installments maintaining firm top rankings on VNDB and often considered to be some of the best horror visual novels in the medium. While it may not be quite as highly regarded as its successors, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni made a name for itself and launched a massive franchise spanning light novels, mangas, multiple ports, and an anime series for a reason.
Whether gamers are a fan of the other titles or just want a taste of a classic, this is a must-play for lovers of visual horror novels.
6 Fate/Stay Night - 8.61
Horror might not be the first thing that fans think of when discussing the Fate franchise. Most of the series focuses on fantastical elements, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t take inspiration from the horror genre every so often.
The visual novel had quite a few sequences that seemed to have been included just to unnerve readers throughout their playthrough. It might not align with typical horror stories, but the Fate/Stay Night VN can definitely put players on edge at times.
5 Subarashiki Hibi ~Furenzoku Sonzai~ (Wonderful Everyday) - 8.66
This story follows five main characters across seven chapters giving players a lot of game to dig into. Considering it won a 2010 Moe Game Award it’ll be worth every moment! The way it’s presented allows players to see the same events from the perspectives of each character, revealing a bit of the story with each new look.
The game often dips into the philosophical while exploring psychological horror tropes. The biggest criticism of the game comes from sexual content that tends to break emersion and doesn’t really fit the overall story.
4 Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni Kai (When They Cry 2) - 8.72
Rural Hinamizawa seems like a peaceful town in Japan. But with someone being murdered every single Watanagashi Festival makes it obvious there are far darker things happening below the surface.
Each arc of the story has one of the characters becoming extremely paranoid with various crimes happening, making it difficult for the player to always know what’s real or not. It sets up an amazing scenario that really drives the horror home.
3 The House Of Fate Morgana (Fata Morgana No Yakata) - 8.77
This game has gotten so many ports it’s almost staggering. This just goes to show how popular and influential this visual novel has become. It may have its flaws, starting with an amnesia trope, but it allows players to slowly uncover the tragedies that have happened at the mansion over the years.
The story is deep and interconnected in an amazing way with even the smallest details coming up later. It’s the perfect story to get fully immersed into.
2 Umineko No Naku Koro Ni (When They Cry 3) - 8.82
The game feels like a typical murder mystery on a deserted island but players shouldn’t let it fool them — it’s far more complex than that. The game is actually described as a sound novel by its creators as it has a focus on trying to create an atmosphere more than on its graphics.
This makes it perfect for players who want to click through and just absorb the haunting story. It’s a horror classic for a reason and will be a surefire hit with any reader.
1 Umineko No Naku Koro Ni Chiru (When They Cry 4) - 8.93
It’s not hard to believe the fourth game in the Umineko series is considered the best by fans. It had the ability to build and learn from all the prior titles to create a perfected experience for horror visual novel readers. It also builds on the story of When They Cry 3 which gives it even more weight.
Without giving any spoilers, fans should read both this visual novel and the one proceeding it. It will be worth every horrifying minute.
More: The Best Visual Novels Of The Decade, Ranked
