Graphic novels are similar to novels but you progress through the story and campaign as if you’re reading a comic book. It’s a format, not a genre so you’ll find graphic novel games across several genres. For one, Telltale’s The Walking Dead is a horror game that only progresses after players make a decision. To that end, reviewers at Player.com have compiled a list of upcoming visual novel games where your decisions mean life or death.
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Top 6 Upcoming Visual Novel Games
Fun fact! Graphic novel games are also called visual novels. Sure, many visual novels were released in 2023 but more are on the way in 2024. We’ve handpicked six of the most anticipated visual novels that will be released in the coming years. Luckily, you can expect a 2024 release date at the earliest. Just like these indie games.
#1: Death Trick: Double Blind
Death Trick: Double Blind is an upcoming game being developed by Misty Mountain Studio for PCs. It follows the absence of a magician from Morgan’s Traveling Circus and the circus’ progress thereon. It’s a non-linear visual novel where you control two unique perspectives and piece together the mystery behind the star magician’s sudden disappearance.
One perspective is that of a fellow magician and colleague who wants an explanation for the victim’s sudden disappearance. The other perspective focuses on a detective who is still battling the after-effects of an amnesiac episode. Death Trick: Double Blind will be released in 2024 and you’ll experience the varying lives of the circus members. It’s a detective visual novel reminiscent of L.A. Noire.
#2: Sucker for Love: Date to Die For
Sucker for Love: Date to Die For is a visual novel title being developed by Akabaka for Microsoft Windows devices. It’s an upcoming parodic graphic novel game for fans of horror games. This dating sim is based on H. P. Lovecraft’s The Shadow over Innsmouth so only adults get to play it. Thankfully, the lore is impressive, following the activities of Stardust, who is investigating a cult in a town (Sacramen-cho) isolated from society.
After the protagonist is kidnapped, she’s left with no choice but to summon Rhok’zan, the Black Goat, and All-Mother of the Woods. The game’s events will most likely follow the Black Goat’s attempts to court Stardust. However, Stardust is asexual, a great contrast to Rhok’zan, who is also the goddess of lust and fertility. The game has multiple endings and your decisions decide which one you get. For more adult games, check out 10 similar titles here.
#3: Tengoku Struggle: Strayside
Tengoku Struggle: Strayside is a Nintendo exclusive that’s touted to be a comedic piece about the Princess of Hell and her mission to reclaim prisoners. It’s a rich parody about the cycle of life and death, particularly the weight of sins on one’s soul. For one, Rin must capture escaped prisoners with other inmates who have been reformed by the rigorous system of hell. Along the way, the group will encounter Shinobikuni, who reveals an app that can pardon the sins of a prisoner.
The game will be released in April 2024 and no, it won’t be a timed exclusive. An interesting fact about Tengoku Struggle: Strayside is that it was released in 2022 for the Japanese audience. So, you can consider this a Western release of the game with proper voiceovers and accessibility features.
#4: Immortal Hunters
Immortal Hunters is a 2024 visual novel from Admiral Games that’s a mix of several genres such as beat ‘em up, text quest, vehicular combat, and RPG. It follows the ancient war between humanity and the Khemrids, nightmarish soldiers of the thousand-eye divine snake living in the planet’s core. Throughout the campaign, it’s shown that humanity is on the edge of collapse but the Church is capable of protecting them.
Thus, the ruling Cardinals punish anyone who’s not submissive while using the submissive ones to make the Holy Fire, which Khemrids hate and fear in equal measure. However, the Church’s main weapon is the Hunters, who are immortal and capable of fighting the forces of evil on equal grounds. Other highlights of the visual novel game that we love are:
- Each hunter has a unique set of skills for vanquishing opponents.
- Pick up weapons and gear to increase your chances of landing a killing blow.
- Expect a reinvention of the visual novel format that also combines 2D graphics, comic strips, and tons of animations.
#5: My Lovely Empress
My Lovely Empress lets you manage an empire and watch its future unfold right before your hands. On your journey, you’ll secure alliances with neighbouring countries while resolving internal conflicts. Ultimately, your kingdom’s prosperity is the goal until you harvest their souls to resurrect your precious empress. However, what’s a queen without her people?
My Lovely Empress will have multiple endings that are tied to your decisions. Along the way, you’ll enjoy bountiful harvests and meet new characters with compelling backstories. You’ll also manage your resources or else your expansion goals will suffer. So, use your Yaoguai to gain an edge in your imperial duties and build your relationship with them to unlock even more opportunities. Other features that make My Lovely Empress memorable are:
- A mesmerising Asian ink-brush art style awaits with cool 3D effects.
- The lore is a mix of East and Southeast Asia mythologies.
- Expect an immersive audio experience with catchy musical scores.
#6: Project Code: Vampire Hunter
We’re suckers for vampire games and Project Code: Vampire Hunter seems to have a great lore. The game allows players to play as a badass vampire hunter who is hellbent on revenge. Unfortunately, we don’t know more about this game except for its release date which is said to be in 2025. Hopefully, it won’t be postponed until further notice.
Having said that many gamers are hopeful that the story will revolve around a vampire and a hunter whose shared hatred later blossoms into love. However, that’s wishful thinking since a launch date trailer doesn’t even exist. So far, the vibes from this game are dark fantasy, romance, gothic, and drama. As is the norm, the fate of the world is at stake. Similar games such as Dead By Daylight boast these tropes.
Our Final Say: Visual Novel Games Don’t Get Enough Love
Visual novel games don’t get enough love from the gaming community but it’s not as bad as a decade ago. For one, Telltale Games and its series of games (The Walking Dead) have shone a lot of light on the format. Hopefully, the games above will follow suit by introducing even more innovative features and deeper storylines and powers. If you’re interested in 2023’s best visual novel games, check out titles such as:
- Hades.
- Digimon Survives.
- The House in Fata Morgana.
- Doki Doki Literature Club Plus.