My Top Visual Novel Picks After Reading for 1000+ Hours
I've always loved reading Visual Novels and, more recently, got into JRPGs and anime games. As I got older, I realized I wouldn't always have the reflexes to thrive in high-intensity games, and drawing for long hours began straining my wrists.
But I never wanted to give up the idea of gaming. That feeling of being part of those worlds, experiencing stories, without pressure or expectation.
I also love finishing what I start. When games get too difficult, that stress can really take away the fun. Visual novels gave me a space where I could fully complete stories without that worry, letting me enjoy every moment at my own pace.
Even though they're fictional, some of these characters felt like friends. In moments when I was at my lowest, they reminded me I wasn't truly alone.
This tier list is my love letter to the medium that helped shape who I am. It reflects my own emotional journey and preferences. It's not a ranking of "good vs bad" (TBH, I really liked some Rewrite+ routes and scenes!). I hope you'll discover titles that speak to you, in your own way.
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▼ Visual Novel Timestamps ▼
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00:00 - Intro
00:23 - 9-Nine (Episodes 1, 2, 3, 4 and NewEpisode)
01:37 - A Clockwork LeyLine (Borderline of Dusk, Daybreak of Remnants Shadow and Flowers Falling in the Morning Mist)
02:30 - ATRI My Dear Moments
02:52 - Science Adventure (Chaos;Head Noah and Steins;Gate)
03:50 - VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
04:11 - Danganronpa (Trigger Happy Havoc, 2 Goodbye Despair, v3 Killing Harmony)
05:15 - Doki Doki Literature Club
05:31 - Minori Visual Novels (ef, eden* and Supipara)
06:28 - Yuzusoft Titles (Sabbat of the Witch, Riddle Joker, Café Stella and the Reaper's Butterflies)
07:25 - Key Visual Novels (Harmonia, Rewrite+)
08:31 - When They Cry Series (Higurashi, Umineko)
09:55 - Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk
10:13 - Muv-Luv Series (Extra, Unlimited, Alternative)
12:10 - Narcissu Series (Original, Side 2nd)
13:47 - Root Double Before Crime After Days Xtend Edition
14:46 - The House in Fata morgana + Requiem for Innocence
15:42 - Tierlist Wrap-up and Outro
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Thank you for joining me on this journey. Whether you're new to VNs or a seasoned reader, you're always welcome here.
If this spoke to you, consider sticking around! More heartfelt anime, JRPG, and Visual Novel deep-dives are coming!
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Huge thanks to my contributors who made this channel possible:
Galeforce9: https://www.tumblr.com/galeforce9
Nicheskitch: / nicheskitch
xSyaitan: https://x.com/xSyaitan
IS_Sinal: / @is_sinal1569
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Tier List Template
Visual Novel Tier List - TierMaker
Link: https://tiermaker.com/create/visual-n...
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Legal & Content Disclaimer
All gameplay footage and commentary were captured and edited by me for review, critique, and educational purposes under Fair Use.
Game characters, art, and visuals are the property of their respective creators and IP holders.
This video is non-commercial and transformative, made with respect and appreciation for the original works.
Make sure to check each game's age rating and content warnings before playing. Some experiences can hit emotionally hard. I care about your well-being, so please be careful when choosing what to play!
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Music Credits
Note: All tracks have been edited for use in this video (e.g. shortened length, volume adjustments, fade-ins/outs). All music is credited below with proper licensing and source links.
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♪ stream cafe - hot air balloon
link: [ • hot air balloon 🎈 | cute lofi music (royal...]( • hot air balloon 🎈 | cute lofi music (royal... )
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Club Name: SOUND AIRYLUVS
Composer: ISAo
URL：https://airyluvs.com
Tracks used:
Dark Gothic Mysterious Game Music (Album name)
New World Order!!
IMP
Stealth Code Sci-Fi Game Music (Album name)
Hide-and-Seek (instrumental)
Anonymous
Geometric Rainy Day
Dj_vel
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Music: 魔王魂
Website: https://maou.audio/
Used under CC BY 4.0
Tracks used:
テーマ01
世界中の涙 (instrumental)
ハニーベイビー！マジカルガール (instrumental)
GAIA (instrumental)
白銀の小舟 (instrumental)
Burning Heart (instrumental)
テーマ02
SOLEIL (instrumental)
宵闇の輪舞曲 (instrumental)
ヒカリトリガー (instrumental)
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Track Title: Yutori-Game
Music: Souichi Sakagami
Edits: Volume lowered, fade-in applied, starting point adjusted
Track Title: White World (short)
Edits: volume lowered, fade-out applied, ending point adjusted
Website: https://www.tandess.com/en/music/
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Yoshimune-sensei's quote was paraphrased in the video for brevity.
Original line:
「だから僕的には，1000万円より先はもう「たくさん」って単位で統一しているんです（笑）。1億も，6億でも一緒なんじゃないかなと思って。」
From part 2 of the Yoshimune-sensei × Mafia Kajita × BRZRK interview on 4Gamer: https://www.4gamer.net/games/032/G003...