In this era where most people think “graphics are everything”, these developers prove them wrong.
Visual novels give players a chance to try different methods of completing the game, a simple choice could change a certain character’s feelings and the branching storylines offer infinite replayability, couple that with newer engines and the possibilities are endless. Whether it’s the good old Ren’py engine (Doki Doki and Katawa Shoujo) or the expensive but user-friendly Visual Novel Maker (Fullmetal Alchemist), game development has never been made easier.
Only a handful of developers have stood the test of time, while there are newer ones who innovate and release a wacky product.
Presenting: The 10 Best Visual Novel Developers According To Metacritic, Ranked
10 Sukeban Games
Sukeban Games latest title, N1RV Ann-A might be considered a top contender for indie game of the year (if it isn’t indefinitely pushed back again). Nevertheless, Sukeban Games’ peculiar art style is what makes it stand above the rest.
In 2016, the studio released its cyberpunk bartending waifu simulator VA-11 Hall-A. The game was a massive hit, earning mostly 10-star reviews on Steam and beating its initial sales projection by a wide margin.
Fans are eager for the sequel’s release and the fledgling studio is off to a good start and shows no signs of stopping.
9 Capcom
For over 37 years, Capcom has been blessing the community with top-notch titles and classics that have stood the test of time such as Resident Evil, Street Fighter, and Monster Hunter. The studio is pumping out bestsellers and its value stands upwards of $1.1 billion.
The same can’t be said with their visual novels, however. Ace Attorney is an underrated gem and Capcom doesn’t seem to give the title the attention it deserves. The courtroom drama was excellently written, full of puns and anime references. Don’t forget the ridiculous moments like the parrot’s testimony or the magical turnabout.
8 Mages Inc.
Mages now owns what used to be 5pb Games, a record label and game studio. It is one of the most successful entertainment companies in Japan and it manages the country’s premier stars and bands.
Among their best products is Steins;Gate, a series of science-fiction visual novels. In this game, the player follows Rintaro Obake as he tries to alter the past using his time machine, traveling back and forth to prevent deaths and even World War 3.
The game is currently scored 10 stars on Steam and other stores.
7 Team GrisGris
Team GrisGris’ blood lust led to one of the most shocking video game series of all time, Corpse Party. The studio was initially formed by a group of hobbyists, and they sold video games through emails in 1996 (they had no publisher at the time). Hard work paid off and Kedouin, the 22-year-old student who designed the 1996 Corpse Party won an RPG Maker competition, therefore, boosting the title’s popularity in Japan.
It wasn’t until 2008 that the Corpse Party Remake drew worldwide attention and 7 more games have been developed since then. The horror visual novel RPG was also banned in some places but that wouldn’t stop fans from enjoying this epic gorefest.
6 Type-Moon
Originally a doujinshi publisher, Type Moon eventually transitioned into a commercial powerhouse with a huge fanbase around the world. The company was founded in 2000 by two classmates, Kinoko Nasu and Takashi Takeuchi.
Its first video game, Fate/Stay Night, was a massive hit on opening day, and soon adapted to an anime series and manga.
5 Team Salvato
Doki Doki Literature Club often comes to mind when mentioning Team Salvato. It has been 3 years since the game was released and fans feel that a sequel is inevitable. Despite that, the horror dating sim still pulls in a lot of fans and they have been tinkering and modding the game, and someone even managed to port the title onto Android.
According to DDLC Wiki’s latest update, the team seems to be stuck in development hell for their latest project named “Project Libitina”. However, rumors point that this could just be a DDLC expansion and not a standalone game.
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3 Key
Key made headlines when it tugged the world’s heartstrings during the release of Clannad, an emotional tale about high schooler Tomoya Okazaki. It became Japan’s bestselling PC game and the English port made its way to the top Steam charts surpassing GTA V and Call of Duty.
The studio is currently led by Maeda and Na-ga, who also worked on Angel Beats. The company also has a radio show and record label. They also host a bi-annual comic convention called Comiket (Comic Market).
2 Idea Factory
In the world of Otomes and dating sims, Idea Factory takes the throne.
Notable titles include Date A Live, a magical epic featuring armored waifus or “Spirits” from different dimensions with the player trying to charm them in order to prevent the Earth’s further destruction. In Kotori’s words: “I don’t ask you to defeat the Spirit. Just let her fall in love with you and save the world.”
1 Spike Chunsoft
Arguably the best visual novel developer with back-to-back hits such as Zero Escape and Danganronpa, and other AAA successes like One Piece and Mario, Spike Chunsoft has seemingly found the perfect formula.
They started developing visual novels as early as 1992, their first title was Otogiriso which was released on the SNES and PSX, followed by Mystery Dungeon in 1993.
NEXT: 10 Best Visual Novels On The Nintendo Switch
