PS4 Visual Novels Worth Playing

While the PlayStation Vita is currently the best place to play visual novels (other than PC, obviously), the PlayStation 4 has been slowly building a very solid line-up. Last week that library grew with the addition of two of the Vita’s best games as the first two games in the Danganronpa series came to PS4 as Danganronpa 1&2 Reload (make sure to read our review). This marks a big change in the visual novel scene, as more and more titles are now making their way to PlayStation 4 as Vita support begins to dwindle.

Since the PS4 is becoming the console to play visual novels on, we decided to highlight some games that are already worth playing on the system. We only included games that either are out in English or are being localized, so that meant Japanese-only titles won’t be on the list. Since that limited what we could choose from, we also highlighted a few ports of known quantities that will be out soon.

With that out of the way, check out our list below of 10 visual novels that are worth playing both now and in the near future!

We hope you enjoyed our look at 10 visual novels that are worth playing both now and in the near future. While we mostly focused on already released titles, there are plenty of other interesting looking visual novels that are coming to PlayStation 4. These include many Sekai Project ports such as Rabi-Ribi, Root Double: Before Crime After Days Xtend Edition, and fault milestone. It’s really a great time to be a fan of visual novels, as we’re seeing classic games get localized, and plenty of fascinating new titles.

Let us know in the comments below which PS4 visual novels you’ve enjoyed playing, and which ones you are looking forward to in the future!

PS4 Visual Novels

PS4 Visual Novels Worth Playing
428: Shibuya Scramble

428: Shibuya Scramble is a legendary visual novel that was never localized into English. Thankfully, Spike Chunsoft is bringing over the game to PlayStation 4 (it's currently set for a Spring 2018 release), so players can finally experience one of the few games to get a perfect score from Famitsu. The plot revolves around five Shibuya residents that have to solve a kidnapping case that has more to it than one would initially suspect.
Danganronpa 1&2 Reload

Two of the best PSP (and Vita) visual novels are now on PlayStation 4 as Danganronpa 1&2 Reload. This visual novel mixes together elements from many different genres, and has players trying to escape the horrific school they've been trapped within. Featuring shades of Ace Attorney and 999, Danganronpa manages to make its own identity through great storytelling. If you enjoyed these two games, you'll be happy to know that Danganronpa V3 releases later this year.
Hakuoki Shinkai: Fuukaden

While Hakuoki Shinkai: Fuukaden was just recently announced for PlayStation 4, it's a pretty known quantity as far as visual novels go. It's yet another enhanced port of Hakuoki, an otome visual novel that stars the Shinsengumi. This means there's a ton of handsome samurais for players to date, and those that can't wait for the PS4 version can already check out the story on PS3 (a Vita port is also being localized this year).
Hatoful Boyfriend

If you don't want to date hot samurai boys, then Hatoful Boyfriend might be more up your alley. This rather colorful visual novel has players dating pigeons in a post-apocalyptic world. If that sounds crazy, it is, and it's an entertaining read. If you dig it, there's also a holiday-themed sequel called Holiday Star that is worth checking out.
One Way Trip

While most visual novels come from Japan, One Way Trip comes from North American indie developer Beret. It features an outlandish plot that has players hallucinating after drinking contaminated water that leaves them mere hours left to live, and some highly memorable characters like Boobs Cowboy. If you're looking for something weird (and I mean weird), then give this one a go.
Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness

Based upon the anime series of the same name, Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness takes place in a dystopian future where everyone is equipped with a personality scanner called a Psycho-Pass. That sounds all good until you find out that humans can get in trouble for crimes that they never actually committed. In the game it features two playable characters, each with their own pasts to discover.
Root Letter

Developed by Kadokawa Games, Root Letter is a mystery novel that revolves around a girl named Aya. After she mysteriously goes missing, it's up to the player to find out what happened to her. The game is composed of two different parts: interviewing characters that once knew Aya in order to find her, and then reliving past memories.
Steins;Gate 0

Steins;Gate 0 is the sequel to the time-travelling Steins;Gate. 0, and is worth checking out if you enjoyed the original. Taking place direectly after the ending of the first game, hero Rintaro Okabe eventually finds himself interacting with an artificial intelligence called Amadeus that holds the memories of Kurisu Makise. That means the plot has more to do with human/machine interaction, and less John Titor fan fiction.
The Silver Case Remastered

The Silver Case Remastered brings one of Suda51's earliest hits to North America. Released last year on PC, the serial killer mystery is set to release on PlayStation 4 next month (April 18). The game's story is top notch, and is the first time that the game is available in English.
Zero Escape: The Nonary Games

Two of the best visual novels ever made will be coming to PlayStation 4 later this year in a collection called Zero Escape: The Nonary Games. This will contain the first two entries in the Zero Escape series, which is 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors and Virtue's Last Reward. Both of these connected stories revolve around kidnapped contestants who are forced to play the deadly nonary game, which forces them to kill other contestants in order to survive. Both provide a great story, one that was wrapped up in last year's Zero Time Dilemma.