87
iRank91
CasualVisual Novel
SoloNarrativeCasualHorrorAnime2D
Steam👍 97%· 31KIGDB83· 2OC87· 38
Year 2021Dev Team Salvato · Serenity ForgeOn PS4 · PC · PS5
33 Games like Class of '09 that you should try
Games like Class of '09 · Find similar →
More about this game →Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentHow this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.
Few titles capture what makes Class of '09 unique: deep RPG systems, vibe casual and open world exploration. After measuring 12 attributes across over 6,700 games, these are the 33 most faithful alternatives. Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!, Emily Is Away Too and Her Story top the ranking, with Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! at number one (87/100).
iRank84/ 100
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Quick answer
The closest game to Class of '09 is Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! — scoring 87/100 on our similarity scale. Emily Is Away Too and Her Story follow close behind.
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Top games similar to Class of '09
33 similar games foundUpdated May 2026
Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Class of '09. Each one has been evaluated across 12 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.
80
iRank89
CasualVisual Novel
SoloNarrativeCasualHorrorPixel Art
Steam👍 93%· 6.2KIGDB81· 2
Year 2017Dev Kyle SeeleyOn Linux · PC · Mac
✓ Shared with Class of '09: deep simulation, visual novel storytelling and deep RPG systems
≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling and visual pixel, while skipping open world exploration
Where it drifts furthest from Class of '09: visuals.
Genre100Game mode100Tone100Setting57Visuals0
CasualVisual Novel
SoloNarrativeCasualOpen WorldHorror
Steam👍 89%· 10KIGDB85· 6OC85· 48
Year 2015Dev Sam BarlowOn Linux · Android · PC
✓ Shared with Class of '09: visual novel storytelling, deep simulation and horror tension
≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, adventure storytelling and exploration and discovery, while skipping deep RPG systems
Where it drifts furthest from Class of '09: visuals.
Genre100Game mode100Tone100World100Setting74Visuals0
CasualVisual Novel
SoloNarrativeCasualHorrorAnime
Steam👍 96%· 221KRAWG👍 83%· 1.3KMC78IGDB95· 2OC87· 8
Year 2017Dev Team SalvatoPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux
✓ Shared with Class of '09: horror tension, visual novel storytelling and strong narrative focus
≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, dark, oppressive atmosphere and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping deep RPG systems
Doki Doki Literature Club puts you into the role of an anime character, an average Japanese schoolboy. Your protagonist joins a literature club in which he's the only male member. The remaining four girls – Monica, Sayori, Natsuki, and Yuri – compete for the boy’s attention.
Where it drifts furthest from Class of '09: visuals.
Genre100Game mode100Setting100Tone70Visuals0
CasualVisual Novel
SoloNarrative2D
IGDB80· 10
Year 2013Dev CapcomOn Android · iOS
✓ If you enjoyed Class of '09, expect deep simulation, deep RPG systems and visual novel storytelling
≠ Stands apart with puzzle design and adventure storytelling, while skipping horror tension
Where it drifts furthest from Class of '09: tone.
It predates Class of '09 by 8 years, with what that implies technically.
Genre100Game mode100Visuals71Tone48
CasualVisual Novel
SoloNarrativeCasualAnimeCozy
Steam👍 99%· 3.3K
Year 2017Dev VisualArts/Key · VisualArtsPlaytime ~3hOn PC
✓ If you enjoyed Class of '09, expect visual novel storytelling, deep simulation and strong narrative focus
≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, cozy, relaxing feel and setting scifi, while skipping deep RPG systems
It is thirty years after the failure of the Space Colonization Program. Humanity is nearly extinct. A perpetual and deadly Rain falls on the Earth. Men known as "Junkers" plunder goods and artifacts from the ruins of civilization. One such Junker sneaks alone into the most dangerous of all ruins -- a "Sarcophagus City". In the center of this dead city, he discovers a pre-War planetarium.
Where it drifts furthest from Class of '09: visuals.
Genre100Game mode100Tone89Setting50Visuals0
CasualVisual Novel
SoloCasualNarrativeAnimeMelee
Steam👍 94%· 271
Year 2017Dev Whirlpool · Sekai ProjectPlaytime ~1hOn PC
✓ Like Class of '09, it's known for visual novel storytelling, deep simulation and vibe casual
≠ Stands apart with cozy, relaxing feel and melee combat, while skipping deep RPG systems
WARNING While NEKO-NIN exHeart is not required to play NEKO-NIN exHeart +PLUS Nachi, it is highly recommended to play it first. Nin! From developer Whirlpool comes a mini-sequel to NEKO-NIN exHeart featuring the sub-character, Nachi!
Genre100Game mode100Setting86Tone78
CasualVisual Novel
SoloNarrativeHorrorAnimeDark
Steam👍 99%· 906
Year 2018Dev 07th Expansion · MangaGamerPlaytime ~7hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux
✓ If you enjoyed Class of '09, expect visual novel storytelling, horror tension and strong narrative focus
≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping deep RPG systems
June, 1983. The summer heat has arrived earlier than it does most years. By day there are cicadas, and by night, the higurashi. Hinamizawa, a small village in the Japanese countryside. While there are fewer than two thousand people there, every year, 'something' happens.
Where it drifts furthest from Class of '09: tone.
Genre100Game mode100Setting100Tone43
CasualVisual Novel
SoloCasualNarrativeAnimeMelee
Steam👍 92%· 213
Year 2017Dev Whirlpool · Sekai ProjectPlaytime ~1hOn PC
✓ Like Class of '09, it's known for deep simulation, visual novel storytelling and vibe casual
≠ Stands apart with cozy, relaxing feel and melee combat, while skipping deep RPG systems
WARNING While NEKO-NIN exHeart is not required to play NEKO-NIN exHeart +PLUS Saiha, it is highly recommended to play it first. Nin! From developer Whirlpool comes the 2nd mini-sequel to NEKO-NIN exHeart featuring the sub-character, Saiha!
Genre100Game mode100Tone87Setting79
CasualVisual Novel
Steam👍 92%· 3.5KIGDB87· 3OC81· 56
Year 2023Dev Visai GamesOn Xbox · PC · PS5
CasualVisual Novel
SoloCasualNarrativeAnime2D
Steam👍 46%· 90
Year 2014Dev Winter WolvesPlaytime ~6hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux
✓ Shared with Class of '09: deep simulation, deep RPG systems and visual novel storytelling
≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, cozy, relaxing feel and fantasy world, while skipping horror tension
Spirited Heart is a fantasy life simulation game. Create your fantasy alter ego choosing between an apparently normal human, a cute elf and a wicked demoness: they behave differently in the various dialogue choices you'll encounter during the game.
On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against very positive for Class of '09.
Genre100Game mode100Tone77Visuals70Setting60
CasualVisual Novel
SoloCasualNarrativeAnimeCozy
Steam👍 96%· 983IGDB75· 1
Year 2017Dev Whirlpool · Sekai ProjectPlaytime ~4hOn PC
✓ Like Class of '09, it's known for deep simulation, visual novel storytelling and vibe casual
≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, cozy, relaxing feel and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping deep RPG systems
INTERESTING FEATURES LIKE MOVING CAT EARS! Japan. From time immemorial, there are those who possess superhuman abilities. These beings who looked like a cross between man and beast are called Demi-Humans. They acted as Ninja and served those in power.
Genre100Game mode100Setting88Tone75
CasualVisual Novel
SoloNarrativeCasualAnime
Steam👍 94%· 7.6KIGDB75· 8OC72· 43
Year 2011Dev Mediatonic · Devolver DigitalOn PS4 · Linux · Android
✓ Like Class of '09, it's known for visual novel storytelling, deep simulation and strong narrative focus
≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, while skipping deep RPG systems
It predates Class of '09 by 10 years, with what that implies technically.
Genre100Game mode100Tone100Setting87
58
iRank89
CasualVisual Novel
SoloNarrativeCasualPixel ArtFree to Play
Steam👍 89%· 32K
Year 2015Dev Kyle SeeleyOn Linux · PC · Mac
✓ Like Class of '09, it's known for deep simulation, visual novel storytelling and strong narrative focus
≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, visual pixel and free to play, while skipping deep RPG systems
Where it drifts furthest from Class of '09: visuals.
Genre100Game mode100Tone100Visuals0
CasualVisual Novel
SoloCasualNarrativeAnime2D
Steam👍 93%· 853RAWG👍 41%· 32
Year 2021Dev Strange ScaffoldPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Xbox · Nintendo
✓ If you enjoyed Class of '09, expect deep simulation, visual novel storytelling and vibe casual
≠ Its own twist: fantasy world, setting space and resource management, while skipping deep RPG systems
Buy, sell, and trade organs in a strange and evolving universe. Dive into the quivering innards of alien capitalism in the sci-fi body horror market tycoon game you didn't know you needed.
Where it drifts furthest from Class of '09: setting and visuals.
Genre100Game mode100Tone100Visuals41Setting39
Complete list of Class of '09 alternatives
The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Class of '09, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.
62
Flower Shop: Summer In Fairbrook
Simulation · Visual Novel
62
Flower Shop: Winter In Fairbrook
Simulation · Visual Novel
58
Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth
Puzzle · Simulation
64
Notes of Soul
Visual Novel · Adventure
60
Heileen 3: New Horizons
Simulation · Visual Novel
53
Mission: It's Complicated
Visual Novel · Adventure
59
Virginia
Adventure · Visual Novel
51
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Visual Novel · Adventure
60
Always Remember Me
Visual Novel · Simulation
55
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice
Puzzle · RPG
51
CLANNAD
Visual Novel · Adventure
51
Highway Blossoms
Visual Novel · Adventure
46
Professor Layton and the Unwound Future
Puzzle · Visual Novel
60
Retention
Adventure · Visual Novel
46
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Puzzle · Visual Novel
46
Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box
Puzzle · Visual Novel
53
Katawa Shoujo
Simulation · Visual Novel
58
Airport Simulator 2014
Simulation · Visual Novel
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Rankings in the same genre
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best game similar to Class of '09?
- The closest game to Class of '09 is Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!, scoring 87/100 on our similarity scale. They share 10 gameplay attributes, including horror tension, visual novel storytelling and deep simulation. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
- What are the top games like Class of '09?
- The three closest games to Class of '09 are: 1. Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! (87/100, 10 shared attributes) 2. Emily Is Away Too (80/100, 8 shared attributes) 3. Her Story (74/100, 8 shared attributes). All share Class of '09's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 33 candidates across 12 dimensions.
- Is Emily Is Away Too similar to Class of '09?
- Yes, very much so — Emily Is Away Too scores 80/100 similarity to Class of '09. They share 8 attributes, including deep simulation and visual novel storytelling. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
- What RPG games are similar to Class of '09?
- The best RPG games similar to Class of '09 are Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!, Emily Is Away Too, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies and Spirited Heart Deluxe. All share the RPG genre alongside other key Class of '09 attributes like horror tension, visual novel storytelling and deep simulation.
- How is similarity to Class of '09 calculated?
- We compare Class of '09 against every game in our catalog using 12 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Class of '09 experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.
- Are there free games similar to Class of '09?
- Yes — Doki Doki Literature Club! is free and scores well on similarity to Class of '09. It's a great way to test whether the play style clicks before investing in other paid titles.