12 Horror games like Doki Doki Literature Club! that you should try

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We filtered the 32 games similar to Doki Doki Literature Club! down to the 12 that fit the “Horror” category. Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!, Saya no Uta and Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.3 Tatarigoroshi top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Doki Doki Literature Club!.

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GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

The best horror games like Doki Doki Literature Club!

12 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Doki Doki Literature Club!. 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.

#1Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!

iRank91

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualDarkCozyHorrorAnime

Steam👍 97%· 31KIGDB83· 2OC87· 38

Year 2021Dev Team Salvato · Serenity ForgeOn PS4 · PC · PS5

✓ Like Doki Doki Literature Club!, it's known for horror tension, visual novel storytelling and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: deep simulation, deep RPG systems and visual 2d, while skipping visual first person

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkCozyHorrorAnime

Steam👍 90%· 9.4K

Year 2019Dev Nitro Plus · Asoberu! BD-GAMEOn Android · PC

✓ Shared with Doki Doki Literature Club!: visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and horror tension

≠ Stands apart with deep simulation, while skipping vibe casual

Details →

Steam GOG

#3Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.3 Tatarigoroshi

iRank99

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkCozyAnimeHorror

Steam👍 98%· 1.3KRAWG👍 100%· 28

Year 2016Dev 07th Expansion · MangaGamerPlaytime ~5hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ If you enjoyed Doki Doki Literature Club!, expect visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and horror tension

≠ Stands apart with linear, story-driven structure and visual 2d, while skipping vibe casual

Details →

Steam GOG

#4Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.6 Tsumihoroboshi

iRank99

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkHorrorAnime

Steam👍 99%· 906

Year 2018Dev 07th Expansion · MangaGamerPlaytime ~7hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Nearly identical: visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and horror tension.

≠ Missing: vibe casual.

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualDarkHorrorFirst Person

Steam👍 64%· 3.4KIGDB68· 17OC73· 69

Year 2016Dev Variable State · 505 GamesOn PS4 · PC · Mac

✓ Like Doki Doki Literature Club!, it's known for adventure storytelling, visual novel storytelling and horror tension

≠ Stands apart with exploration and discovery, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

Details →

Steam GOG PS

#6Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

iRank92

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkAnimeHorrorFirst Person

Steam👍 96%· 31KIGDB85· 8

Year 2012Dev Spike Chunsoft · NIS AmericaOn Linux · PC · iOS

✓ Shared with Doki Doki Literature Club!: adventure storytelling, visual novel storytelling and horror tension

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design and visual third person, while skipping vibe casual

Details →

Steam

#7Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

iRank91

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkAnimeHorrorFirst Person

Steam👍 96%· 37KIGDB82· 9

Year 2010Dev Spike Chunsoft · NIS AmericaOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Like Doki Doki Literature Club!, it's known for visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and horror tension

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, survival mechanics and exploration and discovery, while skipping vibe casual

Details →

Steam

#8Milk Inside a Bag of Milk Inside a Bag of Milk

iRank96

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkHorrorAnime

Steam👍 96%· 33K

Year 2020Dev Nikita Kryukov · Nikita Kaf PublishingOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ If you enjoyed Doki Doki Literature Club!, expect visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and horror tension

≠ Its own twist: visual pixel, while skipping vibe casual

Details →

Steam itch.io

#9Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma

iRank81

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkHorrorAnime

Steam👍 82%· 4.8KIGDB80· 22

Year 2016Dev Spike Chunsoft · Aksys GamesOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ If you enjoyed Doki Doki Literature Club!, expect visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and horror tension

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, deep RPG systems and setting scifi, while skipping vibe casual

Details →

Steam PS Nintendo

#10Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

iRank84

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkAnimeHorrorFirst Person

Steam👍 83%· 22KIGDB88· 13OC83· 75

Year 2017Dev Spike ChunsoftOn PS4 · Android · PC

✓ Shared with Doki Doki Literature Club!: visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and horror tension

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, survival mechanics and setting scifi, while skipping vibe casual

Details →

Steam PS

#11AI: The Somnium Files

iRank88

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkAnimeHorrorFirst Person

Steam👍 92%· 9.2KIGDB86· 2OC82· 47

Year 2019Dev Spike ChunsoftOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Like Doki Doki Literature Club!, it's known for visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and horror tension

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, setting scifi and visual third person, while skipping vibe casual

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

#12Her Story

iRank87

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualHorrorFirst Person

Steam👍 89%· 10KIGDB85· 6OC85· 48

Year 2015Dev Sam BarlowOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Shared with Doki Doki Literature Club!: adventure storytelling, visual novel storytelling and horror tension

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, deep simulation and open world exploration, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Details →

Steam GOG

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