As a certified Visual Novel Fan, here are some of my faves!
I'll get my shameless self-promo out of the way first...
"ORGANS" is a very simple visual novel project I completed for a 3-day jam! I created the concept, the art and the writing. It's available for free and in-browser! The ending is bittersweet, though, I will warn you. Check the content warnings!
Described as: "A short visual novel where you help your terminally ill childhood friend restore his church's organ."
"BAD END THEATER" is one of my favorite games OF ALL TIME, and I NEVER pass up a chance to recommend it. It's $9.99 USD, and is a visual novel puzzle game.
Described as: "Select your protagonist and explore a variety of terrible fates! The decisions you make in one story will affect the others. You can toggle these behaviors to open up new paths! Unfortunately, every path leads to a bad ending... Can you find a way to save this unlucky cast?" (And after you finish it, you can read my
writeup about it, lol.)
"Off Day" is a free, short visual novel that is breathtakingly gorgeous and uplifting!
Described as: "A point & click visual novel about appreciating the little things in life."
"Slay the Princess" is a horror visual novel MASTERPIECE, available for $19.99. (But, if you can't afford that, the devs DO support you pirating their games...) But don't look up ANYTHING. PLEASE go in blind. That's what I did and I ended up lying on the floor after it was over, staring into space, from the intensity of The Feelings.
Described as: "You're on a path in the woods, and at the end of that path is a cabin. And in the basement of that cabin is a Princess. You're here to slay her. If you don't, it will be the end of the world. She will do everything in her power to stop you. She'll charm, and she'll lie, and she'll promise you the world, and if you let her, she'll kill you a dozen times over. You can't let that happen. Don't forget, the fate of the world rests on your shoulders.
You're not going to listen to him, are you? We're supposed to save princesses, not slay them..."