Dating simulators are popular for often having interesting stories and fascinating characters for players to romance. There have been many mainstream dating sims that have caught players' attention, such as Hooked On You, which explores the killers of Dead By Daylight, and Blush Blush.

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Many dating sims can be found on PC through Steam, and although a lot of them get the attention they deserve, many decent and well-written stories are buried on the page. These dating adventures may only have minimal reviews but have been rated highly by players as games they'd recommend others to try out.

Updated on April 24, 2024, by Megan Smith: Dating sims on Steam fit a variety of themes, especially as it's the best place to find indie titles that may have not seen much appreciation. Even here, some of the best dating sims on Steam tend to get buried, which is why this article hopes to highlight some of the visual novels and other genres of dating simulators that players should try if they haven't already. From comedic dating simulators that see players summon Eldritch beasts, to more romantic titles, these are by far the best dating simulators on Steam with a few of them even being free for the player to try.

22 Falling In Love With Birds With Hatoful Boyfriend

Very Positive Reviews (94% of 5,284)

• Platform: PC, PS4, IOS, and Android
• Released: 2014-09-04
• Developer: Mediatonic and Hato Moa
• Genre: Indie and Simulation

Dating simulator titles take all sorts of shapes and forms on Steam, with some of the greatest being games that allow you to date things that aren't even human. Hatoful Boyfriend is one of many dating simulators that include high school sweethearts, but this title, which was developed by Mediatonic and Hato Moa, sees the player being the only human in a school made for pigeons.

There are plenty of birds to fall in love with each has their own unique route with plenty of endings to achieve. Hatoful Boyfriend might seem random, but it's a perfect game that needs more attention.

21 Befriend Or Romance Vendors In Potionomics

Very Positive Reviews (89% of 5,085)

After players take over their uncle's potion shop, they find themselves not only managing how to make the potions required by customers but also the necessity of working off the lovely debt that comes alongside the shop.

While managing the store itself is entertaining, many players will want to pick up this title to try their hand at befriending the adventurers who visit their shop or even the vendors they may need to see for ingredients. Getting to know these people will not only improve the players' negotiation tactics but some even have a chance to go a step further into developing a relationship.

20 Date Dreamy Dads In Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator

Very Positive Reviews (91% of 4,989)

Not all dating simulators have to be serious, and some are known for taking a concept and making a joke out of it. One game created by the YouTube duo known as Game Grumps is the hilarious yet well-written dating simulator known as Dream Daddy.

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As the name suggests, players start the game by creating their own dad and then go out on the town to find other hot – and maybe single – dads to hit it off with. Players should be prepared for some of the wonderfully worst dad jokes and get to know some great dads who do nothing more than have a BBQ and boast about their children.

19 DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation Localizes Love

Very Positive Reviews (94% of 2,408)

• Platform: PC
• Released: 2019-07-23
• Developer: Idea Factory, Compile Heart, and Sting
• Genre: Simulation

As the localized version of the Japanese hit, DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation, this visual novel was first based on the light novel series Fujimi Fantasia Bunko. This also led to the inspiration of three different animes as well as the creation of a hit anime movie that was all part of the DATE A LIVE series.

After 30 years of disaster through spacequakes caused by the mysterious appearance of spirits, players take on the role of the seemingly ordinary student Shido. After an encounter with a spirit, Shido realizes that he alone has the power to stop these space quakes and help the spirits all through the power of love.

18 Seduce Me The Incubi Dating Sim

Very Positive Reviews (86% of 2,173)

• Platform: PC and IOS
• Released: 2015-02-12
• Developer: Michaela Laws
• Genre: Simulation

Seduce Me is a great free-to-play dating simulator with fully-voiced characters on Steam. The Player has conveniently been handed down the large estate of their late grandfather and must move in there quickly the next day.

However, when entering the house, they discover five men injured on the ground; these men turn out to be Incubi, male lust demons from hell. The men aren't the only romance options available to them, as there are also three female options, alongside an interesting story with a variety of endings to achieve.

17 Supernatural Dating Sims Such As Sabbat Of The Witch

Very Positive Reviews (93% of 2,123)

• Platform: PC
• Released: 2018-10-26
• Developer: Yuzusoft
• Genre: Simulation and Adventure

Combining romance with the supernatural yet again, Sabbat Of The Witch may have a lighthearted story, but it's incredibly peculiar as well as very dramatic at times. This high school story is filled with secrets as the main character, Hoshina, has the power to feel and perceive the emotions of others. However, this backfires as one situation reveals that one of his classmates, Ayachi, is a witch.

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After an embarrassing but hilarious encounter between the two, she reveals to him that the world isn't quite what it seems, and there are plenty of others like her. With a long and detailed story and four other main heroines to romance, there is plenty for players to enjoy.

16 Wield Lovers As Weapons In Boyfriend Dungeon

Very Positive Reviews (91% of 1,725)

• Platform: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch
• Released: 2021-08-11
• Developer: Kitfox Games
• Genre: Simulation, Indie, and RPG

Kitfox Games combined two interesting features when making Boyfriend Dungeon to create a dating simulator that many players shouldn't be missing out on. In this world, some people can magically turn into weapons, while others have been known to wield them to fight monsters in dungeons.

Players in Boyfriend Dungeon will find various weapons to wield that they will get to know more about through finishing levels of dungeons together. This will allow them to go on small little dates and maybe even find love, though players can even just bond with a cat if they aren't in the market for love.

15 Fall In Love With A Fairy Tale In Dandelion – Wishes Brought To You

Very Positive Reviews (86% of 617)

• Platform: PC
• Released: 2012-08-12
• Developer: Sujin Ri, Marcos Arroyo, Seona Lee, Somi Lee, and Sohyeon Jeon
• Genre: Simulation

After moving out of her mother's house, who was obsessed with her getting the best grades, Heijung is attempting to find her dream life all on her own. However, as graduation approaches, the stresses of what she is actually going to do start to surface.

Perhaps hearing her stresses, a basket appears in her house filled with adorable animals that roam freely while she attempts to get her life sorted. Bonding with these animals reveals that they are actually men, which the player can romance while progressing through the heart-warming story alongside the amusing mini-games.

14 Remember How To Love With Nameless – The One Thing You Must Recall

Very Positive Reviews (92% of 612)

• Platform: PC
• Released: 2013-11-11
• Developer: Sujin Ri, Yunjeong Yun, Hyein Go, Minsu Ock, Marcos Arroyo, Seona Lee, and Sohyeon Jeon
• Genre: Simulation

Brought to players by the same developers that created Dandelion, Nameless follows a similar storyline with new characters. Players take on the life of Eri, a high school student who struggles to socialize while living on her own. She has a very special hobby of collecting dolls that she loves to talk to, appearing like her only friends in the world.

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However, in true dating simulator fashion, one day, in hopes of helping Eri grow confidence, these dolls spring to life, turning into several handsome men that the players can romance to cure her of her loneliness.

13 Witches X Warlocks Teaches Magic And Love

Very Positive (92% of 566)

• Platform: PC
• Released: 2020-10-31
• Developer: Nifty Visuals
• Genre: Simulation and Indie

In Witches X Warlocks, players start their dating adventure by customizing their very own witch or warlock before being pushed into a world where the player is the only magic caster who can't cast a single spell.

Halloween and the final exam are in seven days, and therefore, players have this long to improve their character skills as well as fall in love. In this free-to-play Halloween-rising story, the base game provides four love interests of a variety of genders alongside unlocking as many spells and scenes as possible before it's too late.

12 Speed Dating For Ghosts Helps The Dead Date

Very Positive Reviews (95% of 437)

• Platform: PC
• Released: 2018-02-13
• Developer: Copychaser Games
• Genre: Simulation and Indie

Even in the afterlife, ghosts deserve some love and attention, and that's why the cemetery is the best place to be for a spot for speed dating. In Speed Dating for Ghosts, players are able to have meaningful conversations with an assortment of poltergeists as well as other creatures that are hanging around the graves to find the love of their lives.

With thoughtful topics as well as some hilarious moments, many players are sure to fall in love with this brilliant game.

11 Arcade Spirits Brings A New High Score To Dating

Very Positive Reviews (96% of 372)

• Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch
• Released: 2019-02-12
• Developer: Fiction Factory Games
• Genre: Simulation and Indie

One of the best dating sims on Steam that is in dire need of more attention from players is the vibrant Arcade Spirits. The player takes on their new job at Funplex, an incredibly popular Arcade with a variety of unique customers.

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Players are sure to meet some interesting fellow gamers as well as be able to learn more about these people on a deeper level through the various role-playing choices a player can make. Besides this, Arcade Spirits has some interesting mini-games for fans to experience that make Arcade Spirits more than just a player's average visual novel.

10 Falling For Celebrities Can Be Difficult In Backstage Pass

Very Positive Reviews (89% of 212)

• Platform: PC
• Released: 2016-08-23
• Developer: Sakevisual
• Genre: Simulation and Indie

Working in the entertainment business can be hard, and that's why Sian, a make-up artist, hopes to focus on a more stable job and life. However, after an accident involving some well-known superstars, she must put her skills to the test if she hopes to make it through college.

With over fifteen unique endings and the customization to change Sian's outfits both in and out of the cutscene. This dating sim doesn't only look at a variety of possible romances but also other elements, such as earning a living and building skills.

9 Have A Date With Death

Overwhelmingly Positive Reviews (98% of 5,148)

• Platform: PC
• Released: 2023-12-07
• Developer: Two and a Half Studios
• Genre: Simulation and Indie

Players will not only be fighting off the grim reaper but also falling in love with them in A Date With Death. In this romance chat simulator, players not only get to chat away the hours with death themselves but also create their own character and design the apartment the majority of the game takes place.

What makes A Date With Death even better on Steam is that the title is also entirely free for all players to enjoy and therefore experience what it means to fall in love while also battling to keep their souls.

8 Enjoy A Summer Vacation In Summer Pockets

Overwhelmingly Positive Reviews (98% of 2,978)

• Platform: PC
• Released: 2018-06-29
• Developer: VisualArts/Key
• Genre: Adventure

From the creators of Angel Beats comes the adorable adventure visual novel Summer Pockets. In this title, players take on the role of Takahara Haiti as he travels to the secluded island known as Torishirojima. While there, he discovers how to truly enjoy summer after his grandmother has recently deceased.

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With various fun mini-games and four girls for the player to get to know, the main character will find themselves feeling oddly nostalgic about a time they had long forgotten had even existed for them.

7 Explore More Than Just A Dating Sim In I Was A Teenage Exocolonist

Overwhelmingly Positive Reviews (97% of 2,525)

I Was A Teenage Exocolonist is far more than the usual dating simulator, as this is only a fraction of the gameplay inside this RPG Deck-Building adventure. This tale explores what it's like to grow up on an alien planet, such as studying, making friends, falling in love, and so much more.

Experiencing life is important as past events will help unlock future ones as well as grow as a person to eventually become the reason the colony is saved. Even if the player at some point chose to slack off as a store clerk in their teenage years.

6 Even Monsters Deserve Love In Monster Prom 3: Monster Roadtrip

Overwhelmingly Positive Reviews (98% of 2,366)

• Platform: PC and Nintendo Switch
• Released: 2022-10-21
• Developer: Beautiful Glitch
• Genre: Simulation, Indie, and Strategy

Fans of the Monster Prom franchise may have played and experienced not only the original Monster Prom, which is one of the best dating sims on Steam but also Monster Prom 2, which saw players romancing monsters during camp.

This time, as the name suggests, the player and possibly their friends will be going on an epic road trip. Unlike the other games, flirting isn't a game concept, though that doesn't mean that players can't eventually find themselves with either Polly, Scott, or even some new additions they will pick up along the journey.

5 Mixing Up The Genre With Sucker For Love: First Date

Overwhelmingly Positive Reviews (98% of 2,147)

Dating sim games don't always follow the same linear story of meeting the player's love of their life and then gradually getting to know them; sometimes, these romances can summon Lovecraft monsters that once haunted the players' dreams.

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In Sucker For Love: First Date, players embark on a humorous visual novel journey that relies on them keeping the dateable characters happy in hopes of eventually smooching them. Players are warned: it may not be so simple as some deem the player a snack to eat.

4 Even Horror Novels Can Have Romance, Like Scarlet Hollow

Overwhelmingly Positive (98% of 1,659)

While Scarlet Hollow may predominantly be a psychological horror, it fits neatly into a visual novel. While players may only need to survive a week in this creepy town they have been forced to visit for their aunt's funeral; players may be surprised to find that, even in these gloomy times, there is still room for romance.

There are a total of five romance routes that a player can currently take in Scarlet Hollow, with plenty more hidden routes that are yet to be discovered. What makes it even better is that the game isn't yet complete either, and therefore, players can expect so much more to be added in the future too.

3 Speed-dialing Lovers In Dialtown: Phone Dating Sim

Overwhelmingly Positive Reviews (99% of 1,391)

• Platform: PC
• Released: 2022-02-14
• Developer: DirectDoggo
• Genre: Indie

Not all dating sims have to be serious, as some of these have made a fine name for themselves for being comedy geniuses, like the underappreciated dating sim, Dialtown: Phone Dating Sim. As the picture for this Steam game suggests, players are able to quite literally date an assortment of phones, from phone boxes to long-forgotten mobiles.

With almost a thousand people reviewing the title, Dialtown still finds itself with overwhelmingly positive reviews, showing that this phone-lover dating simulator has a chance of being one of the best dating sims on Steam.