2023 looks to be a solid year for the visual novel genre, with offerings both Japanese and Western in origin coming to consoles and PC throughout the year. Several popular series such as Science Adventure and Coffee Talk are getting new entries, while promising new titles and potential series are making their debut as well. Veteran visual novel fans will have plenty to pick from in 2023, while newbies to the genre may find 2023 the perfect year to give visual novels a try.
Due to their text-heavy nature and limited gameplay, visual novels previously experienced limited popularity in the West and generally remained Japan-exclusive. However, visual novels are currently experiencing somewhat of a renaissance and growing in popularity around the world. 2022 saw creator Kotaro Uchikoshi deliver his usual twist-filled mystery with AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative, Monster Prom return with its third installment Monster Road Trip, the unexpected physical Western release of Chaos; Head Noah, and many more. 2023 looks to be just as big of a year, with several notable and exciting visual novels making their debut.
Anonymous;Code
The Science Adventure series is one of the best-known names in visual novels. It combines the science fiction and mystery genres and each entry features an elaborate branching story. Currently, the series consists of Chaos;Head, Chaos;Child, Steins;Gate, Robotics;Notes, Occultic;Nine, and several spin-offs. Anonymous;Code, the sixth main entry in the series, saw a Japanese release in 2022 after several delays and will be making its way to the West in 2023 for Nintendo Switch, PC, and PlayStation 4. It takes place on an alternate Earth in the near future and stars a hacker who develops the ability to travel between different "layers" of the world and save and reset his life much like a video game.
Mask of the Rose
Failbetter Games, the developer behind the massively popular browser-based game Fallen London, brings the world of London-dragged-underground to PC and consoles in 2023 with Mask of the Rose, a hybrid romance and murder mystery visual novel. Set shortly after London was forcibly dragged below the surface, the player character finds themselves roped into taking a census of Fallen London's residents. Along the way, players can find love, solve a murder, and perhaps learn why London was brought underground in the first place. Mask of the Rose is currently slated for an April 2023 release for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly
The original Coffee Talk, released in 2020, quickly gained popularity for its chill vibes, classic pixel art style, and deep, emotional story. The game centers around the barista of the titular coffee shop, who listens to the stories and concerns of various customers and offers advice and assistance. Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly will return to the fantasy-inspired alternate Seattle and introduce new customers to meet, new problems to solve, and a more elaborate drink-making system including the ability to create stunning latte art. Hibiscus & Butterfly is currently scheduled for a Spring 2023 release for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
Winter's Wish: Spirits of Edo
Publisher Aksys Games has recently made a name for themselves as the primary publisher bringing otome games - aka romance-focused visual novels - to a Western audience. Previous releases from Aksys include the Code Realize series, Collar x Malice, and the Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid spinoff games. Their 2023 slate of releases includes Winter's Wish: Spirits of Edo, a historical romance set in 1700s Japan. It centers around a girl who is capable of predicting future disasters and the men her powers lead her to meet and potentially fall for, including powerful warriors, members of the Shogun's court, and even mystical nonhumans. Winter's Wish has an unspecified 2023 release date and will debut exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.