Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like A Detective's Novel (2026)
Every game below overlaps with A Detective's Novel on things players said about it rather than on our opinion of what feels alike. Each entry shows what it matched on, so you can throw out the ones matching on the part you did not care about.
The short version
- Closest match: Orwell: Keeping an Eye On You, which both psychological.
- A Detective's Novel is tagged Indie, Adventure, Visual Novel, Detective, Mystery by Steam players. Those tags are what the matching runs on.
- 24 games qualify, each with at least fifty player reviews behind its sentiment figure.
- 2 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
How these were matched
Steam tags carry the most weight, because players apply them and they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Souls-like, Atmospheric and Cozy exist as tags and as nothing else, which is exactly the vocabulary this question needs. Formal genres count for less, themes and a shared studio for more.
Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are thrown out before matching. Nearly everything is tagged Singleplayer, so matching on it is matching on nothing. That cutoff is computed from the catalogue rather than fixed, so it moves as the catalogue grows.
All 24, closest first
- 1
Orwell: Keeping an Eye On You
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 4 player tags including Indie, Detective and Visual Novel; released around the same time (2016).
Big Brother has arrived - and it’s you. Investigate the lives of citizens to find those responsible for a series of terror attacks. Information from the internet, personal communications and private files are all accessible to you. But, be warned, the information you supply will have consequences.
Orwell: Keeping an Eye On You at a glance Released 2016 Studio Osmotic Studios Player sentiment 90% positive of 15,565 Price $9.99 IndieDetectiveVisual NovelMystery
- 2
The Wolf Among Us
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Detective, Visual Novel and Mystery; released around the same time (2013).
From the makers of the 2012 Game of the Year: The Walking Dead, comes a thriller based on the award-winning Fables comic books. As Bigby Wolf you will discover that a brutal, bloody murder is just a taste of things to come in a game series where your every decision can have enormous consequences.
The Wolf Among Us at a glance Released 2013 Studio LCG Entertainment, Inc. Player sentiment 98% positive of 40,158 Price $14.99 DetectiveVisual NovelMystery
- 3
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Detective, Visual Novel and Mystery; released around the same time (2019).
Become Phoenix Wright and experience the thrill of battle as you fight to save your innocent clients in a court of law. Play all 14 episodes, spanning the first three games, in one gorgeous collection.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy at a glance Released 2019 Studio CAPCOM Co., Ltd. Player sentiment 98% positive of 44,855 Price $29.99 DetectiveVisual NovelMystery
- 4
Persona 4 Golden
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Mystery, Detective and Visual Novel; released around the same time (2020).
A coming of age story that sets the protagonist and his friends on a journey kickstarted by a chain of serial murders.
Persona 4 Golden at a glance Released 2020 Studio ATLUS Player sentiment 97% positive of 87,112 Price $19.99 MysteryDetectiveVisual Novel
- 5
Return of the Obra Dinn
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Detective, Mystery and Indie; released around the same time (2018).
Lost at sea 1803 ~ The good ship Obra Dinn.
Return of the Obra Dinn at a glance Released 2018 Studio Lucas Pope Player sentiment 97% positive of 35,093 Price $19.99 DetectiveMysteryIndie
- 6
Cube Escape: Paradox
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Mystery, Indie and Detective; released around the same time (2018).
The tenth Cube Escape follows the story of detective Dale Vandermeer who finds himself trapped in two different universes and needs to escape. Cube Escape: Paradox will be released together with the accompanying Paradox: A Rusty Lake Film.
Cube Escape: Paradox at a glance Released 2018 Studio Rusty Lake Player sentiment 97% positive of 12,197 Price Free MysteryIndieDetective
- 7
The Test
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Visual Novel, Mystery and Detective; released around the same time (2020).
You will answer a series of questions that will reveal truths from deep within. These questions may make you uncomfortable, but with great knowledge comes great sacrifice. Can you make it all the way through The Test, and if you do, are you sure you want the answers you seek?
The Test at a glance Released 2020 Studio Randumb Studios Player sentiment 97% positive of 20,122 Price $1.19 Visual NovelMysteryDetective
- 8
Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Detective, Visual Novel and Mystery; released around the same time (2012).
Jabberwock Island—You and your classmates were ready for fun in the sun until Monokuma returned to restart his murderous game! Trapped in a kill-or-be-killed situation, your only hope rests in solving the island’s mysteries.
Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair at a glance Released 2012 Studio Spike Chunsoft Player sentiment 96% positive of 32,628 Price $19.99 DetectiveVisual NovelMystery
- 9
Unheard - Voices of Crime
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Detective, Mystery and Indie; released around the same time (2019).
What if you could hear every word spoken at the scene of a crime? “Acoustic Detectives” wanted for testing our new device! Return aurally to crime scenes and use the voices you hear to identify potential suspects and solve the mysteries. What is it that’s connecting these seemingly unrelated cases?
Unheard - Voices of Crime at a glance Released 2019 Studio NEXT Studios Player sentiment 96% positive of 33,900 Price $6.99 DetectiveMysteryIndie
- 10
What Remains of Edith Finch
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Mystery, Indie and Visual Novel; released around the same time (2017).
What Remains of Edith Finch is a collection of strange tales about a family in Washington state. As Edith, you’ll explore the colossal Finch house, searching for stories as she explores her family history and tries to figure out why she's the last one in her family left alive.
What Remains of Edith Finch at a glance Released 2017 Studio Giant Sparrow Player sentiment 96% positive of 52,603 Price $4.99 MysteryIndieVisual Novel
- 11
Phasmophobia
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Detective, Mystery and Indie; released around the same time (2020).
Phasmophobia is a 4 player online co-op psychological horror. Paranormal activity is on the rise and it’s up to you and your team to use all the ghost-hunting equipment at your disposal in order to gather as much evidence as you can.
Phasmophobia at a glance Released 2020 Studio Kinetic Games Player sentiment 94% positive of 838,254 Price $13.99 DetectiveMysteryIndie
- 12
Everlasting Summer
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Visual Novel, Mystery and Indie; released around the same time (2014).
Visual novel loved by many – Everlasting Summer – now on Steam!
Everlasting Summer at a glance Released 2014 Studio Soviet Games Player sentiment 94% positive of 78,073 Price Free Visual NovelMysteryIndie
- 13
Disco Elysium - The Final Cut
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Detective, Visual Novel and Indie; released around the same time (2019).
Disco Elysium - The Final Cut is a groundbreaking role playing game. You’re a detective with a unique skill system at your disposal and a whole city to carve your path across. Interrogate unforgettable characters, crack murders or take bribes. Become a hero or an absolute disaster of a human being.
Disco Elysium - The Final Cut at a glance Released 2019 Studio ZA/UM Player sentiment 93% positive of 130,598 Price $39.99 DetectiveVisual NovelIndie
- 14
Kathy Rain
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Mystery, Detective and Indie; released around the same time (2016).
Set in the '90s, Kathy Rain tells the story of a strong-willed journalism major who has to come to terms with her troubled past as she investigates the mysterious death of her recently deceased grandfather.
Kathy Rain at a glance Released 2016 Studio Clifftop Games Player sentiment 92% positive of 4,003 Price $9.99 MysteryDetectiveIndie
- 15
Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Visual Novel, Detective and Mystery; released around the same time (2017).
A new cast of 16 characters find themselves kidnapped and imprisoned in a school. Inside, some will kill, some will die, and some will be punished. Reimagine what you thought high-stakes, fast-paced investigation was as you investigate twisted murder cases and condemn your new friends to death.
Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony at a glance Released 2017 Studio Spike Chunsoft Player sentiment 83% positive of 23,187 Price $39.99 Visual NovelDetectiveMystery
- 16
Firework
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Indie, Mystery and Visual Novel.
An accidental fire at a funeral forces the police to re-investigate a closed case of massacre. Lin Lixun participates the re-investigation by chances. As the investigation goes deeper, the past of the victims gradually emerges. However, the case becomes more bewildering.
Firework at a glance Released 2021 Studio Shiying Studio Player sentiment 98% positive of 44,417 Price $9.99 IndieMysteryVisual Novel
- 17
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Mystery, Detective and Visual Novel.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, the classic puzzle-solving mystery adventure directed by Ace Attorney creator Shu Takumi, is back! This long-awaited HD remaster features upgraded visuals and sound and new gallery content.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective at a glance Released 2010 Studio Capcom Player sentiment 97% positive of 8,549 Price $29.99 MysteryDetectiveVisual Novel
- 18
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Visual Novel, Mystery and Detective.
Investigate murders, search for clues and talk to your classmates to prepare for trial. There, you'll engage in deadly wordplay, going back and forth with suspects. Dissect their statements and fire their words back at them to expose their lies! There's only one way to survive—pull the trigger.
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc at a glance Released 2010 Studio Spike Player sentiment 96% positive of 38,287 Price $19.99 Visual NovelMysteryDetective
- 19
Persona 3 Reload
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Visual Novel, Mystery and Detective.
Dive into the Dark Hour and awaken the depths of your heart. Persona 3 Reload is a captivating reimagining of the genre-defining RPG, reborn for the modern era with cutting-edge graphics and gameplay.
Persona 3 Reload at a glance Released 2024 Studio ATLUS Player sentiment 94% positive of 62,647 Price $59.99 Visual NovelMysteryDetective
- 20
The Operator
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Detective, Mystery and Visual Novel.
Welcome to the FDI. As our newest Operator, your role is to use your detective skills to assist our field agents and investigate mysterious crimes. Use cutting-edge FDI software to dig for clues, solve puzzles, and uncover the truth.
The Operator at a glance Released 2024 Studio Bureau 81 Player sentiment 92% positive of 8,837 Price $13.99 DetectiveMysteryVisual Novel
- 21
Demonologist
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Mystery, Detective and Indie.
Demonologist is a Co-Op horror game that can be played with at least 1 and up to 4 players. Your goal is to identify the type of evil spirit in cursed places and exorcise it using your equipment, either alone or with your team.
Demonologist at a glance Released 2023 Studio Clock Wizard Games Player sentiment 85% positive of 24,124 Price $19.99 MysteryDetectiveIndie
- 22
Tails Noir
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 3 player tags including Detective, Visual Novel and Mystery.
Tails Noir is a post-noir narrative adventure. Become raccoon private eye Howard Lotor and explore dystopian Vancouver inhabited by animals as you uncover a deeply personal story of change and transformation.
Tails Noir at a glance Released 2021 Studio Eggnut Player sentiment 67% positive of 3,472 Price $4.99 DetectiveVisual NovelMystery
- 23
The Room
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 2 player tags including Mystery and Indie; released around the same time (2014).
A mysterious invitation leads to the attic of an abandoned house. In the room is a cast-iron safe laced with strange carvings and on top, a note from your distant companion. It promises something ancient and astonishing concealed in the iron chamber - you need only find a way in.
The Room at a glance Released 2014 Studio Fireproof Games Player sentiment 98% positive of 31,750 Price $4.99 MysteryIndie
- 24
Sally Face - Episode One
Why it matched: both psychological; shares 2 player tags including Indie and Mystery; released around the same time (2016).
An unsettling adventure following a boy with a prosthetic face. After a string of mysterious murders, Sal and his three friends discover something truly sinister casting shadows over their small town.
Sally Face - Episode One at a glance Released 2016 Studio Portable Moose Player sentiment 97% positive of 29,068 Price $2.99 IndieMystery
Common questions
What game is most like A Detective's Novel?
Orwell: Keeping an Eye On You, on the evidence we have. It both psychological. That is a statement about overlap, not a promise you will like it as much: two games can share every tag and still feel different to play.
How is "similar to A Detective's Novel" decided?
By overlap on the tags Steam players applied to each game, the formal genres, the themes both sit in, and whether the same studio made them. Tags carry the most weight because players write them, so they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are ignored: matching on "Singleplayer" is matching on nothing. Every entry below shows exactly what it matched on.
Are these ranked by quality?
No. They are ordered by how much they overlap with A Detective's Novel. Where two games overlap equally, the better received one goes first, but that only moves a game a place or two. Each entry shows its own player sentiment so you can weigh that separately.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
No. The order is computed from tag and genre overlap and nothing else. No placement here can be bought, and a game appearing high on this page is a statement about resemblance rather than an endorsement.