Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Muv-Luv (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Muv-Luv 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: The Fruit of Grisaia, which both horror, psychological, story-rich and relaxing.
- Muv-Luv is tagged Visual Novel, Anime, Romance, Mechs, Story Rich, Cute, Choose Your Own Adventure, Sci-fi 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
The Fruit of Grisaia
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, story-rich and relaxing; shares 11 player tags including Visual Novel, Anime and Nudity.
SIX FRUITS BARE THEIR FANGS AT THE WORLD. --The academy was their orchard. In this place of learning, protected by high walls from the outside world, there arrived a single young man who'd lost his purpose in life. He'd lost sight of what he wanted to protect.
The Fruit of Grisaia at a glance Released 2015 Studio Front Wing Player sentiment 92% positive of 1,119 Price $39.99 Visual NovelAnimeNudityStory RichRomanceSexual ContentComedyCute
- 2
Clannad
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, story-rich and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including Visual Novel, Anime and Story Rich; released around the same time (2004).
From the world renowned visual novel studio Key, the highly rated story of CLANNAD is now available on Steam! Improved visuals, achievement integration, and Dangopedia make this the best version of CLANNAD to date.
Clannad at a glance Released 2004 Studio Key Player sentiment 98% positive of 10,936 Price $44.99 Visual NovelAnimeStory RichRomanceGreat SoundtrackCuteCasualComedy
- 3
Steins;Gate
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, science fiction, story-rich and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Visual Novel, Story Rich and Anime.
Developed by 5pb. and Nitroplus, STEINS;GATE was awarded Famitsu magazine's coveted annual Game of Excellence award and was voted one of the most emotionally charged “tear-inducing games” ever made, in a Famitsu poll. It is a gripping and moving Visual Novel, which has already spawned manga and anime adaptations.
Steins;Gate at a glance Released 2009 Studio 5pb. Inc. Player sentiment 97% positive of 26,892 Price $29.99 Visual NovelStory RichAnimeSci-fiGreat SoundtrackRomancePsychological HorrorCasual
- 4
Doki Doki Literature Club!
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, story-rich and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Psychological Horror, Visual Novel and Anime.
The Literature Club is full of cute girls! Will you write the way into their heart? This game is not suitable for children or those who are easily disturbed.
Doki Doki Literature Club! at a glance Released 2017 Studio Team Salvato Player sentiment 96% positive of 227,039 Price Free Psychological HorrorVisual NovelAnimeCuteStory RichRomanceGreat SoundtrackSexual Content
- 5
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, story-rich and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Psychological Horror, Visual Novel and Anime.
Welcome to the club! Write poems for your crush and experience the terror of school romance in this critically-acclaimed psychological horror story.
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! at a glance Released 2021 Studio Team Salvato Player sentiment 97% positive of 32,198 Price $14.99 Psychological HorrorVisual NovelAnimeSexual ContentCuteRomanceStory RichChoose Your Own Adventure
- 6
Fate/stay night
Why it matched: both horror, psychological and story-rich; shares 9 player tags including Visual Novel, Anime and Sexual Content; released around the same time (2004).
Seek the root of the Fate franchise. Return to where it all began.
Fate/stay night at a glance Released 2004 Studio Type‐Moon Player sentiment 96% positive of 4,865 Price $29.99 Visual NovelAnimeSexual ContentStory RichChoose Your Own AdventureGreat SoundtrackRomanceNudity
- 7
Steins;Gate 0
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, science fiction and story-rich; shares 8 player tags including Visual Novel, Story Rich and Anime.
If you can't save the one you love… How can you save humanity? Sequel to the visual novel cult classic. Experience an alternate worldline of STEINS;GATE.
Steins;Gate 0 at a glance Released 2015 Studio Mages Player sentiment 96% positive of 8,409 Price $34.99 Visual NovelStory RichAnimeSci-fiGreat SoundtrackPsychological HorrorRomanceSexual Content
- 8
Chaos;Child
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, science fiction and story-rich; shares 8 player tags including Visual Novel, Anime and Story Rich.
From the creators of the critically acclaimed STEINS;GATE comes a sensational new visual novel: CHAOS;CHILD. Set in Shibuya in 2015, a group of high school students who survived an earthquake six years ago find themselves at the center of a new series of bizarre murders in the city.
Chaos;Child at a glance Released 2014 Studio 5pb. Inc. Player sentiment 93% positive of 4,083 Price $24.99 Visual NovelAnimeStory RichPsychological HorrorGreat SoundtrackSci-fiSexual ContentNudity
- 9
The Hungry Lamb: Traveling in the Late Ming Dynasty
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, story-rich and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Visual Novel, Story Rich and Anime.
He is a bandit who sells lives. She is a mute girl seeking revenge. In a famine-ravaged ancient China, a ruthless trafficker escorts four girls to a demon's feast. But when a deadly secret is revealed, a cold transaction turns into a journey of redemption. A dark visual novel about an unlikely bond.
The Hungry Lamb: Traveling in the Late Ming Dynasty at a glance Released 2024 Studio 零创游戏(ZerocreationGame) Player sentiment 94% positive of 59,944 Price $9.99 Visual NovelStory RichAnimeCuteRomancePsychological HorrorCasual
- 10
Everlasting Summer
Why it matched: both psychological, story-rich and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Visual Novel, Story Rich and Anime.
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 NovelStory RichAnimeGreat SoundtrackRomanceNudityComedyCasual
- 11
OneShot
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, story-rich and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Story Rich, Great Soundtrack and Cute.
OneShot is a surreal top down Puzzle/Adventure game with unique gameplay capabilities. You are to guide a child through a mysterious world on a mission to restore its long-dead sun. The world knows you exist.
OneShot at a glance Released 2016 Studio Future Cat LLC Player sentiment 98% positive of 64,849 Price $9.99 Story RichGreat SoundtrackCutePsychological HorrorCasualAnime
- 12
HuniePop
Why it matched: both story-rich and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Nudity, Sexual Content and Anime.
HuniePop is a unique sim experience for PC, Mac and Linux. It's a gameplay first approach that's part dating sim, part puzzle game, with light RPG elements, a visual novel style of presentation, an abrasive western writing style and plenty of "plot".
HuniePop at a glance Released 2015 Studio HuniePot Player sentiment 96% positive of 31,679 Price $9.99 NuditySexual ContentAnimeRomanceCuteComedyCasualStory Rich
- 13
NEKOPARA Vol. 0
Why it matched: both story-rich and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Anime, Nudity and Sexual Content.
Please note that NEKOPARA Vol. 0 is a fandisc for NEKOPARA Vol. 1What's NEKOPARA? Why, it's a cat paradise! This is a story just before Kashou opened "La Soleil".Enjoy a page from the leisurely, daily lives of Shigure and the Minaduki household's catgirls!
NEKOPARA Vol. 0 at a glance Released 2015 Studio NEKO WORKs Player sentiment 94% positive of 17,786 Price $2.99 AnimeNuditySexual ContentVisual NovelCuteCasualStory RichRomance
- 14
Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, science fiction and story-rich; shares 6 player tags including Visual Novel, Story Rich and Psychological Horror.
Nine participants awaken, trapped in an underground facility. To escape, they must play a game with deadly consequences. Who will live, and who will die? The choice is yours. Let the Decision Game begin…
Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma at a glance Released 2016 Studio Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd. Player sentiment 82% positive of 4,898 Price $19.99 Visual NovelStory RichPsychological HorrorAnimeSci-fiGreat Soundtrack
- 15
Tricolour Lovestory
Why it matched: both story-rich and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Visual Novel, Sexual Content and Nudity.
Time flies and never comes back. But with an incredible 1-million-word script and 100+ original CGs, this game will take you back to when you were young, simple and pure. Go and get the love of your life back, start something new, or end everything in flame, that's for you to decide!
Tricolour Lovestory at a glance Released 2017 Studio HL-Galgame Player sentiment 81% positive of 28,058 Price $1.99 Visual NovelSexual ContentNudityAnimeCasualGreat SoundtrackRomanceStory Rich
- 16
Rewrite
Why it matched: both story-rich and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Visual Novel, Anime and Casual.
In this city built upon the ideal coexistence of civilization and the environment, Tennouji Kotarou spends his days with his friends, Kanbe Kotori and Yoshino Haruhiko. In this peaceful city, a tumultuous event shakes the foundations of Kazamatsuri once a year.
Rewrite at a glance Released 2011 Studio Key Player sentiment 95% positive of 783 Price $49.99 Visual NovelAnimeCasualChoose Your Own AdventureComedyRomanceStory RichSexual Content
- 17
Tales from the Borderlands
Why it matched: both science fiction, story-rich and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Comedy, Story Rich and Choose Your Own Adventure.
Tales from the Borderlands is a five-part episodic game set on the unforgiving world of Pandora between the events of Borderlands 2 and Borderlands 3. This is a story full of Borderlands' trademark humor, following two adventurers on their quest for greatness.
Tales from the Borderlands at a glance Released 2014 Studio Telltale Games Player sentiment 94% positive of 19,550 Price $19.99 ComedyStory RichChoose Your Own AdventureGreat SoundtrackSci-fiVisual NovelCasual
- 18
NEEDY STREAMER OVERLOAD
Why it matched: both horror, psychological and story-rich; shares 7 player tags including Psychological Horror, Anime and Sexual Content.
NEEDY STREAMER OVERLOAD is a “multi-ending ADV” depicting daily life with “OMGkawaiiAngel”, a young girl with a rather extreme need for approval attempting to become the #1 “Internet Angel” (streamer).
NEEDY STREAMER OVERLOAD at a glance Released 2022 Studio WSS playground Player sentiment 94% positive of 57,641 Price $15.99 Psychological HorrorAnimeSexual ContentVisual NovelCuteStory RichChoose Your Own Adventure
- 19
DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR'S CUT
Why it matched: both post-apocalyptic, horror, science fiction, story-rich and relaxing; shares 4 player tags including Story Rich, Great Soundtrack and Post-apocalyptic.
From legendary game creator Hideo Kojima comes a genre-defying experience, now expanded in this definitive DIRECTOR’S CUT. As Sam Bridges, your mission is to deliver hope to humanity by connecting the last survivors of a decimated America. Can you reunite the shattered world, one step at a time?
DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR'S CUT at a glance Released 2022 Studio KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS Player sentiment 92% positive of 67,641 Price $39.99 Story RichGreat SoundtrackPost-apocalypticSci-fi
- 20
The Descendant
Why it matched: both post-apocalyptic, horror, science fiction, story-rich and relaxing; shares 4 player tags including Casual, Story Rich and Post-apocalyptic.
In THE DESCENDANT, the end of the world is only the start. With what remains of humanity protected in underground Ark facilities, your mission is to keep survivors alive, while discovering a far greater conspiracy buried within Ark-01.
The Descendant at a glance Released 2016 Studio Gaming Corps AB Player sentiment 88% positive of 7,158 Price $14.99 CasualStory RichPost-apocalypticSci-fi
- 21
Broken Age
Why it matched: both science fiction, story-rich and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Story Rich, Comedy and Kickstarter.
A family friendly, hand-animated, puzzle-filled adventure game with an all-star cast, including Elijah Wood, Jack Black and Masasa Moyo. Funded by a record breaking crowdfunding campaign and designed by industry legend Tim Schafer, Broken Age is a timeless coming-of-age story.
Broken Age at a glance Released 2014 Studio Double Fine Player sentiment 84% positive of 8,219 Price $14.99 Story RichComedyKickstarterGreat SoundtrackCasualCrowdfundedSci-fi
- 22
Kanon
Why it matched: both story-rich and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Casual, Visual Novel and Choose Your Own Adventure; released around the same time (1999).
A tale of small miracles in a snow-covered town— Kanon, the very first game from visual novel studio Key, is now available on Steam! Now featuring HD visuals and full voice support! (The protagonist is only voiced in certain scenes.)
Kanon at a glance Released 1999 Studio Key Player sentiment 98% positive of 478 Price $29.99 CasualVisual NovelChoose Your Own AdventureCuteAnimeRomanceGreat Soundtrack
- 23
Air
Why it matched: both story-rich and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Casual, Visual Novel and Choose Your Own Adventure; released around the same time (2000).
Summer stretches on endlessly. Beneath the vast blue sky. Beneath the air in which she awaits— AIR, the second game released by visual novel studio Key, is now available on Steam! Now featuring the side story novel, "First Sky Chapter" and full voice support!
Air at a glance Released 2000 Studio Key Player sentiment 98% positive of 848 Price $29.99 CasualVisual NovelChoose Your Own AdventureCuteAnimeRomanceNudity
- 24
The Test
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, story-rich and relaxing; shares 5 player tags including Choose Your Own Adventure, Story Rich and Psychological Horror.
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 Choose Your Own AdventureStory RichPsychological HorrorVisual NovelCasual
Common questions
What game is most like Muv-Luv?
The Fruit of Grisaia, on the evidence we have. It both horror, psychological, story-rich and relaxing. 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 Muv-Luv" 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 Muv-Luv. 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.