It’s that spooky time of year again and what better way to spend the Halloween season than to indulge in some romantic horror visual novels that combine sweet, sexy, and scary…

I was originally only going to recommend three games (one each for “sweet”, “sexy”, and “scary”, respectively), but I couldn’t help myself, and ended up adding two classic otome games to the list as well.

While “romantic horror visual novel” may seem like a niche within a niche, it turns out there’s still plenty of variety for everyone, so I hope you’ll find at least one game in this list that’ll cater to your preferences, whether they be wholesome, or not-so wholesome…

Amelie

Sweet: I discovered Amelie while browsing Steam’s Summer Sale earlier this year, and I fell head over heels for its beautiful juxtaposition of the innocent and the macabre.

Amelie is a yuri visual novel where you play as each of the three main characters across three routes. By playing through each of their perspectives, you unravel the mystery behind the eerie mansion and its occupants, with several endings to collect along the way.

Despite the elements of horror, there’s a wholesome edge to this game, blending a sweet romance and a creepy thriller into an endearing (and aesthetic) visual novel that centers on the budding love between the three main characters, even if it sometimes gets a little twisted.

Furthermore, the team behind Amelie (Two and a Half Studios) are the same team who made The Divine Speaker, and who recently ran a Kickstarter campaign for their upcoming BL visual novel, Dreambound. This Australian game studio are making waves in the visual novel community right now, and Amelie is a great way to get a taste for their captivating storytelling skills.

☆ Game Name: Amelie
☆ Developer: Two and a Half Studios
☆ Publisher: Two and a Half Studios
☆ Platform(s): Steam
☆ More info: Twitter
☆ Price: $5.95 AUD

Mature content warning: Suicide, obsession, death, blood, bones, stalking, pandemic mentioned, flashing images, domestic abuse.

First Bite

Sexy: First Bite was one of my favourite games to come out of 2021, and it will forever be one of my top recommended games for anyone in need of a thirsty gothic horror visual novel.

In First Bite, you stumble upon the home of three hot, bloodthirsty vampires who are determined to make you their next meal. You’re presented with a series of dialogue choices, with most options leading to a “dead end”, where you’re ruthlessly (and often sexily) murdered by one or more of the three vampires. However, if you succeed in convincing them not to kill you, then you’ll have the pleasure of reading their happy endings.

There are options for platonic endings, if explicit spicy scenes aren’t your thing, and you may decide you prefer the dead ends after all, but either way, First Bite is an exciting experience with plenty of dark humour to help the horror go down, and I highly recommend it.

The team also recently announced their upcoming DLC, First Bite: Bad Blood, as well as a brand new title currently in development, Killing Boys, so there’s plenty more to get excited about from First Bite Games.

☆ Game Name: First Bite
☆ Developer: First Bite Games
☆ Publisher: First Bite Games
☆ Platform: itch.io, Steam.
☆ Age Rating: 18+ // NSFW
☆ More info: Twitter | Website
☆ Price: $9.99 USD / $14.50 AUD

Mature content warning: First Bite is rated 18+ for strong language, violence (potential player death), blood and gore, (optional) non-explicit sexual scenes (including consensual kink and BDSM), (supernatural) emotional manipulation, and other content that some players may find disturbing. Player discretion is advised.

Pretty Boy Panic

Scary: I didn’t play Pretty Boy Panic myself, but I did watch Otomeaddicted play it on Twitch and I loved how far the game indulged in the creepy, yandere themes.

In Pretty Boy Panic, you’re living in an apartment surrounded by noisy neighbours. The sounds you hear are somewhat disturbing – and sometimes you could swear there’s someone watching you – but you have a busy life to lead and it’s none of your concern. Until you meet your neighbours, that is, and find yourself falling for them, despite the red flags…

If you’re looking for a twisted love interest who’ll express his love for you through stalking, murder, and other macabre displays of affection, then Pretty Boy Panic is the game for you. It’s free on itch.io, and I highly recommend it for any yandere fan.

☆ Game Name: Pretty Boy Panic
☆ Developer: Bingzi
☆ Publisher: Bingzi
☆ Platform(s): itch.io
☆ More info: itch.io
☆ Price: Free!

Mature content warning: This game includes themes of gore, stalking, kidnapping, drugging, dismemberment, suicide, self harm, and of course murder.

Other Recommendations

Amnesia: Memories

Bonus recommendation: I’ve been playing Amnesia: Memories on Twitch recently and, based on what I’ve played so far, I can best describe it as an unsettling, mystery otome game (in a good way!).

At the time of writing this post, I’ve only cleared Shin and Kent’s routes, so I’m not even that deep into the story yet. Even so, if you’re looking for a bizarre – and sometimes disturbing – experience that follows the more traditional styles and tropes of the otome genre, then Amnesia: Memories will absolutely deliver.

☆ Game Name: Amnesia: Memories
☆ Developer: Idea Factory / Design Factory / Otomate
☆ Publisher: Idea Factory International
☆ Platform: Nintendo Switch, Steam, iOS, Android.
☆ Age Rating: Teen (ESRB)
☆ More information: here!

7’scarlet

Bonus bonus recommendation: I haven’t finished 7’scarlet yet, but it has a similarly unsettling atmosphere as Amnesia: Memories. It reads like a scary campfire story… except the monster that goes bump in the night is real and trying very hard to kill you.

If you want a spooky ghost story in the form of an otome game, then 7’scarlet is the game for you. I’ve cleared Hino, Isora, and Toa’s routes so far, and I’m nearly finished with Sosuke, but even though I haven’t experienced everything the game has to offer yet, the supernatural purple tones, tense music, and thrilling story are all perfect for when I’m in the mood for something a little scary to go with my romance.

☆ Game Name: 7’scarlet
☆ Developers: Otomate, Toybox Inc.
☆ Publishers: Idea Factory (JP), Aksys Games (International)
☆ Platforms: Steam, PS Vita
☆ Age Rating: Teen (ESRB)
☆ More info: Steam, Website.

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