30 Dating Sim Games That Players Will Fall In Love With

While any game under the dating sim umbrella shares core mechanics like meaningful decision-making, these games can still be quite diverse, with some blending genres, even including horror and dating, like Dead by Daylight's Hooked on You, making them more approachable to those more familiar with other kinds of games. Regardless of a player's experience level with dating sims, the diverse and interesting offerings in the genre make it easy to find a game just right for every player.

30 Knowledge, Or Know Lady (2024)

Romance Six Real Women With Distinct Personalities

Knowledge, or Know Lady is unlike most other dating sims because it uses actual pictures and videos. These are filmed from the point of view of the protagonist, making it feel like the player is actually interacting with the beautiful heroines of the sim. Knowledge is told from the point of view of the only male student at a woman's university as he forms relationships with a number of the women who attend it.

Along the way, players will have the chance to romance six women: the mysterious girl, the gentle sweetheart, a cool motorcycle girl, the school nurse, the upper-classmate, and the international student. A real actress portrays each character and has a distinct personality, and how players behave at each encounter shapes one of several endings. Over on Steam, the game boasts Overwhelmingly Positive reviews.

29 Love, Ghostie (2024)

Become A Ghost Matchmaker And Watch Love Bloom

Love, Ghostie is not a traditional dating sim. Instead of being presented like a visual novel or even giving players the option to romance a character, this wholesome cozy game turns players into matchmakers. The game follows a little ghost haunting a manor, whose goal is to make sure all the manor's unique residents get their happily ever afters.

Ghostie goes around giving characters gifts, setting them up on dates, and helping relationships form and grow. The title is basically Animal Crossing, if the player's role in Animal Crossing was to try and get their neighbors to fall in love with each other. It's not a traditional dating sim, making it a great first game in the genre for someone who's into cozy gaming and curious about the world of romance games.

28 A Date With Death (2023)

Date The Grim Reaper Or Die Trying

Instead of cheating death, this game lets players date him. In A Date with Death, the main character makes a deal with Death himself, giving them just a week to save their soul. Players can customize their character and decorate their room, all while chatting with the very handsome and charming Grim Reaper.

The "romancing" is done through video calls, texts, and other communications with Death. As the week progresses, players will get to know the good-looking stranger and form a relationship with them that may just save their life. A Date with Death has gorgeous art, an intriguing story, and best of all, it's completely free.

27 The Hungry Lamb: Traveling In The Late Ming Dynasty (2024)

Escort Four Beauties To Safety In This Dark Historical Dating Sim

Those who want to depart from the traditional modern setting and the bright and pop anime style of many dating sims will find The Hungry Lamb refreshingly different. The title is still presented in the classic visual novel dating sim style, with the protagonist moving through the world and interacting with characters. However, the darker aesthetic and unique setting set this dating sim apart from others in the genre.

The Hungry Lamb takes place in China during the Ming Dynasty in the 1600s. The game follows Liang, a thief and outcast who, with the aid of his companion, is tasked with escorting four girls to the city of Luoyang. The title uses beautiful traditional Chinese art and explores some much darker themes than most dating sims, delving into topics of revenge, cannibalism, slavery, and much more. Trigger warnings abound, as this is not a lighthearted game.

26 Romancelvania (2023)

Metroidvania Meets Supernatural Dating Sim

Romancelvania takes the genres of romance games and Metroidvanias and combines them into one hilarious adventure. The game doesn't take itself too seriously, creating an absurd world with sometimes-silly, sometimes-dark humor.

Players take control of the mopey Drac as he's thrust head-first into a monster dating show, hosted by the Grim Reaper. The game uses a side-scrolling platforming Metroidvania style of play, complete with fighting bad guys and defeating big bosses. Along the way, Drac may find romance among the 12 fully-voice-acted contestants, including a werewolf, a medusa, and a "yummy mummy."

25 ATRI -My Dear Moments- (2020)

Forming A Sweet Bond With A Robot Girl

ATRI is an example of the sweeter side of the romance and dating genre. Rather than presenting the player with multiple dating options, this visual novel hones in on the relationship between a boy with an artificial leg, and an android robot. Ikaruga Natsuki finds the mysterious robot-girl Atri in a coffin at the bottom of the sea, and from the moment they meet they form a bond.

The visual novel explores the relationship between the robot girl and Natsuki, and follows their sweet friendship. ATRI takes a close look at what makes someone a human being and what sets apart this android being from being a living, breathing soul. The anime studio Aniplex adapted the visual novel into an anime called Atri: My Dear Moments in the summer of 2024, so it's now possible to both play through the story and watch its animation. Regardless of how it's consumed, the story is sure to leave anyone thinking about the nature of humanity for a long time after it's over.

24 CLANNAD (2004)

A Classic High School Love Story

The art style of Clannad may put some people off from it, but many fans agree that this older title is one of the best romance games of all time. More than two decades after its initial release, Clannad still boasts a very impressive 83% on Metacritic. The story follows the high schooler Tomoya Okazaki, a delinquent who struggles with the death of his mother and his unhealthy relationship with his alcoholic father. When Tomoya meets fellow delinquent girl Nagisa, their paths intertwine. The game follows their story as they meet many other characters, form relationships, and try to find a meaning for life in light of their difficult situations.

Incredibly for a dating sim and romance story, there are absolutely no nude or lewd scenes in Clannad. Instead, the story is engaging and emotional, and many fans freely admit to crying many times throughout the game, which expertly pulls on the heartstrings of anyone who comes across it. The Steam version includes upgraded visuals enhanced for modern computers, making it a great entry point for anyone who's never experienced the joys and sorrows of this classic love story. There is also a highly rated 2007 anime by the same name that captures the essence of the game into two seasons.

23 Kindred Spirits On The Roof (2016)

Become The "Yuri Cupid" For Six Couples

In most romance novels and dating sims, players are placed in the shoes of the character doing the actual dating. In Kindred Spirits on the Roof, the player isn't the person going on dates, but rather the person setting other people up with each other. The game lets the player become a "yuri cupid," helping girls find and express their love for each other. While there are plenty of spicy scenes to be found here, the title is much more focused on building and developing the friendship and love between the female pairings available.

The game begins with Toomi Yuna encountering the spirits of two ghosts on the roof of her school. The ghosts left their lives with unfulfilled emotions, then met in the afterlife and fell in love. Upon seeing the sweet relationship between the two, Yuna is inspired to help other girls in the school express their love for their secret female crushes, so they don't end up also missing out on the beauty of love while they still have a chance. There are many situations and dynamics depicted in Kindred Spirits, with many sweet, wholesome, and even adorably cheesy situations to uncover, in addition to the more typically physical expressions of love.

22 Love Language Japanese (2019)

Go On Dates And Learn Japanese

A unique and unusual game in the dating sim genre, Love Language Japanese has players romancing women at a university while also simultaneously learning a language. This game teaches players Japanese for reading and speaking using visual novel elements, minigames, and built-in lessons.

This game is definitely on the bawdier end of the dating sim spectrum, but those looking for a visual novel gaming experience that will teach them something in the process will find this game intriguing. Also, the game is designed for beginners totally unfamiliar with the language, so prerequisite knowledge isn't required.

21 Max Gentlemen Sexy Business! (2020)

Victorian Business Tycoon And Dating Sim In One

Fans of tycoon games and Victorian aesthetics will want to check out Max Gentlemen Sexy Business!, an adult-oriented dating sim that sees players simultaneously running a business and competing for the affection of a dozen Victorian ladies and gentlemen. Players can customize their characters and run their businesses however they choose.

Romantic and professional relationships go hand in hand here, making learning from both the tycoon and dating sim ends of the game vital. The game is also notable for its adult content options, which allow players to choose what content they are comfortable seeing and interacting with.

20 Speed Dating For Ghosts (2018)

Existential Dating For Fans Of Dark Humor

A title that takes a decidedly out-of-left-field approach to the dating sim genre, Speed Dating for Ghosts sees a dearly departed protagonist meet with 13 ghosts in an attempt to find someone with whom to spend eternity. It's quirky, comedic, and it's over pretty quickly, but the title is a great time for those who love a bit of dark humor mixed in with their dating.

From a ghost who really, really wants to rob a bank to a spirit with a severe fear of ghosts, Speed Dating for Ghosts is a humorous and at times touching tale on which fans of the genre should not miss out.

19 Ten Dates (2023)

A Live-Action Dating Experience

Exciting 2023 indie game Ten Dates brings a live-action element to the dating sim genre. As a full-motion video game, Ten Dates utilizes filmed footage to bring its characters to life with nuances of performance. A solid variety of representations helps the game fulfill its possibilities for multiple demographics.

Ten Dates is a follow-up to the 2020 title Five Dates, but expands on the first game's possibilities with a more robust experience. New players don't have to worry about missing anything, as this experience is focused on a new cast of characters.

18 Senren * Banka (2020)

A Traditional Japanese Town Meets Modern Times

Senren * Banka is an award-winning visual novel set in a traditional Japanese town that's becoming run over by tourists. When Arichi Masaomi accidentally breaks the town's legendary sword in half, he's forced to make amends by marrying the local shrine maiden. This absurd chain of events sets the story in motion, which has Masaomi trying to make amends for his accidental mishap.

There are six romanceable characters in Masaori, including, of course, the main character's betrothed. The game features beautiful art and music, enhanced by the uniquely Japanese setting. There are many serious moments between the characters, and it's easy to be charmed by the love interests. However, the game also has many comic and silly situations to ensure that there's never a dull moment.

17 Helltaker (2020)

Solve Puzzles And Acquire A Harem

Helltaker may not be a traditional dating simulator, but its ravenous fanbase seems to take a lot of pleasure in attempting to romance the game's hellspawn. The game sees a man embark on a quest to assemble a harem of downright adorable dateable demons, and, as silly as it sounds, the demons he meets are all uniquely wonderful despite their status as rulers of the underworld.

It may be more of a puzzle game than a dating sim, but the thrill of Helltaker comes more from meeting the denizens of the eternal plains of torment than from navigating its labyrinths.

16 Raptor Boyfriend: A High School Romance (2021)

Teenage Mutant Dinosaurs

The teenage Stella is desperate to ingratiate herself into the social tapestry of her new high school, but there's a problem; she's moved into a secretive community of cryptids, and she's got to romance one of three unique zoological anomalies.

Players can choose to charm either a female fairy named Day, a Sasquatch named Taylor, or a velociraptor named Robert. It's certainly not the typical high school romance setup, but its one-of-a-kind premise, mixed with its striking comic book aesthetic, makes it stand out in a relatively crowded gaming genre.

15 Our Life: Beginnings & Always (2020)

A Customizable Story About The Lonely Boy Next Door

Most dating sims don't let players choose their pronouns or looks, sometimes even never showing the protagonist to make it easier for players to step into their shoes. Our Life: Beginnings & Always takes a completely different approach to the dating sim experience, allowing players to customize nearly every detail about their experience. Players can choose their name, looks, personality, and pronouns. The character can even transition from one set of pronouns to another throughout their experience if they choose.

Our Life is a self-described "nostalgic" feeling game that takes players through different points in their lives, from childhood, through to teenage and young adult, and to adulthood. There is only one love interest in the game, but his relationship with the player will change and develop over the years depending on the player's interactions with him. Best of all, this unique title is completely free on Steam.

14 Arcade Spirits (2019)

Retro Arcade In An Alternate Future

Video game history fans will love the intriguing premise of Arcade Spirits; the video game crash in 1983 didn't happen, and arcades are more popular than ever in the year 20XX. Players take on the role of an employee at a futuristic arcade and have the opportunity to romance its diverse array of customers and employees.

Much of the game is customizable, as well, including conversation choices and the main characters' appearance and personalities. Players have the option to romance both men and women, and they will also make choices that determine both their romantic future and the future of the arcade itself.

13 Hatoful Boyfriend (2014)

Pigeon Dating Sim That's Both Weirder Than And Not As Weird As You Think

A game famous for its strange premise, Hatoful Boyfriend is a dating sim that sees players romancing talking birds as the only human at an elite avian school. The game plays mostly like a visual novel with storytelling that leads players through twists and turns to make decisions that will affect which bird they end up with.

As with many other visual novels, Hatoful Boyfriend's multiple paths and endings will slowly unveil a more complete story when all of them are completed. Although the game's premise is very humorous, there are also mystery elements to the game, including an alternate murder mystery story involving the protagonist of the main story's death.

12 I Love You, Colonel Sanders! A Finger Lickin' Good Dating Simulator (2019)

Yes, THAT Colonel Sanders

Though it may come across as an ill-conceived marketing stunt, I Love You, Colonel Sanders! A Finger Lickin' Good Dating Simulator is actually a hilarious and well-thought-out take on the genre. From talking dogs to anthropomorphized kitchenware to the eponymous Colonel himself, there's never a dull moment in this KFC-endorsed romance saga, and players won't need a KFC gaming console to play it.

While dating is quite literally the name of the game, I Love You, Colonel Sanders places a major emphasis on comedy. The developers clearly knew how silly their project was, and the title riffs on everything from common dating sim tropes to the complexities of JRPG combat.

11 LongStory (2017)

Dating Sim Based On Real Stories

The world of dating sims has started to include more and more LGBTQ+ content over the years, and LongStory is a major player in this new wave. In this game, which is geared towards a younger audience, players step into the shoes of a new student at middle school, playing as the gender of their choice and dating whomever they would like.

This middle school, however, is full of drama and intrigue, as players will have to unravel mysteries like in detective games and navigate through many friends and enemies there. There are many choices for players to make, including the option not to have any romance, allowing players to truly carve their own path.