I would say 'Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout' is among the best. It has a beautiful world that you get transported to. The alchemy system is interesting and the story follows Ryza's growth as she explores this new world. 'Yonder: Cloud Catcher Chronicles' is also good. It's a more peaceful isekai - like experience where you can explore a charming world, interact with the locals, and do various activities like farming and fishing.
For sure, 'Dragon Quest Builders 2' can be considered an isekai visual novel. You are thrown into a world that needs rebuilding. There are quests to complete, structures to build, and a whole lot of fun to be had. It has a light - hearted feel to it. Also, 'Nier: Automata' has some elements that can be related to isekai. The story is deep and thought - provoking, with amazing visuals and a great soundtrack.
Well, 'Digimon World: Next Order' is a great isekai visual novel. You get to be in the Digimon world, which is full of adventure. There are lots of Digimon to interact with and train. Another one is 'Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE'. It combines the modern - day Tokyo setting with an otherworldly element in a really cool way. The characters are stylish and the combat is fun.
I think '999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors' is among the best. It has a great mystery setup where you're trapped with eight other people and have to solve puzzles to escape. The story is full of twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.
Some of the best isekai visual novels include 'Steins; Gate'. It combines time - travel and isekai elements in a really engaging way. The story is complex and full of twists that keep you hooked from start to finish. Another great one is 'Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World'. The unique 'return by death' mechanic adds a lot of depth to the story as the protagonist has to relive his experiences in the isekai world over and over, constantly learning and evolving.
One of the well - regarded NTR visual novels could be 'Katawa Shoujo'. It has a deep and engaging story that really draws players in. The characters are well - developed and the art style is appealing. Another great one might be 'Clannad'. It's famous for its emotional storylines that can make players experience a wide range of emotions. There's also 'Fate/stay night' which has complex relationships and a rich world - building that makes it stand out in the visual novel genre.
I'd recommend 'Persona 4 Golden' for beginners. The game has a lot of guidance in terms of story progression and the social link system is easy to get into. It also has a great balance between the RPG elements and the visual novel - style storytelling. Another option could be 'Code:Realize - Guardian of Rebirth'. It has a fairly straightforward plot with a lot of charming interactions between the characters. The steampunk world is also very inviting. 'Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds' is also a nice start as it has a beautiful art style and a story that is easy to get invested in.
'The House in Fata Morgana' is a relatively new visual novel that has been highly praised. It has a dark and immersive story that spans different time periods, and the way it reveals the secrets of the house is truly captivating.
The non - anime visual novel 'Baldur's Gate' has an excellent story. It's set in a rich fantasy world with a deep lore. You create your character and embark on an epic adventure filled with political intrigue, battles against powerful foes, and moral dilemmas. Another one is 'Dragon Age: Origins'. It has a complex story that delves into themes like racism, religion, and power struggles within a fantasy realm. The characters are well - developed and your choices have far - reaching consequences.
In my opinion, 'Yellowface' by R.F. Kuang is a great 2023 novel. It's a satirical take on the publishing industry and issues like cultural appropriation. It's a page - turner with a fast - paced plot and interesting characters.
Definitely 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'. It's different from the others as it focuses more on Bond's emotions. 'Live and Let Die' is also a top pick. It gives a unique view of the criminal underworld Bond has to deal with. And 'Thunderball' is a must - read for its thrilling story about nuclear threats and underwater adventures.
Well, 'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime' can be considered among the best isekai harem light novels. Rimuru, the main character, as he grows in power, attracts a diverse group of female characters. It has a great mix of action, world - building, and the harem elements are subtly done. Then there's 'No Game No Life'. The siblings in this novel are transported to a world where everything is decided by games. There are several female characters that are attracted to the male protagonist, Sora. The unique concept of the world and the strategic battles make it an exciting read. Also, 'High School DxD' is quite famous. It has a more traditional harem setup with the main character, Issei, constantly surrounded by beautiful girls. The story has a good blend of ecchi elements, action, and supernatural aspects.
I would recommend Ren'Py. It has been used by many indie developers to create successful visual novels. The fact that it is free makes it accessible to everyone. Its scripting language is intuitive, so even if you have no prior programming experience, you can still figure it out. You can define character behaviors, dialogue options, and the overall plot structure with relative ease.