5 Best Dating Simulators of All Time, Ranked

Dating simulators are the perfect pick for gamers who want to relax a bit. These games have a heavy focus on romance but still tell their own stories. You only need to make the right choices to get on the route that you want. This allows them to explore unique worlds and concepts. Sometimes you will find yourself in an alien world, and others, you will get involved with criminals. The world of dating sims is vast and they have been around for decades. Some of these games even have some of the highest scores on sites like Metacritic. If you are looking for a bit of romance in your life, then you will want to check out the suggestions below.

5. Piofiore

Piofiore is a dating simulator has received tons of praise for its mature storyline and great art. Everything from the music of the game to the setting pulls players in. In Piofiore, you play as a young girl from the church who gets mixed up in a gang war. Depending on the choices you make, you will be placed with one of five romanceable characters. These characters are, for the most part, the bosses of the warring families. Each of them has their own struggles, and the game doesn't try to sugarcoat their crimes. These men are criminals, and you won't soon forget it while you're playing through the game.

The game's story is interesting, and every character reveals more about the events going on in Burlone. It's also easy to get bad endings, which are some of the most tragic in the visual novel genre. This is especially true when getting on routes with some of the game's most corrupt men. Be warned that there is a lot of heavy topics in the game that may not be pleasant for some players to experience.

4. Clannad

Clannad originally came out in 2004 and took visual novel lovers by storm. The game even spawned its own anime, which is still highly recommended amount fans to this day. The visual novel takes an intresting route by following the main character through high school and into being an adult. The characters you can romance in the game will also change during these events. This creates a unique perspective that many games don't take on. It has six different routes to follow, which you will get on based on the choices you've made.

The game doesn't have a wild story, but it is very emotional. If you are looking at a visual novel to pull at your heartstrings, Clannad is always a safe bet. Its dialogue and story have already made sure the game went down in visual novel history. Best of all, the game has been ported to PC, so it's easy to access for players all around the world.

3. Hatoful Boyfriend

Hatoful Boyfriend is the strangest dating simulator on this list for several reasons. The game has you go to a school where you meet pigeons. Of course, most of these pigeons are up for grabs, and the game wants you to fall in love with them. On paper, it doesn't seem like this game would be any good. As it turns out, Hatoful Boyfriend had the perfect mix of drama and comedy. There are moments you get caught up in the story and forget about the pigeons. On the other hand, there are pigeon-related phrases in the dialogue that will leave you hysterical.

The game's routes aren't long, but there are a ton of them. You won't even be able to meet all the birds until you have played through the game. There are 16 endings in all, and the game even got a sequel, Hatoful Boyfriend: Holiday Star. It even has its own merch store and has captivated visual novel lovers all over the world.

2. Mystic Messenger

Mystic Messenger is a real-time dating simulator from Cheritz. The game is only available on mobile devices and acts like a phone itself. There are appointed times for chats, and you can get phone calls from the characters of the game. To get on certain routes, you still need to select the right dialogue choices. If you miss a chat, though, then it can set you on the wrong route. You will need a guide to make sure you are making the right decisions. In addition, the game does have routes that are locked behind a paywall. If you want to play through them, then you will need to open your wallet.

Spending money is easy to do when playing Mystic Messenger, and honestly it's well worth the money. The story and character development is excellent. Not only that, but the unique premise and the way the app makes use of your phone are top-notch. You can just be going about your day, and a chat in the game will start for you to get absorbed in.

1. Bustafellows

Bustafellows is a dating simulator for the Nintendo Switch that's filled with action. You get mixed up in a group of guys that do odd jobs. Among them are a lawyer, assassin, hacker, and mortician. These characters each have stories connected to their backstories. As the main character, you must help them to overcome their problems to fall in love. There is also an overarching story about the main character's ability to travel back in time.

While there are only four characters to romance, the routes are long. You learn a lot about the world around you and how the criminal underbelly works. There isn't a single route that won't pull you in. The way the game is set up also helps you to navigate easily through routes to get new endings, and there are a plethora of side stories. The game has an incredibly high rating from most outlets, so if you love visual novels, it's worth checking out.

So, what’s your take? Do you agree with our top five? Are there any games we should know about? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.