6 Games Like Doki Doki Literature Club If You’re Looking for Something Similar

Zero Escape

Games Like Doki Doki Literature Club

The Zero Escape series is more of a sci-fi thriller than a horror game, but if you’re really into the fourth wall breaking antics of Doki Doki Literature Club, no other series does it better.

The series features locked room puzzles, where you’ll have to scour the environments for clues that will allow you to find a way out. In between these puzzles, you’ll sit through visual novel segments that flesh out the story. The first game in the series features nine people who have been kidnapped and put on a sinking ship. The sci-fi elements come in a little later, as new gameplay mechanics are introduced to help you (and the characters) learn about clues and information they shouldn’t be aware of in order to get past an obstacle.

Without delving into too many spoilers, just know that Zero Escape enjoys playing mind games with the player. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the games throw another twist your way to shake things up.

Higurashi

Games Like Doki Doki Literature Club

On the other hand, if you’re looking for more games about cute high school girls who go batshit insane, look no further than Higurashi. In fact, some might even argue that Higurashi did the whole high school psychological horror thing better than Doki Doki Literature Club.

Just like Team Salvato’s game, Higurashi starts things off nice and easy. The main character is just a simple high school boy who finds himself the center of attention of a few attractive girls. Things aren’t as they seem, of course, and it’s not long before the game starts to take a turn for the dark. Higurashi is extremely linear, even more so than Doki Doki Literature Club, but it’s great at setting up an eerie atmosphere for the creepy events to come.

Oxenfree

Games Like Doki Doki Literature Club

At first glance, Oxenfree doesn’t seem like the kind of game a Doki Doki Literature Club fan would be into, but hear me out. Oxenfree is a mystery game at its core, and the story begins when Alex and her friends go to Edwards Island for a nice little bonfire hangout. Things start to get a little creepy after a while, and it’s up to Alex to keep her friends out of danger.

Unlike Doki Doki Literature Club, Oxenfree requires a lot of player interaction in character conversations. The conversations flow fluidly, and they’ll continue with or without you, so you’ll need to be quick if you want to stay involved. Similar to Doki Doki, however, Oxenfree is a game that requires multiple playthroughs for you to get the full scope of things and get to the bottom of the mystery presented here. There are some psychological horror elements present in Oxenfree as well, though it’s worth noting that they’re not quite as intense as Doki Doki.

Pony Island

Games Like Doki Doki Literature Club

This one’s for you Monika fans, and other players who generally like creepypasta games that break the fourth wall. Pony Island is primarily a point-and-click adventure game, though you will occasionally have to play an arcade mini game with shoot-em-up elements while running from enemies.

The premise of Pony Island is fairly simple. At the start, you, the player, get to interact with an old arcade game called Pony Island. However, it’s not long before you discover that the game itself is possessed by some sort of demonic being trying to steal your soul. To escape him, you’ll have to maneuver your way around the game, while also accepting help from a previous player who had fallen victim to this being before you.

Steins;Gate

Games Like Doki Doki Literature Club

Steins;Gate is another one of those quintessential visual novels that you have to play if you’re planning on getting into the genre. The story pacing is pretty similar to Doki Doki Literature Club in that things seem to take a while to get going, but once they do, the game becomes a non-stop rollercoaster ride.

Steins;Gate follows the story of Rintaro and his tech-obsessed friends who one day discover that they have the power to travel through time by sending a person’s memories through microwaves. The characters start to get reckless with their newfound discovery, one thing leads to another, and the game suddenly becomes a tragic story as you learn more about each character and their nuances. There are scenes that might be considered disturbing as well, so play with caution.

Yume Nikki

Games Like Doki Doki Literature Club

Yume Nikki is a rather subtle horror game that explores the mindset of a young hikikomori girl. For those who might not be aware, “hikikomori” is a term used to refer to people who generally prefer to stay shut in at home, and have an aversion to going outdoors.

During the day, the player can only explore the girl’s home. However, when she goes to bed at night, she begins to dream, and players will be able to explore other dream worlds where weird things begin to happen. Yume Nikki isn’t as over the top with its horror elements like Doki Doki Literature Club is, but the game does a pretty good job of delving into the mind of the main character and bringing all her horrors and inner demons to light.