Games like The Monster Inside

This is a text adventure game with a film noir feel, featuring a private investigator uncovering mysteries. Players click through dioramas while managing the protagonist's illness and vices.

88% positive from 2,090 · 2017 · 45% finish it · Steam Deck Unsupported

Free to PlayIndieVisual Novel DetectiveNoirMystery

Six games like The Monster Inside

The Shell Part III: Paradiso

96% positive from 626 reviews2025Deck Playable

This is a visual novel with a branching narrative and multiple endings, featuring a detective investigating a dark, obsessive case. Its feel is noir and psychological.

What players likedPlayers praise its grand, ethereal mystery and emotional wrap-up, reminiscent of a captivating final chapter.

The catchThe plot leans on contrived coincidences and the characters stay shallow and unchanged.

Both are tagged Noir, Detective and Mystery.

Games like The Shell Part III: Paradiso →

Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure

87% positive from 1,316 reviews2014Deck Playable

Cyberpunk noir detective adventure with live-action FMV and 3D environments. Solve puzzles and dialogue to uncover a lost memory and prevent a dark future.

What players likedPlayers praise "Tesla Effect" as a strong Tex Murphy adventure, often ranking it second only to "Under a Killing Moon."

The catchConvoluted puzzles and a dragging final act

Both are tagged Noir, Detective and Mystery.

Games like Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure →

Chicken Police - Paint it RED!

95% positive from 2,516 reviews202026% finish itDeck Verified

This is a narrative-driven noir adventure game featuring a complex interrogation system and detective gameplay. It offers a rich story with fully voiced characters and a unique, colorful world.

What players likedPlayers praise its engaging noir detective story, jazzy soundtrack, and humorous characters, reminiscent of classic film noir.

The catchIt plays as an on rails visual novel with almost no real detective work.

Both are tagged Noir, Detective and Visual Novel.

Games like Chicken Police - Paint it RED! →

Lacuna – A Sci-Fi Noir Adventure

92% positive from 2,877 reviews202124% finish itDeck Verified

This is a narrative-driven sci-fi noir point-and-click adventure game where player choices have permanent consequences. Players investigate a murder, gather evidence, and make difficult moral decisions that shape the story's outcome.

What players likedPlayers praise Lacuna as an engaging visual novel with a good story, thoughtful characters, and effective pixel art.

The catchThe story and characters lean on stale noir tropes and rarely become interesting.

Both are tagged Noir, Detective and Indie.

Games like Lacuna – A Sci-Fi Noir Adventure →

BUSTAFELLOWS

86% positive from 1,031 reviews2021Deck Verified

This is a visual novel with a time-travel mechanic where players solve mysteries and pursue romance. It features branching narratives and multiple endings in a stylish, character-driven story.

What players likedPlayers praise its realistic, beautiful routes and engaging story, making it a highly recommended otome.

The catchThe PC port has unclear, unremappable controls and no visible menu or exit button.

Both are tagged Noir and Visual Novel.

Games like BUSTAFELLOWS →

Aviary Attorney

95% positive from 2,264 reviews2015Deck Unsupported

A visual novel adventure game where you play a bird lawyer solving cases through investigation and courtroom arguments. It features a 19th-century Parisian setting with unique art and music.

What players likedPlayers praise this high-quality visual novel, similar to Ace Attorney, for its enjoyable story, characters, and unique setting.

The catchA harsh day timer punishes exploring, and going out of order costs you the case.

Both are tagged Detective, Mystery and Visual Novel.

Games like Aviary Attorney →

More like this: Mystery Visual Novel Detective

More about The Monster Inside

What players liked

This short, stylish noir visual novel with a unique diorama art style and semi-interactive sections is praised for its intriguing story and unique traits.

The catch

Dialogue choices change nothing, so it plays as a short story you click through.

Reviews: 88% positive from 2,090
Released: 2017
Finish it: 45% of players
Steam Deck: Steam Deck Unsupported
Play: Single-player

It is here because it sits in the band this site looks at: well reviewed at 88% positive, but with 2,090 reviews, far fewer than the household names carry.

View The Monster Inside on Steam

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