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15 BL Games Worth Reading


MaggieROBOT

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Looking closely... I almost accidentally did a sequel to Dergonu's list but with male on male action only.

Okay, serious intro now, there's some light games here too. I promised I would do one for BL games after I did the otomege one. It took a while, but here it is, at last! Except this time I made it a bit shorter because a) there's way more untranslated easier-to-be-ignored than translated stuff and b) I didn't read any BL OELVN that was really worth mentioning here and this time Lesiak can't help me. And I tried to focus in games that gives you exclusively male on male content, because we already have plenty of lists full of moaning girls but no one with moaning boys. Again, this is mainly my opinion, but I also heard some other BL fans to create this list.
Lastly, I tried to put different styles of games, even if most of them are plotges (charages seems to be a rare trend in BL). Order is random, like always. But I added some descriptions this time!

 

Translated BL games

 

01 - DRAMAtical Murder
   Notable tags: Cyberpunk, Virtual Reality, Mind Control
   Perfect if: you never played a BL VN before, and don't mind a bit of porn.

Simply the most popular BL game around and the first BL title for most people. Because the route structure is so easy, it's very beginner friendly! The characters are all likable and most routes have an interesting plot and not only focus in sex stuff in the romance. The presentation is also of excellent quality, with lots of special effects (Well, it's Nitro+ after all). The bad endings can get strangely dark too. MC always on bottom.
 

02 - Sweet Pool
   Notable tags: High School, Bloody Scenes, Utsuge
   Perfect if: you already saw plenty of weird BL around. 

One of the darkest BL translated, it's really a pool of despair. Its plot also contains lots of horror elements, the complete opposite of the upbeat Dramatical Murder above. And they were made by the same people, geez. MC always on bottom.
 

03 - Lamento ~Beyond the Void~
   Notable tags: Nekomimi Hero, Fantasy, Action
   Perfect if: you're starting with BL and don't bother with something a bit long, and if you love catboys.

A fantasy title with a lighter tone, it follows the journey of a catboy and his friends. It have few routes, but lots of the others characters have enough screen time for you to care about everyone. Even the villains. MC always on bottom.
 

04 - No, Thank You!!!
   Notable tags: Perverted Protagonist, Unlockable Bonus Content, Multiple Route Mystery
   Perfect if: you want more muscular guys and the "female oriented" titles simply don't click with you.

This game's target audience is more gay men than women, unlike most of the titles on this list. And we can see this bc MC's always on top (look at the rest of the games, MC usually on bottom), even with those more muscular way-taller-than-him guys. There's more on this game's plot than it seems... Art was made by the same artist as euphoria and there's a body hair option. MG version also have no mosaics at all~
 

05 - Hadaka Shitsuji
   Notable tags: Master and Servant, Sadist Protagonist, High Amount of Bad Endings
   Perfect if: you have a refined sense of humour and knows that the "comedic rape" tag exists in VNDB.

This thing is almost a rite of passage by now. It's weird sense of humor, sheer ridiculousness and good variation of heroes are its selling points. Pretty much a single guy (not girl, guy) made the whole game. And it was localized by MG recently! MC usually, probably, allegedly, whatever Fiddle prefer, on top. And there's a bad ending for a girl that you can totally skip.

 

06 - Animamundi ~Dark Alchemist~
   Notable tags: Alchemy, Graphic Violence, No Sexual Content
   Perfect if: you never played a BL VN before and it's unsure to pick something with porn, want something that actually have female characters.

Some can argue that this isn't really a BL game since there's only innuendo and some slightly suggestive CGs (also there are a bunch of girls here, but none romanceable of course), but I'm not really picking the titles by H-scenes here so it counts! :P Although, the licensed version got rid of all of these CGs, even some bloody ones, so you'll have to use a restoration patch to see them. Just saying the ending/branch system is confusing as hell, so grab a walkthrough!!! The gothic atmosphere is the best and the art is not your usual anime style!
 

07 - Togainu no Chi
   Notable tags: Dystopia, Action, Gang
   Perfect if: you want something more edgy and angsty feeling and can handle a bunch of rape.

Super popular, lots of people liked it, so I guess it goes here, even if I wasn't that impressed by it. But if you want to read everything by Nitro+Chiral, don't leave just this one out! It's good for the dark atmosphere and some "lick each other's wounds" and slightly dysfunctional type of romance... MC always on bottom, except with the shota because a shota is always bottom (well, see next one for exception).


Untranslated BL games

 

08 - Shingakkou ~Noli me Tangere~
   Notable tags: Horror, Christian Mythology, Boarding School
   Perfect if: you want to play something in the dark, and thinks that VN shouldn't shy away from some sensitive topics.

This game is fantastic! The horror aspect here is very well done. I recently made a review for it in my blog, but enough shameless self-promotion. If you want to pick just one in this list out of curiosity, pick this one! This is not just a good BL VN, it's a good VN, period. You can choose if MC is top or bottom in all routes.
 

09 - Luckydog1
   Notable tags: Crime Family, Prison, Bloody Scenes
   Perfect if: you want something stylish, and if you like BL doujins of Vento Aureo.

A stylish and action oriented game where the protagonist is simply awesome and full of personality! There's lots of violence, but it's also pretty funny. There's a blog around with translations for some few routes, approved by the developers even (as long it's not patched directly in the game, ever). MC always on bottom ("next mafia boss" and you let everyone have their way with you, yeah right...)
 

10 - Omerta ~Chinmoku no Okite~
   Notable tags: Crime, Slums, Unique Routes
   Perfect if: you want high amounts of gun fights and very good quality H CGs.

Okay, more mafia stories, but this one is less violent, less funny, but cool all the same. This game have a wide selection of unique heroes and they are in opposing mafias. So you can side with your favorite or just say "fuck this" to them and join neither. MC is super likable and badass and there's huge amounts of gun trivia (not that I understood half of it so maybe it's all wrong). 4 routes (okay, 3 and 90% of the 4th) out of 7 (yep, lots of guys!) are translated in VNR subs. MC is top in some routes, bottom in others.
 

11 - Hashihime of Old Book Town
   Notable tags: Taishou Era, Murder Mystery, Protagonist with Imaginary Friends
   Perfect if: you like mystery, colorful art and want something without porn (MG will release an all ages edition on Steam).

A work with a very dream-like atmosphere and art that somehow reminds me of some Liarsoft stuff. It's incredibly pretty! The story revolves around a murder mystery and a groundhog day. MG will localize this, they are in editing stage already aaaaaaaaaaaah! MC always on bottom.
 

12 - Bara no Ki ni Bara no Hanasaku
   Notable tags: Rape Victim Protagonist, Mystery, Forced Cross Dressing
   Perfect if: you like very girlish guys and play some matchmaking.

No muscular man here despite the name. A drama that starts a bit depressing but lights up when the MC gets his answers. I'm a fan of the writer, she's pretty good!!! The culprit is not that hard to guess, but the circunstances are another story. The MC is very very very girlish. And the most unique aspect of the game? The routes. You can pair ANYONE with ANYONE (of the options they give you, of course). You can pick a boy for the MC and put all of the other heroes together! You can also choose who tops and who's bottom in each pair.
 

13 - Daylight ~Asa ni Hikari no Kan o~
   Notable tags: No Sexual Content, The Seven School Mysteries, Multiple Routes Mystery
   Perfect if: you want something funny and don't want something heavy on romance.

Another without sexual content. And like Animamundi, the BL part is kinda mild and subtle, so much that the first time I saw this game I kinda thought it was some Riku x Sora SFW dj (ha, like those exists). Anyway, game starts pretty funny then the mystery stuff kicks in. Plus that even the inner monologues are voiced, so we have and almost completely voiced game!
 

14 - Pigeon Blood
   Notable tags: Horror, Blackmail, Gore
   Perfect if: you are very very far gone in the weird BL stuff and don't mind the constant abuse.

Okay, I love horror games. But this one can really give people nightmares. You liked Sweet Pool? Oh boy, this one is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay worse. Poor MC is abused and humiliated so much, but he's so pure, the poor thing. Every hero is an ass, but sometimes karma gets them YEAH ALL RIGHT! Features animals ripped to pieces, humans ripped to pieces, demons and cannibalism. Enjoy? MC always on bottom.
 

15 - Room Nº9
   Notable tags: High Sexual Content, Utsuge, Trapped
   Perfect if: you want something messed up and like Clock Up.

The catch of this game is almost a nukige premise. MC and his best friend are trapped in a room, and to get out they have to pass through rounds of choosing between physical violence on MC (or you, for all effects) or sexual humiliation on your best friend for some shady human experiment. Starts tame, but... well, it's Clock Up, you get how psychologically damaging it could get for them. Mangagamer will eventually localize this, if they ever start the translation. Recommended if you liked the first half of euphoria! MC always on top, well, it's in the summary...

 

Extra Stuff

 

16 - Taishou Mebiusline  (JP)
   Notable tags: Military, Sword Combat, Undead
   Perfect if: you like military uniforms and sword fights with zombie-like things.

There's plenty of plot and supernatural fun. Also, the characters aren't abandoned in other guys' routes. Focus more on romance than just sex. I put it in the extras because... it's japanese level it's quite high (I didn't read it because of this), but there's a blog around with the translation of the common route. MC always on bottom.
 

17 - Day's Eye  (JP)  (Suggestion by SeniorBlitz)
   Notable tags: Church, Pure Love Story, Crossdressing
   Perfect if: you like cute things and sweet stories.

Something pure for a change, the poor MC dresses up as a girl "to be able to love another boy like a normal person"... Hug these boys, please. No explicit sexual content, despite the VNDB tag saying otherwise.
 

18 - Suki na Mono wa Suki Dakara Shouganai!! First Limit  (EN)  (Suggestion by SeniorBlitz)
   Notable tags: Childhood Promise, All-Boys School, Group of Friends
   Perfect if: you like charages and series.

School setting, best friend acting weird, anime adaptation and translated? How could I miss this??? Oh yeah, I don't play many charages...
 

19 - Gakuen Heaven: Boy's Love Scramble!  (JP)  (Suggestion by SeniorBlitz)
   Notable tags: All-boys School, Comedy, Map Movement
   Perfect if: you like light hearted stories.

Another charage.
 

20 - Humanoid ~Eternal Ring~  (JP)
   Notable tags: Robot Protagonist, Only a Single Hero, No Sexual Content
   Perfect if: you like free games and truly devoted heroes.

And obscure free game that I found extremely cute. It's a pure story about eternal love. It's short but definetely worth your time!

Edited by MaggieROBOT
Hey, reached 20!
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5 minutes ago, Mr Poltroon said:

Despite your claims, I have the feeling that Enzai may be one of the darkest translated BL title available. Or at least make for some stiff competition.

Thought I'd mention it, since I didn't see it on your list. Also, I didn't play it. I imagine it's BL in some form, though.

I wanted to say "one of the darkest on this list" but messed up. Fixed my wording because I agree with you. And yeah, it's BL, a rape fest and not that good (for me) so I skipped it.

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First off, took you long enough to make this, good list xoD

Second, can you include Day's Eye on the extra stuff plz.

And Otomaid@Cafe as an honorable Nukige mention thing.

Also btw, BL Charage, Sukisho! series and Gakuen Heaven.

Edited by Guest
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8 minutes ago, SeniorBlitz said:

Second, can you include Day's Eye on the extra stuff plz.

And Otomaid@Cafe as an honorable Nukige mention thing.

I can include Day's Eye but... I seriously didn't wanted to start this rant but...

BL games and Trap games are completely different things, for completely different audiences, with different fanbases, let's not mix the two. In VNDB, Traps (sorry for the lack of a better term) are listed as heroines, not heroes, and they're all voiced by females. Even the shotas in these games I put here are voiced by males. In my eyes, Traps are girls. And that's... not what I want when I'm looking for BL games... I like Trap games and all, and I love Trap heroines, but when I'm looking for BL specifically, for men love interests, I always remove the Trap heroine tag in VNDB from my search... Also, people that like Trap games don't usually look for them in BL games lists... Because most of them dislike BL anyway. And then there's the very small percentage of people who enjoy both, but oh well...

I'm really really sorry if this sounds bad and all, but I'm not including Trap games in the list... Because they're NOT BL games just because there's two dicks on screen.

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Just now, MaggieROBOT said:

I can include Day's Eye but... I seriously didn't wanted to start this rant but...

BL games and Trap games are completely different things, for completely different audiences, with different fanbases, let's not mix the two. In VNDB, Traps (sorry for the lack of a better term) are listed as heroines, not heroes, and they're all voiced by females. Even the shotas in these games I put here are voiced by males. In my eyes, Traps are girls. And that's... not what I want when I'm looking for BL games... I like Trap games and all, and I love Trap heroines, but when I'm looking for BL specifically, for men love interests, I always remove the Trap heroine tag in VNDB from my search... Also, people that like Trap games don't usually look for them in BL games lists... Because most of them dislike BL anyway. And then there's the very small percentage of people who enjoy both, but oh well...

I'm really really sorry if this sounds bad and all, but I'm not including Trap games in the list... Because they're NOT BL games just because there's two dicks on screen.

Sorry, I didn't want to start a discussion, my bad... 

I mainly asked you for include Day's Eye since there are ends where the protagonist ends up with the Hero as a male, there's a plot reason why he cross-dresses.

But sorry, I didn't want to sound transphobic, since I'm a lgbt person myself.

 

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32 minutes ago, SeniorBlitz said:

But sorry, I didn't want to sound transphobic, since I'm a lgbt person myself.

No prob, I didn't think that ;) Just stated my reasons clearly to not sound like I was being intolerant saying just "No Traps!". Sorry if sounded aggressive.

57 minutes ago, Kurisu-Chan said:

...i'm going to finish corrupted at the end. 

 

I'm waiting for the top 15 otomege. 

Join the dark side

And, hm, I did this 25 list already, just not rate it in a top... I said order was random, but there's a reason why a remembered Code Realize first...

 

Edited by MaggieROBOT
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2 hours ago, MaggieROBOT said:

05 - Hadaka Shitsuji
   Notable tags: Master and Servant, Sadist Protagonist, High Amount of Bad Endings
   Perfect if: you have a refined sense of humour and knows that the "comedic rape" tag exists in VNDB.

This thing is almost a rite of passage by now. It's weird sense of humor, sheer ridiculousness and good variation of heroes are its selling points. Pretty much a single guy (not girl, guy) made the whole game. And it was localized by MG recently! MC always on top too.

2 hours ago, MaggieROBOT said:

MC always on top too.

FgLwqpu.gif

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Nice to see more BL stuff getting more attention on here, I'm currently reading Hadaka Shitsuji right now along with three others. I've been meaning to read DRAMAtical Murder for awhile now but it's difficult to get the game for me to apply the English patch so I might just wait and hope MG or another company picks it up for an official release. 

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1 hour ago, Thatcomicguy said:

Nice to see more BL stuff getting more attention on here, I'm currently reading Hadaka Shitsuji right now along with three others. I've been meaning to read DRAMAtical Murder for awhile now but it's difficult to get the game for me to apply the English patch so I might just wait and hope MG or another company picks it up for an official release. 

Unfortunately, for DMMD we have better chances with... JAST. So maybe in 15 years? :komari:

But if you want to try again with the patch, you can send me a PM, I'll gladly help you!

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8 minutes ago, MaggieROBOT said:

Unfortunately, for DMMD we have better chances with... JAST. So maybe in 15 years? :komari:

But if you want to try again with the patch, you can send me a PM, I'll gladly help you!

Knowing JAST I'd say 15 years is too generous, Haha. 

I appreciate the offer but it's not the patch that's a problem it's more of getting a copy of the Japanese version to patch like the team that did the patch tells you too, or buy the English version on disk which is rare enough on it's own, let alone even rarer finding one outside the US.

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The interesting thing about BL is the amount of protags that are at the bottom end(They sure like Uke, heh?) but i'd guess it is kinda expectable from the demographic targetted.

 

Now, the question i don't understand, why there is such a high number of ero BL games that are clearely targetted towards female customers, but not that much high rate of ero Otomege? seems kinda weird for me. 

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  • 2 years later...
  • 2 years later...

I played DRAMAtical Murder and due to my choices in the game I arrived at a truly horrible ending. I was totally shocked and disappointed with how a game I was previously enjoying turned so irrevocably dark. I don't think I will replay the game to try and get a more positive ending as the path I chose...with the companion I chose...was the only one I really felt drawn to. It was like...I really had a great time driving along the country roads in my new sports car, to bad I ended up driving off a cliff!

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