Historical Romance Visual Novel Recommendations for Bridgerton Fans

Dearest gentle reader, another season of Netflix’s hit Regency drama Bridgerton has come and gone. As the Ton retires to their country estates for a bit of rest from the balls and drama of the season, the rest of us are left to wait for the next installment of the Shondaland series. Well, fear not I may have a little something to tide you over between seasons—a curated list of historical indie otome games that will scratch that Bridgerton itch!

While not all are set in the Regency era, there will be plenty of lavish ball gowns, juicy gossip, and of course heart pounding romance to fulfill all your historical drama fantasies!

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Celestia – Jellyfish Parade

Iluna [renameable] is the newest moon of the Lunefille system. On behalf of her planet, starless in the darkness, she seeks to find a celestial partner who will rule by her side… and in her heart. Follow this moon’s journey into traditional love alongside a sun, tragic love with a black hole or forbidden love with a meteor in this regency style sci-fi fantasy delight.

Synopsis

You’d never think regency romance and sci-fi would work together, but in Jellyfish Parade’s Celestia it really does! Follow Iluna, a newly awakened Celestial as she descends from her moon to find a partner who will rule the heavens by her side. Among the many glittering stars are three Celestials who catch her eye—a dignified Sun, an enigmatic Black Hole, and a flirtatious Meteor… Choose your partner wisely as your choice will effect not just Iluna, but the fate of the planet she rules…

Think Pride and Prejudice meets Sailor Moon (minus the magical girls)—celestia bodies like suns and moons are reimagined as lords and ladies in regal attire with opulent ballrooms and lavish estates replace the star studded heavens. 

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The Lady’s Choice – Seraphinite Games

Scandal. Gossip. Mismatches. What will fuel this Season’s gossip? And will you be able to keep yourself from being burned by it?

As the daughter of a Viscount, and heiress to a small fortune, you are invited back into society even after years of seclusion at your family’s estate. The upcoming Season is to be spent in Bath, your childhood friend having finally convinced you into it, and only the cream of society will be there. But the fickle and difficult dance that is weaving through society can be a tricky thing to remember, especially when they thrive on any small misstep you may make.

But which partner is selected to help guide you through the maze of the upper classes is always left down to The Lady’s Choice.

Synopsis

The matchmaking hijinks of Jane Austin’s Emma meets the gossip and scandal of Bridgerton‘s Ton in The Lady’s Choice, a high society regency romance. Much like the first season of Bridgerton, follow the daughter of a Viscount as she navigates the high society marriage mart after being away from court for a few years. In a space where your every action is an opportunity for gossip, you’ll need to keep your wits about you as you reintegrate yourself back into society.

Will you make a love match with someone who shares your ideals or will you settle for for something more stable. Whatever you path you decide, it will always be The Lady’s Choice.

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Made Marion – Velvet Cupcake Games

What do you do when your best isn’t good enough? Lady Marion of Glastonbury is going to have to figure that out, and fast. Removed from her position of power and thrust into an unwanted arranged marriage, she finds herself careening through Sherwood Forest toward the troubled town of Nottingham.

Released from the confines of her previous life, who will Marion become? A freedom fighter? A knight-at-arms? A reluctant spy? Will she help create peace in Nottingham or hasten the coming confrontation between the strict Sheriff and the rebel Robin Hood?

And will a woman who resisted marriage end up finding love where she least expects it?

Find out when you’re… Made Marion.

Synopsis

Okay, I know, Made Marion isn’t set in the Regency era. But, while this Robin Hood inspired medieval romance is pretty far removed from the genteel balls and high society politics, it does have arranged marriages and political intrigue, so I’m including it! Play as Lady Marion and choose what kind of leader and lover you want to become. Join Robin’s rowdy rebels in Sherwood or tackle the political pitfalls of the Sheriff’s Nottingham. Fight for freedom and fall in love!

A bit more action packed than Bridgerton, but Marion is a strong lead who isn’t afraid to fight for what she wants much like many of the ladies of the Ton. Also the tumultuous enemies to lovers relationship between headstrong Marion and charismatic rebel Robin is very reminiscent of season 2’s Kate and Anthony.

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Under the Thorns – Everium

Clara, a maid, arrives at a shrouded manor. Rumor has it that her new employer is dangerous and has dismissed 13 maids before her. What secrets is he hiding? A captivating tale of mystery, suspense, and romance.

Synopsis

A gothic mystery romance set in a quiet country estate presided over by handsome and enigmatic lord, say less! Under the Thorns may not feature any lavish balls, but much like Bridgerton‘s Duke of Hastings, Edward has quite the reputation. Except in this case his body count has less to do with his bedroom activities.

Under the Thorns has a lot in common with Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. The story follows Clara, a maid, who is hired to work at the secluded estate of nobleman, Edward. But, rumor has it that her new employer is dangerous and has dismissed 13 maids before her. What secrets is he hiding?

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The Rose of Segunda – Blackcross & Taylor

In the kingdom of Segunda, the Crown Prince’s birthday celebrations are traditionally where he is expected to choose a bride. Your mother, the Duchess of Florentia, is very keen for her only daughter to become the next queen, so she sends you and your mischievous brother, Frederique, along with your family’s steward, Bastien, to the fortnight-long celebrations. Of course, just because your mother has her gaze fixed upon the Prince, does not mean you must follow suit.

Will you act like the perfect lady and convince the King to select you as the Prince’s betrothed, or show your true colours and perhaps catch another’s eye?

Synopsis

Much like the marital schemes of Queen Charlotte in Bridgerton, Blackcross & Taylor’s The Rose of Segunda follows a similar thread. Though in this case, it’s an ambitious mother attempting to elevate the status of her house by marrying her daughter, off to the Crown Prince. But as we saw with Francesca, matters of the heart aren’t always swayed by social politics. In the Rose of Segunda choose to follow through with you family’s wishes and marry the Prince or strike out and forge your own path.

Navigate the glamorous and cutthroat world of court politics, make friends, and find love while avoiding scandal. Also, if you like The Rose of Segunda, there is a sequel, The Thorns of War that picks up the story two years later in the midst of a political upheaval.

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Chess of Blades – Argent Games

The king is having a huge birthday celebration! Five days of dancing, festivals, and drinking, culminating in a grand masquerade ball. It just so happens that Rivian Varrison, the introverted son of a famous nobleman, is forced to attend this giant event by his father. By chance, or maybe something more deliberate, he runs into a host of colorful and shady characters, all with their own stories to tell.

But when a sudden and mysterious crime happens on the second day of the party, Rivian finds himself thrown into the middle of it, and has to discover the truth behind what really happened — and who the people around him really are.

Synopsis

A masquerade ball turns bloody and cute boys getting laid—what’s not to love? Chess of Blades is a bit more action packed than the more genteel sensibilities of Bridgerton. But, just because the stakes are higher doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of high society politics at play. Follow, Rivian, an introverted nobleman who finds himself forced into attending the biggest social event of the year; a ball being held by the King.

Things go sideways real quick and Rivian finds himself navigating high society politics and dodging a rogue murderer lurking among the nobility. While the murder mystery is the main focus, there’s still plenty of time for romance in Chess of Blades. Sneak away for a late night rendezvous in the palace gardens or a leave behind the suffocating palace politics for a date in town with a friendly vagabond. Also, who doesn’t like to see a bunch of hotties in formal wear?!

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Once Upon an Earl – Oishii

IN A WORLD that wants women to whisper, Noelle Culpepper shouts from the top of her lungs in dissent. The 19th century has arrived and with it the headstrong countess of the Culpepper name.  Looked down upon by her peers for pursuing an education and wanting the same rights as a male. She tosses aside the identity of a woman for the one that will carry her to fortune and fame: Earl Culpepper.  

Alongside her butler Everly, her history as a woman is lost to the era of the Culpepper name. With both their histories gone and their fortune assigning them as secret underground investigators to the Queen, what villain couldn’t they apprehend while keeping a secret?

The Phantom Menace strikes. Those are the bold words plastered across newspapers flung into the restless hands of rich and poor alike.  With the Queen’s men unable to apprehend him, it was time for them to take to the pedestal. That is until Noelle is faced with having to reawaken the feminine side of her lost for a decade to incarcerate him.

Play as Noelle Culpepper, currently known as the Earl, who grudgingly casts aside her fake identity as the Earl to attend the ball where the Phantom is striking next. Will she and her butler be able to apprehend the Phantom Menace? Or will she be led astray?

Bridgerton is stacked with powerful women making moves despite the restrictive gender politics of the Regency era. From the Queen literally RUNNING the Ton singlehandedly to Lady Featherington’s cutthroat schemes to keep her family afloat, the show is full of women doing what they have to to make it. If that’s your thing, I have a game for you!

In Once Upon an Earl play as Noelle Culpepper, an industrious young woman who isn’t just content to marry man of means. Oh no, sis becomes one. She throws aside her identity as a woman and refashions herself as Earl Culpepper, taking her fate into her own hands! She even becomes a private investigator, taking down baddies left and right. When a particularly nasty criminal surfaces, Noelle is forced to reenter society as a woman and take him down. Court politics, hidden identities, and maybe a little romance await in Once Upon an Earl.

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Of Sense and Soul – Forsythia Productions

Of Sense and Soul is a story lost to time, centred on two men navigating the smog-covered streets of Victorian London: Hugo Brooks, a reserved editorialist who never adventures far outside the written word, or Seamus Charkham, a confirmed bachelor who would sooner move forward blindfolded than look to the past.

Both are set in their ways, and both are in desperate need of a change, though loath to admit it. Despite wanting to believe they’re satisfied with continuing on as they have been, they find that sometimes, things can change for the better — and that the marks we leave on the lives of those around us are so much greater than we realise.

Synopsis

Intense, passionate romances are the norm in shows like Bridgerton, but there is something to be said for a more intimate slow burn affair. Well, Of Sense and Soul delivers a beautiful and emotional story of personal growth and acceptance set against the backdrop of Victorian London. Two men from very different backgrounds meet starting a spark that will forever change their lives forever. Forcing the pair to choose between the expectations of society and their hearts. Finding a love that tests you and defies expectations, there’s nothing more romantic than that!

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The End of an Actress – Ebi Hime

A historical romance VN about a feckless queen and an impoverished revolutionary based on the life (and death) of Marie Antoinette. Your choices determine whether the capricious Queen Liliane loses her head… or her heart.

Synopsis

Based loosely on the life of tragic French Queen, Marie Antoinette, The End of an Actress is a bittersweet story about the relationship between revolutionary and a soon to be disposed monarch. While technically a spin-off Queen Charlotte shows that love can be a bit more complicated for those that wear a crown. Much like many of Ebi-hime’s games this one isn’t afraid to delve into a bit of misery. Marius struggles with his long held feelings for Liliane which is at odds with his current sentiments towards the revolution set to overthrow her.

Is Liliane the fickle Queen the public believes her to be or is she simply a normal woman held down by the weight of her title and status? Only time will tell.

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Dearest gentle reader, fall in Love with these Historical Romances

Well, those are my picks for the historical romances to tide you over while we wait for the next season of Bridgerton. Not gonna lie, I had a lot of fun putting this list together! While not every game is an exact play by play of the Regency drama, there are some nods here and there that fans of the series will enjoy. So definitely give each of these games a play when you have the chance, you won’t be disappointed!

But, I want to hear from you gentle readers; what did you think of my picks? Is there a game you that you’d recommend that I didn’t cover? Tell me all about it down in the comments section!

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