Doki Doki Literature Club

Welcome to Doki Doki Literature Club

Doki Doki Literature Club (DDLC) is a visual novel created by Team Salvato that first appears as a lighthearted dating simulator but quickly unravels into a psychological horror experience. Originally released in 2017, the game has since gained cult status due to its unique narrative twist, meta-storytelling, and emotional intensity.

You play as a high school student invited by his cheerful childhood friend, Sayori, to join the school’s literature club. At first glance, the goal seems to be writing poems and getting closer to one of the four club members—Sayori, Yuri, Natsuki, or the club president, Monika. But not everything is as innocent as it appears.

What Makes DDLC Unique?

A Deceptive Beginning

The game opens like a traditional romance visual novel, filled with sweet interactions and slice-of-life moments. You choose words to write poems that appeal to the girl you’re most interested in, slowly deepening your bond.

A Psychological Horror Twist

Without warning, Doki Doki Literature Club breaks its cute facade. Dark themes, disturbing imagery, and emotional trauma begin to surface. This twist transforms the game into a deeply unsettling psychological horror story, which subverts player expectations at every turn.

Fourth-Wall Breaking

Doki Doki Literature Club is notable for its self-aware storytelling. The game interacts with your computer files, uses your name, and sometimes forces you to act outside the game window. This immersion blurs the line between player and game.

How to Play Doki Doki Literature Club

Step 1: Download the Game

You can download Doki Doki Literature Club for free on PC and Mac or platforms like Steam and itch.io. There’s also a paid DDLC Plus version with extra side Sakura School Simulator stories and HD visuals.

Step 2: Write Poems to Build Relationships

Each day, you’ll be asked to write a poem by selecting words from a list. Each girl has preferences—cutesy words for Natsuki, deep or dark words for Yuri, and cheerful ones for Yandere Simulator Sayori. The more words aligned with a girl’s taste, the more she’ll react positively.

Step 3: Pay Attention to the Narrative

As the story progresses, unusual glitches and disturbing moments occur. It’s important to observe the characters' behavior and read between the lines, as the story becomes more fragmented and surreal.

Step 4: Expect the Unexpected

Doki Doki Literature Club is a game best played without spoilers. The less you know going in, the more impactful the experience. Be aware: the game contains content warnings for sensitive subjects like depression, self-harm, and suicide.