In the most literal and basic sense, a Dating Sim simulates dating, whereas a visual novel is like a cross between a video game and a novel. It is story-based and text-heavy, often with little-to-no actual gameplay. Many dating sims are in the visual novel format (at least partially so), but not all visual novels are dating sims. For example, Doki Doki Literature Club is a visual novel but isn't a dating sim.