The Best Narrative Games for Xbox One

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Update : South of Midnight added at rank #8.
1

Pentiment (2022)

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91
Review score
Logo of Pentiment Screenshot of Pentiment Screenshot of Pentiment Screenshot of Pentiment

Xbox One Xbox Series X PC Windows Playstation 5 Playstation 4 j Nintendo Switch

Pentiment can be seen as a educational game set in the 15th century, combining point-and-click adventure with role-playing elements and a branching narrative. It follows Andreas Mahler as he tries to clear his friend's name while uncovering the secrets of a small Bavarian town.


What we like:
  • Captivating story
  • Immersive atmosphere
  • Beautiful visuals and sound
  • Interesting characters and dialogue
  • Deep RPG elements and replayability
What could be improved:
  • Limited number of puzzles which are not particularly challenging

  • historical
  • narrative
  • mystery
  • medieval
  • rpg
  • choices
  • crime
  • book
  • adventure
  • detective
  • story
  • education
  • local
  • fiction
  • stylized

2

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II (2024)

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82
Review score
Logo of Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Screenshot of Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Screenshot of Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Screenshot of Senua's Saga: Hellblade II

PC Windows (Playstation 5) Xbox One Xbox Series X Xbox Series X/s

The sequel to the award winning Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua returns in a brutal journey of survival through the myth and torment of Viking Iceland. Intent on saving those who have fallen victim to the horrors of tyranny, Senua faces a battle of overcoming the darkness within and without.


  • narrative
  • puzzle
  • combat
  • battle
  • fight
  • mythology
  • action-adventure
  • demons
  • story
  • horror
  • exploration
  • psychological
  • walking-simulator
  • realistic
  • narration

3

Beacon Pines (2022)

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87
Review score
Logo of Beacon Pines Screenshot of Beacon Pines Screenshot of Beacon Pines Screenshot of Beacon Pines

Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch PC Windows Xbox One

Dive into the mysteries of Beacon Pines, a charming yet eerie adventure where you control the fate of the story. As Luka, you'll uncover hidden truths, meet memorable characters, and explore stunning hand-drawn landscapes. With multiple endings to discover, you'll be captivated by this immersive tale filled with surprising twists.


What we like:
  • Intriguing and creative story
  • Well-developed, memorable characters
  • Multiple endings based on your choices
  • Stunning hand-drawn art
  • Engaging gameplay mechanics
What could be improved:
  • The large number of characters can be overwhelming

  • choices
  • narrative
  • visual-novel
  • mystery
  • cute
  • cozy
  • adventure
  • narration
  • exploration
  • story
  • emotional
  • colourful
  • interactive
  • horror
  • conspiracy

4

Jusant (2023)

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84
Review score
Logo of Jusant Screenshot of Jusant Screenshot of Jusant Screenshot of Jusant

Xbox One Xbox Series X/s Playstation 5 PC Windows

Ascend the enigmatic tower of Jusant and uncover the echoes of a lost civilization. Immerse yourself in a serene world filled with lush biomes, master intuitive climbing mechanics, and let the haunting soundtrack elevate your adventure. Solve puzzles with your adorable companion, Ballast, and experience a story that intertwines resilience and mystery in every climb.


What we like:
  • Intuitive climbing gameplay
  • Rich, immersive environments
  • Engaging puzzles with helpful companion
  • Profound storytelling
  • Beautiful soundtrack
What could be improved:
  • Occasional collision issues
  • Some story elements are cryptic

  • vertical
  • puzzle
  • platform
  • narrative
  • controller-support
  • exploration
  • story
  • meditative
  • atmospheric
  • rock-climbing
  • relaxing
  • adventure
  • rhythm
  • mystery
  • cute

5

Venba (2023)

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82
Review score
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Xbox Series X PC Windows Xbox One Playstation 5 Xbox Series X/s Nintendo Switch

Embark on a touching journey with Venba, a heartwarming game that immerses you in the vibrant world of South Indian cuisine. Unravel a story of family, love, and self-discovery, restore lost recipes, and dive into mouthwatering dishes. With beautiful art, a delightful Tamil-inspired soundtrack, and engaging puzzles, Venba is a short but well-paced adventure waiting for you.


What we like:
  • Beautiful art and sound design
  • Heartfelt storytelling
  • Authentic representation of immigrant experience
  • Engaging gameplay with satisfying puzzles
  • Well-paced narrative
What could be improved:
  • Cooking puzzles may be too easy
  • Game length may leave players wanting more
  • Lack of touchscreen support
  • Absence of a glossary for recipes

  • narrative
  • cooking
  • 1980s
  • puzzle
  • conversation
  • visual-novel
  • emotional
  • soundtrack
  • cinematic
  • stylized
  • fiction
  • story
  • interactive
  • choices

6

Life is Strange Double Exposure (2024)

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73
Review score
Logo of Life is Strange Double Exposure Screenshot of Life is Strange Double Exposure Screenshot of Life is Strange Double Exposure Screenshot of Life is Strange Double Exposure

Xbox Series X Xbox One PC Windows Nintendo Switch Playstation 5

When Max Caulfield finds her friend Safi dead in the snow, she tears open the way to a parallel timeline. Here, Safi is still alive - and still in danger! With her new power to Shift between two timelines – can Max solve and prevent the same murder?


  • supernatural
  • mystery
  • choices
  • narrative
  • romance
  • lgbtq
  • story
  • adventure
  • drama
  • puzzle
  • alternate
  • emotional
  • stylized
  • episodic
  • third-person

7

The Expanse: A Telltale Series (2023)

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76
Review score
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PC Windows Xbox Series X Xbox One Playstation 5 Playstation 4

Take on the role of Camina Drummer and explore the dangerous, uncharted edges of the Belt. From scavenging wrecked ships in a zero-g environment, to combating fearsome pirates, you make the difficult choices in this latest Telltale adventure. All five episodes playable at launch!


  • narrative
  • pirates
  • sci-fi
  • zero-gravity
  • exploration
  • adventure
  • novel
  • book
  • drama
  • choices
  • rpg
  • episodic
  • politics
  • action-adventure
  • quick-time-event

8

South of Midnight (2025)

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78
Review score
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Xbox Series X Xbox Series X/s PC Windows Xbox One j

South of Midnight is a new action-adventure from Compulsion Games. Explore the mythos and confront mysterious creatures of the Deep South in this modern folktale while learning to weave an ancient power to surmount obstacles and unravel your family’s hidden past.


  • platform
  • action-adventure
  • boss-fight
  • combat
  • narrative
  • story
  • stop-motion
  • rich
  • fight
  • arena
  • exploration
  • battle
  • adventure
  • boss
  • fantasy

9

The Expanse: A Telltale Series - Episode 5 (2023)

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81
Review score
Logo of The Expanse: A Telltale Series - Episode 5

Playstation 4 Xbox One Xbox Series X l PC Windows Nintendo Switch Playstation 5

An epic adventure across the land and skies of Hyrule awaits in The Legend of Zelda™: Tears of the Kingdom for Nintendo Switch™. The adventure is yours to create in a world fueled by your imagination.

In this sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you’ll decide your own path through the sprawling landscapes of Hyrule and the mysterious islands floating in the vast skies above. Can you harness the power of Link’s new abilities to fight back against the malevolent forces that threaten the kingdom?

Nintendo Switch Online members can buy a pair of Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers and redeem each one for any game in the voucher catalog—including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.


  • narrative
  • sci-fi
  • exploration
  • episodic
  • book
  • novel
  • corridor
  • politics
  • quick-time-event
  • clay
  • free-floating
  • pirates

10

Wayward Strand (2022)

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80
Review score
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Xbox One Nintendo Switch PC Windows Playstation 4 Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Xbox Series X/s

Unravel the captivating world of Wayward Strand as Casey Beaumaris, a journalist in summer 1978. Engage with a diverse cast in an airborne hospital, uncover their unique stories and piece together mysteries. With real-time narratives and multiple playthroughs, each experience is a new discovery in this immersive adventure.


What we like:
  • Beautiful art and animation style
  • Unique worldbuilding
  • Excellent voice acting
  • High replayability value
  • Relaxing atmosphere
What could be improved:
  • Slow pacing
  • Repetitive dialogue
  • No manual saving
  • Flawed gameplay mechanics

  • narrative
  • wholesome
  • cozy
  • choices
  • story
  • drama
  • emotional
  • conversation
  • real-time
  • relaxing
  • adventure
  • book
  • stylized
  • historical
  • mystery

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