The Best Narrative Games for Xbox Series X

Update, : Under the Waves added at rank #26.
1

Pentiment (2022)

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87
Review score
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Xbox One Xbox Series X PC Windows

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.


Pros:
  • Captivating story
  • Immersive atmosphere
  • Beautiful visuals and sound
  • Interesting characters and dialogue
  • Deep RPG elements and replayability
Cons:
  • Limited number of puzzles which are not particularly challenging

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

2

Beacon Pines (2022)

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87
Review score
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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.


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

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

3

Venba (2023)

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83
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X/s Playstation 5 Xbox One PC Windows Xbox Series X

Venba is a short narrative cooking game, where you play as an Indian mom, who immigrates to Canada with her family in the 1980s. Players will cook various dishes and restore lost recipes, hold branching conversations and explore in this story about family, love, loss and more.


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

4

The Forgotten City (2021)

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89
Review score
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Playstation 5 Xbox One PC Windows Playstation 4 Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch

Unravel the mysteries of The Forgotten City, a time-looping adventure set in an ancient Roman city. Engage with well-crafted characters, navigate ethical dilemmas, and uncover secrets that will keep you hooked. Despite its humble origins as a Skyrim mod, this game offers a captivating experience with multiple endings, making every decision count.


Pros:
  • Gripping story with clever twists
  • Immersive, detailed visuals
  • Strong voice performances
  • Thought-provoking themes and ethical dilemmas
  • Multiple dialogue options and quest-solving approaches
Cons:
  • Backtracking can be tedious
  • Limited impact of player's chosen backstory
  • Occasional slowdowns and glitches
  • Fixed map despite vast experience

  • mystery
  • narrative
  • adventure
  • rpg
  • story
  • historical
  • exploration
  • skyrim
  • combat
  • crime
  • thought-provoking
  • discovery
  • puzzle
  • first-person

5

Bugsnax (2020)

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86
Review score
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Playstation 5 IOS iPhone Mac OS PC Windows Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X Xbox One Playstation 4 (IOS iPhone)

Catch mysterious living snacks and feed them to your friends in this unusual island adventure!


  • puzzle
  • narrative
  • mystery
  • adventure
  • cute
  • muppet
  • horror
  • inventive
  • first-person
  • story
  • discovery
  • colourful
  • controller-support
  • physics
  • comedy

6

Wayward Strand (2022)

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79
Review score
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Xbox One Nintendo Switch PC Windows Playstation 4 Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Xbox Series X/s

Wayward Strand is a heartfelt story told in a curious way. Hop aboard an airborne hospital and meet its fully-voiced cast of eclectic characters. As time passes for everyone on board, explore the interwoven lives of the patients and staff; discover something new on each and every playthrough.


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

7

Life is Strange: True Colors (2021)

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82
Review score
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Playstation 5 Playstation 4 PC Windows Xbox Series X Xbox One stadia Nintendo Switch IOS iPhone

Experience a bold new era in the award-winning Life is Strange series with Life is Strange: True Colors. Uncover the shocking secrets behind your brother's death as you navigate through an emotional roller-coaster of an adventure. Harness the power of Empathy to change fate and forge deep relationships with the townsfolk. Make tough decisions, explore the vibrant town of Haven Springs, and discover your own voice. With a captivating story, unforgettable characters, and an exclusive soundtrack, this game is a must-play.


Pros:
  • Beautiful graphics and realistic scenery
  • Engaging slice-of-life gameplay
  • Unique power to control emotions
  • Realistic portrayal of difficult topics
  • Enjoyable romance options
Cons:
  • Predictable plot and lack of impactful choices
  • Episodes feel rushed and underdeveloped
  • Limited character interaction after emotional moments
  • Short gameplay and shallow character relationships

  • narrative
  • episodic
  • supernatural
  • mystery
  • story
  • drama
  • choices
  • romance
  • adventure
  • local
  • romantic
  • puzzle

8

As Dusk Falls (2022)

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78
Review score
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PC Windows Xbox One Xbox Series X Android IOS iPhone

As Dusk Falls is an interactive narrative adventure game that follows the story of several protagonists, offering immense replayability with its range of choice and consequence. It combines point and click with dynamic action sequences while also tracking players' styles and awarding them cards based on their choices.


Pros:
  • Professional actors portray characters with complete backstories
  • Two unique features (group entertainment mode and broadcast mode)
  • Captivating soundtrack
  • Stop-motion graphics style
  • Excellent voice acting
  • Meaningful choices with varied consequences
Cons:
  • Lack of control over some elements of the story
  • Some aspects can feel repetitive after multiple playthroughs

  • drama
  • narrative
  • interactive
  • crime
  • quick-time-event
  • choices
  • multiplayer
  • story
  • cooperative
  • book
  • graphic
  • controller-support
  • novel
  • thriller

9

The Expanse: A Telltale Series - Episode 3 (2023)

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75
Review score
Logo of The Expanse: A Telltale Series - Episode 3

Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox Series X Playstation 5 PC Windows

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
  • exploration
  • episodic
  • quick-time-event
  • pirates
  • book
  • sci-fi
  • novel
  • adventure
  • story
  • politics
  • difficult
  • space-pirate
  • tried-and-true
  • choices

10

Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical (2023)

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76
Review score
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Playstation 5 Xbox One Xbox Series X PC Windows Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox Series X/s

Gods. Romance. Murder. Musical Numbers?! Play as Grace in a world where Greek Gods live in hiding among us. Change your fate as you draw friends, foes & lovers into song using your powers of musical persuasion to unravel the mystery of the Last Muse's death.


  • mythology
  • roleplaying
  • narrative
  • visual-novel
  • choices
  • romance
  • mystery
  • interactive
  • story
  • rpg
  • adventure
  • fantasy
  • self-discovery
  • graphic
  • novel

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