The Best Narrative Games

Update, : Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly added at rank #25.
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.

Buy

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 Xbox One PC Windows Nintendo Switch

Beacon Pines is a cute and creepy adventure set within a mysterious book. Sneak out late, make new friends, uncover hidden truths, and collect words that will change the course of fate!


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

3

Before Your Eyes (2021)

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88
Review score
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PC Windows Playstation 5 ps1 vr2 IOS iPhone Android Mac OS

The story of Before Your Eyes begins after your death, aboard the ship of a mythical Ferryman tasked with shepherding souls to the afterlife. In this unique VR experience, you will fully immerse yourself in a world of memories, both joyous and heartbreaking. You will learn to control the flow of the narrative with your actual eyes–blinking through precious memories of family, first love, and the rise of an artistic career.


  • narrative
  • story
  • first-person
  • emotional
  • innovative
  • walking-simulator
  • interactive

4

Mutazione (2019)

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90
Review score
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PC Windows Playstation 4 IOS iPhone Mac OS Linux Xbox One Nintendo Switch

Get lost in the magical world of Mutazione, a narrative-driven adventure game where you explore an island filled with quirky mutant characters and their secrets. Grow musical gardens, attend BBQs, and embark on a spiritual journey to save the community from a looming darkness. With beautiful hand-illustrated art and unpredictable twists, Mutazione is a mutant soap opera that you won't want to miss.


Pros:
  • Unique and beautiful art style
  • Relaxing music
  • Story-focused gameplay
  • Quirky and interesting characters
  • Encourages the player to slow down and relax
Cons:
  • Repetitive gameplay, mostly a visual novel
  • No voice acting
  • Slow parts may be boring for some players
  • Contains adult themes that may not be suitable for younger children

  • drama
  • narrative
  • supernatural
  • relaxing
  • adventure
  • walking-simulator
  • point-and-click
  • nature
  • exploration
  • fiction
  • music
  • story
  • scroller
  • bird
  • procedural

5

Sumire (2021)

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85
Review score
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PC Windows Nintendo Switch IOS iPhone Mac OS Android

One Day, One Life. Sumire is a magical narrative adventure about choices made, and dreams lost and found. Embark on a mysterious journey to help Sumire achieve her deepest wishes, before the day ends and the sky turns to twilight.


  • narrative
  • choices
  • adventure
  • visual-novel
  • card
  • fiction
  • anime
  • emotional
  • colourful
  • supernatural
  • relaxing
  • collectathon
  • cute
  • interactive
  • well-paced

6

Detroit: Become Human (2018)

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96
Review score
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Playstation 4 PC Windows

Detroit: Become Human puts the destiny of both mankind and androids in your hands, taking you to a near future where machines have become more intelligent than humans. Every choice you make affects the outcome of the game, with one of the most intricately branching narratives ever created.


  • narrative
  • detective
  • quick-time-event
  • crime
  • interactive
  • sci-fi
  • story
  • robots
  • choices
  • futuristic
  • drama
  • violent

7

Bugsnax (2020)

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88
Review score
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Playstation 5 (IOS iPhone) Playstation 4 Xbox One Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch PC Windows Mac OS

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

Buy

  • puzzle
  • narrative
  • horror
  • adventure
  • mystery
  • inventive
  • discovery
  • cute
  • muppet
  • comedy
  • story
  • colourful
  • psychological
  • first-person
  • collector

8

Season: A Letter to the Future (2023)

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78
Review score
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Playstation 4 PC Windows Playstation 5

Leave home for the first time to collect memories before a mysterious cataclysm washes everything away. Ride, record, meet people, and unravel the strange world around you. Immerse yourself in the world of Season, a third-person meditative exploration game.

Buy

  • narrative
  • walking-simulator
  • editing
  • mystery
  • photo
  • exploration
  • relaxing
  • adventure
  • philosophical
  • emotional
  • open-world
  • controller-support
  • music
  • cinematic
  • war

9

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.

Buy

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

10

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

Life is Strange: True Colors is the latest story-driven game from the beloved franchise that follows Alex Chen as she discovers her supernatural power and reunites with her brother in the small town of Haven Springs. You must explore, converse, and make decisions to progress through the narrative while using Alex's special ability to read auras and manipulate emotions.


Pros:
  • Engrossing story
  • Excellent dialogue and pacing
  • Likeable characters
  • Immersive gameplay with five major decisions per chapter
  • Side missions available
  • Interesting use of supernatural powers to uncover truths
  • Great visuals and music that fits perfectly with the atmosphere
Cons:
  • Limited number of puzzles which can be easy even at endgame
  • No free import option from last game

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

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