The Best Narrative Games

Update : Harold Halibut added at rank #47.
1

Detroit: Become Human (2018)

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96
Review score
Logo of Detroit: Become Human Screenshot of Detroit: Become Human Screenshot of Detroit: Become Human Screenshot of Detroit: Become Human

Playstation 4 PC Windows

In Detroit: Become Human, you'll step into the shoes of three unique androids in a world teetering on the edge of chaos. Your choices shape an intense, branching narrative filled with moral dilemmas and life-or-death decisions. With stunning visuals and immersive storytelling, every playthrough promises a unique experience. Discover what it means to be human in this gripping game.


What we like:
  • Stunning visuals
  • Deep, immersive narrative
  • Choices significantly impact gameplay
  • Quick-time action sequences add excitement
  • Multiple endings for high replay value
What could be improved:
  • Game starts off slow
  • Main characters can be lost early on
  • Limited gameplay beyond story choices

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

2

What Remains of Edith Finch (2017)

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95
Review score
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IOS iPhone Nintendo Switch PC Windows Xbox One

What Remains of Edith Finch is a collection of strange tales about a family in Washington state. As Edith, you’ll explore the colossal Finch house, searching for stories as she explores her family history and tries to figure out why she's the last one in her family left alive.


  • walking-simulator
  • story
  • narrative
  • interactive
  • book
  • horror
  • first-person
  • narration
  • exploration
  • mystery

3

Unpacking (2018)

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94
Review score
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PC Windows Linux IOS iPhone Android Xbox One Mac OS

Experience the simple joy of Unpacking in this zen-like game. Through eight house moves, you'll uncover a heartwarming story told through objects, creating an intimate connection with a character you never see. Organize your home, enjoy the beautiful soundtrack, and immerse yourself in a unique narrative journey that mirrors the ups and downs of life.


What we like:
  • Unforgettable storytelling through objects
  • Relaxing, meditative gameplay
  • Beautiful pixel-art visuals
  • Captivating soundtrack
  • Engaging puzzle-solving experience
What could be improved:
  • Game duration is quite short
  • Limited customization options

  • pixel
  • puzzle
  • book
  • story
  • narrative
  • relaxing
  • isometric
  • cute
  • zen
  • soccer

4

Welcome to Elk (2020)

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92
Review score
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Linux Nintendo Switch stadia Xbox One Mac OS PC Windows

Welcome to Elk is a biographical adventure set on an island like no other, where every character you encounter has a story to tell. From the weird and wonderful to the dark and desperate, all the tales told on Elk are based on true stories of life on the road less traveled.


  • narrative
  • hand-drawn
  • fiction
  • adventure
  • documentary
  • local
  • story
  • drama
  • violent
  • pretend
  • golf
  • villain
  • colourful
  • trading
  • exploration

5

Pentiment (2022)

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91
Review score
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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.

Buy

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
  • book
  • crime
  • adventure
  • detective
  • education
  • story
  • fiction
  • stylized
  • local

6

Mutazione (2019)

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

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.


What we like:
  • Unique and beautiful art style
  • Relaxing music
  • Story-focused gameplay
  • Quirky and interesting characters
  • Encourages the player to slow down and relax
What could be improved:
  • 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

7

Tacoma (2017)

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90
Review score
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Mac OS Linux Xbox One Playstation 4 PC Windows

Tacoma is a sci-fi narrative adventure from the creators of Gone Home. Set aboard a high-tech space station in the year 2088, explore every detail of how the station’s crew lived and worked, finding the clues that add up to a gripping story of trust, fear, and resolve in the face of disaster.


  • narrative
  • sci-fi
  • walking-simulator
  • augmented
  • story
  • exploration
  • futuristic
  • mystery
  • pause
  • augmented-reality
  • interactive
  • discovery
  • first-person

8

Life is Strange 2 (2018)

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

After a tragic incident, brothers Sean and Daniel Diaz run away from home. Fearing the police, and dealing with Daniel's new telekinetic power, the boys head to Mexico. Each stop on their journey brings new friends and new challenges.


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

9

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.


What we like:
  • Gripping story with clever twists
  • Immersive, detailed visuals
  • Strong voice performances
  • Thought-provoking themes and ethical dilemmas
  • Multiple dialogue options and quest-solving approaches
What could be improved:
  • 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

10

Overboard! (2021)

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89
Review score
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IOS iPhone Nintendo Switch Android PC Windows Mac OS

Overboard! is an exciting mystery game where you play as Veronica Villensey, a 1930s femme fatale who throws her husband overboard on a boat eight hours away from New York. You must help her get away with her crime by getting her off the boat scot-free when it docks. With visuals and music that evoke the 1930s, and the ability to direct your own story with multiple endings, this game is sure to keep you entertained.


What we like:
  • Open world visual novel gameplay
  • Multiple endings
  • Replayable
  • Short playthroughs
  • Fun 1930s visuals & music
What could be improved:
  • Short playthrough times may be a con for some players

  • visual-novel
  • crime
  • mystery
  • choices
  • detective
  • narrative
  • fiction
  • comedy
  • novel
  • interactive
  • adventure
  • conversation
  • sailing
  • cover
  • puzzle

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