Games like Journal on Steam
For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free games like Journal are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth
12th century, England: In a time of poverty and war, a small town begins the construction of a cathedral to claim wealth and safety for its people. In their struggle to survive, lives and destinies intertwine. Based on Ken Follett's world-bestseller ‘The Pillars of the Earth’.
Once Again
Make up for lost time with Once Again, If you could travel through time, who’s the first person you’d meet? An interactive story about a boy who spends his summers wandering between past and present... After meeting her, summer will never be the same again...Who is she, and what journey awaits you?
looK INside - Chapter 1
In a book found in the attic, Manon discovers the past of her family members through their memories, their gestures, their quirks and their little secrets.
Always Sometimes Monsters
Set out on a cross-country journey to win back the love of your life and endure the hardship of making story-defining choices that affect your life and the lives of those around you.
If Found...
If Found... is a game about going home, coming out and erasing everything.
Endless Monday: Dreams and Deadlines
"Endless Monday: Dreams and Deadlines" - In this short story from the Endless Monday, Penny, a mild-mannered corporate grunt, spends a weekend at the office in an effort to finish her project on time while overcoming distractions from coworkers, space aliens, imaginary friends, and herself.
Loading Story
A short story about loading, I guess. Play as Memu@ as she explores the cyberpunk(ish) little town and interacts with its inhabitants.
Adventure Escape Mysteries
Experience the unique puzzles and critically-acclaimed stories enjoyed by tens of millions of players. Investigate cryptic clues, unravel a mystery, and solve puzzles in beautifully illustrated adventures!
Florence
Florence Yeoh feels a little... stuck. Her life is an endless routine of work, sleep, and spending too much time on social media. Then one day, she meets a cello player named Krish who changes everything about how she sees the world and herself.
NAIRI: Tower of Shirin
Follow Nairi as she uncovers a mysterious conspiracy in this gripping yet family-friendly adventure that is suitable for all ages! NAIRI: Tower of Shirin is a graphic adventure which crafts a rich 'Ghibli' inspired oasis city where animals and humans live side-by-side!
Don't Make Love
Assume the role of a praying mantis in a relationship dilemma. Torn between their mutual love and the instinct to have sex – which could lead to the male mantis’s death – the couple is on the verge of making a decision. Type anything you want in response to your partner during this life-changing conversation.
One Night Stand
After a night of fun, passion, and one too many drinks, you wake up the next morning to find a complete stranger lying naked beside you in bed. What do you do?
vivid/stasis
Rhythm-mystery hybrid game about uncovering the dark truth about a mysterious organization. Everything happens for a reason. However, the truth behind that reason is left obstructed.
OPUS: Echo of Starsong - Full Bloom Edition
Echo of Starsong is a visual novel style adventure game. Eda, a girl who can hear mysterious sound waves known as starsong, crosses paths with a young man in search of their source. Together, they venture out to the heart of space to unravel an ancient myth.
A Mortician's Tale
A Mortician's Tale is a short, story-driven game about a mortician tasked with running a funeral home.
A Bird Story
An experimental short from the creator of To the Moon & Finding Paradise: A simple & surreal 1-hour interactive animation about a boy and an injured bird, told without dialogues.If you're looking for To the Moon-like experience, I'd suggest playing Finding Paradise first.
Loretta
Loretta is a psychological thriller that makes the player an accessory to the heroine’s crimes, leading her through a self-crafted nightmare. Loretta’s story revolves around a woman handling betrayal, her husband’s infidelity, and reclaiming her agency during the socially tumultuous 1940s.
Gone Home
June 7th, 1995. 1:15 AM. You arrive home after a year abroad. You expect your family to greet you, but the house is empty. Something's not right. Where is everyone? And what's happened here? Unravel the mystery for yourself in Gone Home, a story exploration game from The Fullbright Company.
Room of Depression
"Same encounter, different world." Moon is a young woman who lives an ordinary city life as an office worker. However, because she suffers from depression, she reacts and deals with things in a way that is very different from regular city folk.
Fujiwara Bittersweet
Girl protag heartwarming slice of life with bittersweet twists!Most played games like Journal on Steam
Take a look at the top games like Journal that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 17th 2025.
1. Life is Strange - Episode 1
Similarity 67% Episode 1 now FREE! Life is Strange is an award-winning and critically acclaimed episodic adventure game that allows the player to rewind time and affect the past, present and future. Life is Strange - Episode 1 is a story rich, choices matter and great soundtrack game developed by DONTNOD Entertainment, Feral interactive (Mac) and Feral Interactive (Linux) and published by Feral interactive (Mac), Feral Interactive (Linux) and Square Enix. Released on January 29th 2015 has received 168,668 reviews of which 162,243 were positive and 6,425 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played game like Journal, thanks to its 245 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.5
162,243
6,425
245
players
2. The Henry Stickmin Collection
Similarity 66% A choose-your-own-path where failing is more fun than succeeding. The Henry Stickmin Collection is a funny, multiple endings and choose your own adventure game developed by PuffballsUnited and published by Innersloth. Released on August 07th 2020 has received 49,813 reviews of which 49,146 were positive and 667 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. While seeing 187 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among games like Journal based on player count.
9.7
49,146
667
187
players
3. Adventure Escape Mysteries
Similarity 79% Experience the unique puzzles and critically-acclaimed stories enjoyed by tens of millions of players. Investigate cryptic clues, unravel a mystery, and solve puzzles in beautifully illustrated adventures! Adventure Escape Mysteries is a free to play, point & click and escape room game developed and published by Haiku Games Co. Released on May 05th 2020 has received 896 reviews of which 781 were positive and 115 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. While seeing 115 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among games like Journal based on player count.
8.2
781
115
115
players
4. Sally Face - Episode One
Similarity 67% Delve into a dark adventure following the boy with a prosthetic face and a tragic past. Unravel the sinister mysteries of Sally's world to find the truth that lies hidden beneath the shadows. Sally Face - Episode One is a story rich, psychological horror and indie game developed and published by Portable Moose. Released on December 14th 2016 has received 22,117 reviews of which 21,498 were positive and 619 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 113 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played games like Journal.
9.5
21,498
619
113
players
5. GRIS
Similarity 77% Gris is a hopeful young girl lost in her own world, dealing with a painful experience in her life. Her journey through sorrow is manifested in her dress, which grants new abilities to better navigate her faded reality. GRIS is a beautiful, atmospheric and great soundtrack game developed by Nomada Studio and published by Devolver Digital. Released on December 13th 2018 has received 82,491 reviews of which 79,517 were positive and 2,974 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played games like Journal.
9.5
79,517
2,974
64
players
6. Fran Bow
Similarity 63% Fran Bow is a creepy adventure game that tells the story of Fran, a young girl struggling with a mental disorder and an unfair destiny. Fran Bow is a psychological horror, story rich and point & click game developed and published by Killmonday Games AB. Released on August 27th 2015 has received 18,715 reviews of which 18,206 were positive and 509 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played games like Journal.
9.5
18,206
509
63
players
7. What Remains of Edith Finch
Similarity 67% 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. What Remains of Edith Finch is a story rich, atmospheric and walking simulator game developed by Giant Sparrow and published by Annapurna Interactive. Released on April 24th 2017 has received 44,194 reviews of which 42,318 were positive and 1,876 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played games like Journal.
9.4
42,318
1,876
58
players
8. Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost
Similarity 62% "The collapse of Gensokyo... it was all you - " To rebuild the now barren phantasia, Reimu's journey begins. A Touhou Project officially approved derivative rhythm action game. Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost is a music, action and rhythm game developed by UnknownX and published by Alliance Arts. Released on February 07th 2024 has received 1,929 reviews of which 1,540 were positive and 389 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played games like Journal.
7.7
1,540
389
53
players
9. Yume Nikki
Similarity 65% This is a game in which you traverse the extremely dark world inside a dream. Yume Nikki is a indie, free to play and psychological horror game developed by kikiyama and published by PLAYISM. Released on January 09th 2018 has received 8,414 reviews of which 7,910 were positive and 504 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played games like Journal.
9.1
7,910
504
39
players
10. vivid/stasis
Similarity 74% Rhythm-mystery hybrid game about uncovering the dark truth about a mysterious organization. Everything happens for a reason. However, the truth behind that reason is left obstructed. vivid/stasis is a rhythm, visual novel and lgbtq+ game developed by Team Vividstasis and published by Hajimeli and SKY HOUR WORKS. Released on March 07th 2023 has received 2,010 reviews of which 1,880 were positive and 130 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played games like Journal.
8.9
1,880
130
39
players
Best deals on games like Journal on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of games like Journal available on Steam right now, updated on April 17th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted games like Journal.
1. Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth
Similarity 86% 12th century, England: In a time of poverty and war, a small town begins the construction of a cathedral to claim wealth and safety for its people. In their struggle to survive, lives and destinies intertwine. Based on Ken Follett's world-bestseller ‘The Pillars of the Earth’. Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth is a choices matter, adventure and visual novel game developed and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on August 15th 2017 has received 7,024 reviews of which 6,507 were positive and 517 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Featuring a massive 94% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for games like Journal.
9.0
6,507
517
-94%
20.50€
1.23€
2. Venba
Similarity 62% Venba is a short narrative cooking game, where you play as an Indian mom who immigrates to Canada with her family in the 1980s. Cook various dishes and restore lost recipes, hold branching conversations, and explore South Indian food in this story about family, love, and loss. Venba is a cooking, casual and narrative game developed and published by Visai Games. Released on July 31st 2023 has received 2,419 reviews of which 2,232 were positive and 187 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 93% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in games like Journal.
8.8
2,232
187
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
3. Dordogne
Similarity 65% Immerse yourself in a unique narrative experience and explore the thousand summer colors of Dordogne as you revisit your childhood to uncover lost family secrets in this touching formative journey. Dordogne is a narrative, wholesome and cute game developed by UN JE NE SAIS QUOI and UMANIMATION and published by Focus Entertainment. Released on June 13th 2023 has received 990 reviews of which 918 were positive and 72 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 93% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in games like Journal.
8.7
918
72
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
4. Edna & Harvey: Harvey's New Eyes
Similarity 63% From the creators of the award winning games “The Whispered World” and “Deponia” comes this extraordinary game Edna & Harvey: Harvey's New Eyes. Edna & Harvey: Harvey's New Eyes is a point & click, adventure and dark humor game developed and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on October 16th 2012 has received 3,124 reviews of which 2,775 were positive and 349 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for games like Journal.
8.5
2,775
349
-93%
21.29€
1.49€
5. Children of Silentown
Similarity 63% Children of Silentown is a dark adventure game that tells the story of Lucy, a girl growing up in a village deep in a forest inhabited by monsters. People disappearing is nothing uncommon here, but this time, Lucy is old enough to investigate on her own. Or so she thinks. Children of Silentown is a atmospheric, point & click and adventure game developed by Elf Games and Luna2 Studio and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on January 11th 2023 has received 1,259 reviews of which 1,096 were positive and 163 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for games like Journal.
8.3
1,096
163
-93%
19.71€
1.38€
6. TSIOQUE
Similarity 68% TSIOQUE (pronounced: "chiock") is a dark but playful Point & Click adventure, hand-animated in meticulous, frame-by-frame 2D. Escape the clutches of an Evil Wizard and discover the secrets hidden within the spellbound castle of your ancestors. TSIOQUE is a adventure, point & click and indie game developed by OhNoo Studio and Smile and published by OhNoo Studio. Released on November 07th 2018 has received 1,792 reviews of which 1,702 were positive and 90 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for games like Journal.
9.0
1,702
90
-91%
11.11€
1.00€
7. Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth
Similarity 86% 12th century, England: In a time of poverty and war, a small town begins the construction of a cathedral to claim wealth and safety for its people. In their struggle to survive, lives and destinies intertwine. Based on Ken Follett's world-bestseller ‘The Pillars of the Earth’. Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth is a game developed and published by . Released on August 15th 2017 has received 7,024 reviews of which 6,507 were positive and 517 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 94% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for games like Journal.
9.0
6,507
517
-94%
20.50€
1.23€
8. The Dark Eye: Memoria
Similarity 63% In Memoria, players travel through different time periods, following two distinct protagonists: Sadja, a southern princess who wants to be a war hero, and Geron, a bird catcher who wants to lift a curse from his girlfriend. The Dark Eye: Memoria is a adventure, point & click and puzzle game developed and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on August 29th 2013 has received 2,350 reviews of which 2,102 were positive and 248 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for games like Journal.
8.6
2,102
248
-90%
19.99€
1.99€
9. Edna & Harvey: Harvey's New Eyes
Similarity 63% From the creators of the award winning games “The Whispered World” and “Deponia” comes this extraordinary game Edna & Harvey: Harvey's New Eyes. Edna & Harvey: Harvey's New Eyes is a game developed and published by . Released on October 16th 2012 has received 3,124 reviews of which 2,775 were positive and 349 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for games like Journal.
8.5
2,775
349
-93%
21.29€
1.49€
10. AER Memories of Old
Similarity 64% Transform into a bird and fly to explore and experience a vibrant world of floating islands in the sky. Venture down into lost ancient ruins where each step leads you closer to the end of the world. AER Memories of Old is a adventure, exploration and indie game developed by Forgotten Key and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on October 25th 2017 has received 7,321 reviews of which 6,276 were positive and 1,045 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for games like Journal.
8.3
6,276
1,045
-90%
14.99€
1.49€
Free games like Journal on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play games like Journal you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 17th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play games like Journal.
1. Life is Strange - Episode 1
Similarity 67% Episode 1 now FREE! Life is Strange is an award-winning and critically acclaimed episodic adventure game that allows the player to rewind time and affect the past, present and future. Life is Strange - Episode 1 is a story rich, choices matter and great soundtrack game developed by DONTNOD Entertainment, Feral interactive (Mac) and Feral Interactive (Linux) and published by Feral interactive (Mac), Feral Interactive (Linux) and Square Enix. Released on January 29th 2015 has received 168,668 reviews of which 162,243 were positive and 6,425 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 245 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free games like Journal.
9.5
162,243
6,425
245
players
2. Adventure Escape Mysteries
Similarity 79% Experience the unique puzzles and critically-acclaimed stories enjoyed by tens of millions of players. Investigate cryptic clues, unravel a mystery, and solve puzzles in beautifully illustrated adventures! Adventure Escape Mysteries is a free to play, point & click and escape room game developed and published by Haiku Games Co. Released on May 05th 2020 has received 896 reviews of which 781 were positive and 115 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 115, this game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free games like Journal.
8.2
781
115
115
players
3. Yume Nikki
Similarity 65% This is a game in which you traverse the extremely dark world inside a dream. Yume Nikki is a indie, free to play and psychological horror game developed by kikiyama and published by PLAYISM. Released on January 09th 2018 has received 8,414 reviews of which 7,910 were positive and 504 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free games like Journal.
9.1
7,910
504
39
players
4. vivid/stasis
Similarity 74% Rhythm-mystery hybrid game about uncovering the dark truth about a mysterious organization. Everything happens for a reason. However, the truth behind that reason is left obstructed. vivid/stasis is a rhythm, visual novel and lgbtq+ game developed by Team Vividstasis and published by Hajimeli and SKY HOUR WORKS. Released on March 07th 2023 has received 2,010 reviews of which 1,880 were positive and 130 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free games like Journal.
8.9
1,880
130
39
players
5. Emily is Away
Similarity 64% Emily is Away is an interactive story. Create a screenname and choose your path through the branching narrative. Emily is Away is a free to play, story rich and singleplayer game developed and published by Kyle Seeley. Released on November 20th 2015 has received 31,822 reviews of which 28,204 were positive and 3,618 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free games like Journal.
8.7
28,204
3,618
11
players
6. At Home Alone Final
Similarity 65% A casual healing rpg that takes players on a journey around the house from the perspective of a young girl, what does she do when she's home alone? What strange things will you come across in the process, and while exploring, perhaps... What other strange secrets might you discover? At Home Alone Final is a free to play, rpg and horror game developed by 阿正不经 and published by 0Cube. Released on December 31st 2021 has received 7,144 reviews of which 6,952 were positive and 192 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free games like Journal.
9.4
6,952
192
9
players
7. Narcissu 1st & 2nd
Similarity 63% This is a story of disease and suffering; of medication and adverse effects; of thoracotomy scars and cellular poisons; of the living who cannot help but to die and of the dying who cannot help but to live; of a resting place other than "on 7F" or "at home". Narcissu 1st & 2nd is a visual novel, anime and free to play game developed by stage-nana and published by Sekai Project. Released on April 24th 2015 has received 4,817 reviews of which 4,613 were positive and 204 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free games like Journal.
9.2
4,613
204
7
players
8. Purrgatory
Similarity 65% A slice-of-death visual novel about making friends, cracking cat puns, and waiting for eternity to pass. Purrgatory is a visual novel, lgbtq+ and cute game developed and published by Niv Heo. Released on August 22nd 2021 has received 4,496 reviews of which 4,447 were positive and 49 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free games like Journal.
9.5
4,447
49
5
players
9. What Never Was
Similarity 71% What Never Was is a short, story-driven first-person game focused on exploration and puzzle-solving about Sarah, having to shoulder the arduous task of clearing out her grandfathers attic, and soon finds that not everything about the attic is what it seems. What Never Was is a free to play, adventure and puzzle game developed and published by Acke Hallgren. Released on January 11th 2019 has received 4,936 reviews of which 4,679 were positive and 257 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free games like Journal.
9.1
4,679
257
5
players
10. NEKOPARA - Catboys Paradise
Similarity 63% When your grandfather passes away and you inherit his café, it's a tall task for anyone. But with the help of 4 talented catboys, Cafe Kin'uan is ready for business in NEKOPARA - Catboys Paradise! NEKOPARA - Catboys Paradise is a otome, visual novel and female protagonist game developed by NEKO WORKs and published by Sekai Project. Released on July 15th 2021 has received 5,280 reviews of which 4,697 were positive and 583 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free games like Journal.
8.6
4,697
583
5
players