Best Emotional games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated emotional games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free emotional games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Eliza
Eliza is a visual novel about an AI counseling program, the people who develop it, and the people who use it. Follow Evelyn Ishino-Aubrey as she reconnects with people from her past, gets to know the people of Seattle who use Eliza for counseling, and decides the course of her future.
Monsters of Little Haven
At the heart of the action are a twelve-year-old Kenneth and his younger sister Esme, children of the Murphy family, who hit the trail of a mysterious monster following series of entangled events.
FOCUS on YOU
The love at first sight, came like a sunny summer day. Meet YUA and make your own sparkling moments.
Sanator: Scarlet Scarf
Scarlet Scarf is a visual novel inspired by the legend of Plague Maiden. Dive into the dark mysteries of a dying city with the fate of Sanator Richard Murdock in your hands. Perhaps it's not too late to stop the on-going calamity...
Answer Knot
A short narrative and exploration game about Zach, June, and a strange phenomenon. You're Zach and, stuck in your home, you will do everything to keep hearing June's voice messages. What is happening out there?
missed messages.
‘goth gf’s iPhone’ airdrops you - accept or decline? A love/horror story about life, death, & memes.
FREEDIVER: Triton Down
Plunge into VR on a capsizing research ship, the Triton, where survival means outmaneuvering the water's lethal surge. Freedive through a sinking ship, overcome underwater chaos, and unlock your path to the surface, all while protecting your most precious resource: the breath in your lungs.
Draugen
Draugen is a single-player, first-person Fjord Noir mystery set in 1920s Norway. Explore a forgotten coastal village in your search for your missing sister, accompanied by your independent and enigmatic young ward. Norwegian Game of the Year 2019.
Atelier Lulua ~The Scion of Arland~
The long awaited 4th installment of the popular "Arland" series that had begun with the "Atelier Rorona"! In this new story, players will revisit the nostalgic world of Arland and embark on exciting journey of alchemy together with Rorona's daughter, Lulua.
A Plague Tale: Innocence
Follow the grim tale of young Amicia and her little brother Hugo, in a heartrending journey through the darkest hours of history.
Never Again
Never Again - Horror/first-person Quest. The main essence of the game is research locations and puzzles, plunging in the dramatic story of a little girl suffering from asthma.
Tales of the Neon Sea
Welcome to a world of intrigue and suspicion. Where humans and robots contend with escalating tensions and mutual distrust. And where gangster felines scheme their way to the top of the food chain. Welcome to the Tales of the Neon Sea!
Newfound Courage
You're a young man named Alex who arrives in the cliffside town of Silverpine. Explore the town's many mysteries and meet its colourful townsfolk, while you grow closer to a kind-hearted local named Jake. Can the two of you save the town from the impending doom brewing inside the mysterious Vault?
TOKYO CHRONOS
TOKYO CHRONOS is the VR game that has multiple-choice decision points as well as more than one ending. The game takes place in Shibuya, Tokyo, which has only eight people, including you, the protagonist, Kyosuke Sakurai. Why are they there?
When the Darkness comes
When the Darkness comes is a walking simulator whose glitchy and dark tale tries to illustrate the hardships of depression and anxiety through a variety of imaginary digital landscapes.
最后的47小时 - The Last 47 Hours
"Let's break up in 47 hours!" The girl who has been in love with me for six years and will become my sweet bride next month, now declares. Are we really going to say goodbye after forty-seven hours?
The Stillness of the Wind
A quiet game of life and loss. One by one, everyone left the village for the city. Everyone, except Talma. Approaching her final years, she maintains a simple way of life tending to her homestead, surviving, subsisting, whilst increasingly disturbing letters arrive from her family in the city.
CHAOS;CHILD
From the creators of the critically acclaimed STEINS;GATE comes a sensational new visual novel: CHAOS;CHILD. Set in Shibuya in 2015, a group of high school students who survived an earthquake six years ago find themselves at the center of a new series of bizarre murders in the city.
She and the Light Bearer
She and the Light Bearer is a point and click adventure game, a poem, a fairy tale. Take a journey inside a vibrantly colored forest, meet silly creatures, listen to serene folk music, and discover somber secrets.
Zeliria Sanctuary
Sense of reality has not yet returned after a teleportation experiment. Purple hamsters, girls with tails, medieval knights - a fantastic world of an alien planet, where you will lead special forces soldier Maxx.
Shan Gui II: Sweet Osmanthus II
Autumn goes by, girls are still waiting till osmanthus blooming.Most played emotional games on Steam
Take a look at the top emotional games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 19th 2025.
1. Spiritfarer®: Farewell Edition
Spiritfarer® is a cozy management game about dying. As ferrymaster to the deceased, build a boat to explore the world, care for your spirit friends, and release them into the afterlife. The Spiritfarer Farewell Edition includes the heartwarming base game and three major content updates. Spiritfarer®: Farewell Edition is a emotional, story rich and indie game developed and published by Thunder Lotus Games. Released on August 18th 2020 has received 45,069 reviews of which 42,953 were positive and 2,116 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played emotional game, thanks to its 855 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.4
42,953
2,116
855
players
2. Until Then
A fateful meeting sets off a chain reaction, upending Mark's life. People disappear and memories prove unreliable. Uncover a hidden truth with Mark and his friends in this narrative adventure and race to unravel the mystery before it's too late. Until Then is a visual novel, pixel graphics and emotional game developed by Polychroma Games and published by Maximum Entertainment. Released on June 25th 2024 has received 8,850 reviews of which 8,638 were positive and 212 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. While seeing 169 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among emotional games based on player count.
9.5
8,638
212
169
players
3. In Stars And Time
Live with the ever-present burden of being trapped in a time loop only you can know about in this turn-based RPG. Create a better future for you and your friends. Find hope where there is none left. Pray to the stars and free yourself from time. In Stars And Time is a story rich, rpg and lgbtq+ game developed by insertdisc5 and published by Armor Games Studios. Released on November 20th 2023 has received 5,811 reviews of which 5,677 were positive and 134 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. While seeing 168 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among emotional games based on player count.
9.4
5,677
134
168
players
4. Biped
Biped is a coop action adventure game with a strong focus on moment-to-moment collaboration between 2 players. Biped is a character customization, pve and emotional game developed by NEXT Studios and published by NEXT Studios and META Publishing. Released on March 26th 2020 has received 8,602 reviews of which 7,412 were positive and 1,190 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. With 153 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played emotional games.
8.4
7,412
1,190
153
players
5. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Hunt ghosts as two memorable characters in a story-driven Action-RPG where your decisions carry dramatic consequences. Torn between honoring your oath to the living and saving your departed partner, how far will you go for love? Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a narration, lore-rich and third person game developed by DON'T NOD and published by Focus Entertainment. Released on February 12th 2024 has received 5,872 reviews of which 5,077 were positive and 795 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. With 137 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played emotional games.
8.4
5,077
795
137
players
6. Your Mother
《Your Mother》is a computer desktop companion. Experience the love and kindness from mothers. Your Mother is a anime, female protagonist and 2d game developed and published by M for Mother. Released on February 28th 2025 has received 3,558 reviews of which 3,224 were positive and 334 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played emotional games.
8.7
3,224
334
81
players
7. Growing Up
This is the story of your life. Experience the entire journey from toddler to adulthood. Go to schools, learn new things, meet new friends, and have wild adventures! Every choice you make will influence your future career, and decide who your romantic partner will be. Who will you become? Growing Up is a life sim, story rich and choices matter game developed by Vile Monarch and published by Vile Monarch and Spiral Up Games. Released on October 13th 2021 has received 3,240 reviews of which 2,848 were positive and 392 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played emotional games.
8.5
2,848
392
29
players
8. To the Moon
A story-driven experience about two doctors traversing backwards through a dying man's memories to artificially fulfill his last wish. To the Moon is a story rich, great soundtrack and indie game developed and published by Freebird Games. Released on September 07th 2012 has received 79,763 reviews of which 76,769 were positive and 2,994 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played emotional games.
9.5
76,769
2,994
27
players
9. Summer Pockets
From the creators of Angel Beats! and CLANNAD, Key, comes their latest emotional, award-winning journey. Follow protagonist Takahara Hairi as he travels to the secluded island Torishirojima, where he rediscovers what it means to enjoy summer vacation. Summer Pockets is a adventure, casual and visual novel game developed by VisualArts/Key and published by VisualArts. Released on February 05th 2020 has received 4,160 reviews of which 4,107 were positive and 53 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played emotional games.
9.5
4,107
53
26
players
10. Before Your Eyes
Embark on an emotional first-person narrative adventure where you control the story—and affect its outcomes—with your real-life blinks. With this innovative technique you will fully immerse yourself in a world of memories, both joyous and heartbreaking, as your whole life flashes before your eyes. Before Your Eyes is a emotional, narrative and story rich game developed by GoodbyeWorld Games and published by Skybound Games. Released on April 08th 2021 has received 17,136 reviews of which 16,780 were positive and 356 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played emotional games.
9.5
16,780
356
20
players
Best deals on emotional games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of emotional games available on Steam right now, updated on April 19th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted emotional games.
1. Beacon Pines
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! Beacon Pines is a visual novel, story rich and emotional game developed by Hiding Spot and published by Fellow Traveller. Released on September 22nd 2022 has received 3,389 reviews of which 3,314 were positive and 75 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for emotional category.
9.4
3,314
75
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
2. Wandersong
A musical platforming adventure with an emotional story. Play as a silly bard and use music to interact with everything on a journey around the world. Along the way you'll explore, solve puzzles, and meet a huge cast of characters! Wandersong is a music, adventure and comedy game developed by Wishes Ultd., Greg Lobanov and A Shell in the Pit and published by Greg Lobanov. Released on September 27th 2018 has received 3,591 reviews of which 3,423 were positive and 168 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 94% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in emotional games.
9.2
3,423
168
-94%
18.83€
1.13€
3. Dordogne
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 emotional games.
8.7
918
72
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
4. Endling - Extinction is Forever
As the last mother fox on Earth, your cubs need all your care to survive in a merciless world that slowly destroys itself. You have to help them, teach them and save them. And you should never forget that extinction is forever – in the real world and in this 2023 BAFTA award winning experience. Endling - Extinction is Forever is a emotional, adventure and atmospheric game developed by Herobeat Studios and published by HandyGames. Released on July 19th 2022 has received 2,593 reviews of which 2,469 were positive and 124 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 86% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for emotional games.
9.1
2,469
124
-86%
30.00€
4.20€
5. Disney G-Force
G-Force draws you into the adventures of an elite team of trained guinea pigs on a mission to thwart a sinister plot to destroy the world. Take control of both G-Force commander Darwin and his sidekick, Mooch, as they apply their talents to defeat an evil army of altered household appliances. Disney G-Force is a cult classic, story rich and action game developed by Eurocom and published by Disney. Released on October 06th 2014 has received 751 reviews of which 713 were positive and 38 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 86% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for emotional games.
8.9
713
38
-86%
19.00€
2.66€
6. Biped
Biped is a coop action adventure game with a strong focus on moment-to-moment collaboration between 2 players. Biped is a character customization, pve and emotional game developed by NEXT Studios and published by NEXT Studios and META Publishing. Released on March 26th 2020 has received 8,602 reviews of which 7,412 were positive and 1,190 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 86% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for emotional games.
8.4
7,412
1,190
-86%
12.07€
1.69€
7. Finding Paradise
A story-driven experience about two doctors traversing backwards through a dying man's memories to fulfill his last wish. Finding Paradise is a story rich, emotional and pixel graphics game developed and published by Freebird Games. Released on December 14th 2017 has received 18,621 reviews of which 18,215 were positive and 406 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 81% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for emotional games.
9.5
18,215
406
-81%
9.79€
1.86€
8. Impostor Factory
A bonkers time-loop tragicomedy murder mystery thriller featuring multiple casualties and a suspicious cat, from the creator of To the Moon & Finding Paradise. Impostor Factory is a story rich, emotional and pixel graphics game developed and published by Freebird Games. Released on September 30th 2021 has received 11,698 reviews of which 11,211 were positive and 487 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 73% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for emotional games.
9.3
11,211
487
-73%
9.78€
2.64€
9. Gerda: A Flame in Winter
You have five days to save your husband, who has just been arrested by the Gestapo. Investigate, explore and form allegiances in this story-rich RPG-lite. Who will you trust? Gerda: A Flame in Winter is a adventure, female protagonist and narration game developed by BirdIsland/PortaPlay and published by DON'T NOD. Released on September 01st 2022 has received 363 reviews of which 349 were positive and 14 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 70% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for emotional games.
8.8
349
14
-70%
19.99€
5.99€
10. Until Then
A fateful meeting sets off a chain reaction, upending Mark's life. People disappear and memories prove unreliable. Uncover a hidden truth with Mark and his friends in this narrative adventure and race to unravel the mystery before it's too late. Until Then is a visual novel, pixel graphics and emotional game developed by Polychroma Games and published by Maximum Entertainment. Released on June 25th 2024 has received 8,850 reviews of which 8,638 were positive and 212 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 65% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for emotional games.
9.5
8,638
212
-65%
19.34€
6.77€
Free emotional games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play emotional games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 19th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play emotional games.
1. Sleeping With Sakuya Izayoi
In this small visual novel, lay down and relax with Sakuya Izayoi. Talk to her, kiss her or just simply enjoy each other's presence! Chose between 3 different locations featuring stunning artwork in this Touhou Project Fangame. Sleeping With Sakuya Izayoi is a casual, relaxing and emotional game developed and published by Sigyaad Team. Released on January 12th 2024 has received 324 reviews of which 309 were positive and 15 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #1 spot among the most played free emotional games on Steam.
8.7
309
15
10
players
2. Jivana
Jivana is a story-driven adventure game. Embody Aelis, a water priestess who uses her powers to open the path for her community, forced to flee after the appearance of a huge cataclysm. Explore the enchanting landscapes of Jivana, use your ability to manipulate water and lead your people to safety. Jivana is a adventure, emotional and singleplayer game developed by Team Jivana and published by Rubika Supinfogame. Released on January 21st 2022 has received 595 reviews of which 543 were positive and 52 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free emotional games on Steam.
8.5
543
52
3
players
3. Sepia Tears
A visual novel about a memory that a boy named Mark tries very hard to forget, and a girl named Myra who unearths it. Sepia Tears is a visual novel, romance and emotional game developed and published by Scarlet String Studios. Released on January 08th 2016 has received 962 reviews of which 852 were positive and 110 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free emotional games on Steam.
8.4
852
110
3
players
4. TREE
TREE tells a story of a relationship between a boy and his tree. What starts off as a simple connection, over time it grows into something deeper. TREE is a free to play, indie and casual game developed and published by The Strangers. Released on August 13th 2018 has received 2,223 reviews of which 2,083 were positive and 140 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free emotional games on Steam.
8.9
2,083
140
2
players
5. The Dearest Person
A visual novel about what it means to be human. A story about loneliness, self-identification, and the meaning of existence. The Dearest Person is a artificial intelligence, philosophical and atmospheric game developed by house.opposite and Саманта and published by house.opposite. Released on June 26th 2024 has received 538 reviews of which 509 were positive and 29 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free emotional games on Steam.
8.8
509
29
1
players
6. HOME
HOME is a feel-good walking simulator experience in which you create your own poem and music. Embark on a poetic and musical heartwarming journey about what home means to you. HOME is a philosophical, relaxing and atmospheric game developed and published by LORE NINE. Released on May 11th 2019 has received 3,346 reviews of which 3,016 were positive and 330 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free emotional games on Steam.
8.7
3,016
330
1
players
7. Towards Future
Waking up in the darkness, unable to see the sunrise, he remembered the little master carefully carried him home. The base has already fallen into ruin and there are no signs of any living people here. Where did the little master go? Is there any hope left under the doomsday? Towards Future is a rpgmaker, rpg and atmospheric game developed by 拾伍司工坊 and published by Eternal Dream. Released on February 18th 2022 has received 700 reviews of which 691 were positive and 9 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 emotional games on Steam.
9.2
691
9
8. Breeze
Breeze, a point&click PC game with heart-warming story, lovely art style, and healing experience. Breeze is a 2d, story rich and rpg game developed and published by FOF Game. Released on August 04th 2022 has received 477 reviews of which 459 were positive and 18 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free emotional games on Steam.
8.9
459
18
9. Aurora: A Child's Journey
Guide Aurora through this beautiful adventure using her imagination to discover who's responsible for the fire that is ravaging her village and its surroundings. Aurora: A Child's Journey is a action, story rich and adventure game developed by Luski Game Studio and published by Prothos. Released on November 20th 2020 has received 945 reviews of which 881 were positive and 64 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free emotional games on Steam.
8.8
881
64