Best Narrative 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 narrative games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free narrative games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
The Case of the Golden Idol
A new kind of detective game that allows you to think and investigate freely. Discover clues surrounding 12 strange and gruesome deaths and build your own theory. Pick your suspect, deduce the motive, unmask the awful truth.
The Plague Doctor of Wippra
The plague spreads agony and fear in the small town of Wippra. As a plague doctor, you bring healing and relief wherever you can. But ignorance, superstition, and religious zeal make for a deadly threat in this retro medieval medical adventure!
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?
The Spirit and the Mouse
Bring kindness and light to the people of Sainte-et-Claire as Lila—a tiny mouse with a big heart! Explore a quaint French village, make electrifying new friends, and do good deeds for those in need in this lush narrative adventure game.
Wylde Flowers
Join Tara on a heartfelt journey to become a witch in Wylde Flowers. Farm by day, and cast spells by night as you craft your cottagecore life and bond with your coven. Come to know and love the fully voice acted characters of Fairhaven, as you unravel a local mystery.
Broken Pieces
Broken Pieces is a psychological thriller taking place in a french coastal village somehow outside the flow of time. Solve the mysteries by putting the pieces of the story back together by figuring out the enigma behind this mystical place.
One Dreamer
Manipulate the world around you by editing source code in an adventure game about a burnt out indie game developer's quest to fulfill a lifelong dream.
South of the Circle
South of the Circle is a deep narrative experience of the emerging relationship between Peter and Clara, Cambridge academics involved in a political conflict. The story focuses on promises made in between career and true love, where our choices burdened by our past seem to be illusory.
The Quarry
When the sun goes down on the last night of summer camp, nine teenage counselors are plunged into an unpredictable night of horror. The only thing worse than the blood-drenched locals and creatures hunting them are the unimaginable choices you must make to help them survive.
Eternal Threads
Eternal Threads is a single-player, first-person story-driven puzzle game of time manipulation, choice and consequence.
Gibbon: Beyond the Trees
Master the gibbon’s art of movement with a unique moveset that lets you swing, slide and somersault through a lush jungle canopy, and experience a free-flowing story of family and survival as you search for a home that may be lost forever.
Citizen Sleeper
Roleplaying in the ruins of interplanetary capitalism. Live the life of an escaped worker, washed-up on a lawless station at the edge of an interstellar society. Inspired by the flexibility and freedom of TTRPGs, explore the station, choose your friends, escape your past and change your future.
The Gunk
The Gunk is an action-adventure game in which you play as Rani, part of our duo of gritty space haulers. As they’re struggling to bring in funds, they chance upon an untouched planet brimming with life. They came in search of valuable resources, and it looks like they’ve hit the jackpot…
What Lies in the Multiverse
A bombastic puzzle platformer about worlds turned inside out. Shift dimensions at the push of a button, solve brain-twisting logistical riddles, and race through the wilds of the multiverse in a bleakly hilarious (and hilariously bleak) story where everything you know can turn on a dime.
Life is Strange Remastered
Experience the BAFTA award-winning story of Life is Strange now beautifully remastered with enhanced visuals and vastly improved animation using mocap technology.
Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered
Life is Strange: Before the Storm returns with remastered visuals across characters & environments.
How Fish Is Made
Are sardines trustworthy? Are you? Do you want to be? How Fish is Made is a janky little jaunt through the world of surrealist storytelling. Now featuring a Katamari-like DLC!
You Will (Not) Remain
You must stay in your apartment as the city around you falls to an Eldritch horror.
MOTHERED - A ROLE-PLAYING HORROR GAME
An immersive first-person horror adventure where you play the role of LIANA - a young girl who arrives home after major surgery and is met with a strange mannequin claiming to be her mother.
Kathy Rain: Director's Cut
The award-winning point-and-click adventure returns in the Director's Cut with an extended story, additional puzzles, and new areas to explore. Witness the rise of an iconic detective as you uncover a dark and sinister truth hiding behind the calm exterior of a small rural town.
Chasing Static
A psychological horror short story. Explore the untouched wilderness of rural Wales as you uncover the forgotten remains of a mysterious facility and find the truth behind the missing villagers of Hearth.
Book of Travels
Ready your pack, grab your walking stick and step into a world of mystery. Craft your character and immerse yourself in the enchanted lands of Braided Shore. Set your own goals and adventure alone or together with Travellers you meet on the road in this serene TMORPG.
Vagrus - The Riven Realms
Embark on a perilous journey across a realm forsaken by the gods and devastated by an arcane cataclysm. Accompanied by a hardy crew, you must trade, fight, and explore your way to success as the leader of a traveling company in Vagrus, an award-winning turn-based post-apocalyptic fantasy RPG.
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.Most played narrative games on Steam
Take a look at the top narrative games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 15th 2025.
1. Vagrus - The Riven Realms
Embark on a perilous journey across a realm forsaken by the gods and devastated by an arcane cataclysm. Accompanied by a hardy crew, you must trade, fight, and explore your way to success as the leader of a traveling company in Vagrus, an award-winning turn-based post-apocalyptic fantasy RPG. Vagrus - The Riven Realms is a story rich, open world and dungeons & dragons game developed by Lost Pilgrims Studio and published by Lost Pilgrims Studios. Released on October 05th 2021 has received 1,374 reviews of which 1,171 were positive and 203 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #1 spot among the most played narrative games.
8.1
1,171
203
63
players
2. 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 16,978 reviews of which 16,623 were positive and 355 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played narrative games.
9.5
16,623
355
54
players
3. Fears to Fathom - Ironbark Lookout
Jack Nelson, a 24-year-old fire lookout, transferred to a new outpost. As he settled into his new home, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, little did he know what was transpiring down in Ironbark State Park. Fears to Fathom - Ironbark Lookout is a horror, atmospheric and psychological horror game developed and published by Rayll Studios. Released on October 20th 2023 has received 4,488 reviews of which 4,153 were positive and 335 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played narrative games.
8.9
4,153
335
17
players
4. 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. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played narrative games.
8.7
918
72
16
players
5. Heaven's Vault
An archaeologist uncovers a lost history in an ancient space Nebula. Award-winning narrative adventure game with hieroglyphic language puzzles, from the creators of 80 DAYS. Heaven's Vault is a adventure, narrative and mystery game developed and published by inkle Ltd. Released on April 16th 2019 has received 2,169 reviews of which 1,863 were positive and 306 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played narrative games.
8.2
1,863
306
16
players
6. Epistory - Typing Chronicles
Epistory immerses you in an atmospheric action/adventure game where you play a girl riding a giant fox who fights an insectile corruption from an origami world. As you progress and explore this world, the story literally unfolds and the mysteries of the magic power of the words are revealed. Epistory - Typing Chronicles is a typing, adventure and narrative game developed by Fishing Cactus and published by Fishing Cactus and PID Games. Released on March 30th 2016 has received 6,545 reviews of which 6,200 were positive and 345 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played narrative games.
9.2
6,200
345
12
players
7. Clone Drone in the Hyperdome
Cut robots apart in VR. Feel your sword disintegrate their metal bodies. Now you live and die in the Crashloop, a roguelike tournament to the death. Lock swords! Shoot shurikens from your wrist! This is CLONE DRONE... in the HYPERDOME!!! Clone Drone in the Hyperdome is a action, fighting and swordplay game developed and published by Doborog Games. Released on December 12th 2024 has received 658 reviews of which 601 were positive and 57 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played narrative games.
8.6
601
57
11
players
8. SEASON: A letter to the future
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 in this third-person meditative exploration game. SEASON: A letter to the future is a open world, mystery and visual novel game developed and published by Scavengers Studio. Released on January 31st 2023 has received 1,842 reviews of which 1,720 were positive and 122 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played narrative games.
8.9
1,720
122
9
players
9. Venba
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. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played narrative games.
8.8
2,232
187
9
players
10. Fort Solis
Answer the call from a mining base on Mars as engineer Jack Leary and search for the missing crew. Fort Solis will immerse you with cinematic visuals powered by UE 5 and voice acting of Roger Clark and Troy Baker. Explore the mining complex and reach climax of this narrative thriller experience. Fort Solis is a walking simulator, cinematic and mars game developed by Fallen Leaf and Black Drakkar Games and published by Dear Villagers. Released on August 22nd 2023 has received 2,746 reviews of which 1,866 were positive and 880 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played narrative games.
6.6
1,866
880
9
players
Best deals on narrative games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of narrative games available on Steam right now, updated on April 15th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted narrative games.
1. Fort Solis
Answer the call from a mining base on Mars as engineer Jack Leary and search for the missing crew. Fort Solis will immerse you with cinematic visuals powered by UE 5 and voice acting of Roger Clark and Troy Baker. Explore the mining complex and reach climax of this narrative thriller experience. Fort Solis is a walking simulator, cinematic and mars game developed by Fallen Leaf and Black Drakkar Games and published by Dear Villagers. Released on August 22nd 2023 has received 2,746 reviews of which 1,866 were positive and 880 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. Featuring a massive 96% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for narrative category.
6.6
1,866
880
-96%
25.00€
1.00€
2. Venba
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 narrative games.
8.8
2,232
187
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
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 narrative games.
8.7
918
72
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
4. Epistory - Typing Chronicles
Epistory immerses you in an atmospheric action/adventure game where you play a girl riding a giant fox who fights an insectile corruption from an origami world. As you progress and explore this world, the story literally unfolds and the mysteries of the magic power of the words are revealed. Epistory - Typing Chronicles is a typing, adventure and narrative game developed by Fishing Cactus and published by Fishing Cactus and PID Games. Released on March 30th 2016 has received 6,545 reviews of which 6,200 were positive and 345 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 85% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for narrative games.
9.2
6,200
345
-85%
14.67€
2.20€
5. 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 16,978 reviews of which 16,623 were positive and 355 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 80% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for narrative games.
9.5
16,623
355
-80%
9.75€
1.95€
6. The Longest Road on Earth
A thoughtful and deeply personal title with stripped-down mechanics. The lack of dialogue or text allows you to create your own narrative through your time with four characters. Each short story will allow players to be swept away by the haunting lyrics of over twenty original, nostalgic songs. The Longest Road on Earth is a cozy, casual and interactive fiction game developed by Brainwash Gang and TLR games and published by Raw Fury. Released on May 27th 2021 has received 538 reviews of which 422 were positive and 116 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 75% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for narrative games.
7.4
422
116
-75%
9.99€
2.49€
7. Heaven's Vault
An archaeologist uncovers a lost history in an ancient space Nebula. Award-winning narrative adventure game with hieroglyphic language puzzles, from the creators of 80 DAYS. Heaven's Vault is a adventure, narrative and mystery game developed and published by inkle Ltd. Released on April 16th 2019 has received 2,169 reviews of which 1,863 were positive and 306 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 70% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for narrative games.
8.2
1,863
306
-70%
21.99€
6.59€
8. Broken Sword - Shadow of the Templars: Reforged
The classic multi-award winning adventure "Broken Sword - the Shadow of the Templars" returns with glorious 4K visuals and iconic remastered audio, pitching intrepid American George Stobbart and fearless journalist Nico Collard into a journey of perilous adventures and ancient conspiracies. Broken Sword - Shadow of the Templars: Reforged is a mystery, narrative and detective game developed and published by Revolution Software Ltd. Released on September 19th 2024 has received 721 reviews of which 700 were positive and 21 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 62% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for narrative games.
9.1
700
21
-62%
30.05€
11.42€
9. I Am Dead
I Am Dead is a charming puzzle adventure game from the creators of Hohokum and Wilmot’s Warehouse about exploring the afterlife. I Am Dead is a adventure, indie and puzzle game developed by Hollow Ponds and Richard Hogg and published by Annapurna Interactive. Released on October 08th 2020 has received 402 reviews of which 335 were positive and 67 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 60% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for narrative games.
7.8
335
67
-60%
18.49€
7.39€
Free narrative games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play narrative games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 15th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play narrative games.
1. How Fish Is Made
Are sardines trustworthy? Are you? Do you want to be? How Fish is Made is a janky little jaunt through the world of surrealist storytelling. Now featuring a Katamari-like DLC! How Fish Is Made is a surreal, short and horror game developed by Wrong Organ, Johanna Kasurinen, Jeffrey Tomec and Martin Halldin and published by Wrong Organ and CRITICAL REFLEX. Released on January 14th 2022 has received 4,658 reviews of which 4,450 were positive and 208 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #1 spot among the most played free narrative games on Steam.
9.2
4,450
208
5
players