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 Dream Machine: Chapter 1 & 2

The Dream Machine is an award-winning point & click adventure game about exploring other people's dreams. It's built by hand using materials such as clay, cardboard and broccoli.

Price 3.99€
Rating 8.4
Release 11 May 2012

Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne

Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne is a violent, film-noir love story. Dark, tragic and intense, the in-depth story is a thrill-ride of shocking twists and revelations. Love hurts.

Price -71% 4.34€
Rating 9.2
Release 25 Feb 2001

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 May 01st 2025.

1. 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 4,529 reviews of which 4,191 were positive and 338 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #1 spot among the most played narrative games.
8.9
4,191
338

23
players

2. 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 1,384 reviews of which 1,181 were positive and 203 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played narrative games.
8.1
1,181
203

18
players

3. 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 2,186 reviews of which 1,875 were positive and 311 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played narrative games.
8.2
1,875
311

11
players

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 6,559 reviews of which 6,214 were positive and 345 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played narrative games.
9.2
6,214
345

9
players

5. 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 point & click game developed and published by Revolution Software Ltd. Released on September 19th 2024 has received 731 reviews of which 710 were positive and 21 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played narrative games.
9.1
710
21

7
players

6. 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 4,685 reviews of which 4,475 were positive and 210 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
4,475
210

6
players

7. 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 2,856 reviews of which 1,942 were positive and 914 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played narrative games.
6.6
1,942
914

6
players

8. 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 17,218 reviews of which 16,860 were positive and 358 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played narrative games.
9.5
16,860
358

5
players

9. 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 1,023 reviews of which 945 were positive and 78 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played narrative games.
8.7
945
78

5
players

10. 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 664 reviews of which 608 were positive and 56 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played narrative games.
8.6
608
56

5
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 May 01st 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 2,856 reviews of which 1,942 were positive and 914 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
1,942
914

-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 2,472 reviews of which 2,282 were positive and 190 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
2,282
190

-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 1,023 reviews of which 945 were positive and 78 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
945
78

-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 6,559 reviews of which 6,214 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
6,214
345

-85% 14.67€ 2.20€

5. 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 point & click game developed and published by Revolution Software Ltd. Released on September 19th 2024 has received 731 reviews of which 710 were positive and 21 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 67% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for narrative games.
9.1
710
21

-67% 30.36€ 10.02€

6. 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 405 reviews of which 336 were positive and 69 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a 28% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for narrative games.
7.8
336
69

-28% 18.38€ 13.23€

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 May 01st 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 4,685 reviews of which 4,475 were positive and 210 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
4,475
210

6
players