Best Story Rich 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 story rich games. For those who prefer not to search, check out lists of the most played, top deals and best free to play Story Rich games on Steam.

Filters & Lists
Old Man's Journey Old Man’s Journey, a soul-searching puzzle adventure, tells a story of life, loss, and hope. Interacting with the world around you, you'll shape the landscape to create the old man's path forward. Experience heartache and hope as you embark on a heartfelt journey through a sunkissed world.

Price -91% 0.92€
Rating 8.4
Release 17 May 2017
The Surge Welcome to CREO, the megacorporation saving the world! A catastrophic event has knocked you out during the first day on the job… you wake up equipped with a heavy-grade exoskeleton, in a destroyed section of the complex.

Price -96% 0.60€
Rating 7.4
Release 15 May 2017
Stay! Stay! Democratic People's Republic of Korea! Try and navigate your way through one of the world's most tightly controlled dictatorships, with two cute soldiers by your side. Avoid getting shot, executed, black-bagged, or tried for treason as you explore Pyongyang's most famous tourist attractions.

Price 9.99€
Rating 8.8
Release 11 May 2017
Rakuen A hospitalized Boy comes to terms with his own story by traveling with his Mom to a beautiful fantasy world; ultimately helping his fellow patients find closure by walking a mile in their shoes.

Price -57% 6.49€
Rating 9.3
Release 10 May 2017
planetarian HD planetarian HD is an engaging and emotional visual novel from legendary game studio, Key. A sub-brand of VISUAL ARTS, Key are also famed for creating Kanon, AIR, CLANNAD, Little Busters!, Rewrite, Angel Beats!, and Summer Pockets.

Price 9.99€
Rating 9.5
Release 08 May 2017
Animation Throwdown: The Quest for Cards Family Guy, Bob's Burgers, Futurama, American Dad, King of the Hill, and Archer join forces in Animation Throwdown, your favorite new collectible card game. Collect your favorite characters, combine cards to make hilarious combos, and battle your way through an adventure of animated proportions.

Price Free to play
Rating 7.3
Release 05 May 2017
World to the West World to the West is a standalone followup of Teslagrad, the indie hit that sold more than 1.6 million copies worldwide. A vast world of blue skies and dark caves awaits you in this 3D action adventure, as you try to unveil the mysteries of an ancient prophecy.

Price -95% 0.82€
Rating 7.3
Release 05 May 2017
Prey In Prey, you awaken aboard Talos I, a space station orbiting the moon in the year 2032. You are the key subject of an experiment meant to alter humanity forever – but things have gone terribly wrong. The space station has been overrun by hostile aliens and you are now being hunted.

Price -90% 3.01€
Rating 8.9
Release 04 May 2017
Shio “Shio” is a challenging platformer game in which you deep and moving story by jumping from lantern to lantern. If you are big fan of Super Meat Boy, you will like Shio as well!

Price 11.99€
Rating 7.6
Release 04 May 2017
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd Half a year after Trails in the Sky SC, Father Kevin Graham takes on a routine mission on behalf of the Septian Church. He and his partner are then plunged into a realm that follows an unnaturally strict set of rules and is as intent to open old wounds as it is to keep them behind closed doors.

Price -79% 6.49€
Rating 9.0
Release 03 May 2017
Just Ignore Them One night can feel like a lifetime of pain, suffering and horror to a child...do you have what it takes to survive the night? Play as an 8 year old child who is tormented by monsters in his house. Your choices make his future which lives can be saved or ended.

Price -94% 0.27€
Rating 7.4
Release 28 Apr 2017
Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch. 5 Meakashi Higurashi When They Cry is a sound novel. The music, backgrounds and characters work together to create a world that is the stage of a novel for the user to read. They laugh and cry and get angry. The user takes the point of view of the protagonist to experience the story.

Price 7.99€
Rating 9.1
Release 28 Apr 2017
One Dog Story One Dog Story is an engaging pixel adventure game with RPG elements, gameplay that’ll get you hooked for hours, and well-developed characters. You wake up in an underground laboratory, free again after a horrific accident. Prepare to explore this expansive game world and its many secrets and mysteries.

Price -53% 4.77€
Rating 7.4
Release 28 Apr 2017
Little Nightmares Take on the role of Six, a lone child lost in a massive metal vessel known as the Maw, surrounded by dangerous, distorted versions of adults. You’ll need to do your best to escape in one piece or your fate will be worse than you ever dared dream.

Price -90% 2.16€
Rating 9.3
Release 27 Apr 2017
Expeditions: Viking Circa 790 AD. A small band of Norse warriors lands on the shores of England. History may have forgotten their names, but their actions live on. As the chieftain of your clan, let ambition guide your choices in the party-based RPG Expeditions: Viking. How will history remember you?

Price -98% 0.71€
Rating 8.1
Release 27 Apr 2017
Grisaia Phantom Trigger Vol.1 "Grisaia: Phantom Trigger" is a visual novel, specifically a kinetic novel (without branching routes). Returning character artist Akio Watanabe and writer Ryuta Fujisaki bring you the latest installment in the acclaimed Grisaia series.

Price 14.99€
Rating 8.5
Release 27 Apr 2017
Agatha Knife Embark on a whimsically twisted adventure with Agatha, a child torn between her love for eating meat and her friendships with animals. Join her as she discovers religion and creates her own, Carnivorism, to convince animals that the sacrifice of their flesh is the secret to their eternal happiness.

Price -97% 0.47€
Rating 8.7
Release 27 Apr 2017
Bendy and the Ink Machine Bendy and the Ink Machine® is the first person puzzle action horror game that will forever ruin your childhood love of cartoons.

Price -97% 0.65€
Rating 8.7
Release 27 Apr 2017
Interkosmos Interkosmos is an arcady astronaut adventure in VR. Brace yourself for a rush of hectic gameplay to challenge your inner cosmonaut, and a fun story full of twists and Cold War absurdities.

Price 4.99€
Rating 7.6
Release 25 Apr 2017
BlazBlue Centralfiction Combining a 2D fighting game with a visual novel, the BlazBlue series continues on with massive fan support! The latest installation, BlazBlue: Centralfiction, serves as the ending to the Azure Saga, revealing the hidden truth of the world!

Price -77% 8.76€
Rating 9.1
Release 25 Apr 2017
What Remains of Edith Finch 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.

Price -88% 2.31€
Rating 9.4
Release 24 Apr 2017
Pinstripe An ex-minister ventures through the frozen depths of Hell in search of his kidnapped daughter.

Price -92% 1.19€
Rating 8.6
Release 24 Apr 2017
Outlast 2 Outlast 2 introduces you to Sullivan Knoth and his followers, who left our wicked world behind to give birth to Temple Gate, a town, deep in the wilderness and hidden from civilization. Knoth and his flock are preparing for the tribulations of the end of times and you’re right in the thick of it.

Price -97% 0.73€
Rating 9.0
Release 24 Apr 2017
Halo Wars: Definitive Edition Halo Wars: Definitive Edition is an enhanced version of the real-time strategy classic, Halo Wars, updated to run natively on PC. Halo Wars: Definitive Edition includes improved graphics, new achievements and all of the DLC created for the landmark real-time strategy game.

Price 19.99€
Rating 8.8
Release 20 Apr 2017

Story-rich games are a captivating genre that immerses players in compelling narratives, allowing them to experience deep emotional journeys and complex character arcs. These games often prioritize storytelling, character development, and player choices, making them perfect for those who love a good tale. This page showcases the best-rated story-rich games on Steam, all based on user scores and reviews, helping you find the perfect game to dive into.

In this category, you'll discover a variety of story-rich games that cater to different tastes and preferences.

Narrative-Driven Games
These games focus heavily on storytelling, often featuring linear plots with rich dialogue and character interactions.
Visual Novels
A subgenre that combines storytelling with visual art, allowing players to make choices that affect the outcome of the story.
Role-Playing Games (RPGs)
Games that allow players to create characters and engage in expansive worlds filled with quests and narratives.
Adventure Games
ames that emphasize exploration and puzzle-solving while delivering a strong narrative.

Each game offers unique storytelling mechanics and experiences, ensuring that there's something for every narrative enthusiast.

How to Find More Story Rich Games

If you're eager to explore even more story-rich games, our site makes it easy! Use the category filters to narrow down your search. You can look for tags like "narrative" for games focused on storytelling or "adventure" for those that emphasize exploration and puzzles. This way, you can quickly find games that match your interests.

Tips for Choosing the Right Story Rich Game

Consider your preferred storytelling style
Think about whether you enjoy linear narratives or games with branching paths that allow for multiple endings.
Look for games with strong character development
Games that invest in character arcs and relationships often provide a more immersive experience.
Check for user reviews
Reading reviews can give you insight into the game's quality, emotional impact, and overall storytelling effectiveness.

What are the best story-rich games for beginners?

If you're new to story-rich games, consider starting with Life is Strange - Episode 1 or Oxenfree. Both are user-friendly and offer engaging narratives that are easy to follow.

Are there free story-rich games on Steam?

Yes! There are several free-to-play story-rich games available, such as Doki Doki Literature Club! and The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit which provide engaging narratives without any cost.

What makes a story-rich game great?

A great story-rich game typically features high-quality writing, well-developed characters, and meaningful player choices that impact the narrative. Additionally, immersive world-building and emotional depth can significantly enhance the overall experience, making players feel connected to the story and characters.

Can I play story-rich games solo?

Absolutely! Most story-rich games are designed for single-player experiences, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the narrative without the need for multiplayer interactions. Games like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Disco Elysium - The Final Cut are perfect examples of solo experiences that offer deep storytelling and character engagement.

With a wide variety of options available, you're sure to find a game that captivates you and provides an unforgettable narrative experience. Don't forget to check back regularly for updates, as new games are released and ratings change. Happy gaming, and enjoy diving into the rich stories that await you in these incredible games!