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
Pony Island Pony Island is a suspense puzzle game in disguise. You are in limbo, trapped in a malevolent and malfunctioning arcade machine devised by the devil himself. It is not a game about ponies.

Price -60% 2.00€
Rating 9.3
Release 04 Jan 2016
Blood Code A story about an ordinary human girl and her romantic encounters with knights and princes. These characters may be gentle, passionate, considerate, or inhospitable. There are many character styles to suit a variety of individual player tastes.

Price -50% 4.87€
Rating 7.1
Release 28 Dec 2015
Aviary Attorney The hottest bird lawyering game to come out of 1840s France! Join Jayjay Falcon and his witty apprentice, Sparrowson, as the two take on clients, interview witnesses, collect evidence, and deliver justice to the guilty.

Price -96% 0.71€
Rating 9.0
Release 21 Dec 2015
Sakura Santa Koji is feeling a bit down. This year is the first Christmas he's spending alone. After moving away from home to attend the University of his dreams, he found his college life to be rather lonely. Feeling distraught, he wanders to his local shrine to make an offering.

Price -94% 0.66€
Rating 8.0
Release 21 Dec 2015
Space Pilgrim Episode I: Alpha Centauri Captain Gail Pilgrim has been flying starships since she was a kid, ferrying passengers between planets and space stations across the galaxy. She has no reason to expect that this latest trip to Alpha Centauri will be anything special, even if her passengers are a little more diverse than usual....

Price Free to play
Rating 8.4
Release 21 Dec 2015
Contract With The Devil Welcome to the world where mysticism and reality, past and present, good and evil are united in a single whole!

Price 4.99€
Rating 6.8
Release 11 Dec 2015
LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII Lightning Returns is the concluding chapter of the Final Fantasy XIII saga and series heroine Lightning's final battle. The grand finale of the trilogy brings a world reborn as well as free character customization and stunning action based battles.

Price 15.99€
Rating 7.7
Release 10 Dec 2015
Dragon's Wake Dragon's Wake is a 2D Adventure Platformer where a fledgling dragon hatches into a world in which the extermination of dragons at the hands of a mysterious black knight is already underway.

Price 3.29€
Rating 8.2
Release 10 Dec 2015
GUILTY GEAR Xrd -SIGN- Kept you waitin'. GUILTY GEAR Xrd -SIGN- is finally here on Steam!

Price -95% 1.43€
Rating 8.7
Release 09 Dec 2015
Hatoful Boyfriend: Holiday Star The loveable birds of Hatoful Boyfriend are back in the remastered holiday-themed sequel Hatoful Boyfriend: Holiday Star!

Price -44% 5.69€
Rating 8.7
Release 05 Dec 2015
Dr. Langeskov, The Tiger, and The Terribly Cursed Emerald: A Whirlwind Heist A 15 minute heist game by Crows Crows Crows & Directed by William Pugh (The Stanley Parable). Slip into the soft-soled shoes of the mastermind responsible for the greatest heist- oh god I can’t do this any more, i’m joining the strike. good luck writing the steam description. -tina

Price Free to play
Rating 9.1
Release 04 Dec 2015
The Last Dream: Developer's Edition “Reality and dreams are about to become entwined…..” The Last Dream: Developer's Edition" is a casual adventure game which, despite having some classic casual elements, will also offer a greater challenge for more experienced gamers.

Price 7.99€
Rating 7.5
Release 03 Dec 2015
Vampire Legends: The True Story of Kisilova Discover the source of dreadful evil!

Price -87% 2.05€
Rating 8.1
Release 03 Dec 2015
Carpe Diem Seize the day

Price Free to play
Rating 8.7
Release 30 Nov 2015
BAD END It's rumored that those who play 'BAD END'- a Visual Novel will die in REAL LIFE if they make the wrong decision in the game itself.

Price 5.89€
Rating 7.8
Release 25 Nov 2015
CLANNAD From the world renowned visual novel studio Key, the highly rated story of CLANNAD is now available on Steam! Improved visuals, achievement integration, and Dangopedia make this the best version of CLANNAD to date.

Price 43.99€
Rating 9.5
Release 23 Nov 2015
The Deed A keenly dark twist on the traditional murder mystery setting, The Deed is an Adventure/RPG game about getting away with murder. Arran Bruce, the rightful heir to Dunshiel House, returns home to settle a score with his estranged family.

Price -63% 0.37€
Rating 8.7
Release 23 Nov 2015
Emily is Away Emily is Away is an interactive story. Create a screenname and choose your path through the branching narrative.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.7
Release 20 Nov 2015
Assassin's Creed® Syndicate London, 1868. Lead your underworld organization in the midst of the Industrial Revolution to break the corrupt stranglehold on the city in a visceral adventure filled with action, intrigue, and brutal combat.

Price 39.99€
Rating 7.9
Release 18 Nov 2015
Highschool Romance Can you find love as the only boy in an all-girls school? Find out, in this slice-of-life visual novel game with multiple endings.

Price -62% 5.74€
Rating 7.5
Release 18 Nov 2015
Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.2 Watanagashi 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 9.2
Release 13 Nov 2015
Fallout 4 Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of Fallout 3 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, welcome you to the world of Fallout 4 – their most ambitious game ever, and the next generation of open-world gaming.

Price -79% 4.28€
Rating 8.2
Release 09 Nov 2015
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing: Final Cut Embark on an adventure in a gothic-noir world, where mad science threatens the peace between monsters and mortals. The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing: Final Cut is definitive edition of the trilogy with six playable classes and a new endgame mode with a huge variety of open missions!

Price -98% 1.00€
Rating 7.4
Release 06 Nov 2015
G-senjou no Maou - The Devil on G-String You play as Azai Kyousuke, the son of an infamous gangster. Kyousuke knows what he likes and lets nothing stand in his way in getting what he wants. Referred to as God by his classmates, he often enjoys listening to Bach and "working" part time for his stepfather.

Price 19.50€
Rating 8.7
Release 05 Nov 2015

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!