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.

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Knock-knock There is an unusual cabin deep in the woods. It had served as a laboratory and a dwelling for three generations of Lodgers.But as of late the latest Lodger has been noticing weird changes in familiar surroundings; things are missing, noises and rattle heard. Something odd is coming out of the woods.

Price -95% 0.53€
Rating 8.3
Release 04 Oct 2013
The Inner World The Inner World – A 2D-Point’n’Click Adventure Together with the help of the mysterious thief Laura, his best intentions and no clue whatsoever, Robert sets off on his adventure to discover the secret of the wind's disappearance. Will the young adventurer be able to save his world?

Price -98% 0.34€
Rating 8.5
Release 27 Sep 2013
Septerra Core At the very heart of Septerra lies the Core, a huge Biocomputer. Seven continents at different elevations, each with its own unique people and culture, orbit around the Core.According to an ancient prophecy, Septerra's continents will one day converge and join in orbit together on one level - this is the Legacy of Marduk, the Creator's...

Price -93% 0.57€
Rating 7.3
Release 27 Sep 2013
Omikron: The Nomad Soul "I have many things to tell you and very little time… I come from a universe parallel to yours. My world is desperately in need of your help. Only YOU can save us."Responding to the desperate pleas of a mysterious character from another dimension, your soul must enter the dark and futuristic city of Omikron.

Price -91% 0.92€
Rating 6.3
Release 26 Sep 2013
Dysfunctional Systems: Learning to Manage Chaos From Dischan Media, creators of the highly acclaimed Juniper's Knot, comes Dysfunctional Systems: Learning to Manage Chaos.Dysfunctional Systems is a visual novel series featuring Winter Harrison, a student mediator from a utopian world. Learning to Manage Chaos is the first entry in the series.What is a mediator?

Price 4.99€
Rating 7.2
Release 26 Sep 2013
Blood Omen 2: Legacy of Kain Cast down from power by a mysterious warlord centuries ago, Kain reawakens in a world he barely recognises. His armies slain, his vampire brethren nearly extinct, Kain is one of the last of his kind. With an agenda of vengeance, Kain shall unleash a wicked wrath to uncover the plot that threatens the land he seeks to conquer.

Price -86% 0.97€
Rating 6.6
Release 24 Sep 2013
Doorways: Prelude Doorways is an immersive horror adventure, featuring a complex story and deep atmosphere.

Price -70% 2.92€
Rating 6.0
Release 20 Sep 2013
Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller FBI agent Erica Reed has an uncanny talent: she can see the past and piece together how a crime unfolded. But not even this sixth sense could save her younger brother, Scott, from a brutal serial killer. Three years later, the investigation into Scott’s murder has gone cold -- but Erica’s work has only just begun.

Price -88% 1.84€
Rating 7.8
Release 19 Sep 2013
Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs From the creators of Amnesia: The Dark Descent and Dear Esther comes a new first-person horrorgame that will drag you to the depths of greed, power and madness. It will bury its snout into your ribs and it will eat your heart.

Price -74% 5.17€
Rating 6.8
Release 10 Sep 2013
Brothers - A Tale of Two Sons Guide two brothers on an epic fairy tale journey from visionary Swedish film director, Josef Fares and top-tier developer Starbreeze Studios. Control both brothers at once as you experience co-op play in single player mode, like never before.

Price -86% 2.17€
Rating 9.3
Release 03 Sep 2013
The Dark Eye: Memoria In Memoria, players travel through different time periods, following two distinct protagonists: Sadja, a southern princess who wants to be a war hero, and Geron, a bird catcher who wants to lift a curse from his girlfriend.

Price -95% 1.13€
Rating 8.6
Release 29 Aug 2013
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Ultimate Edition Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Ultimate Edition is the complete edition of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, a dark and vivid new re-imagining of the Castlevania mythology. It is the end of days and ungodly powers isolate the Earth.

Price -86% 3.63€
Rating 7.9
Release 27 Aug 2013
LOST PLANET® 3 The extreme and unpredictable conditions that characterized the Lost Planet series return, harsher than ever before. Lost Planet 3 reveals new truths about the foreboding planet and the colonial history of E.D.N. III.

Price 24.99€
Rating 6.2
Release 26 Aug 2013
Skullgirls 2nd Encore --Main Stage Game at Evo 2022!-- The ultimate Skullgirls experience: Featuring 14 hand-animated characters, fully voiced story mode, countless palettes, and unparalleled GGPO-based multiplayer netcode.

Price -58% 8.85€
Rating 7.2
Release 22 Aug 2013
The Bureau: XCOM Declassified The year is 1962 and the Cold War has the nation gripped by fear.  A top-secret government unit called The Bureau begins investigating a series of mysterious attacks by an enemy more powerful than communism.

Price -97% 0.75€
Rating 6.9
Release 22 Aug 2013
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist In this stealth-action thriller, a terrorist group known as the Engineers launches the Blacklist, a series of escalating attacks on US interests. Only one man can stop them: legendary covert agent Sam Fisher.

Price 19.99€
Rating 7.8
Release 22 Aug 2013
Hate Plus Let's spend the next three real-time days together uncovering the mystery of what went horribly wrong on a derelict generation ship, with the help of a spunky/more-than-slightly-traumatized AI sidekick! A sequel to Analogue: A Hate Story that tells a whole new hate story of its own.

Price 9.75€
Rating 7.9
Release 19 Aug 2013
Gone Home June 7th, 1995. 1:15 AM. You arrive home after a year abroad. You expect your family to greet you, but the house is empty. Something's not right. Where is everyone? And what's happened here? Unravel the mystery for yourself in Gone Home, a story exploration game from The Fullbright Company.

Price -70% 4.45€
Rating 7.6
Release 15 Aug 2013
Papers, Please Congratulations. The October labor lottery is complete. Your name was pulled. For immediate placement, report to the Ministry of Admission at Grestin Border Checkpoint. An apartment will be provided for you and your family in East Grestin. Expect a Class-8 dwelling.

Price -42% 5.69€
Rating 9.6
Release 08 Aug 2013
Inquisitor Action-oriented combat with a deep and involving tale of betrayal, torture, madness, and infernal damnation. If a gritty old-school open-ended isometric RPG is what you looking for, look no further. Inquisitor will provide you with hours of gameplay and a dark, involving story.

Price 9.75€
Rating 6.6
Release 07 Aug 2013
Divinity: Dragon Commander You are the Dragon Commander. Your mission it is to reunite a broken empire and become the new emperor. Success depends entirely on your ability to efficiently rule your empire, build invincible armies and lead them to victory.

Price -75% 10.24€
Rating 7.2
Release 06 Aug 2013
Shadowrun Returns The unique cyberpunk-meets-fantasy world of Shadowrun has gained a huge cult following since its creation nearly 25 years ago. Now, creator Jordan Weisman returns to the world of Shadowrun, modernizing this classic game setting as a single player, turn-based tactical RPG.

Price -90% 1.53€
Rating 8.6
Release 25 Jul 2013
FINAL FANTASY VII The RPG classic FINAL FANTASY VII returns to PC, now with brand new online features!

Price -75% 3.32€
Rating 9.1
Release 04 Jul 2013
Remember Me Remember Me™ is a 3rd person action adventure where players take on the role of Nilin, a former elite memory hunter with the ability to break into people’s minds and steal or even alter their memories.

Price -86% 4.34€
Rating 8.1
Release 06 Jun 2013

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!