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, lists of the most played, top deals and best free story rich games are available at the bottom of the page.

Filters & Lists
Fatermyth "Fatermyth" is an RPG game that combines tabletop role-playing and adventure. The storylines of seven characters from different eras intertwine, depicting an epic of human heroes. The strategic battles with dice + skills add more challenges to the adventure.

Price -50% 4.87€
Rating 7.9
Release 23 Apr 2024
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is designed to bring players a modern take on a classic JRPG experience. Get ready to lead 100+ playable characters through a war-torn world only you can save.

Price -91% 4.71€
Rating 7.5
Release 23 Apr 2024
Sucker for Love: Date to Die For Put the ‘love’ in 'Lovecraftian horror!' Avoid the fanatical cultists and survive dangerous rituals to escape the Black Woods with your life in this 90’s anime inspired visual novel!

Price 12.79€
Rating 8.9
Release 23 Apr 2024
The Hungry Lamb: Traveling in the Late Ming Dynasty Trek across ancient China in a dark, boundary-pushing visual novel inspired by traditional Chinese art with modern animation. Escort four girls to the prosperous city of Luoyang in a branching narrative with themes of revenge, cannibalism, involuntary servitude, and more on a redemptive journey.

Price -74% 2.59€
Rating 9.5
Release 22 Apr 2024
An alt girl for skoof There is a rumor that any skuf can legally receive a fee alt girl from the state; to do this, you just need to log in to a special service and enter your personal data.

Price 4.99€
Rating 8.2
Release 21 Apr 2024
Aurora Hills: Chapter 1 Aurora Hills: Chapter 1 is the first part in series of point and click puzzle adventure games. Follow the journey of Ethan Hill, a park ranger tasked with investigating strange disappearances from the region to uncover the mystery of Aurora Hills!

Price Free to play
Rating 9.1
Release 20 Apr 2024
Internet Cafe Evolution This is a business simulation + construction game. It tells the evolution history of Internet cafes that began in the 1990s, and imagines the future of internet cafes. There are also some small emotional stories.

Price 14.79€
Rating 7.2
Release 19 Apr 2024
Repair this! Become a phone repair technician, get the opportunity to look into the personal data of customers. Influence their destinies if you dare!

Price 6.89€
Rating 8.4
Release 19 Apr 2024
Sker Ritual An intense round-based zombie survival FPS, play solo or co-op. Shoot your way through relentless waves of vicious horrors with high-octane objectives, upgrading steampunk weapons, collecting Celtic God powers, and surviving the onslaught of the Quiet Ones.

Price -97% 0.96€
Rating 8.2
Release 18 Apr 2024
The Mildew Children Featuring a blend of 2D adventure and visual novel, The Mildew Children is a grim tale about a village inhabited only by children who follow savage pagan traditions. A young witch named Kyrphel, along with her sisters, are bound to perform a macabre Ritual in order to save their village.

Price 9.75€
Rating 8.6
Release 17 Apr 2024
Harold Halibut Harold Halibut is a handmade narrative game about friendship and life on a city-sized spaceship submerged in an alien ocean. Join Harold as he explores a vibrant retro-future world in his quest to find the true meaning of ‘home’.

Price -70% 10.52€
Rating 8.0
Release 16 Apr 2024
Bendy: Secrets of the Machine Some things are better left forgotten.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.0
Release 14 Apr 2024
Ignited in Cavern In the waning years of the Northern Wei Dynasty, a rumor circulates about a stone statue that bestows blessings in the mortal realm. Lured by the rumor, Anu and Chu Qingqing, a Xianbei General and her Han captive, are led to Dunhuang to face their fates.

Price 1.99€
Rating 9.0
Release 11 Apr 2024
The Planet Crafter A space survival open world terraforming crafting game, designed for 1 to 10 players. Alter the ecosystem of an inhospitable planet to render it habitable for humanity. Survive, gather resources, and build your base. Then, generate oxygen, warmth, and pressure to create a brand new biosphere.

Price 23.99€
Rating 9.4
Release 10 Apr 2024
Last Hope Bunker: Zombie Survival You wake up in a bunker! The Earth became a battlefield. Dangerous creatures at every turn. We give you everything you need: medicine, weapons, shelter. Your task is to find your family. And please try to survive in this post-apocalypse.

Price 2.99€
Rating 6.1
Release 09 Apr 2024
Botany Manor Welcome to Botany Manor, a stately home in 19th century England. You play as inhabitant Arabella Greene, a retired botanist. Explore your house and gardens, filled with research, to figure out the ideal habitat of forgotten flora. Grow each plant to discover the mysterious qualities they hold…

Price -88% 3.05€
Rating 8.9
Release 09 Apr 2024
BIOMORPH BIOMORPH is a dark metroidvania game where you become the creatures that you kill! Solve ingenious puzzles and navigate a stunning hand-drawn world. Meet quirky characters, rebuild a city, and uncover the secrets of a sprawling, fallen civilization… and of your own mysterious origins.

Price 19.50€
Rating 8.6
Release 05 Apr 2024
Auto Sale Life: Fresh Start This is a free prologue version. Build an automotive empire. Buy, sell, and customize cars to create your own brands and showrooms. Become a shrewd entrepreneur in this immersive car trading and customization game.

Price Free to play
Rating 6.5
Release 05 Apr 2024
Center Station Simulator Mine, farm, manufacture components and build a wide range of machines in an infinite basement. Forget primitive tasks thanks to automation! And sell your products to your customers! Build a parking, a gas station...

Price 19.99€
Rating 8.4
Release 05 Apr 2024
Lemonade Apocalypse Lead the world to apocalyse with lemonades! Price affects demand, but take into account the cost of each lemonade when selling. Upgrades reduce cost and increase demand. Invest in a factory, and eventually control the politics of the world to increase climate's temperature and beverage consumption.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.9
Release 05 Apr 2024
Touhou Hero of Ice Fairy Touhou Hero of Ice Fairy is an indie game developed by GAMEPULSE.Step into the shoes of Cirno, the Hero of Ice, as she embarks on a journey against evil, liberating Gensokyo and saving her dear princess.

Price 6.99€
Rating 9.4
Release 03 Apr 2024
Unspoken You find yourself in the center of inexplicable nightmare. Make your way through the horror, come face to face with terrible events. Immerse yourself in the dark mystery of the events in which you found yourself an unwitting participant.

Price 2.99€
Rating 8.2
Release 01 Apr 2024
Fuck You Witch Your best friend has confessed her love for you... but the problems don't stop there. You've started to hallucinate. All this interferes with sleeping and eating, and in general disrupts your ideal lifestyle. Yell obscenities at the witch, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Qazaq steppes

Price 9.75€
Rating 8.6
Release 29 Mar 2024
Shadow Corridor 2 雨ノ四葩 Lost forever in the pitch black! But that's what makes it fun! The vast corridors covered in darkness change with each play. All you can do is run or hide from the frightening Apparitions. Use unique items and Karuta cards with special powers in your desperate search for an escape from the darkness!

Price 18.49€
Rating 8.2
Release 29 Mar 2024

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!

Most played story rich games on Steam

Take a look at the top story rich games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 16th 2025.

1. Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a story-rich, party-based RPG set in the universe of Dungeons & Dragons, where your choices shape a tale of fellowship and betrayal, survival and sacrifice, and the lure of absolute power. Baldur's Gate 3 is a rpg, character customization and choices matter game developed and published by Larian Studios. Released on August 03rd 2023 has received 760,662 reviews of which 736,688 were positive and 23,974 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played story rich game, thanks to its 64,881 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.6
736,688
23,974

64,881
players

2. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Lead the members of Expedition 33 on their quest to destroy the Paintress so that she can never paint death again. Explore a world of wonders inspired by Belle Époque France and battle unique enemies in this turn-based RPG with real-time mechanics. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based combat, story rich and fantasy game developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive. Released on April 24th 2025 has received 111,032 reviews of which 106,216 were positive and 4,816 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. While seeing 27,550 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among story rich games based on player count.
9.4
106,216
4,816

27,550
players

3. Red Dead Redemption 2

Winner of over 175 Game of the Year Awards and recipient of over 250 perfect scores, RDR2 is the epic tale of outlaw Arthur Morgan and the infamous Van der Linde gang, on the run across America at the dawn of the modern age. Also includes access to the shared living world of Red Dead Online. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a open world, story rich and western game developed and published by Rockstar Games. Released on December 05th 2019 has received 733,542 reviews of which 676,667 were positive and 56,875 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. While seeing 26,721 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among story rich games based on player count.
9.2
676,667
56,875

26,721
players

4. DELTARUNE

Dive into the parallel story to UNDERTALE! Fight or spare your way through action-packed battles as you explore a mysterious world alongside an endearing cast of new and familiar characters. Chapters 1-4 will be available on launch, with more planned as free updates! DELTARUNE is a story rich, great soundtrack and pixel graphics game developed and published by tobyfox. Released on June 04th 2025 has received 2,835 reviews of which 2,804 were positive and 31 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 24,571 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played story rich games.
9.4
2,804
31

24,571
players

5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

You are Geralt of Rivia, mercenary monster slayer. Before you stands a war-torn, monster-infested continent you can explore at will. Your current contract? Tracking down Ciri — the Child of Prophecy, a living weapon that can alter the shape of the world. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a open world, rpg and story rich game developed and published by CD PROJEKT RED. Released on May 18th 2015 has received 835,349 reviews of which 802,993 were positive and 32,356 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 12,939 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played story rich games.
9.5
802,993
32,356

12,939
players

6. Limbus Company

As the Executive Manager of Limbus Company, lead your group of twelve Sinners, venture into the buried facilities of Lobotomy Corporation, and lay claim on the Golden Boughs. Limbus Company is a lore-rich, story rich and free to play game developed and published by ProjectMoon. Released on February 26th 2023 has received 64,316 reviews of which 53,987 were positive and 10,329 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. With 11,105 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played story rich games.
8.3
53,987
10,329

11,105
players

7. Halo: The Master Chief Collection

The Master Chief’s iconic journey includes six games, built for PC and collected in a single integrated experience. Whether you’re a long-time fan or meeting Spartan 117 for the first time, The Master Chief Collection is the definitive Halo gaming experience. Halo: The Master Chief Collection is a great soundtrack, fps and classic game developed by 343 Industries, Splash Damage, Ruffian Games, Bungie and Saber Interactive and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on December 03rd 2019 has received 242,067 reviews of which 223,635 were positive and 18,432 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 4,418 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played story rich games.
9.1
223,635
18,432

4,418
players

8. The Last of Us™ Part II Remastered

Experience the winner of over 300 Game of the Year awards, now on PC. Discover Ellie and Abby’s story with graphical enhancements, gameplay modes like the roguelike survival experience No Return, and more. The Last of Us™ Part II Remastered is a story rich, post-apocalyptic and third-person shooter game developed by Naughty Dog LLC, Nixxes Software and Iron Galaxy Studios and published by PlayStation Publishing LLC. Released on April 03rd 2025 has received 24,774 reviews of which 22,421 were positive and 2,353 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 4,354 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played story rich games.
8.9
22,421
2,353

4,354
players

9. Persona 5 Royal

Don the mask and join the Phantom Thieves of Hearts as they stage grand heists, infiltrate the minds of the corrupt, and make them change their ways! Persona 5 Royal is a jrpg, story rich and great soundtrack game developed by ATLUS and published by SEGA. Released on October 20th 2022 has received 103,144 reviews of which 99,657 were positive and 3,487 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 3,972 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played story rich games.
9.5
99,657
3,487

3,972
players

10. DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR'S CUT

From legendary game creator Hideo Kojima comes a genre-defying experience, now expanded in this definitive DIRECTOR’S CUT. As Sam Bridges, your mission is to deliver hope to humanity by connecting the last survivors of a decimated America. Can you reunite the shattered world, one step at a time? DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR'S CUT is a story rich, open world and walking simulator game developed by KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS and published by 505 Games. Released on March 30th 2022 has received 39,516 reviews of which 36,697 were positive and 2,819 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 3,768 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played story rich games.
9.1
36,697
2,819

3,768
players

Best deals on story rich games on Steam

Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of story rich games available on Steam right now, updated on June 16th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted story rich games.

1. In Sound Mind

In Sound Mind is an imaginative first-person psychological horror with frenetic puzzles, unique boss fights, and original music by The Living Tombstone. Journey within the inner workings of the one place you can’t seem to escape—your own mind. In Sound Mind is a horror, psychological horror and story rich game developed by We Create Stuff and published by Maximum Entertainment. Released on September 28th 2021 has received 5,812 reviews of which 5,535 were positive and 277 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for story rich category.
9.2
5,535
277

-99% 29.99€ 0.52€

2. As Dusk Falls

Explore the entangled lives of two families across thirty years in an original interactive drama from INTERIOR/NIGHT. Starting in 1998 with a robbery-gone-wrong, the character's lives depend on the choices you make. As Dusk Falls is a choices matter, story rich and cinematic game developed by INTERIOR/NIGHT and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on July 19th 2022 has received 3,307 reviews of which 3,005 were positive and 302 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in story rich games.
8.7
3,005
302

-99% 29.99€ 0.44€

3. Wasteland 3

Following the critically acclaimed 2014 Game of the Year winner Wasteland 2, the RPG series that pioneered the post-apocalyptic genre in video games returns with Wasteland 3. Wasteland 3 is a crpg, character customization and choices matter game developed and published by inXile Entertainment. Released on August 27th 2020 has received 20,896 reviews of which 17,695 were positive and 3,201 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in story rich games.
8.3
17,695
3,201

-99% 41.99€ 0.82€

4. Broken Age

A family friendly, hand-animated, puzzle-filled adventure game with an all-star cast, including Elijah Wood, Jack Black and Masasa Moyo. Funded by a record breaking crowdfunding campaign and designed by industry legend Tim Schafer, Broken Age is a timeless coming-of-age story. Broken Age is a point & click, adventure and story rich game developed and published by Double Fine Productions. Released on January 28th 2014 has received 7,988 reviews of which 6,679 were positive and 1,309 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for story rich games.
8.1
6,679
1,309

-99% 12.49€ 0.23€

5. Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak

A ground-based RTS prequel to the classic Homeworld games. Assemble your fleet and lead them to victory on the shifting sands of Kharak in this compelling strategy game for PC from Blackbird Interactive. Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak is a strategy, rts and sci-fi game developed by Blackbird Interactive and published by Gearbox Publishing. Released on January 20th 2016 has received 8,519 reviews of which 6,789 were positive and 1,730 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for story rich games.
7.8
6,789
1,730

-99% 45.99€ 0.88€

6. Jack Move

Jack Move is a JRPG that features a unique blend of gritty cyberpunk story telling, turn based battles and beautiful modern pixel art. Take on the role of Noa, a vigilante hacker who is thrust into a world of murder, kidnapping and dark research after her father goes missing. Jack Move is a turn-based, jrpg and cyberpunk game developed by So Romantic and published by HypeTrain Digital. Released on September 08th 2022 has received 1,067 reviews of which 846 were positive and 221 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for story rich games.
7.6
846
221

-99% 19.99€ 0.34€

7. Epic Chef

Get ready to embark on a comedic culinary quest unlike any other as you take on the role of Zest in this story-driven adventure game; from humble beginnings you will build a farm, grow delectable ingredients, craft machinery and cook your way to becoming the most Epic Chef in Ambrosia! Epic Chef is a story rich, comedy and funny game developed by Infinigon Games and published by Team17. Released on November 11th 2021 has received 715 reviews of which 554 were positive and 161 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for story rich games.
7.4
554
161

-99% 24.99€ 0.40€

8. Where the Water Tastes Like Wine

Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is a Narrative-Adventure game about traveling, sharing stories, and surviving manifest destiny. Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is a adventure, indie and story rich game developed by Dim Bulb Games and Serenity Forge and published by Good Shepherd Entertainment. Released on February 28th 2018 has received 1,613 reviews of which 1,227 were positive and 386 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for story rich games.
7.3
1,227
386

-99% 19.99€ 0.37€

9. The Lamplighters League

Recruit a team of misfits with unique abilities and unforgettable personalities, and chase the Banished Court to the ends of the earth in a mix of real-time infiltration, turn-based tactical combat, and a character-driven story of adventure and intrigue. The Lamplighters League is a story rich, adventure and rpg game developed by Harebrained Schemes and published by Paradox Interactive. Released on October 03rd 2023 has received 940 reviews of which 666 were positive and 274 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for story rich games.
6.8
666
274

-99% 49.99€ 0.42€

10. 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. Citizen Sleeper is a rpg, dice and story rich game developed by Jump Over The Age and published by Fellow Traveller. Released on May 05th 2022 has received 8,105 reviews of which 7,522 were positive and 583 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for story rich games.
9
7,522
583

-98% 19.50€ 0.54€

Free story rich games on Steam

Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play story rich games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 16th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play story rich games.

1. Limbus Company

As the Executive Manager of Limbus Company, lead your group of twelve Sinners, venture into the buried facilities of Lobotomy Corporation, and lay claim on the Golden Boughs. Limbus Company is a lore-rich, story rich and free to play game developed and published by ProjectMoon. Released on February 26th 2023 has received 64,316 reviews of which 53,987 were positive and 10,329 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. With 11,105 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free story rich games on Steam.
8.3
53,987
10,329

11,105
players

2. Reverse: 1999

Reverse: 1999 is a 20th Century Time-Travel Strategic RPG developed by Bluepoch. As the Timekeeper, the observer of eras, you will embark on a journey across time and space, from the Roaring '20s to the turn of the millennium, uncovering the truth about the "Storm" and the mystery of the year 1999. Reverse: 1999 is a rpg, visual novel and story rich game developed and published by BLUEPOCH GAMES CO. and LIMITED. Released on October 08th 2024 has received 2,317 reviews of which 2,173 were positive and 144 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 498, this story rich game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free story rich games on Steam.
9.0
2,173
144

498
players

3. Tell Me Why

Tell Me Why is the multi-award winning episodic adventure game from Dontnod Entertainment in which twins use their supernatural bond to discover the truth of their troubled past. Tell Me Why is a choices matter, story rich and lgbtq+ game developed by DONTNOD Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on August 27th 2020 has received 13,883 reviews of which 11,457 were positive and 2,426 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 480, this story rich game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free story rich games on Steam.
8.1
11,457
2,426

480
players

4. Life is Strange - Episode 1

Episode 1 now FREE! Life is Strange is an award-winning and critically acclaimed episodic adventure game that allows the player to rewind time and affect the past, present and future. Life is Strange - Episode 1 is a story rich, choices matter and great soundtrack game developed by DONTNOD Entertainment, Feral interactive (Mac) and Feral Interactive (Linux) and published by Feral interactive (Mac), Feral Interactive (Linux) and Square Enix. Released on January 29th 2015 has received 169,201 reviews of which 162,769 were positive and 6,432 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 343 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free story rich games on Steam.
9.5
162,769
6,432

343
players

5. Everlasting Summer

Visual novel loved by many – Everlasting Summer – now on Steam! Everlasting Summer is a visual novel, story rich and free to play game developed and published by Soviet Games. Released on November 19th 2014 has received 75,514 reviews of which 71,592 were positive and 3,922 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 320 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free story rich games on Steam.
9.3
71,592
3,922

320
players

6. Life is Strange 2

After a tragic incident, brothers Sean and Daniel Diaz run away from home. Fearing the police, and dealing with Daniel's new telekinetic power, the boys head to Mexico. Each stop on their journey brings new friends and new challenges. Life is Strange 2 is a choices matter, story rich and adventure game developed by DONTNOD Entertainment and Feral Interactive (Linux) and published by Feral interactive (Mac), Feral Interactive (Linux) and Square Enix. Released on September 26th 2018 has received 36,634 reviews of which 31,616 were positive and 5,018 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 198 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free story rich games on Steam.
8.5
31,616
5,018

198
players

7. cyberpunkdreams

2090s America, torn apart by war and corporate greed. A lone traveller stands outside the gates of Cincinnati, greatest of the border cities. How far will you go to make it to the top? How far will you go to fulfil your mission? cyberpunkdreams is a cyberpunk, rpg and interactive fiction game developed and published by Late Night Games. Released on May 14th 2021 has received 987 reviews of which 751 were positive and 236 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free story rich games on Steam.
7.3
751
236

30
players

8. Paper Lily - Chapter 1

Paper Lily is an RPG horror game in which you can solve puzzles in different ways. Explore a hidden world, meet strange characters, and guide Lacie as she attempts to find answers about her unusual condition. Paper Lily - Chapter 1 is a pixel graphics, psychological horror and story rich game developed and published by Leef 6010. Released on January 26th 2024 has received 6,621 reviews of which 6,562 were positive and 59 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free story rich games on Steam.
9.6
6,562
59

27
players

9. Poco

Poco is the story of the world's smallest clown, who is banished from the circus and finds themself in a mysterious undergrowth full of lost and broken things. Explore, meet strange creatures, solve puzzles, and help Poco return to the circus in this charming 2D/3D hybrid point-and-click adventure. Poco is a point & click, story rich and exploration game developed by Whalefall and published by Micah Boursier. Released on May 20th 2025 has received 1,327 reviews of which 1,315 were positive and 12 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free story rich games on Steam.
9.4
1,315
12

24
players

10. Outcore: Desktop Adventure

All you wanted was a nice game. But now you find yourself opening Windows apps like Paint & Notepad to solve puzzles, and searching for files on your computers that you didn't put there... Who is she? Why did she appear on your desktop? Let's dive into her memories and find out. Outcore: Desktop Adventure is a adventure, psychological horror and free to play game developed and published by Doctor Shinobi. Released on September 26th 2022 has received 15,157 reviews of which 14,753 were positive and 404 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free story rich games on Steam.
9.5
14,753
404

22
players