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
q.u.q. q.u.q. is a surreal visual novel about a somewhat crude girl that wanders a desert.

Price 1.99€
Rating 9.0
Release 26 Feb 2023
File Destined Can this last case of Oliver, all be just a small part of a bigger picture? Gather clues, unravel the mystery behind the case and uncover the truth.

Price 3.99€
Rating 8.1
Release 25 Feb 2023
Elong Plug Play as an elastic plug trying to become as long as LORD ELON. Use your climbing, dangling, and stretching skills to collect coins and buy length upgrades. Will LORD ELON accept you?

Price Free to play
Rating 8.9
Release 24 Feb 2023
OCTOPATH TRAVELER II This game is a brand-new entry in the OCTOPATH TRAVELER series, the first installment of which was initially released in 2018 and sold over 3 million copies worldwide.

Price -74% 16.14€
Rating 9.2
Release 24 Feb 2023
The Pale Beyond You didn’t ask to lead this expedition, but here you are. Stuck in the ice, Captain missing, miles from civilisation. Someone has to take charge. Manage your meagre resources, balance safety and morale, make the hard calls, and head in the only direction you can - through The Pale Beyond.

Price -98% 0.39€
Rating 8.5
Release 24 Feb 2023
Like a Dragon: Ishin! Don the clothes and weaponry of the elite to become the samurai of legend, Sakamoto Ryoma. Draw your blade and join the revolution in this heated historical adventure.

Price -75% 15.12€
Rating 8.1
Release 21 Feb 2023
The Test: Secrets of the Soul You will answer a series of questions that will reveal things from deep within. Some will be uncomfortable, but with great knowledge comes great sacrifice. Can you make it all the way through The Test, and are you SURE you want the answers you seek? For it is time to unlock "Secrets of the Soul..."

Price Free to play
Rating 9.3
Release 20 Feb 2023
Your Turn To Die -Death Game By Majority- Your Turn To Die -Death Game By Majority- is a multi-ending horror adventure game. Sara Chidouin returns home from school late one night to discover that something's gone terribly wrong. When she comes to, she finds herself, her friend Joe, and 9 other people trapped in a mysterious place.

Price 16.49€
Rating 9.4
Release 20 Feb 2023
Arthas - The Game A great game about a Great man!

Price 4.99€
Rating 7.5
Release 17 Feb 2023
Birth You are alone. You will build a creature, a partner, a wet warm heart, a collection of bones.

Price 8.99€
Rating 9.2
Release 17 Feb 2023
Loretta Loretta is a psychological thriller that makes the player an accessory to the heroine’s crimes, leading her through a self-crafted nightmare. Loretta’s story revolves around a woman handling betrayal, her husband’s infidelity, and reclaiming her agency during the socially tumultuous 1940s.

Price -54% 6.90€
Rating 8.6
Release 16 Feb 2023
9 Childs Street This is a first-person indie horror game. In 9 Childs Street you will find the terrifying atmosphere of a recently abandoned house, and its captive inhabitants, through the eyes of a curious little boy in a red cap.

Price -50% 3.44€
Rating 8.5
Release 16 Feb 2023
Wanted: Dead Wanted: Dead is a new hybrid slasher/shooter from the makers of Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive. The game follows a week in life of the Zombie Unit, an elite Hong Kong police squad on a mission to uncover a major corporate conspiracy.

Price -98% 0.66€
Rating 6.5
Release 14 Feb 2023
Ten Dates Ten Dates is the sequel to the interactive rom-com, Five Dates. Misha, a millennial from London in search of that elusive in-person connection, tricks her best friend Ryan into going to a speed dating event with her.

Price -38% 9.99€
Rating 7.5
Release 13 Feb 2023
Hogwarts Legacy Hogwarts Legacy is an immersive, open-world action RPG. Now you can take control of the action and be at the center of your own adventure in the wizarding world.

Price -84% 10.18€
Rating 8.9
Release 10 Feb 2023
Inspector Schmidt - A Bavarian Tale In a third-person RPG detective story, set in Bavaria in 1866, the medical student Valentin Schmidt travels to Wolpertshofen, when a sudden death causes turmoil in the village. Use your skills, find clues and question the villagers to stop the murders.

Price -77% 3.45€
Rating 7.4
Release 02 Feb 2023
Fallen Hero: Retribution So you're a villain now? Let's see if you survive the experience.

Price 11.79€
Rating 8.9
Release 02 Feb 2023
Deliver Us Mars Deliver Us Mars is an atmospheric sci-fi adventure taking you on a suspense-fuelled, high-stakes mission to recover the ARK colony ships stolen by the mysterious Outward.

Price -98% 0.86€
Rating 7.3
Release 02 Feb 2023
memories memories is a sapphic visual novel dress-up game where clothes are linked to painful memories of a failed relationship.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.9
Release 02 Feb 2023
The Symbiant The Symbiant is a BL / Yaoi / Gay visual novel about two men, both from vastly different worlds, embracing their sexuality and their newfound romance. It is also a tale of interstellar friendship and being gay in space!

Price -30% 13.99€
Rating 9.0
Release 02 Feb 2023
Cooking Live - Italian Kitchen Simulator Hello everyone! My name is Jane, and I need your help! I travel around the world and create a blog about local restaurants and cuisine. I’ve seen how big corporations squeeze out talented local cooks and their restaurants! Let’s take matters into our own hands and give them back their zest for life!

Price Free to play
Rating 7.2
Release 02 Feb 2023
SEASON: A letter to the future Leave home for the first time to collect memories before a mysterious cataclysm washes everything away. Ride, record, meet people, and unravel the strange world around you in this third-person meditative exploration game.

Price -81% 4.81€
Rating 8.9
Release 31 Jan 2023
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake Wish-granting Mermaid’s Tears in the hands of SpongeBob and Patrick… What could go wrong? Sure, the very fabric holding the universe together could come undone, opening portals into wild Wishworlds. But that’s nothing our favorite sponge can’t handle- with the right cosmic costume!

Price -95% 2.07€
Rating 8.9
Release 31 Jan 2023
Backfirewall_ Hello and welcome to Backfirewall_, a first-person tragicomic adventure set inside a smartphone. You are the update assistant. Solve wacky puzzles to counter the update and save the previous operating system from deletion. The fate of the System is in your hands!

Price -84% 2.41€
Rating 8.6
Release 30 Jan 2023

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!