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
a new life. When your loved one hurts you, what do you do? A classic love story about letting go.

Price 2.39€
Rating 9.2
Release 15 May 2020
Tales From Off-Peak City Vol. 1 On the corner of July Avenue and Yam Street, all is not what it seems. What role will you play in a city's fate?

Price 9.75€
Rating 9.2
Release 15 May 2020
Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.8 Matsuribayashi 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 6.59€
Rating 8.8
Release 14 May 2020
VirtuaVerse VirtuaVerse is a challenging old school cyberpunk point & click adventure set in a future not so far away narrating tales of technomancers, AVR graffiti writers, hacker groups, tribes of cryptoshamans, digital archeology, epic cyberwars and virtual reality debauchery.

Price -75% 3.85€
Rating 7.9
Release 12 May 2020
Delores: A Thimbleweed Park Mini-Adventure Delores is back home and working as a photographer for the Nickel News. Thimbleweed Park hasn’t changed at all in the year she’s been away… or has it? Sample Ron Gilbert’s new adventure game engine in this free prototype that uses “found art” from the award-winning Thimbleweed Park.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.2
Release 09 May 2020
Dream Date Date, communicate, enhance feelings and record good memories with girls!

Price 1.59€
Rating 8.2
Release 09 May 2020
BE-A Walker Take control of a huge mech on an alien planet! Shoot and trample the natives, avenge your brother, or forgive his killers? Join the rebels to restore peace on the exotic planet of Eldorado.

Price -94% 0.56€
Rating 7.0
Release 07 May 2020
Adventure Escape Mysteries Play a story-driven room escape game with unique puzzles enjoyed by tens of millions of players. Solve mysteries, puzzle through escape rooms, and find the clue that will crack the case in a critically acclaimed puzzle adventure game!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.2
Release 05 May 2020
Wintermoor Tactics Club Wintermoor Tactics Club is a story about surviving high school, with gameplay inspired by tactics RPGs and visual novels.

Price -91% 1.44€
Rating 8.3
Release 05 May 2020
Cat in the Box Cat in the Box is a horror adventure game. Help the poor girl explore the mansion and escape from unknown entities that are pursuing her. Use a variety of tools and your wits to overcome any challenges you face. At times, you'll even have to wake yourself from nightmares to survive.

Price 6.89€
Rating 8.9
Release 01 May 2020
PLAYNE : The Meditation Game Grow a beautiful island as you build a daily habit of mindfulness and meditation. Experience relaxation and learn ways to care for your mental wellbeing.

Price -88% 1.82€
Rating 8.9
Release 01 May 2020
CHANGE: A Homeless Survival Experience CHANGE is an award nominated homeless survival experience set in a randomly created city with rogue-like elements. Explore, survive, earn perks, find items & kindness to develop your character & escape to a new life. Over 7 years of development & over 200 updates so far!

Price -85% 2.99€
Rating 8.7
Release 01 May 2020
Samsara Room You woke up in a mysterious room you have never seen before. Can you find another way out? Samsara Room is a remake of the praised predecessor of the Rusty Lake & Cube Escape series.

Price Free to play
Rating 9.4
Release 29 Apr 2020
Mahou Arms Mahou Arms is an anime-inspired character-action hack and slash that tells the story of a magical girl paramilitary group fighting back against an alien invasion.

Price 28.99€
Rating 7.6
Release 28 Apr 2020
The Test: Hypothesis Rising The second chapter in The Test trilogy. Answer a series of in-depth questions to reveal hidden truths about yourself and unlock secrets to discover how your life can change drastically with just a few, slight modifications. ...But are you sure you want the answers you seek?

Price -20% 1.59€
Rating 9.4
Release 27 Apr 2020
노베나 디아볼로스 Novena diabolos is an Ocult mystery adventure game. The main character, Park Joon-sung, has to find a single human woman who doesn't know who she is and get out of town safely.

Price 15.99€
Rating 8.9
Release 26 Apr 2020
Trials of Mana Trials of Mana is a modern revival of the 3rd game in the seminal Mana series. The game, originally released in Japan as Seiken Densetsu 3, has been fully rebuilt from the ground up in 3D.

Price -81% 9.95€
Rating 8.9
Release 24 Apr 2020
A Summer's End - Hong Kong 1986 A Summer's End is a visual novel set in 1980s Hong Kong. It tells of a love story between two women. Lush and vibrant visuals, the game features over 400 unique hand-drawn artwork inspired by Asian cinema and 1980s anime.

Price 12.49€
Rating 9.2
Release 23 Apr 2020
TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children is the first season of a turn-based strategy SRPG that takes place in the world of Troubleshooter.

Price 22.99€
Rating 9.1
Release 23 Apr 2020
Cloudpunk A neon-noir story in a rain-drenched cyberpunk metropolis. It’s your first night on the job working for the Cloudpunk delivery service. Two rules: Don’t miss a delivery and don’t ask what’s in the package.

Price -90% 2.05€
Rating 8.6
Release 23 Apr 2020
Filament Solve challenging cable-based puzzles and uncover what really happened to the crew of The Alabaster. Now with Hint System (for those ultra tricky puzzles).

Price -88% 2.09€
Rating 8.1
Release 23 Apr 2020
Locked Up The game “Locked Up" is the first project developed in 2020 by the studio EMIKA_GAMES consisting of one person.

Price -34% 7.22€
Rating 7.5
Release 23 Apr 2020
The Shattering The Shattering is a first-person, story-driven, psychological thriller. Its defining features are the dynamic environments, beautiful aesthetic and intriguing story. The gameplay is meant to submerge you in the mind of John, as you take each step forward into the twisted mystery of what happened.

Price 19.99€
Rating 8.0
Release 21 Apr 2020
Help Will Come Tomorrow In an uninhabitable Siberian wilderness, in a wake of October Revolution, a group of passengers survives the mysterious catastrophe of Trans-Siberian railway train. They must endure in a harsh ice-clad climate until rescue arrives. Facing many dangers, their own weaknesses and, their own prejudice.

Price -98% 0.46€
Rating 7.6
Release 21 Apr 2020

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!