Best Text-Based 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 text-based games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free text-based games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Monster Prom 4: Monster Con
Can you find love at the nerdiest convention ever? "Monster Con" goes back to the multiplayer dating sim formula: go through absurd and funny situations as you find love among six sexy monsters! Who will you romance? The mimic who cosplays? The idol clown? Or the eldritch cutie? (There's also Liam)
Love Curse: Find Your Soulmate
Love Curse is a GL visual novel. You’ve fallen under a curse, and the only way to break it is to find your soulmate! The clock is ticking… Will you find true love? And what secrets will you uncover along the way?
The Chef's Shift
The Chef’s Shift is a fast-paced typing game in a restaurant setting, where you’ll both cook & serve food to hungry customers, all done by TYPING.
Love, Elections, and Chocolate
Love, Elections, and Chocolate is a romantic visual novel developed by the Japanese game studio Sprite. Upon its release in Japan, it garnered numerous awards for its exceptional art, captivating music, and well-crafted characters.
Milky Way Idle
Milky Way Idle: A multiplayer idle RPG where automation replaces grinding. Level up skills, gather resources, craft powerful items, and battle monsters—all while AFK. Trade in the marketplace, join a guild, team up for party combat, and socialize in chat as you progress effortlessly.
The Test: Reality Check
The Test: Reality Check is one of multiple installments in an ongoing social experiment that can be classified as an atmospheric, psychological-simulation with horror elements. Dive deep into your own psyche to find answers to questions you've kept locked away, hidden from yourself for far too long.
Never Second in Rome
Never Second in Rome is a turn-based historical game with RPG and management elements. You are a Roman centurion in the army of Julius Caesar. You will control both your character and the unit under his command.
Urban Myth Dissolution Center
Join forces with the psychic Director of the Urban Myth Dissolution Center and solve a variety of cases involving cursed relics, rental properties with shady histories, and dimensional anomalies. Monstrous oddities and otherworldly planes abound in this occult mystery adventure game!
The Butterfly Collector
investigate the evidence left by a stalker and kidnapper and track the fate of a college girl. The player advances and watches the plot by clicking to make choices for the heroine at key moments, with different choices leading to different endings.
xiuzhen idle
This is a xiuzhen simulation placement game! From the refining of qi, building the foundation to the ascension of the celestial realm, crossed into the divine realm. （The game has been updated with the english mod, but you will need to select the "english" beta in the properties option to update it）
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
A dice-driven RPG, in a human and heartfelt sci-fi world. You are an escaped android, with a malfunctioning body, a price on your head and no memory of your past. Get a ship, find a crew, and take on contracts while you navigate across the Starward Belt.
DEAD LETTER DEPT.
Working at a data entry job in the big city, you type up and transcribe the lost mail and letters that have nowhere else to go. But as the days carry on oddities in the mail start to emerge, and cracks begin to appear.
The Shell Part III: Paradiso
The coiling chains of obsession that began with The Shell now threaten to strangle Detective Reiji Tokisaka in the third and final entry in the trilogy. As old friends and foes rise up for one last confrontation, can anyone break the cycle—and can Reiji's heart ever be set free?
Football Coach: College Dynasty
A true college football management game. Play as a coach or a school, recruit players, develop your team, and compete for national championships. Build a college football dynasty and become a coaching legend!
OneRoom ―Yui Hanasaka Memorial―
That pure love, that lovey-dovey moment again――A new, immersive animated novel game where you can experience the story of Yui Hanasaka, the main heroine of the popular short anime series OneRoom, from the protagonist’s point of view.Revisit her special moments in this innovative experience!
Night Shift Nurses
A washed-up mad doctor is hired back by a devious former test subject and asked to twist her hospital into a corrupt donation mill. Will he seize this second chance to practice his own vision of "science," or will his many failings drag him down once again in this pseudo-medical visual novel?
Seedsow Lullaby
"My mother, my daughter, and me—three sixteen-year-olds on an extraordinary adventure."After traveling through time to meet their sixteen-year-old counterparts, three generations of women set off on an adventure through the Land of the Gods. What could await them at the end of their journey?
PROXIMATE
Congratulations, contractor! You've been approved to trial our cutting-edge AI visor. Use it to explore the Neuras lab and recover the staff's research. Your visor is safe, reliable, and up to 99% accurate. Just don't ask why the "ketchup" in the corner makes such a horrible crunching sound.
Homicipher
Homicipher is a language deciphering and exploration ADV based on the concept of "romance with horror men." The protagonist, who has wandered into another world, interacts with non-human beings to decipher their language while striving to escape.
Soccer Manager 2025
Manage elite football clubs and lead your dream team as a football manager!
Putrika 1st.cut:The Reason She Must Perish
"Even though I knew this love was forbidden..." While the tragedy is being told, the girl's true love is revealed! Enjoy this crazy pure love drama with beautiful visuals and cute characters!
Ace Attorney Investigations Collection
Miles Edgeworth's dramatic turnabouts take center stage! Experience both Ace Attorney Investigations games in one gorgeous collection! Investigate crime scenes and solve tough, intriguing cases through logic and deduction. When Edgeworth's past and present collide, his future begins!
Katawa Shoujo
Katawa Shoujo is a romantic visual novel set in the fictional Japanese Yamaku High School for disabled children. Hisao's congenital heart defect forces him to move to a new school. Despite his difficulties, Hisao is able to find friends—and perhaps love, if he plays his cards right.
Most played text-based games on Steam
Take a look at the top text-based games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 14th 2025.
1. Your Chronicle
"Let's begin your own story." This is a text-based idle RPG game. There are already more than 3,000 unique story actions and it's still growing. Your Chronicle is a rpg, idler and text-based game developed and published by Samurai Games. Released on April 04th 2021 has received 2,040 reviews of which 1,633 were positive and 407 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played text-based game, thanks to its 3,219 peak concurrent players over the last day.
7.7
1,633
407
3,219
players
2. Idling to Rule the Gods
Idling to Rule the Gods is a free to play Idle-Game with a lot of content and some Minigames. Depending on your play-style, you can play it fast or slow. Either way it can be fun for hundreds of hours! Idling to Rule the Gods is a free to play, indie and simulation game developed and published by Shugasu GmbH. Released on May 27th 2016 has received 1,916 reviews of which 1,638 were positive and 278 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. While seeing 1,107 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among text-based games based on player count.
8.2
1,638
278
1,107
players
3. Trimps
A text-based incremental idle game with a ridiculous amount of unique content. Automate old stuff as you unlock new stuff to keep things interesting for hours and hours, no spam clicking necessary! Trimps is everything you love about your favorite games, distilled to their purest form. Trimps is a idler, strategy and free to play game developed and published by Greensatellite. Released on May 02nd 2022 has received 1,287 reviews of which 1,176 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. While seeing 745 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among text-based games based on player count.
8.7
1,176
111
745
players
4. SIGame
Exciting quiz game where you can test your knowledge, compete with friends and smart bots, and explore a variety of topics! SIGame is a trivia, multiplayer and education game developed and published by Vladimir Khil. Released on March 22nd 2025 has received 625 reviews of which 508 were positive and 117 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. With 552 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played text-based games.
7.7
508
117
552
players
5. Football Coach: College Dynasty
A true college football management game. Play as a coach or a school, recruit players, develop your team, and compete for national championships. Build a college football dynasty and become a coaching legend! Football Coach: College Dynasty is a simulation, sports and football (american) game developed and published by Coach Apps. Released on January 16th 2025 has received 1,202 reviews of which 1,155 were positive and 47 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 201 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played text-based games.
9.1
1,155
47
201
players
6. Pro Wrestling Sim
Pro Wrestling Sim is a text-based pro-wrestling booking simulator. Control a wrestling promotion, decide your roster, and create storylines, feuds and matches where the winners and losers are in your hands. Pro Wrestling Sim is a simulation, wrestling and strategy game developed and published by Pro Wrestling Sim. Released on March 29th 2021 has received 492 reviews of which 476 were positive and 16 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 128 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played text-based games.
9.0
476
16
128
players
7. Magic Research 2
Welcome to Magic Research 2, an incremental RPG from the creator of Magic Research. Learn countless spells, face powerful foes, and command a team of Wizards who can cast spells for you as you journey to find or create the Philosopher's Stone. Magic Research 2 is a auto battler, idler and text-based game developed and published by Maticolotto. Released on May 21st 2024 has received 485 reviews of which 451 were positive and 34 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 112 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played text-based games.
8.6
451
34
112
players
8. Incremental Adventures
Lead your heroes in their neverending adventures! A minimalistic Idle game where combat is fully automated. It's up to you to make the most of that automation to reach extremely high numbers! Incremental Adventures is a idler, automation and text-based game developed and published by Gniller. Released on August 11th 2020 has received 774 reviews of which 605 were positive and 169 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. With 104 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played text-based games.
7.4
605
169
104
players
9. The Farmer Was Replaced
Program and optimize a drone to automate a farm and watch it do the work for you. Collect resources to unlock better technology and become the most efficient farmer in the world. Improve your problem solving and coding skills. The Farmer Was Replaced is a programming, automation and idler game developed and published by Timon Herzog. Released on February 10th 2023 has received 1,543 reviews of which 1,496 were positive and 47 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played text-based games.
9.2
1,496
47
40
players
10. 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 #10 spot among the most played text-based games.
7.3
751
236
38
players
Best deals on text-based games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of text-based games available on Steam right now, updated on June 14th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted text-based games.
1. Roadwarden
Roadwarden is an illustrated text-based RPG that uses isometric pixel art and combines mechanics borrowed from RPGs, Visual Novels, adventure games and interactive fiction. Roadwarden is a rpg, text-based and adventure game developed by Moral Anxiety Studio and published by Assemble Entertainment. Released on September 12th 2022 has received 4,218 reviews of which 4,001 were positive and 217 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Featuring a massive 98% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for text-based category.
9.1
4,001
217
-98%
10.99€
0.28€
2. Stories Untold
Stories Untold is a compilation tape of four experimental adventures, including a remaster of the original hit episode “The House Abandon”. Stories Untold is a adventure, text-based and horror game developed by No Code and published by Devolver Digital. Released on February 27th 2017 has received 5,142 reviews of which 4,480 were positive and 662 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in text-based games.
8.4
4,480
662
-95%
9.75€
0.49€
3. Warsim: The Realm of Aslona
Warsim is a deep, rich text based kingdom ruling sim unlike anything else, complete with charming ASCII graphics. Navigate the millions of different procedurally generated races, events and areas with a huge emphasis on player choice. Don't let its look fool you, there is depth in every direction. Warsim: The Realm of Aslona is a text-based, simulation and rpg game developed and published by Huw Millward. Released on December 20th 2022 has received 1,998 reviews of which 1,916 were positive and 82 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 93% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in text-based games.
9.1
1,916
82
-93%
9.75€
0.77€
4. Subsurface Circular
When the truth is buried, go underground. Step into this new take on text-based adventure from the award-winning team behind Thomas Was Alone and Volume. A short story that hands you the fate of the world above, as a detective looking for answers on the Subsurface Circular. Subsurface Circular is a visual novel, investigation and detective game developed and published by Bithell Games. Released on August 17th 2017 has received 1,889 reviews of which 1,787 were positive and 102 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 87% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for text-based games.
9
1,787
102
-87%
5.99€
0.82€
5. Monsters of Little Haven
At the heart of the action are a twelve-year-old Kenneth and his younger sister Esme, children of the Murphy family, who hit the trail of a mysterious monster following series of entangled events. Monsters of Little Haven is a horror, visual novel and casual game developed and published by Missing Calm. Released on July 09th 2019 has received 406 reviews of which 357 were positive and 49 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 80% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for text-based games.
8.2
357
49
-80%
4.99€
0.99€
6. Nodes Escape
The game presents realistic game graphics through sound effects, narration and imagination. The level design is subtle and challenging, allowing players to challenge their intelligence and logic skills in solving puzzles. Nodes Escape is a word game, puzzle and text-based game developed by 夜喵 and Allen and published by 夜喵. Released on July 14th 2023 has received 490 reviews of which 421 were positive and 69 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a 50% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for text-based games.
8.0
421
69
-50%
1.99€
0.99€
7. Arcadie: Second-Born
In this interactive tale of love and war, be the force of reason that your kingdom needs, or perpetuate its reputation as a force of destruction. Find love and weave friendships, or cast it all away for the sake of retribution. Arcadie: Second-Born is a interactive fiction, romance and choose your own adventure game developed and published by Arcadie & Utopie. Released on December 09th 2022 has received 352 reviews of which 333 were positive and 19 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a 25% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for text-based games.
8.7
333
19
-25%
7.99€
5.99€
Free text-based games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play text-based games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 14th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play text-based games.
1. Your Chronicle
"Let's begin your own story." This is a text-based idle RPG game. There are already more than 3,000 unique story actions and it's still growing. Your Chronicle is a rpg, idler and text-based game developed and published by Samurai Games. Released on April 04th 2021 has received 2,040 reviews of which 1,633 were positive and 407 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. With 3,219 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free text-based games on Steam.
7.7
1,633
407
3,219
players
2. Idling to Rule the Gods
Idling to Rule the Gods is a free to play Idle-Game with a lot of content and some Minigames. Depending on your play-style, you can play it fast or slow. Either way it can be fun for hundreds of hours! Idling to Rule the Gods is a free to play, indie and simulation game developed and published by Shugasu GmbH. Released on May 27th 2016 has received 1,916 reviews of which 1,638 were positive and 278 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 1,107, this text-based game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free text-based games on Steam.
8.2
1,638
278
1,107
players
3. Trimps
A text-based incremental idle game with a ridiculous amount of unique content. Automate old stuff as you unlock new stuff to keep things interesting for hours and hours, no spam clicking necessary! Trimps is everything you love about your favorite games, distilled to their purest form. Trimps is a idler, strategy and free to play game developed and published by Greensatellite. Released on May 02nd 2022 has received 1,287 reviews of which 1,176 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 745, this text-based game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free text-based games on Steam.
8.7
1,176
111
745
players
4. SIGame
Exciting quiz game where you can test your knowledge, compete with friends and smart bots, and explore a variety of topics! SIGame is a trivia, multiplayer and education game developed and published by Vladimir Khil. Released on March 22nd 2025 has received 625 reviews of which 508 were positive and 117 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 552 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free text-based games on Steam.
7.7
508
117
552
players
5. Incremental Adventures
Lead your heroes in their neverending adventures! A minimalistic Idle game where combat is fully automated. It's up to you to make the most of that automation to reach extremely high numbers! Incremental Adventures is a idler, automation and text-based game developed and published by Gniller. Released on August 11th 2020 has received 774 reviews of which 605 were positive and 169 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 104 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free text-based games on Steam.
7.4
605
169
104
players
6. 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 #6 spot among the most played free text-based games on Steam.
7.3
751
236
38
players
7. The Lancaster Leak - Entity Exam
YOU CONTROL THE FOUND FOOTAGE. Another tape has been leaked, this time a recording of a training protocol. By answering questions and resisting jumpscares, can you beat the Entity Exam? The Lancaster Leak - Entity Exam is a horror, action and text-based game developed by Jeremy Fischer and published by Jflyer Games. Released on February 05th 2024 has received 455 reviews of which 409 were positive and 46 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free text-based games on Steam.
8.4
409
46
1
players
8. Space Bear
Space Bear is a multi-choice text adventure typing game! Sort of. I mean, there isn't many actual choices, and the typing is more "mashing"... Space Bear is a free to play, adventure and indie game developed by Damon Smith and published by Space Bear Games. Released on March 05th 2020 has received 455 reviews of which 447 were positive and 8 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free text-based games on Steam.
9.1
447
8
9. "LIFE" not found;
This small Narrative Point & Click (Puzzle) game is about the mental health struggles of a adolescent high school dropout who's lost at life. Find out what they're struggling with, you might even recognize some things from your own life. "LIFE" not found; is a point & click, text-based and indie game developed and published by BerCh1n. Released on June 23rd 2022 has received 303 reviews of which 287 were positive and 16 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free text-based games on Steam.
8.7
287
16
10. Detective Butler: Maiden Voyage Murder
Follow Detective Butler and his sidekick Gilligan as they solve a locked-room murder during a haunted cruise ship's maiden voyage. Can you solve the mystery before Detective Butler reveals the answer? Detective Butler: Maiden Voyage Murder is a mystery, visual novel and detective game developed and published by Goldbar Games. Released on May 26th 2017 has received 301 reviews of which 246 were positive and 55 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free text-based games on Steam.
7.6
246
55