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
Loot Box Quest
The spiritual successor to DLC Quest! Earn that sense of pride and accomplishment in the way that only repetitive clicking can deliver. It's a clicker game, so chill out, have a few chuckles, and watch numbers get bigger while the industry burns around us all.
家有大貓 Nekojishi
Nekojishi is a visual novel about feline beast-men, Taiwanese folklore, and the pressures and consequences that come with navigating the world of gods and spirits.
Sorry, James
JAMES_GARNER zEiaQe@z1l3
Don't Make Love
Assume the role of a praying mantis in a relationship dilemma. Torn between their mutual love and the instinct to have sex – which could lead to the male mantis’s death – the couple is on the verge of making a decision. Type anything you want in response to your partner during this life-changing conversation.
Throne of Lies®: Medieval Politics
The 3D online multiplayer game of social deduction and mischief, inspired by medieval politics and the Werewolf/Mafia (1986) genre. Gather 'round the tabletop, uniting allies of the realm with strategy to distinguish friend from foe.
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.
MINDNIGHT
Inspired by the party games Werewolf and The Resistance, MINDNIGHT is a cyberpunk online social deduction game of deceit, accusations and unpredictability. It challenges your ability to lie and detect others that are trying to be deceptive.
All You Can Eat
Meet a modern hero of our times, a man so lazy he decided to quit his job and just spend his life inside an All-you-can-eat diner. As years go by, his freeloading nature becomes legend, but then a tragedy occurs - the diner is about to close down! Will he settle down and get a regular job? Never!!!
Pixel Sketch
Become the best painter in the universe in this colorful online game!
LoveKami -Useless Goddess-
After finding a collapsed goddess on the street, Sho takes her home. Akane is an Aragami, a goddess that only thinks about herself and causes trouble to those around her. Can Sho, with the help of Inori and Maika, help Akane reform into a perfect goddess?
Emily is Away Too
Emily is Away Too is a brand new story featuring new characters and multiple different endings. Message your friends, surf the web and choose your path through this branching narrative.
Stories Untold
Stories Untold is a compilation tape of four experimental adventures, including a remaster of the original hit episode “The House Abandon”.
Open Sorcery
BEL/S is an Elemental Firewall: a fire elemental bound with C++ code to protect a network of people and places. She can learn things, develop relationships, and even gain sapience. Or she can burn everything with fire. It's up to you.
A House of Many Doors
Explore the House, a parasite dimension that steals from other worlds, in a train that scuttles on mechanical legs.
LoveKami -Divinity Stage-
MoeNovel's exciting new original title, LoveKami -Divinity Stage-, debuts on Steam in English, bringing a fun and energetic tale filled with magic and music!
The Silver Case
The Silver Case – the debut title from world-renowned developer SUDA51 has been fully remastered and localized to English for the first time ever!
hackmud
hackmud is a text-based multiplayer hacking simulator for keyboard-compatible personal home computers. Crack protected systems and solve puzzles as you explore the abandoned internet of the future. Write scripts to protect your winnings and trick other players. Lose everything. Get it back.![Event[0]](https://shared.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/470260/header.jpg)
Winter Novel
Snow, dullness, depression. Constant dissatisfaction with work and superiors and feeling like there is no escape. Is this what life will always be? Perhaps… but I can always hope for change to be just around the corner!…
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!
Age of Gladiators
Age of Gladiators is a single-player strategy/management sim set at the height of the bloody gladiatorial games in ancient Rome. As your fighters increase in level, it will be up to you to decide how to forge their attributes and abilities.
Sorcery! Parts 1 and 2
An epic adventure in a land of monsters, traps and magic. Journey across the deadly Shamutanti Hills and through Kharé, Cityport of Thieves. Armed with your sword and over fifty spells with weird and wonderful effects, embark on a narrative adventure of a thousand choices where every one is remembered.
Sepia Tears
A visual novel about a memory that a boy named Mark tries very hard to forget, and a girl named Myra who unearths it.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 April 30th 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 1,966 reviews of which 1,573 were positive and 393 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 2,477 peak concurrent players over the last day.
7.7
1,573
393
2,477
players
2. 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 1,265 reviews of which 1,154 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. While seeing 784 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among text-based games based on player count.
8.6
1,154
111
784
players
3. 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 449 reviews of which 418 were positive and 31 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. While seeing 347 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among text-based games based on player count.
8.6
418
31
347
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 449 reviews of which 375 were positive and 74 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 278 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played text-based games.
7.8
375
74
278
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 1,177 reviews of which 1,130 were positive and 47 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 225 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played text-based games.
9.1
1,130
47
225
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, strategy and wrestling game developed and published by Pro Wrestling Sim. Released on March 29th 2021 has received 469 reviews of which 456 were positive and 13 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 148 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played text-based games.
9.0
456
13
148
players
7. 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. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played text-based games.
7.4
605
169
90
players
8. 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. Katawa Shoujo is a visual novel, romance and dating sim game developed and published by Four Leaf Studios. Released on August 15th 2024 has received 3,581 reviews of which 3,515 were positive and 66 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played text-based games.
9.4
3,515
66
89
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, idler and automation game developed and published by Timon Herzog. Released on February 10th 2023 has received 1,495 reviews of which 1,451 were positive and 44 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
1,451
44
50
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 953 reviews of which 731 were positive and 222 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
731
222
44
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 April 30th 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 4,126 reviews of which 3,914 were positive and 212 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Featuring a massive 91% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for text-based category.
9.1
3,914
212
-91%
11.11€
1.00€
2. 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 401 reviews of which 353 were positive and 48 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 80% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in text-based games.
8.2
353
48
-80%
4.99€
0.99€
3. 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 486 reviews of which 419 were positive and 67 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Thanks to its 50% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in text-based games.
8.1
419
67
-50%
1.99€
0.99€
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 April 30th 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 1,966 reviews of which 1,573 were positive and 393 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. With 2,477 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
1,573
393
2,477
players
2. 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 1,265 reviews of which 1,154 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 784, this text-based game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free text-based games on Steam.
8.6
1,154
111
784
players
3. 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 449 reviews of which 375 were positive and 74 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 278, this text-based game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free text-based games on Steam.
7.8
375
74
278
players
4. 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. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free text-based games on Steam.
7.4
605
169
90
players
5. 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. Katawa Shoujo is a visual novel, romance and dating sim game developed and published by Four Leaf Studios. Released on August 15th 2024 has received 3,581 reviews of which 3,515 were positive and 66 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free text-based games on Steam.
9.4
3,515
66
89
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 953 reviews of which 731 were positive and 222 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
731
222
44
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 439 reviews of which 397 were positive and 42 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
397
42
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 450 reviews of which 442 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
442
8