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
Inverted Angel
A girl visited your home, who you don't know but she identified herself as your girlfriend. She seems a little bit Menhera, but she knows too much to be just a stalker. This is a Kawaii Future Mystery, you will answer by free input for branching story. Please Try to find out true identity of her.
Football Referee Simulator
Football Referee Simulator—the groundbreaking game that puts you in the referee's shoes! Are you ready to kickstart your career in the lower divisions and ascend to legendary status by overseeing thrilling finals?
The Dearest Person
A visual novel about what it means to be human. A story about loneliness, self-identification, and the meaning of existence.
Uncover the Smoking Gun
A Battle of Wits with AI: Solve the case by conversing with a suspect robot using GPT to gather evidence. What single truth emerges from countless dialogues and pieces of information?
Bring Me that Shawarma
A visual novel about shawarma, consisting of multiple episodes.
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.
Voyager-19
A short horror game where you control a decaying spacecraft exploring distant star systems.
CaseCracker2
Jia huasheng ,the policeman of Chicheng police station, got disappeared without any trace after leaving a letter which illustrates the police station to start the CaseCracker system version 2.0.
Kanna Maze
In an isolated lab beneath the earth, a childhood friend is resurrected. Amidst sealed walls, a spree of killings unfolds. In a godless abyss, parallel worlds entwine like a maze. Where does one find the path to the sole universe of bliss?
Idle Heros
《IDLE HEROS》 is a special placement game, invite your friends to form a fixed team, come to participate in the battle, placement can easily obtain a variety of resources
Staffer Reborn
Staffer Reborn is a game of supernatural abilities and logical deduction set in 1960s America. It tells the story of a man trapped in a cycle of death and resurrection caused by his supernatural ability and the investigator who was recruited to help.
Aliya: Timelink
The player connects to a girl in distress in space thousands of years later? How will they resolve the crisis and discover the truth? Through the mechanism of real-time synchronization, the game breaks through the dimensional wall and creates an immersive dialogue across time and space.
The Shell Part II: Purgatorio
Detective Reiji Tokisaka is back to face down a mystery that spans decades, if not centuries. With the aftermath of his last case weighing on his soul and a long-silent cult resurgent, can he solve the crime—or will it become his curse?
outside the door
Outside the door is a mystic visual novel set within one office. You are about to figure out the stories of a few visitors without having a single memory of yourself.
I Wani Hug that Gator!
I Wani Hug that Gator! Is a choice-driven narrative about teenagers struggling to find their way. Help Inco, loser highschooler extraordinaire, navigate his budding friendships (and romance!) while surviving being the only human in a dinosaur-filled school.
Shanghai Summer
Shanghai Summer is an adventure game set in the millennium. Our protagonist, Baichuan, goes through a series of "anomalies" over the length of twelve days. In his pursuit of the truth, he found that his hopes and regrets from the past finally seem to converge. Will he be able to "fix" it for good?
Exotica: Petshop Simulator
Exotica is a simulation game where you run an exotic pet shop in the city.
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?
Xiangsheng Simulator
"Xiangsheng Simulator" is a humorous and witty adventure that takes you into the unique world of Xiangsheng. As a Xiangsheng Penggen, you'll team up with your Dougen partner to deliver a performance filled with laughter.
Nothing Together
A game about doing Nothing Together
Murders on the Yangtze River
"Murders on Yangtze River" is an Ace Attorney-like detective game that takes you on a journey through early 20th century China as you solve a series of intriguing cases. Use your logical reasoning and deduction skills to uncover clues, interrogate suspects, and solve the mysteries.
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Join rookie attorney Apollo Justice and his mentor, the legendary Phoenix Wright, in this collection of 3 games! This title features 16 episodes (including previously DLC-only episodes) and supports English, French, German, Japanese Korean, and Traditional and Simplified Chinese.
Petit Game Collection vol.1
A spin-off minigame collection of "Needy Streamer Overload". Meet your internet angel in this retro-style game world!
No Case Should Remain Unsolved
Twelve years after Senior Inspector Jeon Gyeong's retirement, she is visited by a young police officer: a woman who pleads with her to reexamine Seowon's case. But with each uncovered memory, only one thing becomes clear: everyone in Seowon's vicinity was lying.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 2,523 peak concurrent players over the last day.
7.7
1,573
393
2,523
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 813 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
813
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 318 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
318
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 308 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
308
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 223 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
223
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 470 reviews of which 457 were positive and 13 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 130 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played text-based games.
9.0
457
13
130
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. With 109 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played text-based games.
7.4
605
169
109
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
76
players
9. 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 #9 spot among the most played text-based games.
7.3
731
222
56
players
10. Magic Research
Magic Research is a text-based incremental game about Magic. You are the headmaster of a newly-created institution of Magic. Will you be able to lead your school to win the prestigious Tournament of Magic? Magic Research is a auto battler, idler and magic game developed and published by Maticolotto. Released on March 22nd 2023 has received 386 reviews of which 350 were positive and 36 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played text-based games.
8.4
350
36
49
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 2,523 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
2,523
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 813, this text-based game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free text-based games on Steam.
8.6
1,154
111
813
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 308, this text-based game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free text-based games on Steam.
7.8
375
74
308
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. Attracting a solid base of 109 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free text-based games on Steam.
7.4
605
169
109
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
76
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
56
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 443 reviews of which 398 were positive and 45 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
398
45
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