1 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Open world
An open fantasy world with outstanding side quests and choices that have lasting consequences.
The best story-driven games on PC and Xbox
Games that are above all about the story, with characters that stay with you and moments you will think about for a long time.
How to find games that really suit you: Select up to 5 games you have played and enjoyed. Playalike compares 36 traits such as combat, story and atmosphere and suggests games that hit exactly the same spot, even across genres.
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1 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Open world
- Fantasy setting
- Lots to discover
An open fantasy world with outstanding side quests and choices that have lasting consequences.
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2 Red Dead Redemption 2
- Open world
- Lavish presentation
- Lots to discover
An epic western about the downfall of an outlaw gang, set in an incredibly detailed open world.
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3 BioShock
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Shooting and gunplay
An atmospheric shooter set in the decaying underwater city of Rapture, blending Plasmid powers and weapons into creative combat. It is celebrated for its iconic Art Deco setting and a story with a legendary twist that questions free will.
2 Red Dead Redemption 2
Open world
An epic western about the downfall of an outlaw gang, set in an incredibly detailed open world.
3 BioShock
Action-packed real-time combat
An atmospheric shooter set in the decaying underwater city of Rapture, blending Plasmid powers and weapons into creative combat. It is celebrated for its iconic Art Deco setting and a story with a legendary twist that questions free will.
3 BioShock
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Shooting and gunplay
An atmospheric shooter set in the decaying underwater city of Rapture, blending Plasmid powers and weapons into creative combat. It is celebrated for its iconic Art Deco setting and a story with a legendary twist that questions free will.
4 Mass Effect 2
Sci-fi setting
Commander Shepard assembles a crew of specialists for a suicide mission, blending cover-based shooting with unforgettable companions and choices that decide who lives and dies.
5 BioShock Infinite
Action-packed real-time combat
A first-person shooter set in the floating city of Columbia, mixing fast combat with Vigors and skyline rails with a mind-bending tale of alternate realities. Companion Elizabeth and the stunning finale make it a standout narrative experience.
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Lavish presentation
- Shooting and gunplay
A first-person shooter set in the floating city of Columbia, mixing fast combat with Vigors and skyline rails with a mind-bending tale of alternate realities. Companion Elizabeth and the stunning finale make it a standout narrative experience.
6 Mass Effect
Sci-fi setting
As Commander Shepard, you lead your Normandy crew across the galaxy chasing a rogue Spectre in a landmark sci-fi RPG built around its dialogue wheel, companion bonds and choices that carry into the sequels. Combat is real-time cover shooting with pausable squad powers.
- Sci-fi setting
- Choices with consequences
- Action-packed real-time combat
As Commander Shepard, you lead your Normandy crew across the galaxy chasing a rogue Spectre in a landmark sci-fi RPG built around its dialogue wheel, companion bonds and choices that carry into the sequels. Combat is real-time cover shooting with pausable squad powers.
7 Undertale
Choices with consequences
A charming indie RPG where every fight can be resolved without violence, blending turn-based menus with bullet-hell dodging. Its quirky humor, memorable monsters and a story that remembers your choices made it a cult classic.
8 Life Is Strange
Choices with consequences
As photography student Max, you discover you can rewind time and dig into a disappearance in a sleepy coastal town, with your choices shaping friendships and fates. It's a heartfelt coming-of-age drama with an unforgettable indie soundtrack.
- Choices with consequences
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Distinctive, stylised art style
As photography student Max, you discover you can rewind time and dig into a disappearance in a sleepy coastal town, with your choices shaping friendships and fates. It's a heartfelt coming-of-age drama with an unforgettable indie soundtrack.
9 Mass Effect 3
Sci-fi setting
The emotional finale of Shepard's trilogy pairs tight cover-shooting and combinable squad powers with a galaxy-wide war effort, where choices carried across three games decide who lives, who dies, and which civilizations survive.
10 The Walking Dead
Dark, serious atmosphere
An episodic narrative adventure where Lee protects young Clementine through a zombie apocalypse, forced into agonizing timed moral decisions. The bond between the two makes it one of the most emotionally powerful games of its kind.
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Post-apocalyptic setting
- Choices with consequences
An episodic narrative adventure where Lee protects young Clementine through a zombie apocalypse, forced into agonizing timed moral decisions. The bond between the two makes it one of the most emotionally powerful games of its kind.
11 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Sci-fi setting
BioWare's classic Star Wars RPG lets you walk the light or dark side millennia before the films, backed by a crew of memorable companions and one of gaming's most famous plot twists.
11 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
- Sci-fi setting
- Strong character progression
- A party of several characters
BioWare's classic Star Wars RPG lets you walk the light or dark side millennia before the films, backed by a crew of memorable companions and one of gaming's most famous plot twists.
12 Detroit: Become Human
Choices with consequences
A cinematic narrative adventure where you guide three androids through a near-future Detroit. The story branches dramatically with every choice, and characters can live or die depending on your decisions.
13 Disco Elysium
Choices with consequences
A detective RPG without combat, but with brilliant dialogue and a deeply conflicted protagonist.
14 The Wolf Among Us
Distinctive, stylised art style
A moody noir murder mystery where you play Bigby Wolf, the reformed Big Bad Wolf turned sheriff, investigating killings among fairy-tale exiles in grimy New York. Your dialogue choices decide whether you're feared or trusted, all wrapped in a striking neon comic-book style.
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Choices with consequences
- Dark, serious atmosphere
A moody noir murder mystery where you play Bigby Wolf, the reformed Big Bad Wolf turned sheriff, investigating killings among fairy-tale exiles in grimy New York. Your dialogue choices decide whether you're feared or trusted, all wrapped in a striking neon comic-book style.
15 Firewatch
Distinctive, stylised art style
An intimate first-person narrative adventure in the Wyoming wilderness, built around witty, heartfelt radio conversations between Henry and Delilah. Its painterly look and a slowly creeping mystery make it memorable.
15 Firewatch
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Lavish presentation
An intimate first-person narrative adventure in the Wyoming wilderness, built around witty, heartfelt radio conversations between Henry and Delilah. Its painterly look and a slowly creeping mystery make it memorable.
16 God of War Ragnarök
Action-packed real-time combat
Kratos and Atreus travel the Nine Realms of Norse myth as Ragnarök approaches. Weighty, precise melee combat meets a moving father-son story and blockbuster presentation.
17 Heavy Rain
Choices with consequences
A grim, cinematic thriller about the Origami Killer where you guide four characters, and every choice or failed quick-time sequence can decide who lives and how the story ends.
17 Heavy Rain
- Choices with consequences
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Lavish presentation
A grim, cinematic thriller about the Origami Killer where you guide four characters, and every choice or failed quick-time sequence can decide who lives and how the story ends.
18 Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Dark, serious atmosphere
An intense psychological journey of a warrior through her psychosis, with remarkable sound design.
18 Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Lavish presentation
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
An intense psychological journey of a warrior through her psychosis, with remarkable sound design.
19 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Turn-based combat
Turn-based RPG with real-time parrying and dodging, set in a melancholic Belle Époque–inspired fantasy world.
19 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Turn-based combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
- A party of several characters
Turn-based RPG with real-time parrying and dodging, set in a melancholic Belle Époque–inspired fantasy world.
20 What Remains of Edith Finch
Lavish presentation
A moving narrative game where you wander the sprawling Finch family home and relive each relative's final moments through short vignettes, each with its own inventive gameplay twist. Melancholic, creative, and unforgettable in just a couple of hours.
20 What Remains of Edith Finch
- Lavish presentation
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Distinctive, stylised art style
A moving narrative game where you wander the sprawling Finch family home and relive each relative's final moments through short vignettes, each with its own inventive gameplay twist. Melancholic, creative, and unforgettable in just a couple of hours.
21 Spec Ops: The Line
Dark, serious atmosphere
A third-person cover shooter set in a sand-buried Dubai that gradually turns into a harrowing critique of war, guilt and the genre's own power fantasies. Its moral dilemmas and Captain Walker's psychological unraveling make it unforgettable.
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Shooting and gunplay
A third-person cover shooter set in a sand-buried Dubai that gradually turns into a harrowing critique of war, guilt and the genre's own power fantasies. Its moral dilemmas and Captain Walker's psychological unraveling make it unforgettable.
22 The Last of Us Part I
Lavish presentation
Joel and Ellie's emotional survival story in a devastated world.
23 The Walking Dead: Season Two
Dark, serious atmosphere
You play as Clementine, now forced to survive on her own in a brutal zombie apocalypse, and make tough moral calls that shape relationships and fates. It's a bleak, emotional narrative adventure with a comic-book look.
23 The Walking Dead: Season Two
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Post-apocalyptic setting
- Choices with consequences
You play as Clementine, now forced to survive on her own in a brutal zombie apocalypse, and make tough moral calls that shape relationships and fates. It's a bleak, emotional narrative adventure with a comic-book look.
24 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords
Sci-fi setting
A melancholic, philosophical Star Wars RPG that questions the very nature of the Force, the Jedi and the Sith. Mentor Kreia anchors it, companions can be swayed toward light or dark, and combat is tactical with pause-and-queue actions.
24 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords
- Sci-fi setting
- Strong character progression
- A party of several characters
A melancholic, philosophical Star Wars RPG that questions the very nature of the Force, the Jedi and the Sith. Mentor Kreia anchors it, companions can be swayed toward light or dark, and combat is tactical with pause-and-queue actions.
25 Beyond: Two Souls
Lavish presentation
Quantic Dream's interactive drama tells Jodie's life in non-chronological episodes, bound to the ghostly entity Aiden whom you can also control. Decisions and quick-time sequences shape a cinematic, motion-captured story with strong lead performances.
26 Cyberpunk 2077
Open world
A first-person RPG in a dense metropolis of the future, with many ways to approach each mission.
27 Soma
Dark, serious atmosphere
A harrowing combat-free horror journey through a ruined deep-sea research station that confronts you with unsettling questions about consciousness and identity. Its philosophical story lingers long after the credits roll.
27 Soma
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Sci-fi setting
- Dread and tension
A harrowing combat-free horror journey through a ruined deep-sea research station that confronts you with unsettling questions about consciousness and identity. Its philosophical story lingers long after the credits roll.
28 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
Choices with consequences
As a newly turned vampire, you navigate clan intrigue in nighttime Los Angeles. Your choice of clan reshapes both dialogue and playstyle, most famously with the unhinged Malkavian. The game earned cult status through its sharp writing, dense atmosphere and unforgettable quests.
28 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
- Choices with consequences
- Strong character progression
- Dark, serious atmosphere
As a newly turned vampire, you navigate clan intrigue in nighttime Los Angeles. Your choice of clan reshapes both dialogue and playstyle, most famously with the unhinged Malkavian. The game earned cult status through its sharp writing, dense atmosphere and unforgettable quests.
29 Tales from the Borderlands
Lots of humour
Telltale's episodic narrative adventure where Rhys and Fiona trade unreliable accounts of a chaotic Vault hunt on Pandora. It shines through sharp comedy, lovable characters, quick-time action and choices that shape relationships.
30 God of War
Action-packed real-time combat
An older Kratos travels through Norse mythology with his son Atreus. Weighty axe combat, an emotional father-son story and a seamless single-shot camera make it stand out.
30 God of War
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Lavish presentation
- Fantasy setting
An older Kratos travels through Norse mythology with his son Atreus. Weighty axe combat, an emotional father-son story and a seamless single-shot camera make it stand out.
31 Gone Home
Lots to discover
A quiet first-person exploration game where you piece together your family's story, especially your younger sister's coming-of-age, by rummaging through an empty house in 1995. No combat, just atmosphere, discovery and a heartfelt narrative.
31 Gone Home
- Lots to discover
A quiet first-person exploration game where you piece together your family's story, especially your younger sister's coming-of-age, by rummaging through an empty house in 1995. No combat, just atmosphere, discovery and a heartfelt narrative.
32 Doki Doki Literature Club!
Dark, serious atmosphere
What starts as a sugary anime dating sim about a school poetry club gradually turns into unsettling psychological horror that breaks the fourth wall and even toys with the game's own files.
33 Life is Strange: Before the Storm
Choices with consequences
An emotional coming-of-age drama where you play rebellious Chloe Price and live through her intense bond with Rachel Amber. Instead of time powers, it relies on sharp-tongued backtalk duels and choices that shape relationships.
33 Life is Strange: Before the Storm
- Choices with consequences
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Distinctive, stylised art style
An emotional coming-of-age drama where you play rebellious Chloe Price and live through her intense bond with Rachel Amber. Instead of time powers, it relies on sharp-tongued backtalk duels and choices that shape relationships.
34 To the Moon
Distinctive, stylised art style
Two doctors travel backward through a dying man's memories to fulfill his final wish. It's a short, deeply moving story with warm humor and an unforgettable piano soundtrack.
34 To the Moon
- Distinctive, stylised art style
Two doctors travel backward through a dying man's memories to fulfill his final wish. It's a short, deeply moving story with warm humor and an unforgettable piano soundtrack.
35 Oxenfree
Distinctive, stylised art style
A night out on an island turns supernatural when a group of teens tune a radio into eerie frequencies. Its fluid walk-and-talk dialogue lets you answer without stopping, and those choices shape both the friendships and the ending of this moody mystery thriller.
35 Oxenfree
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Choices with consequences
- Dark, serious atmosphere
A night out on an island turns supernatural when a group of teens tune a radio into eerie frequencies. Its fluid walk-and-talk dialogue lets you answer without stopping, and those choices shape both the friendships and the ending of this moody mystery thriller.
36 Planescape: Torment
Fantasy setting
A text-heavy cult RPG where you play an immortal amnesiac wandering the bizarre city of Sigil, uncovering the sins of your past lives. Dialogue, philosophy and unforgettable companions matter far more than combat.
37 Indigo Prophecy
Dark, serious atmosphere
Quantic Dream's cinematic thriller has you play both an accidental murderer and the detectives hunting him, shaping the story through decisions and reflex-based QTE sequences. Its supernatural mystery starts gripping and atmospheric before veering into wild territory.
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
- Choices with consequences
Quantic Dream's cinematic thriller has you play both an accidental murderer and the detectives hunting him, shaping the story through decisions and reflex-based QTE sequences. Its supernatural mystery starts gripping and atmospheric before veering into wild territory.
38 Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series
Dark, serious atmosphere
An episodic narrative adventure set in the show's Westeros, where you switch between members of the embattled House Forrester and make tough, timed decisions. Politics, betrayal and brutal outcomes drive its grim story.
38 Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Choices with consequences
- Fantasy setting
An episodic narrative adventure set in the show's Westeros, where you switch between members of the embattled House Forrester and make tough, timed decisions. Politics, betrayal and brutal outcomes drive its grim story.
39 Batman: The Telltale Series
Choices with consequences
An episodic narrative adventure where you make tough calls both as Bruce Wayne and as Batman. A dark revelation about the Wayne family recasts familiar characters like the Penguin and the Joker in a new light.
39 Batman: The Telltale Series
- Choices with consequences
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Distinctive, stylised art style
An episodic narrative adventure where you make tough calls both as Bruce Wayne and as Batman. A dark revelation about the Wayne family recasts familiar characters like the Penguin and the Joker in a new light.
40 Grim Fandango
Distinctive, stylised art style
A film-noir adventure through a Day-of-the-Dead-inspired afterlife, following skeletal travel agent Manny Calavera as he unravels a conspiracy across four years. Sharp, witty writing, a swinging jazz score and tricky, sometimes obtuse puzzles make it a genre classic.
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Puzzles and brain teasers
- Lots of humour
A film-noir adventure through a Day-of-the-Dead-inspired afterlife, following skeletal travel agent Manny Calavera as he unravels a conspiracy across four years. Sharp, witty writing, a swinging jazz score and tricky, sometimes obtuse puzzles make it a genre classic.
41 Red Dead Redemption
Open world
As reformed outlaw John Marston, you ride across a vast, evocative frontier at the twilight of the Wild West to hunt down your old gang. Tense gunfights, hunting and side activities frame a melancholic story with an unforgettable ending.
42 Fallout: New Vegas
Choices with consequences
A post-apocalyptic RPG set in the Mojave, where rival factions vie for control of Vegas and your choices, dialogue and skills decide the fate of the whole region. Sharp writing, dark humor and huge freedom in how quests unfold make it a genre classic.
- Choices with consequences
- Post-apocalyptic setting
- Strong character progression
A post-apocalyptic RPG set in the Mojave, where rival factions vie for control of Vegas and your choices, dialogue and skills decide the fate of the whole region. Sharp writing, dark humor and huge freedom in how quests unfold make it a genre classic.
43 Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Distinctive, stylised art style
A twisted murder-mystery visual novel where trapped students are goaded into killing each other by a sadistic bear. Frantic class trials have you literally shoot down lies with evidence, all wrapped in pop-art style and pitch-black humor.
43 Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Puzzles and brain teasers
A twisted murder-mystery visual novel where trapped students are goaded into killing each other by a sadistic bear. Frantic class trials have you literally shoot down lies with evidence, all wrapped in pop-art style and pitch-black humor.
44 Steins;Gate
Sci-fi setting
A celebrated visual novel about a self-styled mad scientist in Akihabara who accidentally sends messages into the past and gets tangled in shifting timelines. Its playful, nerdy humor gradually turns into a gripping, emotional sci-fi thriller.
44 Steins;Gate
- Sci-fi setting
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Dark, serious atmosphere
A celebrated visual novel about a self-styled mad scientist in Akihabara who accidentally sends messages into the past and gets tangled in shifting timelines. Its playful, nerdy humor gradually turns into a gripping, emotional sci-fi thriller.
45 The Walking Dead: A New Frontier
Dark, serious atmosphere
Telltale's third season follows Javier and his family while weaving in Clementine's story, carrying over choices from earlier seasons. It's a cinematic, dialogue-heavy zombie drama built on tough moral decisions and quick-time events.
45 The Walking Dead: A New Frontier
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Post-apocalyptic setting
- Choices with consequences
Telltale's third season follows Javier and his family while weaving in Clementine's story, carrying over choices from earlier seasons. It's a cinematic, dialogue-heavy zombie drama built on tough moral decisions and quick-time events.
46 Silent Hill 2
Dark, serious atmosphere
This remake of the horror classic follows James through the fog-choked town of Silent Hill as he searches for his dead wife. Oppressive atmosphere, puzzles and scarce resources serve a deep, psychological story.
47 Alan Wake II
Dark, serious atmosphere
A surreal survival horror thriller alternating between FBI agent Saga Anderson investigating ritual murders and writer Alan Wake trapped in a nightmarish dark realm. Stunning presentation, live-action sequences and a layered meta-narrative make it stand out.
47 Alan Wake II
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Lavish presentation
- Dread and tension
A surreal survival horror thriller alternating between FBI agent Saga Anderson investigating ritual murders and writer Alan Wake trapped in a nightmarish dark realm. Stunning presentation, live-action sequences and a layered meta-narrative make it stand out.
48 Life Is Strange 2
Choices with consequences
An emotional road-trip adventure about two brothers on the run across America, where Sean's decisions shape how young Daniel and his mysterious powers develop. Politically charged, melancholic, and carried by strong characters and an indie soundtrack.
- Choices with consequences
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Distinctive, stylised art style
An emotional road-trip adventure about two brothers on the run across America, where Sean's decisions shape how young Daniel and his mysterious powers develop. Politically charged, melancholic, and carried by strong characters and an indie soundtrack.
49 Dispatch
Lots of humour
An episodic superhero workplace comedy from former Telltale developers: as a dispatcher you assign a chaotic crew of reformed villains to city emergencies while making choices that shape relationships and the story. Sharp writing, a strong voice cast and a cartoon-like animated look carry the experience.
49 Dispatch
- Lots of humour
- Choices with consequences
- Distinctive, stylised art style
An episodic superhero workplace comedy from former Telltale developers: as a dispatcher you assign a chaotic crew of reformed villains to city emergencies while making choices that shape relationships and the story. Sharp writing, a strong voice cast and a cartoon-like animated look carry the experience.
50 Night in the Woods
Distinctive, stylised art style
As college dropout Mae, you return to your decaying hometown, hang out with old friends and stumble onto something sinister in the woods. Sharp, funny writing, gorgeous flat-colored art and an honest look at depression and a dying town make it stand out.
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Lots of humour
As college dropout Mae, you return to your decaying hometown, hang out with old friends and stumble onto something sinister in the woods. Sharp, funny writing, gorgeous flat-colored art and an honest look at depression and a dying town make it stand out.
51 Nobody Wants to Die
Dark, serious atmosphere
A short, gorgeous noir detective adventure set in a retro-futuristic New York where consciousness can be transferred into new bodies. You rewind time at crime scenes to piece together clues, and your dialogue choices steer the ending.
52 Grand Theft Auto IV
Open world
As immigrant Niko Bellic, you chase the American dream through the gritty, living metropolis of Liberty City, only to sink deeper into crime and revenge. It tells a darker, more grounded story than earlier entries while keeping the series' sharp satire.
- Open world
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Dark, serious atmosphere
As immigrant Niko Bellic, you chase the American dream through the gritty, living metropolis of Liberty City, only to sink deeper into crime and revenge. It tells a darker, more grounded story than earlier entries while keeping the series' sharp satire.
53 A Plague Tale: Requiem
Lavish presentation
Amicia and Hugo flee across a gorgeous yet brutal medieval France, hunted by soldiers and devouring tides of rats. A harrowing, emotional sibling drama built on stealth, improvised combat and environmental puzzles, with stunning cinematic presentation.
- Lavish presentation
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Sneaking and hiding
Amicia and Hugo flee across a gorgeous yet brutal medieval France, hunted by soldiers and devouring tides of rats. A harrowing, emotional sibling drama built on stealth, improvised combat and environmental puzzles, with stunning cinematic presentation.
54 Her Story
Lots to discover
You type keywords into an old police database and piece together a haunting crime mystery from fragmented live-action interview clips of one woman. The story assembles itself in your head, in whatever order your curiosity leads you.
54 Her Story
- Lots to discover
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Puzzles and brain teasers
You type keywords into an old police database and piece together a haunting crime mystery from fragmented live-action interview clips of one woman. The story assembles itself in your head, in whatever order your curiosity leads you.
55 The Walking Dead: The Final Season
Dark, serious atmosphere
Clementine's story reaches a moving finale as she fights for a future at an isolated school while raising AJ, whose personality is shaped by your choices. It's an emotional, comic-styled narrative adventure with more hands-on action than earlier seasons.
55 The Walking Dead: The Final Season
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Post-apocalyptic setting
- Choices with consequences
Clementine's story reaches a moving finale as she fights for a future at an isolated school while raising AJ, whose personality is shaped by your choices. It's an emotional, comic-styled narrative adventure with more hands-on action than earlier seasons.
56 Life is Strange: Double Exposure
Choices with consequences
Max Caulfield returns, shifting between two parallel timelines at a university to unravel her friend Safi's murder. A dialogue-driven narrative adventure built on choices, mystery and emotional relationships.
56 Life is Strange: Double Exposure
- Choices with consequences
- Lavish presentation
Max Caulfield returns, shifting between two parallel timelines at a university to unravel her friend Safi's murder. A dialogue-driven narrative adventure built on choices, mystery and emotional relationships.
57 Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
Distinctive, stylised art style
A tropical island getaway turns into a killing game: this offbeat visual novel mystery has you investigating murders among your classmates and exposing culprits in frantic class trials. Dark humor, wild twists and a striking pop-art style make it stand out.
57 Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Lots of humour
A tropical island getaway turns into a killing game: this offbeat visual novel mystery has you investigating murders among your classmates and exposing culprits in frantic class trials. Dark humor, wild twists and a striking pop-art style make it stand out.
58 The Beginner's Guide
Strong, story-driven narrative
A narrative experiment in which Davey Wreden walks you through the strange, unfinished games of a friend while narrating his own interpretations. It turns into a surprisingly personal reflection on creativity, projection and friendship.
59 Dragon Age: Origins
Fantasy setting
A grim fantasy RPG where you lead a band of memorable companions as a Grey Warden against the Blight. Tactical pausable combat, distinct origin stories and weighty moral choices shape the fate of Ferelden.
60 Baldur's Gate 3
Turn-based combat
A sprawling D&D-based CRPG where inventive turn-based combat rewards creativity and nearly every decision reshapes the story and your bonds with its superbly written companions.
Nothing matches this selection.
What matters: Story-driven games
Story-driven games work because you are not just watching characters, you are spending dozens of hours making decisions alongside them. The best ones make those hours count, whether through choices that echo for a long time or a single relationship that carries the whole journey. Before picking one, think about how much gameplay you want around the story, how dark a tone you are comfortable with, and whether you want to shape the plot or experience a fixed, carefully told narrative.
If choices are what you care about, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is known for side quests that rival the main plot and decisions with lasting consequences. The Mass Effect trilogy goes further by carrying your choices from one game into the next, so starting with Mass Effect pays off by the time you reach Mass Effect 3. For a lighter, gentler option, Life Is Strange focuses on friendship and a small-town mystery with no demanding combat.
If you prefer an authored story, The Last of Us builds everything around the bond between Joel and Ellie, and The Last of Us Remastered adds sharper visuals plus the Left Behind expansion on PlayStation. Red Dead Redemption 2 is slower-paced and rewards patience with a detailed western world. Undertale stands out with its humor and the option to resolve every fight without violence.
Frequently asked questions
Which story-driven games let my choices change the story?
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the Mass Effect trilogy, Life Is Strange, The Walking Dead and Undertale all build their stories around your decisions. Mass Effect stands out because choices carry across all three games.
Should I play The Last of Us or The Last of Us Remastered?
The Last of Us Remastered is the same story with sharper visuals and includes the Left Behind expansion, so it is the more complete version. Both are PlayStation only, as is the sequel The Last of Us Part II.
What are good story games that are not too combat-heavy?
Life Is Strange and The Walking Dead are narrative adventures focused on dialogue and decisions rather than fighting. Undertale has combat, but every encounter can be solved peacefully.
Not quite your taste?
Tell us your favourite games and we'll find recommendations that fit you exactly.
