1 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Open world
An open fantasy world with outstanding side quests and choices that have lasting consequences.
687 games
The best story-driven games on 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
- Lots to discover
- Lavish presentation
An epic western about the downfall of an outlaw gang, set in an incredibly detailed open world.
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3 BioShock
- Shooting and gunplay
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Dark, serious atmosphere
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
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.
3 BioShock
- Shooting and gunplay
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Dark, serious atmosphere
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
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.
- Shooting and gunplay
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Lavish presentation
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
- A party of several characters
- Choices with consequences
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
Lots of humour
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
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Dark, serious atmosphere
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
Post-apocalyptic setting
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.
- Post-apocalyptic setting
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Distinctive, stylised art style
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
- A party of several characters
- Strong character progression
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 Disco Elysium
Choices with consequences
A detective RPG without combat, but with brilliant dialogue and a deeply conflicted protagonist.
13 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
- Fantasy setting
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.
14 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.
14 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.
15 Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Dark, serious atmosphere
An intense psychological journey of a warrior through her psychosis, with remarkable sound design.
15 Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
- Lavish presentation
An intense psychological journey of a warrior through her psychosis, with remarkable sound design.
16 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.
16 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.
17 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.
17 What Remains of Edith Finch
- Lavish presentation
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Dark, serious atmosphere
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.
18 Spec Ops: The Line
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.
- Shooting and gunplay
- Action-packed real-time combat
- 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.
19 The Walking Dead: Season Two
Post-apocalyptic setting
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.
19 The Walking Dead: Season Two
- Post-apocalyptic setting
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- 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.
20 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.
20 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords
- Sci-fi setting
- A party of several characters
- Strong character progression
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.
21 Cyberpunk 2077
Open world
A first-person RPG in a dense metropolis of the future, with many ways to approach each mission.
22 Soma
Sci-fi setting
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.
22 Soma
- Sci-fi setting
- Dread and tension
- 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.
23 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.
24 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.
24 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.
25 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.
25 Life is Strange: Before the Storm
- Choices with consequences
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Dark, serious atmosphere
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.
26 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.
26 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.
27 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.
27 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.
28 Indigo Prophecy
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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.
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- 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.
29 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.
29 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.
30 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.
30 Batman: The Telltale Series
- Choices with consequences
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Dark, serious atmosphere
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.
31 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.
32 Fallout: New Vegas
Post-apocalyptic setting
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.
- Post-apocalyptic setting
- Open world
- 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.
33 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.
33 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.
34 The Walking Dead: A New Frontier
Post-apocalyptic setting
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.
34 The Walking Dead: A New Frontier
- Post-apocalyptic setting
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Distinctive, stylised art style
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.
35 Silent Hill 2
Dread and tension
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.
36 Alan Wake II
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.
36 Alan Wake II
- Dread and tension
- Lavish presentation
- 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.
37 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.
38 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.
38 Dispatch
- Lots of humour
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Choices with consequences
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.
39 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
- Lots of humour
- Dark, serious atmosphere
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.
40 Nobody Wants to Die
Sci-fi setting
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.
41 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
- Driving or flying
- Shooting and gunplay
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.
42 A Plague Tale: Requiem
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.
- Sneaking and hiding
- Lavish presentation
- Dark, serious atmosphere
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.
43 The Walking Dead: The Final Season
Post-apocalyptic setting
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.
43 The Walking Dead: The Final Season
- Post-apocalyptic setting
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Distinctive, stylised art style
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.
44 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.
44 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.
45 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.
46 Baldur's Gate 3
Tactical depth
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.
47 The Quarry
Choices with consequences
An interactive slasher movie where you guide nine camp counselors through one deadly summer night, with every choice and quick-time reaction deciding who survives. Photoreal performances, campy humor and heavily branching endings make it ideal for replays or couch sessions.
47 The Quarry
- Choices with consequences
- Dread and tension
- Lavish presentation
An interactive slasher movie where you guide nine camp counselors through one deadly summer night, with every choice and quick-time reaction deciding who survives. Photoreal performances, campy humor and heavily branching endings make it ideal for replays or couch sessions.
48 NieR:Automata
Post-apocalyptic setting
Androids fight in an abandoned world, with stylish action and a story that unfolds over several playthroughs.
49 Mafia
Historical setting
A cinematic gangster drama set in 1930s Lost Heaven, following cab driver Tommy Angelo's rise within the Salieri crime family. Authentic period cars, punishing shootouts and one of the finest stories of its era make it a classic.
49 Mafia
- Historical setting
- Shooting and gunplay
- Action-packed real-time combat
A cinematic gangster drama set in 1930s Lost Heaven, following cab driver Tommy Angelo's rise within the Salieri crime family. Authentic period cars, punishing shootouts and one of the finest stories of its era make it a classic.
50 Life is Strange: True Colors
Choices with consequences
Playing as Alex, who can see and read other people's emotions, you uncover the truth behind her brother's death in a picturesque Colorado mountain town. It's a warm, emotional narrative adventure with no combat, built around lovable characters, romance options and choices that shape your relationships.
50 Life is Strange: True Colors
- Choices with consequences
- Lavish presentation
Playing as Alex, who can see and read other people's emotions, you uncover the truth behind her brother's death in a picturesque Colorado mountain town. It's a warm, emotional narrative adventure with no combat, built around lovable characters, romance options and choices that shape your relationships.
51 NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139...
Action-packed real-time combat
A bleak action RPG about a father trying to save his ailing sister. Its tragic story told across multiple playthroughs, its soundtrack and its shifting gameplay styles make it stand out.
51 NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139...
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
- Post-apocalyptic setting
A bleak action RPG about a father trying to save his ailing sister. Its tragic story told across multiple playthroughs, its soundtrack and its shifting gameplay styles make it stand out.
52 The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
Fantasy setting
Geralt of Rivia is drawn into a web of regicide and political intrigue, and one early decision splits the entire second act into completely different locations and storylines. Demanding real-time combat and a grim, morally grey world define the experience.
52 The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
- Fantasy setting
- Choices with consequences
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
Geralt of Rivia is drawn into a web of regicide and political intrigue, and one early decision splits the entire second act into completely different locations and storylines. Demanding real-time combat and a grim, morally grey world define the experience.
53 Omori
Turn-based combat
A surreal RPG that contrasts bright dreamlike worlds and childhood friendship with psychological horror and heavy themes. Its emotional story and memorable soundtrack stand out, and turn-based battles use emotions as a core mechanic.
53 Omori
- Turn-based combat
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Dread and tension
A surreal RPG that contrasts bright dreamlike worlds and childhood friendship with psychological horror and heavy themes. Its emotional story and memorable soundtrack stand out, and turn-based battles use emotions as a core mechanic.
54 The Blood of Dawnwalker
Action-packed real-time combat
A grim open-world action RPG set in medieval Europe, where Coen is a human by day and a vampire by night. That shift shapes how you fight and explore, and your choices steer the fight to save his family.
55 Mafia II
Historical setting
A cinematic gangster saga set in postwar America, following Vito Scaletta's rise through the mob with cover shooting, period car chases and rich 1940s–50s atmosphere. Empire Bay is less a playground than a lovingly detailed backdrop for a tight, linear crime story.
55 Mafia II
- Historical setting
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Shooting and gunplay
A cinematic gangster saga set in postwar America, following Vito Scaletta's rise through the mob with cover shooting, period car chases and rich 1940s–50s atmosphere. Empire Bay is less a playground than a lovingly detailed backdrop for a tight, linear crime story.
56 Dreamfall: The Longest Journey
Fantasy setting
A story-driven adventure that shifts between the high-tech world of Stark and the magical realm of Arcadia, following three protagonists. Dialogue, characters and an emotional narrative take center stage over combat or hard puzzles.
56 Dreamfall: The Longest Journey
- Fantasy setting
- Sci-fi setting
A story-driven adventure that shifts between the high-tech world of Stark and the magical realm of Arcadia, following three protagonists. Dialogue, characters and an emotional narrative take center stage over combat or hard puzzles.
57 Mafia: The Old Country
Historical setting
A linear, cinematic crime saga set in early 1900s Sicily, following Enzo Favara's rise from forced laborer to Mafia soldier. Cover shootouts, knife duels and stealth sections serve a richly atmospheric story of loyalty and family.
58 Torment: Tides of Numenera
Choices with consequences
A text-heavy RPG set in the strange far-future world of Numenera, serving as a spiritual successor to Planescape: Torment and probing questions of identity and mortality. Conversations and choices matter far more than the rare turn-based combat.
- Choices with consequences
- Turn-based combat
- Sci-fi setting
A text-heavy RPG set in the strange far-future world of Numenera, serving as a spiritual successor to Planescape: Torment and probing questions of identity and mortality. Conversations and choices matter far more than the rare turn-based combat.
59 Lost Records: Bloom & Rage
Lavish presentation
A narrative adventure from the makers of Life is Strange: four friends live through the summer of 1995 and reunite 27 years later to face a buried secret. It focuses on friendship, nostalgia and memory rather than combat or puzzles.
60 Final Fantasy VII Remake
A party of several characters
A reimagining of the classic that blends real-time action with pausable command menus. The story of Cloud and Avalanche in the city of Midgar is lavishly presented, with memorable characters and a superb score.
Nothing matches this selection.
What matters: Story-driven games
Story-driven games work best when the characters feel like real people and your decisions seem to matter. On this list the main thing to sort out first is how much gameplay you want around the story. If you enjoy combat and exploration, the big open-world and action RPGs fit. If you mostly want to talk, investigate and make hard choices, the narrative adventures and dialogue-heavy RPGs are a better match. Length differs a lot too. Sprawling open worlds ask for a real time commitment, while episodic adventures are easier to play in shorter sessions.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the pick if you want side quests that are as well written as the main plot, with choices that come back later. Red Dead Redemption 2 suits patient players who like a slow, detailed western about a gang falling apart. The Mass Effect trilogy is ideal if you want one long saga, since choices carry over from the first game into Mass Effect 3. Disco Elysium has no combat at all and relies entirely on its brilliant dialogue. The Walking Dead keeps things short and intense with timed moral decisions.
Tone matters as well. Undertale mixes humor with a story that remembers how you treated every monster. Life Is Strange and The Wolf Among Us are moodier, choice-driven mysteries with a strong visual style.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best story game on Xbox for beginners?
Life Is Strange, The Walking Dead and The Wolf Among Us are easy to get into because they focus on choices and dialogue rather than demanding combat. Undertale is also approachable, and you can resolve every fight without violence.
Which Xbox story games have choices that really matter?
The Mass Effect trilogy carries your decisions across all three games, ending with consequences in Mass Effect 3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Disco Elysium also build their stories heavily around your choices.
Are there story-driven games on Xbox without much combat?
Disco Elysium has no combat at all and plays as a dialogue-driven detective RPG. Life Is Strange, The Walking Dead and The Wolf Among Us are narrative adventures built around choices and conversations rather than fighting.
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