The gaming industry – especially the interactive story games is a rapidly growing industry. The popularity is growing day by day among people of every age group as a result of ever-developing technology. High resolution and detailed graphics can do wonders to lure people toward the gaming industry.
But, even at this point, some people prefer beautiful storytelling to high graphics. Some of us still look for a game that has a storyline and we have to follow that. For this, sometimes we even sacrifice high graphics and go back down the history of games to search for a gem with beautiful stories. Hence, we shall also include games that are old and of the previous generation but has a beautiful story in them.
So, in this article, we will be elucidating the top 10 interactive story games for gamers who love games with missions or storylines. Let’s get going.
10 Best Interactive Story Games
This is a basic comparison table with some key points.
| Game | Developer | Year of Release | Platform | Genre | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit: Become Human | Quantic Dream | 2018 | PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows | Adventure | Best Selling Game of Quantic Dream |
| Firewatch | Campo Santo | 2016 | Linux, Windows, Xbox, PlayStation | Adventure | BAFTA Awards 2017 |
| The Stanley Parable | Independent | 2013 | Microsoft Windows, Linus, macOS | Interactive fiction | Various |
| Heavy Rain | Quantic Dream | 2010 | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows | Action-adventure, interactive drama | Three BAFTA Awards |
| The Walking Dead (Definitive Series) | Telltale Games, Skybound Entertainment | 2012 | ios, Android, Linux, Xbox 360, PlayStation, Mac Os, Nintendo Switch, Windows | Episodic adventure, drama | Various |
| Late Shift | CtrlMovie | 2016 | iOS, macOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Interactive movie, adventure | N/A |
| Neo Cab | Chance Agency, Fellow Traveller | 2019 | Linux, Mac Os, Nintendo, Windows, ios | Survival, visual novel | Nominated for BAFTA |
| Tacoma | Fullbright | 2017 | Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 | Adventure | Various |
| Florence | Mountains | 2018 | Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch | Interactive story | Various |
| Fahrenheit Indigo Prophecy Remastered | Quantic Dream | 2005 (original), 2015 (remastered) | Windows, Linux, Xbox, PlayStation, ios, Mac OS, Android | Action-adventure | N/A |
Now, let’s go over the each one of these games and understand what these interactive games to offer for the gamers –
1. Detroit: Become Human
Detroit is an adventure video game developed by Quantic Dream in 2018. It is based on the plot of three androids- Connor, Kara and Markus. In this game, you have to find new paths in the surroundings and, as a result, you can develop the story in accordance. You have to make decisions and face their consequences hereafter. Also, there are many dialogues that you can choose.
The video game can be played on PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows. You can enjoy multiple playable characters. The quick decisions and adventurous nature of the game make you feel happy. Besides, the video is the best selling game of Quantic Dream.
With all these perfect features, Detroit is rated as one of the best interactive story games by the game lovers.
- Graphics and Sound: Excellent graphics with an immersive soundtrack.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Play Time: Approximately 10-20 hours
- Age Ratings: PEGI 18
- Special Features: Multiple endings based on player choices
2. Firewatch
It is one of the best selling interactive story games. The game is developed by Campo Santo and published in partnership with Panic in Feb 2016. This game is compatible with various platforms, for instance, Linux, Windows, Xbox, PlayStation, etc. Firewatch has clinched BAFTA awards in 2017.
Here, your gameplay character is Henry who is aspiring to be a forest ranger. The setting of the story dates back to 1989, a year after the notorious Yellowstone fire in the Shoshone National Forest. His supervisor, Deliah, gives instructions to Henry over a Walkie Talkie. You have to follow the instructions, unfold the mystery, and build a stable relationship with Deliah. According to gamers, the gameplay time is about five hours.
- Graphics and Sound: Distinctive art style with a captivating score.
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Play Time: Approximately 4-6 hours
- Age Ratings: PEGI 16
- Special Features: Emphasizes player choice in dialogue
3. The Stanley Parable
Another story-based video game is The Stanley Parable which you must love the most. In this game, you have to play as Stanley who is a silent protagonist and the plot is in an office. You have to find other employees in a huge office and make decisions to find paths. Various decisions take the story to different dimensions.
You can play the video game on Microsoft Windows, Linus and macOS. Moreover, you also can enjoy its newly released version named The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe (2022).
- Graphics and Sound: Minimalist graphics with a strong narrative voiceover.
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Play Time: Approximately 2 hours
- Age Ratings: PEGI 12
- Special Features: Numerous narrative branches
4. Heavy Rain
If you want to enjoy an interactive action-drama based adventure video game, Heavy Rain is the best option. The developer of the game is Quantic Dream and it was released on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and Microsoft.
You have to control 4 protagonists involved with the murder of a serial killer. You have to explore the city and make decisions to find different results. Characters can die based on your decisions.
Heavy Rain gained success by winning three BAFTA awards and selling over 5 million copies.
- Graphics and Sound: Richly detailed graphics and atmospheric sound design.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate to hard
- Play Time: Approximately 10-12 hours
- Age Ratings: PEGI 18
- Special Features: Story changes based on player choices; characters can die based on decisions
5. The Walking Dead (Definitive Series)
The Walking Dead is an interactive episodic adventure drama video game. It is supposed to be operating on ios, Android, Linux, Xbox 360, PlayStation, Mac Os, Nintendo Switch and Windows. Hence, you can access the game easily.
The game, developed by Telltale Games and Skybound Entertainment, depicts a pandemic in which people turn into Zombies. The protagonist of the game is Clementine, a young girl who sacrifices herself for the sake of survival as a whole. The storyline is adopted from the Walking Dead Comic Book Series. So, don’t hesitate to try the game. You won’t be disappointed.
- Graphics and Sound: Graphic novel-inspired art style with a gripping soundtrack.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate
- Play Time: Varies by season, approximately 10-15 hours per season
- Age Ratings: PEGI 18
- Special Features: Choices impact the progression and conclusion of the story
6. Late Shift
Another adventure based video game developed by CtrlMovie is Late Shift. The writers are Tobias Weber and Michael R. Johnson.
In this game, you have to play as a college student named Matt Thompson. Matt is accidentally involved with criminals and you have to make decisions to bring back Matt to his usual life. Different consequences can force you to enter into new difficulties.
- Graphics and Sound: Real-world cinematography with ambient audio.
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Play Time: Approximately 1.5 hours
- Age Ratings: PEGI 16
- Special Features: Full-motion video game with multiple endings
7. Neo Cab
Chance Agency in collaboration with Fellow Traveller released this game in Oct 2019. The game is compatible with Linux, Mac Os, Nintendo, Windows, and ios. However, you can not play Neo Cab on Android as of today. BAFTA nominated this game in the category of Games beyond Entertainment. As a result, its popularity soared high in no time.
Neo Cab, being a survival visual novel video game, centres around a girl, Lina, who shifts to Los Ojos to stay with Savy. However, Lina and Savy are out of touch following a bitter argument. Lina starts a hire cab service. One day, Savy disappears astonishingly and as a result, Lina starts investigating the matter. This is one of the best interactive novel games.
- Graphics and Sound: Stylish neon aesthetics and a moody soundtrack.
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Play Time: Approximately 6 hours
- Age Ratings: PEGI 12
- Special Features: Dialogue and character interactions significantly shape the narrative
8. Tacoma
It is another adventure video game developed by Fullbright. The game was released on Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, and Xbox One in 2017 and on PlayStation 4 in 2018. The designers of the game are Tynan Wales and Nina Freeman.
The character who is the protagonist of the game is Amy. So, you have to play as Amy to discover a mystery about an abandoned play station. You will get clues and the help of AI characters when you start your mission in the game. Your decisions may affect your ending. You have to evaluate the information and act accordingly.
- Graphics and Sound: Futuristic graphics with an atmospheric sound design.
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Play Time: Approximately 2-3 hours
- Age Ratings: PEGI 16
- Special Features: Story unfolds through exploration and interaction with the environment
9. Florence
Florence is developed by the Australian studio Mountains. It is another interactive story-based video game that you can like the most. The game is directed by Ken Wong.
You have to play the character of 25-year-old Florence Yeoh. You can explore the life of Florence here. The game is divided into 30 chapters and then the chapters are divided into 6 acts that show you the growth of Florence. You can play Florence on Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, macOS and Nintendo Switch.
- Graphics and Sound: Beautiful hand-drawn art style and a soothing soundtrack.
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Play Time: Approximately 1 hour
- Age Ratings: PEGI 12
- Special Features: A highly emotional and personal story
10. Fahrenheit Indigo Prophecy Remastered
Fahrenheit, colloquially known as Indigo Prophecy, is an action-adventure video game. Quantic Dream developed the game while Atari published the game. This game took a huge effort for its implementation, for instance, it almost took a year for David Cage to write the script. Indigo Prophecy is supported on Windows, Linux, Xbox, PlayStation, ios, Mac OS, and Android.
The game starts as the protagonist Lucas Kane stabbed a person to death and absconded the scene. As a result, Carla Valenti and Tyler Miles of the New York Police Detective Department took the case. The story evolves after that only to be explored by you while playing.
- Graphics and Sound: Updated graphics from the original and a suspenseful soundtrack.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Play Time: Approximately 8-10 hours
- Age Ratings: PEGI 18
- Special Features: Player choices significantly affect the storyline.
So, we have kept our promise to inform you about the top 10 interactive story games. Now it is your turn to check it out one by one. We anticipate entertaining you.
- Also Read: Games like 2048 but Bigger and Better
How to Choose the Best Interactive Game for you?
Navigating the vast sea of interactive story games to find that perfect one for you can be quite the task. Don’t worry, we’re here to lend a hand.
Decide What You’re In For
Your preference is king here. If you’re someone who loves being engrossed in a complex narrative, go for games that have been praised for their storytelling.
If it’s action and adventure that keeps you glued, opt for games that offer thrilling gameplay. Understanding what excites you in a game can narrow down your choices significantly.
Graphics and Sound
Consider the game’s graphics and sound quality. These components play a major role in enhancing your gaming experience. Some games come with top-notch, hyper-realistic graphics that can make gameplay incredibly immersive.
On the other hand, if you’re not too picky about graphics and prefer a simpler aesthetic, there are many games that excel in that area as well. Similarly, good sound design and music can amp up the emotional impact of a game.
Ponder Over the Difficulty Level
Do you enjoy games that challenge you, or do you prefer a more casual, easy-going gaming experience? Different games cater to different skill levels, so make sure to look into the difficulty level of a game before making a decision.
How Much Time Do You Have?
The play time of a game can greatly influence your choice. If you’re someone with limited gaming time, opting for a game with a shorter playtime would make sense. On the other hand, if you’re looking to dive into a long, engrossing experience, there are numerous games that offer extensive playtimes.
Consider Age Ratings
If you’re a parent choosing a game for a younger player, or you’re just someone who prefers to avoid explicit content, checking the age rating of a game is essential. Age ratings provide a reliable indication of a game’s content.
Special Features
Keep an eye out for any unique features or elements a game might have. These could range from unique game mechanics, interesting multiplayer capabilities, or even in-game events that take place. These special features can add an extra layer of interest to a game.
All in all, choosing the best interactive game isn’t a one-size-fits-all scenario. It’s about finding what best suits your personal preferences and gaming style.
Moreover, we will be obliged if you find the article interesting and let us know if you need information about anything else. Happy gaming!
