Getting lost in a good story is what both reading and gaming are all about. Exploring immersive, imaginary worlds is the draw of both a good book and a good video game. Story-driven games can provide readers with hours of entertainment.
Related
10 Horror Games Based On Books
Literature can be one of the best sources of inspiration when making games, especially with a genre as atmospheric and creative as horror.
Narrative-focused games add a visual element that elevates the story. These video games are perfect for readers who want to be swept away by a well-written story. Here are the best video games for book lovers.
Games on this list focus heavily on story-telling and feel like reading a good book.
10
Firewatch
Firewatch is an atmospheric game for book lovers who enjoy well-written dialogue. This mystery game focuses on a fire lookout working in a remote location. Your only contact is your boss, Delilah, who you talk to via walkie-talkie.
Focusing on narrative elements rather than gameplay, the story unravels as you explore the wilderness and choose dialogue options. It’s not a game with a lot of action, but the plot is emotional and resonates with the player.
9
The Walking Dead
Telltale’s Walking Dead game is an episodic adventure game based on Robert Kirkman’s Walking Dead universe. The first season of the captivating visual novel focuses on Lee and the young girl he rescued, Clementine, as they try to survive the zombie outbreak.
With impactful dialogue choices and lovable characters, readers will enjoy playing this apocalyptic game.
Visual novels are games that tell interactive stories mostly through text.
8
The Wolf Among Us
Another visual novel, The Wolf Among Us is a must for readers who love fairy tales and fantasy. Based on Fables, a comic book by Bill Willingham, the game feels like a choose-your-own-adventure book as you navigate various dialogue choices.
Related
Video games have been a source of some amazing storytelling, but what are some of the most iconic lines?
The gritty mystery follows The Big Bad Wolf through Fable Town as he investigates a series of murders. Throughout the game, you encounter various fairy tale characters and solve the mystery primarily through dialogue and narrative choices.
7
Disco Elysium
Disco Elysium is widely regarded as one of the best detective games of all time. Your character awakens with no memory aside from your duty to solve a murder case, and you learn about the world through exploration and dialogue.
You can spend hours exploring the backstory, as the game has over a million words. The story is engaging and expansive, perfect for readers who enjoy mysteries and world-building.
6
Ghost Of Tsushima
- Released
-
July 17, 2020
- Multiplayer
-
Online Multiplayer
- Engine
-
Proprietary
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity
- How Long To Beat
-
25 Hours
- X|S Optimized
-
no
- Metascore
-
83
- Number of Players
-
2-4
- PS Plus Availability
-
Extra & Premium
- Steam Deck Compatibility
-
Unsupported
- Cross Save
-
yes
- Cross-Platform Play
-
PC, PS4 & PS5
Ghost Of Tsushima is another story-driven adventure game certain to capture the attention of book lovers. Set during the first Mongol invasion of Japan, the game follows Jin Sakai, a samurai fighting to protect the island of Tsushima.
Related
The game has complex characters who struggle with themes of sacrifice and morality. With a fascinating open world to explore and beautiful visuals, players find themselves riveted by both the world and the story.
5
Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 is an immersive game set in the Wild West. The game is widely praised for its attention to detail due to its engaging dialogue, complex characters, and impressive visuals.
Forced to flee after a bad robbery, Arthur Morgan and his gang must survive the heartland. The game will transport you to 1899 as you traverse through the unforgiving landscape of the Old West. Readers who enjoy a well-written story can fully immerse themselves in the game’s historical setting.
4
Baldur’s Gate 3
Fans of fantasy books will enjoy Baldur’s Gate 3, an open-world game with rich lore and well-written character arcs. The massive list of dialogue options and action choices leads to various endings, much like the Dungeons and Dragons books it is based on.
Each companion has a complex backstory, with varying levels of morality that can shift throughout the game based on player choices. Players will become completely immersed in the story and characters as you traverse the path to Baldur’s Gate to defeat a dangerous enemy.
3
The Last of Us
The Last of Us
- Franchise
-
The Last of Us
- Released
-
June 14, 2013
- Multiplayer
-
Online Multiplayer
- Engine
-
Proprietary (overall), Havok (physics)
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Expansions
-
The Last of Us: Left Behind
- How Long To Beat
-
15 Hours
- Metascore
-
95
- Steam Deck Compatibility
-
Yes, The Last of Us is Steam Deck compatible
- Cross Save
-
no
- Cross-Platform Play
-
No, The Last of Us Part 1 does not have crossplay
The Last of Us is widely praised by gamers for its writing, making it a must-play for book lovers. Following Joel and Ellie as they survive the zombie apocalypse, the game ties its mechanics to the story for a more impactful gaming experience.
Related
14 PS4 Games With The Best Storylines
These are the greatest stories you can consume on the PlayStation 4.
The characters feel real because they are complexly written, and there is a lot of detail in their facial expressions and movements, so each character feels unique. The epic story is full of action, suspense, and emotion, making it one of the best narrative-driven games of all time.
2
Life is Strange
Life is Strange is another story-heavy game perfect for book lovers. Following Max Caulfield as she navigates her power to rewind time, you encounter various complex, moral choices. You must be careful with your choices, as the wrong one could drastically change a character’s fate.
The game has time travel, riveting friendships, and a dark mystery, with the main narrative slowly building to an explosive ending. It’s easily one of the best stories in modern gaming.
1
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the best video game for readers. Based on the fantasy novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, the game follows Geralt of Rivia, a monster slayer, as he searches for his adopted daughter.
As you navigate the massive RPG, you will learn more lore about the world around you, encounter various monsters and ghouls, and experience immersive dialogue options. Readers who enjoy fantasy stories need to play the dark, narrative-driven game.
Next
The Best Story-Driven Video Games
If you’re really into good storytelling in your video games, then these story-driven games with excellent plots will be right up your alley.