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.
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PostsNarrative-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
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Adventure Released February 9, 2016 ESRB M For Mature 17+ due to Suggestive Themes, Nudity, Drug and Alcohol Reference, Strong Language Developer(s) Campo Santo Publisher(s) Campo Santo, Panic Engine Unity Platform(s) PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One How Long To Beat 4 Hours X|S Optimized No File Size Xbox Series 3 GB (November 2023) Powered by Expand CollapseFirewatch 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
CloseThe Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series
Graphic Adventure Horror Released September 10, 2019 ESRB Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs Developer(s) Skybound Games Publisher(s) Skybound Games Engine Telltale Tool Franchise The Walking Dead Steam Deck Compatibility Verified Platform(s) PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Mobile How Long To Beat 46 hours X|S Optimized No PS Plus Availability No Powered by Expand CollapseTelltale’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
CloseThe Wolf Among Us
Adventure 10.0/10 Released October 14, 2013 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Tobacco Developer(s) Telltale Games Publisher(s) Telltale Games Engine Telltale Tool Franchise the wolf among us Platform(s) PS4, PS3, PS Vita, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, Android, iOS How Long To Beat 10 Hours Powered by Expand CollapseAnother 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.
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PostsThe 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
CloseDisco Elysium
RPG Released October 15, 2019 ESRB M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs, Violence Developer(s) ZA/UM Publisher(s) ZA/UM Engine Unity Platform(s) PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Stadia How Long To Beat 23 Hours Metascore 89 PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium Powered by Expand CollapseDisco 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
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Action Adventure 3.0/5 Released July 17, 2020 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity Developer(s) Sucker Punch Publisher(s) Sony Engine Proprietary Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Cross-Platform Play PC, PS4 & PS5 Cross Save yes Number of Players 2-4 Steam Deck Compatibility Unsupported Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 How Long To Beat 25 Hours X|S Optimized no Metascore 83 PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium Powered by Expand CollapseGhost 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.
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PostsThe 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
CloseRed Dead Redemption 2
Action Adventure 5.0/5 10.0/10 Released October 26, 2018 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol Developer(s) Rockstar Games Publisher(s) Rockstar Games Engine RAGE Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise Red Dead Redemption Steam Deck Compatibility yes Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia How Long To Beat 50 Hours X|S Optimized yes Metascore 97 PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium Powered by Expand CollapseRed 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
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RPG 5.0/5 25 9.4/10 Released August 3, 2023 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Larian Studios Publisher(s) Larian Studios Engine Divinity 4.0 Multiplayer Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op Cross-Platform Play Full cross-platform play. Cross Save Full cross-platform progression. Franchise Baldur's Gate Number of Players 1-4 Split Screen Orientation Vertical Only Steam Deck Compatibility Verified Platform(s) PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS How Long To Beat 100+ Hours X|S Optimized yes Metascore 96 Local Co-Op Support 1-2 Players Powered by Expand CollapseFans 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
CloseThe Last of Us
Action Adventure 9.0/10 Released June 14, 2013 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language Developer(s) Naughty Dog Publisher(s) Sony Engine Proprietary (overall), Havok (physics) Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Cross-Platform Play No, The Last of Us Part 1 does not have crossplay Cross Save no Expansions The Last of Us: Left Behind Franchise The Last of Us Steam Deck Compatibility Yes, The Last of Us is Steam Deck compatible Platform(s) PS3, PS4 How Long To Beat 15 Hours Metascore 95 Powered by Expand CollapseThe 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.
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Posts 1The 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
CloseLife is Strange
Adventure 8.0/10 Released January 30, 2015 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol Developer(s) Dontnod Entertainment Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine unreal engine 3, unreal engine 4 Franchise Life is Strange Platform(s) Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One How Long To Beat 15 Hours PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium Powered by Expand CollapseLife 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
CloseThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
RPG Action Adventure 5.0/5 9.8/10 Released May 19, 2015 ESRB M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content Developer(s) CD Projekt Red Publisher(s) CD Projekt Red Engine REDengine 3 Cross-Platform Play yes Cross Save yes Expansions The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone, The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine Franchise The Witcher Steam Deck Compatibility verified Platform(s) Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S How Long To Beat 52 Hours X|S Optimized yes Metascore 94 PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium Powered by Expand CollapseThe 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.
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