Sometimes in gaming, it’s not about the visual style, supernatural elements, or the next best weapon you can find. At times, it’s all about the plot and its impact on you. The story that you will reminisce over. You will solve puzzles, discover dark secrets, and recover lost signals, but in the end – you can’t escape the overwhelming feeling of being lost in this great world.

So, in the search for games that evoke such emotional responses, I have selected the greatest narrative titles of the century! Of course, Oxenfree is something that cannot be underestimated, and I’m still having fun in Oxenfree II, but there are plenty of games that you can explore when it comes to great storylines and even greater mechanics. So, let’s find some similar games to Oxenfree and find out your next great adventure! Let’s dive in!

• Release Date: January 2016

• Developer: Night School Studio

• Platforms: OS X, Windows. Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Linux, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch

• Meta Score: 87

But, for those of you who have never experienced Oxenfree, here is what it’s all about! You follow the story of a group of friends who have, somehow, opened a ghostly rift to the other world while having a weekend trip to a local island. Stepping into the shoes of a teenage girl, Alex, you have to take care of this precarious situation and find a way out of this weird place and, well, survive in the process.

Our protagonist unveils the mysteries of the island while also finding out herself and understanding what it means to be an adult. It’s a coming-of-age kind of tale in the best way possible, but also – a fund adventure game with some cool visuals and great music. Scntfc, who was responsible for the soundtrack, really outdid themselves in this one, as the digital music with the vintage elements gives this retro yet modern feeling to the story.

This game is built around talking to the people and finding out what happened in this place. The dialogues appear in the form of speech bubbles over characters, with a couple of dialogue options for you to choose from. The number of possibilities in this game when it comes to sheer dialogue is astonishing. You can interrupt characters, remain silent, and just respond to them. Additionally, you can think of something about yourself in the form of an inside bubble.

You will have a lot of fun while playing this game if you are a puzzle freak. There are plenty of things to turn around, switch around, and even communicate with ghosts. The story is entertaining, exciting, and great fun overall, so make sure that you are able to discover it all!

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• Release Date: February 2016

• Developer: Quantic Dream

• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows

• Meta Score: 80

Next on our list is the famous Detroit: Become Human, a game that every streamer just had to play at least once in their life. It’s a much more advanced game than Oxenfree, yet there are some similarities in gameplay and storytelling.

For starters, it’s a fully 3D, interactive adventure game that looks more like a new GTA than Oxenfree, but don’t let it fool you; it’s more in line with the latter than you’d think. You follow the story of three androids who are trying to, in the end, find out what it means to be human. The game presents the dilemma of what it actually means to be a person and what defines you as a human being. Sometimes you may even think that machines have more heart than some people.

The clue of this game lies in the decisions you make throughout your journey towards the grand finale. These choices will significantly influence the ending and shape your perception of yourself. Nothing is as simple as the authorities and your creators would want you to think, as there may be a thin line between humans and androids.

The future of Detroit in this title looks grim. As Connor, Kara, and Markus, you will explore the different realms of android life, each one with a different story to tell. The game is full of thought-provoking questions, from family home to giant corporations. As androids are everywhere, you can count on them having a lot of twists and turns on their way to… freedom? Find out and see!

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• Release Date: May 2018

• Developer: Campo Santo

• Platforms: Linux, OS X, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

• Meta Score: 87

Up next, we have Firewatch! This game isn't just an adventure; it's a chill adventure. Every aspect, from the atmosphere to the overall vibe, meshes together seamlessly. Firewatch offers some of the most captivating exploration experiences, set against beautiful orange-painted landscapes.

But let's rewind to the start. It all began in Wyoming in 1989. You step into the shoes of Henry, who recently joined the Shoshone National Forest. Escaping your past, you opted for a career as a Forest Ranger. Amidst your duties in the forest, you encounter a series of strange occurrences and mysteries, gradually realizing that Delilah may be more than just your boss.

The best thing about this game is how deep you can get when it comes to understanding Henry and his emotional journey. From rags to riches and rags again, Henry became the person he is today, and there are quite a lot of reasons why he chose this kind of work. His emotional palace is something to reckon with, and through the conversations he has with Delilah, you can find who he really is.

The gameplay is pretty simple. You mostly go around the forest, doing your duties to see if there is anything suspicious going on while also solving some puzzles. With each step, you get closer to the mystery that seems to be hidden in the place and, well, have some more puzzles to take care of.

The world feels and looks like a fall, and you can actually experience it through the screen on your skin and everywhere. It’s a wonderful experience, a deep conversation, and a great dive into the human psyche. Definitely worth recommending!

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• Release Date: September 2018

• Developer: Dontnod Entertainment

• Platforms: Linux, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, macOS

• Meta Score: 83

Next-up, we have Life is Strange 2, a sequel to the critically acclaimed story about a young woman who discovers powers to turn back time at some point in her life. The game is not a sequel per se, but its narrative style is a great example of interactive games done right! The first title was astonishing, Before the Storm – too. So, let’s see if the next game will be able to get even further into the mind-blasting!

In this game, you'll dive into the relationship between two brothers, Sean and Daniel Diaz. Their bond is special as they navigate through challenges together, discovering more about themselves and each other along the way.

Similarly to the previous games, boys exhibit psychic abilities that allow them to turn back time and change some of the outcomes of their choices. It’s a great mechanic that did wonders for the previous games, as it allowed us to actually see how people would respond to your actions. In my personal opinion, the best game with reversing time was Prince of Persia: Warrior Within, but there are some heights that no one is able to reach.

In addition to the typical challenges of teenage boys, you also get to explore the immigrant experience in the United States, the feeling of being ostracized, and the complex factors that shape people's identities and behaviors.

While the game doesn't feature cutting-edge graphics, its aesthetic charm lies in its comic book-style models, which add to its overall appeal. Despite not pushing graphical boundaries, this unique art style ensures the game remains visually pleasing and offers replay value. Personally, I consider it a must-play for fans of story-driven titles, as it provides a deeply emotional experience unlike any other game I've played.

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• Release Date: April 2012

• Developer: Telltale Games

• Platforms: Android, iOS, Kindle Fire HDX, OS X, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Ouya, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One

• Meta Score: 94

Next, we have probably the most famous game on the list – The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series. After conquering the small screen and graphic novel market, it’s time for a well-deserved zombie apocalypse. And where to look for a better example than with the critically acclaimed The Walking Dead series? Here, you will not only experience what it feels like to live through a zombie apocalypse. You will survive the horror of humanity as well!

So, if you like some crazy writing, weird yet fascinating cults, and even greater cult murderers – this game is right up your alley. It begins with an earthquake, and the story gets better from this time on. The tensions rise every step of the way as we navigate through the wonderful world of Robert Kirkman.

While progressing through the story, you will meet some new characters, but some guys from the TV show as well, like Glenn and Jesus. During the play, you will have to make some difficult decisions that will impact you and the people around you, so make sure to choose wisely…only to see the unexpected consequences. Unfortunately, it’s the apocalypse, so will never be able to foresee all the situations that will play out in the game.

Making tough decisions in harsh situations is the way to go in this game, and because the source material is so rich in substance, you will have a lot to think about. The game also has some puzzle-solving elements, but the most important part is the complexity of the characters. Even though it’s a comic-stylized game, the characters look and feel real, thanks to the great motion capture artists’ work.

If you enjoyed The Walking Dead – you will feel here at home. Check it out for sure!

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• Release Date: October 2014

• Developers: Red Thread Games, Blink Studios

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

• Meta Score: 77

And finally, I have the Dreamfall Chapters to share with you. If you like a little bit of investigation and talking to people, this game is something you should definitely give a chance to. It’s an episodic game, similar to The Walking Dead series, where you will meet numerous interesting characters and hear even more crazy stories than you’d imagine.

The three protagonists of this world are Zoe Castillo, Klan Alvange, and Saga. Each one has a different approach to this world and a different story to present. Some are more into the science aspect of this world, some – magic. In this universe, everything's split between Stark, where science rules the roost, and Arcadia, a realm where magic reigns supreme. In each place, people need to make hard choices about combining the two aspects and solving mysteries of both worlds.

The strongest element of this game is definitely how well-written it is. Every interaction with an NPC feels like a book dialogue. Each person can give you some solution to your problems, science-based or magical, and it’s up to you how you will go about those issues. Each storyline will end in a different place, so you need to be aware of the potential consequences of your actions their impact on the world. If you enjoy some inter-dimensional travels and a good detective story – this will surely make your day.

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And so, here we are, at the end of our road. I feel like there are a couple of absolute bangers on this list that you should try on if you want to experience something similar to what you have seen in Oxenfree. Of course, I missed some titles that just were not right up my alley, like Kentucky Route Zero, as the whole concept of nine people missing was just a little bit too farfetched, and the Thimbleweed Park seemed a bit too simplistic. Nevertheless, each game on this list is probably up there with the best in the genre, so I feel like you will definitely find something to play around with. Enjoy it, and we will see each other again in the next one!