If the game’s story is everything you need, then interactive storytelling is the genre for you! Travel to a mysterious island, play as different characters, visit a space station, find the serial killer, or live through your past life with some paranormal abilities. Interactive games with exquisite narratives are the talk of the town, so if you want to find many secrets within one game while making some tough decisions, these games are just a must-play.

What are they all about? Well, the basic concept is pretty simple. Rather than skill-up, explore, and find new artifacts against some great danger, those games are all about creating a narrative that is interesting and full of surprises. You would rather live the plot than role-play some character in the universe.

So, if the great story is something you would like to explore, you want to find out more about artificial intelligence, and the Telltale series means something more than a book – then you should check out this genre full of mystery, discoveries, and fantastic community interested in innovative approaches to the narrative. So, players all over the world – let’s dive in!

The interactive video game is a new genre with interactive stories you can go over at your own pace, solve puzzles, and wait for the interesting twist to change everything you know about the concept.

Most importantly, most of them are adventure games with an incredible story to tell. It can be anything from a horror genre to some crime scenes and even a young girl living a strange life. You can call it a visual novel that does not have to rely on the stunning graphics. Those are some of the best video games you have ever seen, as the interactive story genre gets some incredible scores worldwide.

Here are some of the key elements to keep in mind when thinking about those games.

You Take Control

The most important thing is the player’s control over the action. You make choices, and those choices have consequences. So, if you want to progress in the game, take things into your own hands and become the main character the game wants you to be!

Nonlinear

Most games from this genre are non-linear. It means that you need to be clever if you want to see the end of each tale. Of course, the game will lead you to places essential to find the truth or gain some knowledge, but in the future – you will be left with your own company to defeat the enemies/solve the mystery.

Role-Playing

Additionally, there is a lot of role-playing in those games, but not as you would think. It usually is not about fighting or highlighting the importance of different skills. It’s more a world where you take advantage of actually immersing yourself in.

Exploration

In most games from this genre, you will be exploring, and exploring a lot! So, in the beginning, try to understand the world around you, how you can benefit from better understanding it, and where you would go if you were the main character. Those elements can help you get to the scene faster – think smart!

Narrative-Driven

And finally, those are primarily narrative-driven, so expect some exciting history with lots and lots of twists! You will complete the game faster by thinking about the plot rather than finding the best sword, so keep that in mind!

So, if you want to explore narrative adventure games, some pretty disturbing events, hidden secrets, and multiple endings – check out our list and find your new favorite adventure game.

• Release Date: February 2016

• Developer: Quantic Dream

• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows

• Meta Score: 80

Detroit: Become Human is the first entry on our list, and what an entry it is! Three androids looking for a way to finally get free from the oppressors, trying to understand the meaning of their lives and, while doing so – becoming, well, human!

The most crucial element of this game is the choices you make. Each one will change the outcome of the game, and you will quickly notice that nothing is black or white but rather in some shade of gray.

The game will take place in Detroit in the future, where we have highly advanced robots to help us with everyday tasks. Connor, Kara, and Markus are three different protagonists of this game, each with their own story, family home, and occupation. As you can imagine, this world is not easy to live in if you are essentially a home appliance, so there will be a lot of intellectual and ethical problems in the process.

The gameplay consists mainly of talking, making decisions, and interacting with things in this beautiful world. Your choices change the world, so make them bright, as the consequences can be dire for androids and humans alike. This element is excellent for replayability, as you can check out different endings and see if your path is the right one. With AI approaching the corner, you can find the morally tricky questions on this topic in practice. What does it mean to be a human? And if we have artificial intelligence, can we treat it neglectfully? There are plenty of thought-provoking questions, so if you enjoy some thinking, this game is definitely for you.

• Release Date: May 2018

• Developer: Campo Santo

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

• Meta Score: 87

Firewatch is the next game on our list, and what a game it is! It has fantastic visuals, a great atmosphere, and fun exploration elements. It has some of the best exploration elements on this list: the world full of wonders, animals, and firewatch.

The game takes place in Wyoming in 1989. You are Henry, a fire lookout in the Shoshone National Forest. You are not well, as some things in your past made you look for this kind of occupation. Nevertheless, you start your work with Delilah, a supervisor you can contact only with your radio. During your stay in Wyoming, you experience multiple ups and downs, uncover mysteries of the world, and discover who Delilah is.

The most important thing about this game is Henry's emotional palace, his choices, how his past is revealed through his conversations with Delilah, and his fears and secrets that he could not face until now.

All of that is accompanied by a beautiful scenery of orange and yellow colors, an actual autumn-like world for the fall of this man’s life. Depending on what kind of choices you make during your stay there, the ending will vary. Additionally, it’s the perfect game for some in-depth exploration, as you can meet a lot of exciting animals, trees, plants, and everything in between. It’s an immersive experience that can’t be described; you must feel it on your skin.

• Release Date: September 2018

• Developer: Dontnod Entertainment

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

• Meta Score: 83

Life Is Strange 2 is a mix of everything we have spoken before. Anything can happen if you believe in yourself, especially if you are willing to stake even death. Initially presented in an episode form, this narrative-style game is one of the best examples in the genre. The first game of the series was a groundbreaking and innovative title, and the second one only builds up on that.

In the second game, you play as two brothers, Sean and Daniel Diaz. They experience a tragic incident that changes their lives. So, to combat those problems, they go on a trip to learn more about their relationship, themselves, and how they will go about the future. 

The gameplay references the first game with time-travel elements and other psychic abilities, as the brothers change different outcomes of their choices. It’s a great way of understanding the consequences of what we do, what would be a better course of action, and how we can influence the world around us. Of course, it’s not as simple because, although you can change the immediate consequences, the long-term ones are much more problematic.

The best thing about this particular title is that you can explore the relationship between brothers and how to deal with the loss and struggle of life. Additionally, it touches upon racism and immigration issues. 

The game delves deeply into how others see us and how that can change how we act. It also shows us ways to resist this influence and what steps we can take to prevent it.

Regarding aesthetics, the game is not photorealistic, but it uses graphics mainly to capture the emotional differences on people’s faces. That’s where the game is the strongest, for sure. The rest is more or less comic-style/modern 3D, but the faces are something to look for. If you like this style, you will also enjoy this game!

• 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

The Walking Dead is another game to remember when discussing interactive video games. Whether you need some crazy writing, a fantastic ending, members of some weird society, or zombies encountered – this game will begin with some earthquake, and the tension will only rise! Like every good story, this one also has a few layers of depth, not only the zombie aspect.

The game follows Robert Kirkman’s graphic novel, with multiple characters from different points in the series presenting their side of the story. The central problem of the game is, of course, the Walking Dead, AKA a post-apocalyptic world full of zombies that just can’t be reasoned with.

You need to make decisions to progress through the story, interact with other survivors, and overall – make tough decisions in harsh environments. The source material and the story's development are where the game is the strongest. To no one’s surprise, the critically acclaimed novel and TV series can also work great in a video game. 

In this case, you are one of many characters with tough decisions. Whether to save your kid or yourself, maybe face the wrath of your community, or sentence someone to a certain death? Those are some of the problems you may encounter, so if you like a well-crafted story, some great puzzle-solving, and you are a fan of zombie titles – this aesthetics, The Walking Dead is one of the best games for creating a compelling world full of complex characters with their visual representation proving this fact as well. 

Everything is in this comic-style aesthetic, with characters having somewhat realistic faces and reactions so that you can guess what they are feeling at particular moments. 

The Walking Dead series is one of the best Telltale Games titles, scoring pretty high on everyone’s list, so if you want to find a game that is a sure bet when it comes to playability, story, and overall quality – this is the perfect one to start with!

• Release Date: October 2014

• Developers: Red Thread Games, Blink Studios

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

• Meta Score: 77

Dreamfall Chapters is another game that involves some investigation, motifs of revenge, and hours of encounters with interesting people. And, it’s only the beginning of the mystery that will be revealed in the end. So, if you want to take control of what you are experiencing and discover a totally new reality – then Dreamfall Chapters is a game for you.

This episodic game is the third one in “The Longest Journey” series. This time, we go to the alternative worlds, full of colorful characters and stories. The Dreamfall Chapters have five episodes, each one with the story presented from a different perspective. There are three main characters in the game: Zoe Castillo, Kian Alvane, and Saga. 

The whole thing takes place in two worlds: Stark, where science won with fantasy, everything is cyberpunk, and no one is happy, and the wonderful and magical world of Arcadia. In both cases, you will have to make some pretty hard decisions, see how you can blend magic and science, solve some puzzles, or just dive into this wonderful world of magic, secrets, and wonders.

The best thing about this title is definitely the dialogue. They are extremely well-written, which makes the interaction with NPCs a great experience, and – they can provide you with some pretty interesting solutions to your everyday problems. Additionally, each conversation will have its end in a different place, so you need to watch for the consequences of your actions. Additionally, the game is also focused on puzzle-solving mechanisms, as the game world is pretty advanced. And so are the graphics. You will not only see some of the more realistic elements of the world but also this paint-like world, full of wonders, especially when it comes to portraying Arcadia.

So, if you are in for the ride of your life to multiple dimensions – then Dreamfall Chapters is the game for you!

• Release Date: February 2012

• Developers: Capcom, Digital Works Entertainment

• Platforms: iOS, Android, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One

• Meta Score: 81

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy is the next game on our list for all of those who love some anime-style action. Whether you are a fan of Phoenix Wright or other characters in the series (or just the memes), it’s a wonderful adventure full of turns and twists that will surely change the world around you. It’s the first three games: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Justice for All, and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Trials and Contributions.

The gameplay in the series is, well, a lot! Colorful characters, the famous “objection” line, and lots and lots of comedic and dramatic situations in the cross-examination situation.

When it comes to the gameplay itself, it’s full of 2D pictures, gifs, and short videos as you go through testimonies, look for evidence, and uncover the world of crime and truth with your logic and reason!

The game lacks action in the regular sense, but it doubles down when it comes to some of the more intellectually exciting moments. You need to consider all the elements in this particular situation, see if you can find a way out of the problem for your client, and – create a wonderfully quirky summarizing speech for everyone to enjoy.

If you like these dialogue-heavy anime-style games, you will be pleased with these three titles in one game combo that made everyone on the internet scream – Objection! – whenever something happens. 

• Release Date: October 2013

• Developer: Quantic Dream

• Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows

• Meta Score: 76

Next on our list is Beyond Two Souls, one of the more interesting titles on our list, as there are plenty of celebrities involved in this production. The game is a high-quality production and was one of the staple titles in the PlayStation 3 exclusive series. So, if you want to know the story behind the dynamic characters, how to go through this cinematic world, and if the game stood the test of time – be sure to check out the wonderful world of Beyond: Two Souls!

The main character is Jodie Holmes, played by an actor formerly known as Ellen Page. It turns out that Jodie has some connection to a supernatural being named Aiden. In the game, we meet Jodie in moments where she interacts with the beings at different points in her life.

The main concept of the game is to create a cinema-like experience for the players, with a heavy emphasis on switching between the two characters, solving puzzles, and narrative-driven storytelling. With the addition of Aiden’s powers that can move objects and even possess some people, the story gets better and better with every moment, making it a memorable experience for all.

The most important thing in this game is the deep storytelling and how the characters' emotional development changes during different moments in Jodie’s life. Additionally, with the emotional advancement of those characters, you will see how they all change based on the actions you have taken in the previous times. All of that is accompanied by a fantastic soundtrack from the master himself – Hans Zimmer, with the help of Lorne Balfe.

So, here are the best games when it comes to interactive storytelling! Whether it’s something as simple as Phoenix Wright, or a more advanced storytelling like Beyond: Two Souls, you can be sure that you will find something that will suit your needs. And – even more! The games on this list are specially chosen to present to you the best possible storytelling, with some of the greates plots in the history of gaming. 

With titles like Detroit: Become Human, The Walking Dead, and Dreamfall Chapters – you can be sure that you will have a great time. And, if you want something just to chill-out, think about life, or get into some deep cultural problems – then Life is Strange 2 and Firewatch can give you just that. Nevertheless, you will have an amazing time with those, we can guarantee it!

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