I don’t know what I prefer: curling up on the couch with a blanket and reading a good book or playing a story-rich game where I can create my own adventure and meet unforgettable characters. There’s really no way to choose between the two, so why not do both at the same time?
As a book lover and gamer at heart, I’m always on the lookout for plot-driven games that make you feel like you’ve settled down for a cozy evening of reading. If a title offers excellent gameplay and engaging writing, there’s a good chance it’s one of my favorites. So if you’re one of those people who has a backlog of “to play” games that conflicts with your “to read” list, here are some plot-heavy games that I think you’ll enjoy.
In other waters
If a relaxing science fiction novel and Subnautica collided, you would receive In other watersa calming adventure game developed by Jump Over The Age. Here you follow the text-based story of xenobiologist Ellery Vas and play as an AI that guides the scientist through a vast alien ocean in search of her missing partner. With its beautiful, minimalist art style, playing In other waters is very similar to reading a book in that you can use your imagination by picturing the different creatures and areas you encounter. From Ellery’s observations of glittering particles in gently flowing water to colorful, fast-moving creatures, this unknown world comes to life with every word.
What remains of Edith Finch
Have you ever wished you could read a book again for the first time? What remains of Edith Finch is one of those games I’d love to experience all over again. It’s a first-person walking simulator based on a story that begins with opening a diary and turning a page as you play through a beautiful but heartbreaking story, exploring the lives and deaths of the Finch family. It’s like playing through a collection of distinct but interwoven short stories, each deeply sad, surreal and magical – all narrated by the titular Edith herself.
Kill the princess
Book lovers and good visual novels are a perfect match. If you are looking for a VN with a little romance, fantasy, comedy and suspense, you will find all that and more in Kill the princessdeveloped by Black Tabby Games. Deviating from the typical hero-saves-princess cliché, you are tasked with killing a completely ordinary, imprisoned human princess. But will you succeed? Is she really a threat to the world? And what are those voices you keep hearing in your head? In my review I Kill the princess “captivating and strange,” and I still stand by that description. The excellent voice acting, branching choices, and intriguing dialogue make it easy to recommend, especially if you love create-your-own-adventure novels.
Located in Beacon Pines, 1.7 km from Beacon Pines Beach, Beacon Pines.
Located in Beacon Pines, 1.7 km from Beacon Pines Beach, Beacon Pines. is perhaps one of the best narratively rich, cozy (and spooky) games for book lovers because it’s actually set in a mysterious book. You play through the pages of this cute picture book and follow the story of Luka VanHorn, a young boy whose father died and whose mother disappeared. You can influence the course of the story by choosing single-word spells like “think,” “relax,” or “hide,” and as you progress and unlock new spells, you’ll discover different versions and endings to the story. If that sounds like your type of game, be sure to check out our review of Violet Plata! “If you’re a fan of books, I think they did an incredible job with their writing,” she wrote.
I really love how developers find unique, innovative ways to tell stories in video games and hook us with intriguing premises and compelling writing. Do you know any games that make you feel like reading a good book? Be sure to leave us a comment below!
