20 Games Like Life is Strange for Story-Rich Adventures
Hey, cozy gamers! If you’re a fan of Life is Strange, you already know how captivating a well-woven narrative can be. The series is iconic for its emotional storytelling, morally complex choices, and beautiful visuals that pull you into another world entirely. But, once you've journeyed with Max, Chloe, and the others, finding the next game with a similar vibe can be tough! The good news? There’s a whole world of games with heart-tugging stories and atmospheric settings that hit those same emotional chords. Whether you're into mysteries, the supernatural, or even just slice-of-life stories, I've rounded up a list of games that perfectly capture the spirit of Life is Strange.
1. Tell Me Why
Platforms: PC, Xbox
From the creators of Life is Strange, Tell Me Why takes us on a journey with twins Tyler and Alyson as they uncover secrets about their shared past. With similar mechanics to Life is Strange, including impactful choices and heartwarming (and sometimes heart-wrenching) moments, it’s an emotional journey of identity, family, and self-discovery.
2. Road 96
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation
Road 96 is a unique adventure game that lets you play as multiple characters trying to cross a border into freedom. The choices are intense, the journey varied, and the random, procedurally generated encounters make each playthrough different. Perfect for Life is Strange fans who want something fresh but just as immersive.
3. Gone Home
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation
Step into an empty house and uncover the story behind a family’s disappearance in Gone Home. This first-person exploration game gives you the freedom to piece together the narrative at your own pace, finding clues in ordinary objects - ideal for fans of mystery and family-centered stories.
4. Dear Esther
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation
For fans who don’t mind a slower pace, Dear Esther is an atmospheric, introspective experience. Set on a remote island, you explore fragmented stories and poetic narration, similar to Life is Strange’s focus on introspective and emotional moments.
5. Firewatch
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation
Play as a fire lookout in Wyoming’s wilderness in Firewatch, where a mysterious stranger is watching you. Through walkie-talkie conversations, you’ll build a bond with Delilah, your supervisor, while exploring themes of solitude, loss, and friendship.
6. Last Stop
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation
In Last Stop, you switch between three distinct storylines as you uncover the secrets of a mysterious phenomenon affecting London. The interconnected narrative and the supernatural angle make it an appealing choice for Life is Strange fans craving something similar.
7. A Memoir Blue
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation Nintendo Switch
This unique game explores the relationship between a mother and daughter through dream-like visuals and imaginative puzzles. For those who enjoy narrative-rich experiences with an emotional punch, A Memoir Blue will have you reflecting on family and memory.
8. Telltale’s The Walking Dead
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
Although set in a post-apocalyptic world, Telltale's The Walking Dead shines with its deep narrative, hard choices, and unforgettable characters. It’s perfect for those who loved the moral choices and tense moments in Life is Strange.
9. Oxenfree
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
A supernatural thriller that follows a group of friends who accidentally open a ghostly rift, Oxenfree delivers with its eerie atmosphere and clever dialogue. Fans of Life is Strange will appreciate its dark tone, supernatural elements, and branching storylines.
10. Call of the Sea
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
Set in the 1930s, Call of the Sea has you exploring a lush island as Norah, searching for her missing husband. With stunning visuals and puzzles that unlock pieces of the story, it’s a beautiful, introspective game that’ll appeal to fans of mysterious storytelling.
11. Beyond: Two Souls
Platforms: PC, PlayStation
In Beyond: Two Souls, you follow the life of Jodie, who is connected to a mysterious entity named Aiden. With an emotional plot and characters that evolve as the story unfolds, it’s a choice-heavy game that will resonate with Life is Strange enthusiasts.
12. As Dusk Falls
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation
This interactive drama, As Dusk Falls has you making choices for a family caught in a high-stakes hostage situation. Each decision significantly impacts the outcome, making for a thrilling, emotional journey that fans of Life is Strange will adore.
13. Twin Mirror
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation
Twin Mirror takes you into the mind of an investigative journalist who revisits his hometown and uncovers dark secrets. With psychological twists and the power to explore memories, it’s an intense experience for players who love mystery and psychological themes.
14. Lake
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
Set in 1986, Lake allows you to experience small-town life as Meredith, a postal worker delivering mail around a quiet lakeside town. The relaxing pace and emphasis on relationships make it a cozy, story-driven game reminiscent of Life is Strange's quieter moments.
15. SEASON: A Letter to the Future
Platforms: PC, PlayStation
In this beautiful game, Season: A Letter to the Future you play as a young woman documenting the world around her before an impending cataclysm. It’s a reflective journey full of discovery, perfect for those who appreciate environmental storytelling and emotional depth.
16. Detroit: Become Human
Platforms: PC, PlayStation
This sci-fi adventure, Detroit: Become Human puts you in the shoes of three androids grappling with consciousness, freedom, and morality. With branching paths and impactful choices, it’s an immersive experience that, like Life is Strange, asks players to question their choices.
17. The Wolf Among Us
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation
Based on the Fables comic series, The Wolf Among Us lets you explore a gritty world where fairytale creatures live in secrecy. With complex characters and tough choices, fans of Life is Strange will find it easy to get drawn in.
18. Harmony: The Fall of Reverie
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
Dive into a visual novel-style game, Harmony: The Fall of Reverie that mixes storytelling with strategic choices. It’s a story of hope and resistance, perfect for players who enjoy layered narratives and emotional themes similar to Life is Strange.
19. What Remains of Edith Finch
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
Experience the fantastical yet tragic stories of the Finch family in this award-winning narrative game What Remains of Edith Finch. Each room in the Finch house holds a story, making it a unique exploration of loss and memory with a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere.
20. A Space for the Unbound
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
Set in 1990s Indonesia, A Space for the Unbound follows a couple discovering their own superpowers as they grapple with mental health and self-discovery. Its deep narrative and emotional themes make it a gem for fans of narrative-driven games.
Bonus Recommendations: Don’t Miss These Life is Strange Titles!
If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out Life is Strange 2 and the adorable spin-off, The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit, both of which offer unforgettable experiences within the Life is Strange universe. And, of course, Life is Strange: Double Exposure continues the franchise with a gripping story you won’t want to miss.
Wrapping Up Your Next Adventure
There’s something magical about games that dive deep into emotions, mysteries, and the impact of every choice we make. Each title on this list is designed to take you on a journey that feels as raw and profound as Life is Strange. From heartwarming family tales to supernatural mysteries, there’s a game here for every mood, ready to sweep you away into another world.
So grab a blanket, brew a cup of coffee or tea, and let yourself be immersed in one of these captivating stories. Which one will you play first?
For more cozy game recommendations, check here.