9 Best Amazing Text-based Games

I’ve delved deep into the realm of text-based games, uncovering hidden gems that span generations and genres. Each game on this list offers a unique and immersive experience, inviting players to shape their own stories and make decisions that resonate long after the final screen flickers to black.

Picture this: It’s the 70s, and the Internet as we know it today doesn’t exist yet. Google isn’t around, nor are advanced electronic games. However, word processing is a standard feature on personal computers. Since words are the foundation of tales, and what are most games if not interactive narratives?

In earlier times, before advanced first-person shooters, high-definition consoles, voice acting, and 1920 x 1080 pixel graphics, many games primarily used text. Although we’ve moved beyond the era where text-based games were the only option, the genre continues to hold a certain charm.

Text-based games today bear little resemblance to their origins in Colossal Cave Adventure’s early era. Let me share some top-tier modern text-based games currently thriving.

9 A Normal Lost Phone

A Journey Of Identity And Self-Discovery

9 Best Amazing Text-based Games

Imagine discovering a misplaced phone. In this situation, if the phone is locked, you might choose to deliver it to the closest lost-and-found service and continue with your day. But what would you do if the phone wasn’t locked? Would curiosity get the better of you, leading you to potentially invade someone else’s privacy by browsing through their personal information?

As I immerse myself in this delightful text-based escapade, I stumble upon a mysterious phone and decide to peek into its secrets to uncover the identity of its owner. The consequences of my actions are on me, as I navigate through its contents. This game may not be a typical winter warmer, but it certainly captures that comforting essence in its unique way.

Initially, your task is to locate a misplaced phone and return it to its rightful owner. However, as you delve deeper, you’ll find yourself unraveling passwords, scrutinizing private chats, and unearthing intimate secrets. By the end, what started as a simple task becomes a more complex, confidential, and ultimately touching mission.

tissues aren’t usually included, but it’s a good idea to keep some close by

8 Heaven’s Vault

Translating The Past

Languages are not fixed entities; they’re dynamic systems constantly adapting to the nuances of understanding and meaning. Similarly, Heaven’s Vault isn’t stagnant, even though it is text-based. The game conveys a story through its thoughtful design as well.

Gather relics, decipher a complex old tongue, and delve into the connection between main character Aliya and her mechanical ally, Six.

In this game, replay value is a major asset because the entirety of the story and the history of Nebula are not unveiled in a single session. This means you have the opportunity to delve back into it all, keeping your past knowledge, to unearth further intricate alternate storylines.

7 Buddy Simulator 1984

Grappling With AI Ethics

The rise of AI has brought about some fascinating discourse about the ethics of different applications, as well as lots of Terminator-based jokes. This game has a vibe that’s very much in line with all of this.

1984’s Buddy Simulator begins as a straightforward, endearing text-driven journey with your newest companion. It will astonish you, compliment you, and keep you amused. This game thrives on your interaction and is particularly skilled at blurring the boundaries between fiction and reality.

In this game, avoid using your real pet’s name at all times. It will help you avoid unnecessary virtual sorrow.

The DOS-style user interface immerses you in a 1984 fantasy world, while the text-based interface earns kudos from retro gaming enthusiasts. As the story progressively deteriorates into turmoil, madness, and an examination of harmful friendships, it offers a unique selling point that horror aficionados might find appealing.

Adhere to your friend’s directions, as they progressively design more intricate games for joint participation. However, always exercise caution during this experience.

6 Subsurface Circular

Philosophical And Moral Dilemmas

Ever wondered if you could eavesdrop on confidential AI discussions? Now’s your chance! A shiver runs down your spine as you overhear two robots engaged in an endless train journey, speculating about the possibility of human interference in a series of missing robot incidents.

As a robot detective with a slightly rebellious nature, you’ll uncover the true emotions of robots towards humans, their fellow robots, and their environment. Simultaneously, you will be involved in an engaging mystery that rivals top-tier detective games.

If granted the choice between preserving the current state of things or working towards a more equitable future for everyone, which path would you choose as we journey further into the future?

5 Stories Untold

A Bleeding Note?

If you recall the game jam event called Ludum Dare 36 in 2016, you might be acquainted with the initial storyline – The House Abandoned. This game faithfully brings this concept to life, complete with vintage computer graphics and an engaging atmosphere that adapts according to your decisions.

In this interactive story, you’ll delve into a world that lets you personally explore and interact using intuitive click-to-play controls. The game provides an engaging mix of adventure, offering a diverse and ever-changing experience to rival the best in the genre.

Each installment stands apart yet connected, unique from its predecessor, but there’s a larger storyline unfolding behind the scenes. It’s up to you to decipher this storyline and eventually uncover its conclusion.

4 Sunless Sea

A Roguelike Voyage Of The Damned

Sunless Sea presents an immersive expedition into the ominous, enigmatic world of Fallen London, disguised as a roguelike game. Navigate your ship through the vast Unterzee, managing your resources carefully while trying to control your fear (which can be challenging with Eldritch creatures lurking nearby).

Each port offers a fresh addition to the complex narrative, which is filled with Lovecraftian horrors, quirky humor, and the faint promise of potential answers.

Permanent death adds an extra layer of challenge, whereas the Legacy Mode allows your tale to endure across multiple generations. Discover hidden realms, negotiate with mysterious entities, and ponder the value of your adventure.

Every captain faces terror. The question is, how far will you sail before it consumes you?

3 The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante

Your Life, Your Choices, Your Suffering

Title Exploration: You are born into a strictly stratified society, where each choice shapes not only your destiny but also the lasting impression you make on history.

In “The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante,” you embark on a deeply story-oriented role-playing game where the decisions you make are penned down in a game log, guiding your journey through complex politics, unwavering family ties, and revolutionary upheavals.

The game features somber black-and-white artwork and a unique approach to mortality in its narrative, forcing you to grapple with ethically complex situations that resonate deeply. With multiple storylines and deep backstory, each gaming experience is distinct, ensuring that every life you live within the game is personally yours.

2 Roadwarden

Help Stricken Travelers On The Road

In Roadwarden, there’s no holding back when it comes to choice-driven stories; it throws you a surprise almost right from the start, making you question whether you can rely on the very first individuals you encounter.

As you delve deeper into the intricate and diverse environment, you’ll uncover more details about your past and character. Taking on the challenging yet pivotal role of a Roadwarden, you’ve stepped up to respond to the call.

Top-notch text-based games frequently challenge players with problem-solving tasks and require experimenting with unconventional strategies, and Roadwarden certainly embodies this style effectively.

If you get stuck, keep in mind that a close inspection can show you the way.

In comparison to other games within the same genre, Roadwarden offers an intense, action-packed experience, where your choices can mean the difference between life and death. The game’s captivating soundtrack will seize your imagination and hold it tightly throughout your journey.

1 The Crimson Diamond

Geology-Fuelled Murder Mystery

As a gamer harkening back to the golden age of gaming in the 80s, I can’t help but feel a thrill when I encounter a game reminiscent of those classic text parsers. If you too have a soft spot for The Colonel’s Bequest, then buckle up! Dive headfirst into a wave of nostalgia as you navigate through a text-rich visual journey that has you rummaging through drawers, peeking into wardrobes, and unraveling the complex dynamics of strangers’ families from the get-go.

In a once-thriving but now forgotten mining town, an unexpected find propels it into contemporary relevance. Take on the role of Nancy Maple, a budding museum clerk with dreams of delving deeper into mineralogy, as she unwittingly transforms into an investigator in this intriguing tale.

This game stands out from shorter, more straightforward ones due to its rich graphics, well-developed characters, and an abundance of activities, making it a more engaging experience.

2024-12-05 22:09