Highlights

  • Choose-your-own-adventure games allow players to craft their own narratives and experience different outcomes based on their decisions.
  • Titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Choice Of Robots offer extensive storytelling and diverse choices that shape the game world.
  • The unique gameplay loops in games like Not For Broadcast and The Life And Suffering Of Sir Brante offer immersive experiences for players.

For avid gamers, few things can feel more liberating and exciting than getting into a video game where a player's choices matter. Branching narratives and experiencing the weight of one’s decisions in a game is such a big draw that many games promise to deliver on such a premise. Fans of narrative masterpieces such as Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and Disco Elysium are likely to relive the experience with a different playthrough to witness alternative paths within the game.

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However, in reality, most games present an illusion of choice or follow a heavily scripted narrative. In such cases, players may feel disappointed and annoyed that they were promised a unique experience and were let down. Despite this, there are several games available where players can really choose their adventure and tangibly feel the consequences of their choices.

Updated on February 18, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: Choose your own adventure games are a blast to play through for players who love to craft their own narrative, following a character's journey across a well-written story that's pretty engaging when its elements are executed properly. There are many fun CYOA games players can check out if they wish to immerse themselves in a story that is cozy, engaging, riveting, or a combination of all these elements.

19 Telltale's The Walking Dead: The Final Season

Metacritic Score: 77

Walking Dead The Final Season
Telltale's The Walking Dead: The Final Season

Platform(s)
PS4 , Nintendo Switch , Xbox One , Microsoft Windows , macOS
Released
August 14, 2018
Genre(s)
Action , Adventure
Developer
Telltale Games, Skybound Entertainment, Skybound Games

The release of Telltale's The Walking Dead propelled the studio to new heights, turning them into the masters of the modern adventure game that placed more of a focus on cinematic storytelling instead of moon-logic puzzles that were downright frustrating to interact with. However, there are times when these games can feel a bit too railroaded for their own good, which is a criticism that many people had for the second and third Walking Dead games developed by Telltale.

Thankfully, the studio heard these criticisms and decided to focus on better hub worlds and longer episodes for the final season of The Walking Dead. Clementine's journey ends on a satisfactory note, with players loving AJ and how he dealt with things in a post-zombie apocalypse world where any sense of decency has gone completely out of the window.

18 Slay The Princess

Metacritic Score: 90

slay-the-princess-highly-rated-game-2023-2
Slay the Princess

Platform(s)
PC
Released
October 23, 2023
Genre(s)
Adventure , Horror
Developer
Black Tabby Games

It takes something really special for a visual novel to become an indie gem, with Slay the Princess defying genre tropes to make for a spectacular experience in every way. The fact that a princess that players should protect could be a demonic entity whose death could actually save the world makes for a fun twist. The game loops over and over again as players discover all the endings this title has to offer.

This horror game is not for the faint of heart but well worth checking out if players like unique twists on done-to-death genre tropes. The Lovecraftian influences present in this title make it quite riveting in its own right, and are a huge reason why Slay the Princess deserves more credit for being such an imaginative and engaging title.

17 Class Of '09

Metacritic Score: N/A

Class Of '09
  • Platforms: PC, macOS, Linux
  • Released: June 10, 2021
  • Developer: SBN3

People who want to check out what Boondocks would be like if the lead characters were perfect white girls who everyone swoons over will have a great time playing through Class of '09. The sheer ridiculousness on display in this title makes it worth checking out for any fan of unique visual novels that are as edgy as they come.

The wacky scenarios present in Class of '09 keep on ramping up the craziness, with players unlocking a wealth of endings as they go through a visual novel adventure for the ages. As long as players don't mind dark humor and satire, this unique CYOA game will be right up their alley.

16 Baldur's Gate 3

Metacritic Score: 96

Baldur's Gate 3 He Who Was
Baldur's Gate 3

Platform(s)
PC , Stadia , macOS , PS5 , Xbox Series X
Released
August 3, 2023
Developer(s)
Larian Studios
Genre(s)
RPG

Larian Studios has hit the ground running with Baldur's Gate 3, becoming one of the most popular video game developers in the process. The CRPG genre was considered to be a niche sector in gaming for so long, which is why the success of this game is particularly impressive to behold.

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The sheer number of ways that players can influence the stories being told in Baldur's Gate 3 is truly impressive—through dialogue, impulsive action, completing or ignoring certain quests (most of which have several ending options as well), etc. Larian has truly knocked it out of the park, and people will be singing praises about the open-ended nature of this RPG for many, many years.

15 Batman: The Enemy Within

Metacritic Score: 79

batman-the-enemy-within CROPPED
Batman: The Enemy Within

Platform(s)
Android , iOS , PC , Switch , PS4 , Xbox One
Released
August 8, 2017
Developer(s)
Telltale Games
Genre(s)
Point-and-click , Adventure

Telltale's adventure games elicit a variety of mixed opinions from players, who find some of their adventures to be passable while others can feel like a chore at times. The first Batman game by Telltale definitely impressed some people, even if the story didn't seem like anything special.

So, when Batman: The Enemy Within rolled out, fans were genuinely amazed to see what a huge upgrade it was from the first game. The story was more engaging than ever before, exploring the characters of both Bruce Wayne and Batman as this one man struggles to maintain two identities without losing himself in the process.

14 The Wolf Among Us

Metacritic Score: 80

Bigby Wolf stands in a air, fixing a character off screen with a look of suspicion.
The Wolf Among Us

Platform(s)
PS4 , PS3 , PS Vita , Xbox One , Xbox 360 , PC , Android , iOS
Released
October 14, 2013
Developer(s)
Telltale Games
Genre(s)
Adventure

The news that Telltale Studios was shutting down hit many players hard, especially since they loved a lot of the games this developer had released. Unfortunately, poor planning led to the studio biting off more than it could chew before eventually shutting its doors, with The Wolf Among Us being one of the many IPs that ended up disappearing.

It was a shame since many people consider this game to be amongst one of Telltale's finest offerings. While the future for its sequel didn't look bright, fans were glad to hear that a second game was finally on the way. The story of Bigby as he served as the Sheriff of Fabletown made for a tantalizing tale full of twists and turns, with the noir style and striking visual design being some of the strongest things about this game that fans still love to this day.

13 Life Is Strange

Metacritic Score: 85

Life Is Strange Max and Chloe
Life is Strange

Platform(s)
Android , iOS , PC , PS3 , PS4 , Switch , Xbox 360 , Xbox One
Released
January 30, 2015
Developer(s)
Dontnod Entertainment
Genre(s)
Adventure

Life is Strange is one of the most emotional story-driven adventure games that anyone can check out. The game focuses on the story of Max Caulfield, a teenager who goes back to her hometown of Arcadia Bay to attend Blackwell Academy. However, despite how boring the premise may seem, things take a turn for the worse when Max discovers a vision where a tornado comes to lay waste to the entire town.

If this wasn't spooky enough as is, Max also figures out that she has the ability to rewind time, allowing her to carry out multiple choices to see their effects in the game world. It makes for a wildly unique premise, and it's easy to see why Life is Strange became one of the most popular Western franchises under Square Enix before they sold the lion's share of their IPs to Embracer Group. The series has seen multiple titles, but there's still something magical about the first game that most players still adore to this day.

12 Not For Broadcast

Metacritic Score: 82

notgames interview jay osbaum andy murray january 2022
  • Platforms: PlayStation 5, Playstation 4, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, PC, Meta Quest 2
  • Released: December 11, 2019
  • Developer: NotGames

Not for Broadcast is easily one of the most unique indie titles around, with the core gameplay loop centering around a person named Alex who is tasked with controlling a broadcasting room during a news show that takes some really wild turns. While this gameplay premise might seem rather odd, it's the great way in which Not for Broadcast emulates the idea of controlling what is shown to the people that makes it such a great game in every way.

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However, in between these gameplay segments, players are tasked with making tough choices about their struggling family, deciding where to spend their funds and how to raise their children, among other such choices. The game doesn't shy away from being hilarious at moments, but the core message of the title is a rather serious one that is communicated rather well, barring the odd poor joke and hamfisted dialogue.

11 Telltale's The Walking Dead

Metacritic Score: 89

0_0000_The Walking Dead - Lee Gets Bitten
Telltale's The Walking Dead: The Final Season

Platform(s)
PS4 , Nintendo Switch , Xbox One , Microsoft Windows , macOS
Released
August 14, 2018
Developer
Telltale Games, Skybound Entertainment, Skybound Games
Genre(s)
Action , Adventure

The Walking Dead is one of the greatest adventure games ever made, catapulting Telltale's name to the very heights of gaming popularity for obvious reasons. The emotionally charged story as Lee and Clementine struggled to survive in a world ravaged by the zombie apocalypse made for a great time indeed.

The story changes quite a bit depending on the choices Lee makes, ranging from deciding which character survives to who likes or dislikes Lee. Clementine can also be influenced by Lee's decisions, with his teachings leading to Clementine's behavior changing in later games.

10 The Oregon Trail

Metacritic Score: 76

Oregon trail stats.
  • Platforms: Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, PC, Commodore 64, macOS, Apple II
  • Released: December 3, 1971
  • Developer: MECC

The Oregon Trail is easily the oldest game on this list but deserves its spot because of how deceptively complex the game's writing is. Players control a wagon group as they journey across The Oregon Trail, scavenging for supplies and navigating hazards as and when the game demands it.

The gameplay loop of The Oregon Trail was surprisingly innovative for its time, and many other games have been inspired by it in one way or another. Attaining victory in this game without anyone in the group dying was a monumental achievement that only a few select players achieved.

9 Heavy Rain

Metacritic Score: 87

Heavy Rain - Ethan and Madison Romance
Heavy Rain

Platform(s)
PS4 , PS3 , PC
Released
February 23, 2010
Developer(s)
Quantic Dream
Genre(s)
Adventure

Quantic Dream may have its fair share of detractors, but there's no denying that the work they do to make its stories as unique and player-driven as possible is certainly quite impressive. Heavy Rain is a great example of the same, with this game featuring four major characters who are trying to hunt down the Origami Killer while dealing with their own personal demons.

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This makes for a riveting title where players have to make several tough choices that shape the narrative quite a bit. Everything from a scene's events to the ending can be shaped by the choices players make along the way, with the sheer number of permutations and combinations being quite impressive indeed.

8 Until Dawn

Metacritic Score: 79

until dawn showing panicked survivor
Until Dawn

Platform(s)
PS4
Released
August 25, 2015
Developer(s)
Supermassive Games
Genre(s)
Horror

Cited as an interactive horror drama, players will determine the fates of several characters who must survive in a remote mountain environment against supernatural elements and vengeful individuals. Though Until Dawn does follow a scripted narrative, the branching pathways and choices made by the character will reveal who survives and who doesn't.

The game is known for its cinematic approach, featuring a butterfly effect that will ripple throughout the story based on the choices that were made. Until Dawn is a must-play for gamers who want an immersive horror experience that requires them to solve a mystery and revolves around the supernatural.

7 Detroit: Become Human

Metacritic Score: 78

Detroit Become Human
Detroit: Become Human

Platform(s)
PS4 , PC
Released
May 25, 2018
Developer(s)
Quantic Dream
Genre(s)
Adventure

Similar in style to Until Dawn, Detroit: Become Human takes place in the near future where players will determine the fates of several androids who become self-aware. Again, though the game does primarily stick to a scripted narrative, the game offers multiple approaches and endings in each scene which drastically affect the player’s narrative.

The game does not handhold players and will make them react in real-time, once again giving the impression that players are participating in an interactive movie. The game deals with philosophical themes that typically come with sci-fi stories about AI and what it means to be human, and it does it very well. At the end of each scene, players can find out how their narrative branch compares to others.

6 The Life And Suffering Of Sir Brante

Metacritic Score: 82

Life and Suffering of Sir Brante
  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
  • Released: March 4, 2021
  • Developer: Sever Studio

The Life And Suffering Of Sir Brante is a choose-your-own-adventure story set in a gritty world where the gods are real, and a person’s lot is determined at birth.

The game's stunning artwork, world-building, and story quickly pull the player in as they decide the fate of the young protagonist from birth to adulthood (if they can make it that far). Players have to deal with difficult choices that will lie ahead, and every decision affects not only the player’s character but also their family, loved ones, and environment.

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A game about family, legacy, and revolt (if one goes that path); this game is a must for any gamer looking for a gritty, narrative-fueled adventure.

5 Choice Of Robots

Steam (All Reviews): Overwhelmingly Positive

choice of robots game
  • Platforms: PC, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web Browsers
  • Released: 2014
  • Developer: Kevin Gold

In Choice Of Robots, players will take on the tools of an expert robot inventor and chart decisions over 3 decades. During this time, players will create their very own robot and through their actions determine how the world will look. Depending on several choices, the robots may be benign, hostile, sentient, or obedient slaves. They may destroy the world, or the first robot may fall in love with the player’s character; the choices are limitless.

An interactive sci-fi novel that boasts over 300,000 words and seemingly limitless outcomes, the game is extensive and is entirely text-based with no graphics or music. It's a classic salute to the choose-your-own-adventure books of the past.

4 Creatures Such As We

Steam (All Reviews): Positive

Creatures_Such_as_We
  • Platforms: PC, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web Browsers
  • Released: 2014
  • Developer: Lynnea Glasser

Another entirely text-based game, Creatures Such As We is a game that steps away from robots and instead features romance on the moon. Cited as a philosophical interactive romance novel, players will find themselves as a tour guide on a moon resort.

Players will also experience two games simultaneously, the game itself and the ‘game within the game’ (hence why the philosophical tag is mentioned above). Fans of the game praise the quality of the writing, the choices that feel meaningful, and the thought-provoking themes. Fans also note that the pacing and length were excellent.

3 Crusader Kings 3

Metacritic Score: 91

A General leading an army in Crusader Kings 3
Crusader Kings 3

Platform(s)
PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC
Released
September 1, 2020
Developer(s)
Paradox Interactive
Genre(s)
RPG , Grand Strategy

A departure from the other narrative experiences featured here, Crusader Kings 3 can be considered the ultimate grand strategy, role-playing game that is set in medieval times. Players can assume the role of various characters, from a mere count to an emperor across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Eurasia, and India.

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Players can determine the fate of their avatar’s dynastic fate and create their own ‘what-if scenarios’. They can convert a Swedish king to Islam, adopt a decree that allows them to marry their daughters (yikes), or even be a merchant ruler from Italy who conquers India; the possibilities are endless.

2 Suzerain

Metacritic Score: 81

suzerain
Suzerain

Platform(s)
Nintendo Switch , Android , iOS , Microsoft Windows , macOS
Released
December 4, 2020
Genre(s)
Strategy , RPG , Adventure , Indie Games
Developer
Torpor Games

Set in a parallel 20th-century world, Suzerain has players enter the shoes of Anton Rayne, newly elected president of the nation of Sordland who must not only survive his first term but ensure that the nation thrives.

Divided into 4 acts, players will strive to juggle the interests of those within the party and outside of government, as well as confront neighboring countries who have their agendas. The game will throw various difficult choices at the character, whose ramifications will be felt later. Players can adopt whatever style of leadership they desire by becoming a staunch supporter of democracy, a Stalin-esque ruler with an iron fist, or even a ‘man of the people.’ Gamers who are fans of politics and history will love Suzerain.

1 Divinity: Original Sin 2

Metacritic Score: 93

divinity original sin 2
Divinity: Original Sin 2

Platform(s)
Switch , PS4 , Xbox One , PC
Released
September 14, 2017
Genre(s)
RPG
Developer(s)
Larian Studios

Probably the closest thing to a Dungeons and Dragons experience in video game format, Divinity Original Sin 2 offers a staggering amount of choice and avenues for players to experience. Though the storyline does stick to the main plot, the outcome of that story can drastically change depending on the player’s actions and decisions.

Players can choose from 1 of the several pre-made characters or design their unique avatar. What’s even more fun is players can team up with 3 other friends and explore the game together as a party or go on their path of mischief. Just remember that consequences do play in full effect.

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