The 20 BEST Story-Driven Games With Branching Narratives

The 20 Best Story-Driven Games with Branching Narratives

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re diving into the 20 Best Story-Driven Games with Branching Narratives. Every gamer loves a good story, and that’s enhanced greatly when we’re given the choice to depict how our story is told. This list is filled with some of the most popular games that gave us the freedom of telling our story and affecting how things turn out in the end.

“Heavy Rain” (2010)

Even though it’s a mixed bag for the most part, Heavy Rain has become a kind of gem for branching story games. There aren’t many experiences that capture the tension and emotional depth quite like this one. As you try to figure out the mystery of the Origami Killer, your choices define the fates of the deeply flawed characters. Everything keeps you on edge, forcing quick decisions that carry some pretty weighted consequences. Whether you emerge as a hero or lose everything depends entirely on how you play.

“The Stanley Parable” (2013)

Do we live in a simulation? Are we ever really in control? The Stanley Parable takes that question and runs wild with it, giving us a hilarious and mind-bending commentary on free will. The narrator will both guide and mock you, leading to some bizarre outcomes based entirely on your actions… or lack thereof. For fans of inventive narrative design and meta-humor, this unconventional masterpiece leaves you questioning not just the game’s reality, but your own as well.

“Dragon Age: Inquisition” (2014)

Time to take command of a world in chaos. In Dragon Age: Inquisition, you are the Inquisitor, and you’re tasked with building alliances, quelling political unrest, and leading your companions into epic battles. Every decision you make influences the course of your story, from the relationships you build to determining the fate of entire nations. Packed with rich lore, complex characters, and stunning landscapes, this RPG creates a dynamic experience where your actions carry some pretty heavy weight.

“Deus Ex” (2000)

This revolutionary RPG offered some incredibly unparalleled freedom in gameplay for its time, letting you hack, sneak or fight your way through its morally complex narrative. In Deus Ex, you get to explore a dystopian future where cybernetic enhancements blur the line between human and machine. With conspiracies, betrayals, and philosophical questions at its core, every decision you make alters the outcome, making this a thrilling journey into the heart of posthumanism.

“Doki Doki Literature Club” (2017)

What starts as a pretty lighthearted visual novel quickly turns into a psychological rollercoaster. Beneath the charming exterior it shows off, Doki Doki Literature Club has a dark, unsettling narrative that breaks every rule of traditional storytelling. The choices that you may have thought were harmless actually lead to some pretty haunting consequences as the game twists reality itself. It’s equal parts shocking, thought-provoking, and unforgettable.

“Undertale” (2015)

This was an RPG unlike any other. Undertale is an indie gem that flipped expectations on their head, letting you spare or battle every quirky enemy you encounter. Your decisions shape the story in ways that tug at your heartstrings, or make you question your own morality. This game is filled with humor, charm, a memorable cast, and a unique design that ensures no two playthroughs feel the same.

“Tyranny” (2016)

Evil gets a spotlight with this one. Tyranny is a dark RPG that places you in the role of an enforcer for the conquering overlord. You have the choice to maintain order through fear or to defy the powers that be. The story evolves based on your decisions, creating a morally ambiguous world where even good intentions could have some very dire consequences. It’s a pretty bold twist on the traditional hero’s journey.

“Until Dawn” (2015)

This one is for the slasher fans! Until Dawn puts you in the middle of a horror movie where every decision can mean life or death. You guide a group of friends through a night of pure terror, facing tough moral choices with unexpected twists. With its butterfly-effect mechanics and intense atmosphere, this interactive thriller keeps you guessing and screaming until the very end.

“Kingdom Come: Deliverance” (2018)

When it comes to historical accuracy meeting immersion, Kingdom Come: Deliverance has you covered. Taking place in medieval Bohemia, this RPG puts you in the boots of a blacksmith’s son named Henry, who’s seeking revenge and purpose. Every choice that’s made, from dialogue to combat, affects your relationships and the larger story. With its attention to detail and realism, this game crafts a grounded yet dynamic narrative for anyone looking for an adventure.

“Slay The Princess” (2023)

It’s always fun to see fairy tales get a dark twist, and you get exactly that in Slay the Princess. Your choices determine whether you’re going to save the world, or doom it. With multiple endings and a narrator that responds to your every move, the story will evolve based on the actions you take. It’s a fresh, intriguing take on classic tropes, mixing humor, tension, and mystery into a fun experience.

“Not For Broadcast” (2020)
Have you ever wanted to control the news? Well, in Not For Broadcast, you’re able to shape the public perception as you edit live broadcasts in a dystopian world. The choices you make behind the scenes ripple through society, affect relationships, politics, and the game’s overall outcome. Not For Broadcast truly makes media manipulation as entertaining as it is thought-provoking.

“Life Is Strange” (2015)

In Life is Strange, everyday decisions become extraordinary. Your ability to rewind time lets you alter events and their emotional fallout. Following Max Caulfield’s journey of self-descovery, the story consists of friendship, mystery, and tough moral choices into a heartfield experience. Your actions on this journey influence how relationships unfold and determine the game’s impactful endings.

“Detroit: Become Human” (2018)

Another David Cage game on this list, Detroit: Become Human brings you to the future, where androids challenge humanity’s definition of life. You’ll go through the interconnected stories of three androids: Kara, Markus, and Connor, and you get to navigate freedom, morality, and rebellion. Every decision you make with the three ripples through their journey, creating an intense and cinematic experience that will leave players questioning what it means to be human.

“Papers Please” (2013)

Bureaucracy has never been more stressful. In “Papers, Please”, you play as a border inspector and have to decide who can and can’t enter a fictional totalitarian country. The choices you make impact not only the lives of the desperate immigrants but also your own family. Balancing survival and compassion, “Papers, Please” weaves a gripping narrative of morality under pressure.

“Cyberpunk 2077” (2020)

Wake up, samurai. We have a city to burn. Neon lights and cybernetic implants set the stage for Cyberpunk 2077, where your decisions in this open world shape a sprawling dystopian tale. You step into the shoes of the mercenary V, where you’ll navigate political intrigue, dangerous factions, and personal vendettas in Night City. The freedom you have to approach situations in multiple ways guarantees a truly personalized experience at every turn.

“Fallout: New Vegas” (2010)

A post-apocalyptic Nevada sounds like the ultimate playground. Fallout: New Vegas gives you a variety of choices to make. Whether you align with factions, forge alliances, or blaze your own trail, your choices ripple across this irradiated wasteland. With sharp dialogue, moral ambiguity, and almost endless freedom, this RPG offers one of the most dynamic narratives in gaming history.

“Mass Effect Legendary Edition” (2021)

Okay, so we know this one is cheating a little bit, but we can’t help it. Mass Effect Legendary edition gives you the grand prize of the original Mass Effect trilogy, where the fate of the galaxy lies in your hands. Leading as Commander Shepard, you’ll make tough calls that affect the lives of your crew and the universe itself. And each decision you make is able to be carried onto the very next game. Yes, even the very lackluster choice at the end of Mass Effect 3 still counts. At the end of the day, unforgettable characters and an evolving story make this sci-fi experience a true interstellar drama like no other.

“Telltale’s The Walking Dead” (2012)

Oh man… who was cutting onions in here? Few games hit the emotional highs like Telltale’s The Walking Dead. You follow the bond between Lee and Clementine, where the story evolves with every choice and crafts a deeply personal tale of survival in the zombie apocalypse. This game has tons of heart wrenching moments and moral dilemmas, making it a true masterclass in storytelling.

“The Witcher 2” (2011)

Time to toss a coin to your Witcher. In The Witcher 2, you play as Geralt and get to make choices that steer the narrative down wildly different paths, from siding with rival factions to influencing entire kingdoms. With its mature themes and complex characters, The Witch 2 delivers a rich and immersive RPG experience where decisions truly matter.

“Baldur's Gate 3” (2023)

No games have ever really reached the amount of freedom you have in Baldur’s Gate 3. With its Dungeons & Dragons-inspired gameplay, you can shape relationships with certain characters you stumble upon, solve conflicts in the ways you see fit, and experience a story that evolves based on every decision you make. Packed with depth, humor, and emotional weight, this is interactive storytelling at its finest and a must play for anyone who truly enjoys freedom in their narrative adventures.


Were there any games on this list that you enjoyed when it came to branching narratives? Let us know in the comments!