Best Lore-Rich Games on Steam
Steam currently has 2,325 Lore-Rich games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Lore-Rich game rankings were last updated on 3/13/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Free lore-rich games on Steam
- Best lore-rich Steam Deck games
- Best lore-rich Linux games on Steam
- Best lore-rich Steam games for Mac OS
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. A Date with Death
Fight against & romance the one hunting for your soul in A Date with Death, a romance chat simulator where you date(?) the Grim Reaper himself. Create your own character, decorate your apartment, and chat away with the charming yet dangerous Grim Reaper through text and video calls.
A Date with Death holds the #1 spot for "best Lore-Rich game on Steam" with a Player Score of 95. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 9,683 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,521 positive reviews and 162 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play A Date with Death on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 12/7/2023 |
| Franchise | Two and a Half Studios |
| Developer | Two and a Half Studios |
| Publisher | Two and a Half Studios |
| Steam App Id | 2415010 |
2. 东北之夏
DongBeiZhiXia (a summer in the northeast of China)is a free visual novel, which tells the story that the protagonist followed parents' wishes to make one's living in Shenyang, met two online anchors Huniu and Daojiang by chance, and experience affairs one after another with Shamate.
东北之夏 has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Lore-Rich games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 12,041 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 11,765 positive reviews and 276 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
3. Murders on the Yangtze River
"Murders on Yangtze River" is an Ace Attorney-like detective game that takes you on a journey through early 20th century China as you solve a series of intriguing cases. Use your logical reasoning and deduction skills to uncover clues, interrogate suspects, and solve the mysteries.
Murders on the Yangtze River has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Lore-Rich games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 17,575 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 17,111 positive reviews and 464 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $10.49 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Murders on the Yangtze River on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $10.49 |
| Release Date | 1/31/2024 |
| Developer | OMEGAMES STUDIO |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1746030 |
4. Slay the Princess — The Pristine Cut
You're here to slay the princess. Don't believe her lies.
Slay the Princess — The Pristine Cut has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Lore-Rich games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 22,365 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 21,723 positive reviews and 642 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $13.49 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $13.49 |
| Release Date | 10/23/2023 |
| Franchise | Black Tabby Games |
| Developer | Black Tabby Games |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1989270 |
6. Cruelty Squad
An immersive power fantasy simulator with tactical stealth elements set in a sewage infused garbage world
Cruelty Squad has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Lore-Rich games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 20,139 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 19,519 positive reviews and 620 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $5.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Cruelty Squad on the Steam Deck.
| Steam Price | $5.99 |
| Release Date | 6/15/2021 |
| Developer | Consumer Softproducts |
| Publisher | Consumer Softproducts |
| Steam App Id | 1388770 |
7. Threefold Recital
Threefold Recital is set in an oriental fantasy world where the metropolis of Bluescales faces turmoil after a long golden age. The mix of magic, modern, and ancient technologies challenges governance, while tensions between humans, beastlings, and dragons grow. In the shadows, a crisis looms...
Threefold Recital has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Lore-Rich games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,636 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,612 positive reviews and 24 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $13.49 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Threefold Recital on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $13.49 |
| Release Date | 1/14/2025 |
| Franchise | indienova |
| Developer | Everscape Games |
| Publisher | indienova |
| Steam App Id | 3084280 |
8. Picayune Dreams
Picayune Dreams is a roguelike blend of bullet heaven horde survival, and bullet hell gameplay. Adrift across the endless void, you must fend off thousands of nightmarish and otherwordly creatures. Uncover a mysterious and surreal story. And don't forget. You mu [TRANSMISSION INTERRUPTED...]
Picayune Dreams has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Lore-Rich games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,877 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,844 positive reviews and 33 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $3.49 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Picayune Dreams on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $3.49 |
| Release Date | 12/4/2023 |
| Franchise | 2 Left Thumbs |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | 2 Left Thumbs |
| Steam App Id | 2088840 |
9. In Stars And Time
Live with the ever-present burden of being trapped in a time loop only you can know about in this turn-based RPG. Create a better future for you and your friends. Find hope where there is none left. Pray to the stars and free yourself from time.
In Stars And Time has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Lore-Rich games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,536 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,405 positive reviews and 131 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 11/20/2023 |
| Franchise | Armor Games |
| Developer | insertdisc5 |
| Publisher | Armor Games Studios |
| Steam App Id | 1677310 |
10. Scarlet Hollow
You've finally made it to the dead-end mining town of Scarlet Hollow, North Carolina, where your aunt is dead, your cousin hates you, and something otherworldly stalks you from the shadows. You won't be able to save everyone. You might not even be able to save yourself. Welcome home.
Scarlet Hollow has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Lore-Rich games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,805 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,761 positive reviews and 44 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $18.74 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $18.74 |
| Release Date | 6/11/2021 |
| Franchise | Black Tabby Games |
| Developer | Black Tabby Games |
| Publisher | Black Tabby Games |
| Steam App Id | 1609230 |
More Lore-Rich Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Lore-Rich games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 205 | 12/7/2023 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 12 | 1/9/2023 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 208 | 1/31/2024 | 95 | $10.49 | Steam Charts | |
| 140 | 10/23/2023 | 95 | $13.49 | Steam Charts | |
 | 10 | 11/17/2017 | 95 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 103 | 6/15/2021 | 95 | $5.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 83 | 1/14/2025 | 95 | $13.49 | Steam Charts | |
| 69 | 12/4/2023 | 94 | $3.49 | Steam Charts | |
| 58 | 11/20/2023 | 94 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 77 | 6/11/2021 | 94 | $18.74 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,067 | 11/10/2011 | 94 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 20 | 8/30/2022 | 94 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 8 | 5/31/2023 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 6/9/2023 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,399 | 4/11/2016 | 93 | $59.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 15 | 9/9/2021 | 93 | $7.49 | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 9/21/2024 | 93 | $2.39 | Steam Charts | |
 | 14 | 5/16/2024 | 93 | $6.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 164 | 11/2/2023 | 93 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 3 | 7/8/2022 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 13). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 13). A Date with Death on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 2). 东北之夏 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 16). Murders on the Yangtze River on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 15). Slay the Princess — The Pristine Cut on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 25). Touhou Tenkuushou ~ Hidden Star in Four Seasons. on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 16). Cruelty Squad on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 15). Threefold Recital on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 17). Picayune Dreams on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 14). In Stars And Time on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 18). Scarlet Hollow on Steam. Steam Store.