Best Lore-Rich Games on Steam
Steam currently has 2,867 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 10/1/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Free lore-rich games on Steam
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- 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 11,659 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 11,447 positive reviews and 212 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. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Lead the members of Expedition 33 on their quest to destroy the Paintress so that she can never paint death again. Explore a world of wonders inspired by Belle Époque France and battle unique enemies in this turn-based RPG with real-time mechanics.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 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 168,413 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 161,933 positive reviews and 6,480 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $44.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $44.99 |
| Release Date | 4/24/2025 |
| Franchise | Kepler Interactive |
| Developer | Sandfall Interactive |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1903340 |
3. 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 #3 spot for the best Lore-Rich games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 12,123 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 11,841 positive reviews and 282 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.
4. 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 #4 spot for the best Lore-Rich games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,420 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,365 positive reviews and 55 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $11.99 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 | $11.99 |
| Release Date | 1/13/2025 |
| Franchise | indienova |
| Developer | Everscape Games |
| Publisher | indienova |
| Steam App Id | 3084280 |
5. 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 #5 spot for the best Lore-Rich games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 26,352 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 25,573 positive reviews and 779 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $12.59 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 | $12.59 |
| Release Date | 10/23/2023 |
| Franchise | Black Tabby Games |
| Developer | Black Tabby Games |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1989270 |
6. 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 #6 spot for the best Lore-Rich games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 19,326 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 18,793 positive reviews and 533 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.74 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 | $9.74 |
| Release Date | 1/31/2024 |
| Developer | OMEGAMES STUDIO |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1746030 |
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 95, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Lore-Rich games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,590 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,545 positive reviews and 45 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 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 | $4.99 |
| Release Date | 12/4/2023 |
| Franchise | 2 Left Thumbs |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | 2 Left Thumbs |
| Steam App Id | 2088840 |
9. BRAZILIAN DRUG DEALER 3: I OPENED A PORTAL TO HELL IN THE FAVELA TRYING TO REVIVE MIT AIA I NEED TO CLOSE IT
A BRAZILIAN BOOMER SHOOTER GAME MADE USING THE ID TECH 2 ENGINE! SHOOT, JUMP, EMBARK ON A JOURNEY THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF RIO DE JANEIRO, HELL AND EVEN HEAVEN! SAVE BRAZIL!
BRAZILIAN DRUG DEALER 3: I OPENED A PORTAL TO HELL IN THE FAVELA TRYING TO REVIVE MIT AIA I NEED TO CLOSE IT 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 3,682 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,617 positive reviews and 65 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play BRAZILIAN DRUG DEALER 3: I OPENED A PORTAL TO HELL IN THE FAVELA TRYING TO REVIVE MIT AIA I NEED TO CLOSE IT on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
10. Scarlet Hollow
Your aunt’s dead, your cousin hates you, and you’re stuck in the dead-end town of Scarlet Hollow. Choose your path through a branching narrative so dense that you'll see less than a 1/5 of the game on a single playthrough. You won't be able to save everyone. Good luck, and 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 3,344 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,287 positive reviews and 57 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 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 | $19.99 |
| 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 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97 | 12/7/2023 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 7,514 | 4/24/2025 | 95 | $44.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 5 | 1/9/2023 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 92 | 1/13/2025 | 95 | $11.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 124 | 10/23/2023 | 95 | $12.59 | Steam Charts | |
| 290 | 1/31/2024 | 95 | $9.74 | Steam Charts | |
 | 4 | 11/17/2017 | 95 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 19 | 12/4/2023 | 95 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 10 | 9/17/2025 | 94 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 28 | 6/11/2021 | 94 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 48 | 6/15/2021 | 94 | $5.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 73 | 11/20/2023 | 94 | $13.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,007 | 11/10/2011 | 94 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 28 | 8/30/2022 | 94 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 6/9/2023 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4 | 5/31/2023 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4 | 2/6/2025 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,394 | 4/11/2016 | 93 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 20 | 9/9/2021 | 93 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 12 | 5/16/2024 | 93 | $4.99 | 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, October 1). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 1). A Date with Death on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, September 30). Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 20). 东北之夏 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 1). Threefold Recital on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, September 30). Slay the Princess — The Pristine Cut on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 4). Murders on the Yangtze River on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 24). Touhou Tenkuushou ~ Hidden Star in Four Seasons. on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, September 27). Picayune Dreams on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 4). BRAZILIAN DRUG DEALER 3: I OPENED A PORTAL TO HELL IN THE FAVELA TRYING TO REVIVE MIT AIA I NEED TO CLOSE IT on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 1). Scarlet Hollow on Steam. Steam Store.