Best Text-Based Games on Steam
Steam currently has 5,110 Text-Based 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. Text-Based game rankings were last updated on 5/2/2026.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Free text-based games on Steam
- Best text-based Steam Deck games
- Best text-based Linux games on Steam
- Best text-based Steam games for Mac OS
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Firework
An accidental fire at a funeral forces the police to re-investigate a closed case of massacre. Lin Lixun participates the re-investigation by chances. As the investigation goes deeper, the past of the victims gradually emerges. However, the case becomes more bewildering.
Firework holds the #1 spot for "best Text-Based game on Steam" with a Player Score of 96. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 43,987 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 42,975 positive reviews and 1,012 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Firework on the Steam Deck.
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 2/3/2021 |
| Developer | Shiying Studio |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1288310 |
2. Chill with You : Lo-Fi Story
"Chill with You : Lo-Fi Story" is a sound novel game where you work alongside Satone, a girl who loves writing stories. Customize lo-fi music, ambient sounds, and landscapes to create a focused environment. As you deepen your bond with Satone, you may discover a special connection with her.
Chill with You : Lo-Fi Story has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Text-Based games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 10,550 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 10,403 positive reviews and 147 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $11.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Chill with You : Lo-Fi Story on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $11.99 |
| Release Date | 11/16/2025 |
| Developer | Nestopi Inc. |
| Publisher | Nestopi Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 3548580 |
3. 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 has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Text-Based games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 13,661 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 13,391 positive reviews and 270 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 |
4. Z.A.T.O. // I Love the World and Everything In It
USSR, 1986. A girl goes missing in the closed city of Vorkuta-5, yet not a soul seems to be concerned. Uncover the mystery behind her disappearance and transmit your signal to the universe.
Z.A.T.O. // I Love the World and Everything In It has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Text-Based games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,903 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,754 positive reviews and 149 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. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Release Date | 11/10/2025 |
| Developer | Ferry // Nopanamaman |
| Publisher | Ferry // Nopanamaman |
| Steam App Id | 4122860 |
5. Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
Welcome to the club! Write poems for your crush and experience the terror of school romance in this critically-acclaimed psychological horror story.
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Text-Based games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 30,831 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 29,883 positive reviews and 948 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $11.24 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $11.24 |
| Release Date | 6/30/2021 |
| Franchise | Serenity Forge |
| Developer | Team Salvato |
| Publisher | Serenity Forge |
| Steam App Id | 1388880 |
6. The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog...was murdered!? Get to the bottom of the mystery in this brand-new adventure!
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Text-Based games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 24,906 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 24,169 positive reviews and 737 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
7. Aliya: Timelink
The player connects to a girl in distress in space thousands of years later? How will they resolve the crisis and discover the truth? Through the mechanism of real-time synchronization, the game breaks through the dimensional wall and creates an immersive dialogue across time and space.
Aliya: Timelink has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Text-Based games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,964 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,769 positive reviews and 195 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $2.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Aliya: Timelink on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $2.99 |
| Release Date | 4/25/2024 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 2704110 |
8. 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 #8 spot for the best Text-Based games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 20,519 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 19,913 positive reviews and 606 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 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 | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 1/31/2024 |
| Developer | OMEGAMES STUDIO |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1746030 |
9. I Wani Hug that Gator!
I Wani Hug that Gator! Is a choice-driven narrative about teenagers struggling to find their way. Help Inco, loser highschooler extraordinaire, navigate his budding friendships (and romance!) while surviving being the only human in a dinosaur-filled school.
I Wani Hug that Gator! has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Text-Based games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,561 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,463 positive reviews and 98 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play I Wani Hug that Gator! on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
10. Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk
A short story about what sort of challenges everyday little things can be. Help the girl buy milk, be the first not to disappoint her.
Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Text-Based games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 33,182 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 32,018 positive reviews and 1,164 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $1.49 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $1.49 |
| Release Date | 8/26/2020 |
| Developer | Nikita Kryukov |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1392820 |
More Text-Based Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Text-Based games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 2/3/2021 | 96 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 3,094 | 11/16/2025 | 96 | $11.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 241 | 12/7/2023 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 81 | 11/10/2025 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 88 | 6/30/2021 | 95 | $11.24 | Steam Charts | |
| 18 | 3/31/2023 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 20 | 4/25/2024 | 95 | $2.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 61 | 1/31/2024 | 95 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 16 | 2/14/2024 | 95 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 10 | 8/26/2020 | 94 | $1.49 | Steam Charts | |
 | 16 | 12/16/2021 | 94 | $8.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 8 | 10/30/2020 | 94 | $34.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 10/28/2025 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 92 | 8/15/2024 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 21 | 4/24/2025 | 94 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 136 | 1/15/2025 | 94 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 15 | 9/29/2021 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 191 | 3/27/2026 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 12/26/2023 | 94 | $3.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 10 | 1/17/2024 | 94 | $6.99 | 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. (2026, May 2). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 2). Firework on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 14). Chill with You : Lo-Fi Story on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 21). A Date with Death on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 5). Z.A.T.O. // I Love the World and Everything In It on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 12). Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 10). The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 3). Aliya: Timelink on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 10). Murders on the Yangtze River on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 11). I Wani Hug that Gator! on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 22). Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk on Steam. Steam Store.