What Games Are Similar to Life Is Strange? Here Are 22 to Try

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Gaming expert Jose Rivera shares the best story-driven games with impactful decisions that are similar to LiS

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1 Tell Me Why

2 The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series

3 Lost Records: Bloom and Rage

4 Firewatch

5 Closer the Distance

6 Detroit: Become Human

7 The Wolf Among Us

8 Beyond: Two Souls

9 As Dusk Falls

10 Gone Home

11 Coffee Talk

12 What Remains of Edith Finch

13 Road 96

14 Oxenfree

15 The Quarry

16 Vampyr

17 The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood

18 Until Dawn

19 Night in the Woods

20 Quantum Break

21 Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

22 Last Day of June

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Co-authored by Jose Rivera and Glenn Carreau

Last Updated: December 4, 2025 Fact Checked

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If you played Life is Strange—and all of its sequels and spin-offs, of course—and absolutely loved it, it’s no wonder you’re looking for similar games to try! While gaming expert Jose Rivera notes that the 2015 game “redefined what a narrative game could be: emotional, introspective, and unapologetically human,” he says there are plenty of games that have a similar, deep storytelling style full of emotional choices. In this article, we spoke with Rivera to help us compile a list of the best games like Life is Strange to try, so what are you waiting for? Check them out below!

Example Games Similar to Life is Strange

Gaming expert Jose Rivera says, “For players who crave that same mix of emotion and mystery” as Life is Strange, “there’s a whole lineup of games that carry the same torch.” Some of his favorites include:

• Tell Me Why - A story-rich game about twins with supernatural abilities…and family secrets.
• The Walking Dead - A narrative-driven episodic adventure based on The Walking Dead.
• Firewatch - A quiet, atmospheric exploration game exploring the relationship between a forest ranger and his superior.
• Detroit: Become Human - A cause-and-effect adventure game set in the future where androids struggle for sentience.
• Oxenfree - An adventure game set on an island haunted by ghosts, which a group of teens sets out to stop.

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1

Tell Me Why

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1. 
   “Developed by Life is Strange’s own studio, Don’t Nod,” Rivera explains, “this Alaskan-set drama follows twins Tyler and Alyson Ronan as they revisit their childhood memories to uncover a buried family secret.” He says Tell Me Why is “groundbreaking for its authentic LGBTQ+ representation (Tyler is one of gaming’s first trans protagonists) and for its twist on the ‘unreliable memory’ mechanic that challenges players to decide whose truth they believe.” Ultimately, the events of the game will shape the twins’ relationship with one another, as well as their future.

   • Developer: Don’t Nod Entertainment
   • Release Year: 2020
   • Platforms: Xbox One/Series X/S, PC
   • Genre: Adventure
   • Why you’ll love it: As you play, you’ll get to solve memory-based puzzles along with making meaningful choices. Plus, its style and mechanics have a lot in common with Life is Strange.
   • Rivera notes that the direct sequel to Life is Strange, called True Colors, and the spin-off game, called The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit, are great choices to play, too.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Jose Rivera, also known as Ricky Flicks online, is a gaming expert and content creator. His content covers topics across gaming, anime, movies, and TV.
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2

The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series

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1. 
   Rivera says Telltale’s The Walking Dead series is “the emotional godfather of episodic storytelling.” In the game, he explains that “you’ll guide Lee and Clementine through a post-apocalyptic moral gauntlet where every dialogue choice ripples through future episodes. It’s messy, tragic, and deeply human, just like Life is Strange.” Sure, the zombie apocalypse backdrop is a little scarier than the sleepy seaside town in Life is Strange—but at its core, it’s an emotional tale of survival and choices with very drastic, gut-wrenching consequences.

   • Developer: Telltale Games
   • Release Year: 2012 - 2019
   • Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
   • Genre: Adventure
   • Why you’ll love it: The game features a bold, graphic novel-like design and key decisions in each episode that really do matter—in the moment, and in the long run. Plus, its main protagonist/deuteragonist, Clementine, is a fantastic character!

3

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage

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1. 
   Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is another title from Life is Strange developer Don’t Nod Entertainment, which means it has all the LiS vibes. It’s about a group of young women in the ’90s and how they deal with the fallout of a past tragedy. The game is filled with ’90s nostalgia, drama, small-town intrigue, and, of course, choices (and consequences) that affect the course of the story.

   • Developer: Don’t Nod Entertainment
   • Release Year: 2025
   • Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
   • Genre: Adventure
   • Why you’ll love it: Lost Records’ dialogue is so intricate that choices and reactions can change based on when you say things, as well as what you say.
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4

Firewatch

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1. 
   “Instead of supernatural time loops,” says Rivera, Firewatch “explores emotional isolation.” He explains that you play as park ranger and fire lookout Henry, where you “form a fragile bond with your supervisor Delilah over [the] radio while navigating grief and guilt in a lonely Wyoming forest.” There’s only one ending to the game, but the choices you make still have an effect—namely, on how much you learn about Henry, and the forest itself. Rivera adds that “every dialogue choice feels intimate, every silence says more than words.”

   • Developer: Campo Santo
   • Release Year: 2016
   • Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
   • Genre: Adventure
   • Why you’ll love it: This game is a quieter experience than most, and a masterclass in creating a compelling adventure without any action—or even a large cast of characters.

5

Closer the Distance

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1. 
   Closer the Distance uses a similar formula to Life is Strange, putting players in the shoes of a protagonist with supernatural abilities. In the game, you’ll play as Angela, a girl with the ability to sense people’s moods, locations, and other omniscient details. Using these abilities, Angela does her best to help the people in her town navigate a recent tragedy and deal with their grief.

   • Developer: Osmotic Studios
   • Release Year: 2024
   • Platforms: PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, PC
   • Genre: Life Simulation
   • Why you’ll love it: Closer the Distance also has some Sims-like elements—perfect for fans of slice-of-life stories that deal heavily with the relationships between friends and family.
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6

Detroit: Become Human

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1. 
   If you’re a fan of heavily moral, complex decisions that create branching narratives, Detroit: Become Human is definitely for you! Rivera says the game “mirrors Life is Strange’s moral complexity, letting players guide androids in their struggle for sentience while showing every choice’s branching aftermath—it’s a literal web of cause and effect.” It’s a game set in the not-so distant future, where humans use androids as robotic servants. Yet they’re capable of developing emotions and personalities all their own, as you’ll learn while following the game’s three protagonists, Kara, Connor, and Markus, who each become involved in the fight for android rights.

   • Developer: Quantic Dream
   • Release Year: 2018
   • Platforms: PS4, PC
   • Genre: Adventure
   • Why you’ll love it: Each character has their own storyline to follow, and those stories intersect (and sometimes clash) as events unfold—making for a deep, thought-provoking experience.
   • Rivera notes that “Quantic Dream’s cinematic storytelling is all about consequence.” He recommends some of the developer’s other games, such as Heavy Rain.

7

The Wolf Among Us

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1. 
   Do you like the idea of crossing fairy tales with noir detective stories? Well, that’s exactly what The Wolf Among Us does! It takes place in Fabletown, where mythical beings live among humans—and you, Bigby Wolf, must solve a murder that shakes the town to its core. Your investigation and the choices you make will influence the outcome of this puzzling, compelling story.

   • Developer: Telltale Games
   • Release Year: 2013
   • Platforms: PS3/4, Xbox 360/One, PC, iOS, Android
   • Genre: Adventure
   • Why you’ll love it: The Wolf Among Us features lots of puzzle-solving and investigation with action thrown into the mix, all wrapped up in a story heavily inspired by ’80s noir mysteries. If you like twisted fairy tales, you’ll love this!
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8

Beyond: Two Souls

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1. 
   Rivera agrees that Beyond: Two Souls is another game similar to Life is Strange. It’s more than a game, though; it’s downright cinematic. It’s a story-rich game with a deeply emotional narrative, featuring performances from actors such as Elliot Page and Willem Dafoe. In the game, you’ll make impactful choices that determine your protagonist Jodie’s fate, and explore a deeply immersive world with just a hint of the supernatural.

   • Developer: Quantic Dream
   • Release Year: 2013
   • Platforms: PS3/4, PC
   • Genre: Adventure
   • Why you’ll love it: It’s designed to feel like an interactive movie that’s playing out as you make your choices and explore.

9

As Dusk Falls

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1. 
   As Dusk Falls takes the choice-driven Life is Strange formula and translates it to a darker setting: a crime story set in the late ’90s (and going forward). You’ll follow the story of two families and their lives both during and after the events of a robbery. Your choices during the robbery will matter, and so will the choices you make in the days, months, and years afterward. The game explores how trauma can affect generations of people, especially depending on how they process that trauma.

   • Developer: Interior/Night
   • Release Year: 2022
   • Platforms: Xbox One/Series X/S, PS4/5, PC
   • Genre: Adventure
   • Why you’ll love it: There’s a multiplayer component allowing up to 8 players to vote on decisions, making it a fun and interactive experience for groups.
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10

Gone Home

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1. 
   Gone Home is “the blueprint for environmental storytelling,” says Rivera. “Alone in a family house, you piece together your loved ones’ stories through notes, photos, and keepsakes. It’s quiet, nostalgic, and deeply human, everything Life is Strange fans adore.” While it’s also a narrative game, there’s no story unfolding as you play; rather, all the game’s major events have already happened, and it’s up to you to figure out exactly what is going on.

   • Developer: Fullbright
   • Release Year: 2013
   • Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
   • Genre: Mystery, Slice of life
   • Why you’ll love it: Gone Home is simple in design, yet it tells an intricate story about the struggles of family life. It even contains an LGBTQ+ narrative that is both relatable and meaningful!

11

Coffee Talk

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1. 
   In Coffee Talk, you (the protagonist) are just there to listen and serve coffee. As people from all walks of life—truly, since your customers include aliens and forest elves—come in for a cup of coffee, you’ll talk to them about their lives, get to know them, and sometimes, provide advice or insights when needed. It’s a simple, cozy game that focuses heavily on life, drama, and relationships.

   • Developer: Toge Productions
   • Release Year: 2020
   • Platforms: PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, Switch, PC
   • Genre: Visual novel
   • Why you’ll love it: This game prioritizes relationships over all else. There’s no exploration or combat—just meaningful dialogue and listening to stories.
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12

What Remains of Edith Finch

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1. 
   What Remains of Edith Finch follows the protagonist—Edith—as she explores the now-empty Finch family manor. The rest of Edith’s family has all died, with each room in the manor containing a memory of one of the Finches on the day of their death. The game explores themes of life and loss, using exploration and memory to tell a story that gradually unfolds.

   • Developer: Giant Sparrow
   • Release Year: 2017
   • Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, iOS
   • Genre: Adventure
   • Why you’ll love it: It’s an entirely exploration-based game (no combat or quick-time events) with a very emotional narrative to uncover.

13

Road 96

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1. 
   Rivera explains that Road 96 is “a road-trip narrative where each playthrough generates new encounters with runaway teens escaping a corrupt regime. Its randomness turns every journey into a patchwork of rebellion, discovery, and found family.” You initially play as a refugee during their break for freedom, making choices to—hopefully—help them make a successful escape across the border. However, even if you fail, you’ll get to play as another refugee and continue to gain abilities and information that’ll help with your journey.

   • Developer: DigixArt
   • Release Year: 2021
   • Platforms: PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, Switch, PC
   • Genre: Adventure
   • Why you’ll love it: Each run of Road 96 is randomized—so your first journey to the border won’t be the same as your second! You can keep gaining new knowledge in each run, and that can help you in each future run that you play.
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14

Oxenfree

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1. 
   Rivera says to think of Oxenfree as “Life is Strange meets Stranger Things,” where “a group of teens explores an island haunted by interdimensional ghosts.” He explains that the real hook is “a dynamic dialogue system that lets conversations overlap naturally, mirroring the realism of teenage chatter and tension.” Each choice, dialogue option, or action you take can affect the course of the story.

   • Developer: Night School Studio
   • Release Year: 2016
   • Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, iOS, Android
   • Genre: Adventure
   • Why you’ll love it: It features a real-time dialogue system that’ll make all of your interactions more interesting (and challenging), as well as radio mechanics.

15

The Quarry

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1. 
   The Quarry is another survival-horror game—this one following a group of camp counselors on the last night of a camping trip in the forest. Originally there for a celebration, they discover that the locals become terrifying, bloodthirsty monsters at night, and must try to survive until the next day. However, the game isn’t all horror and action; it has complex characters with dynamic personalities you can get to know along the way.

   • Developer: Supermassive Games
   • Release Year: 2022
   • Platforms: PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, PC
   • Genre: Horror-adventure
   • Why you’ll love it: The cast of characters is very fun and likable, making your choices actually feel important (and weighty).
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16

Vampyr

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1. 
   Once again, Vampyr was created by Life is Strange’s development team, Don’t Nod. So, even though its setting and gameplay are quite different, Vampyr still has the deep plot and emotional beats that Life is Strange is known for. In the game, you’ll play as a London doctor recently turned into a vampire. With the city in the midst of a Spanish Flu epidemic, your choices and actions can save the city—or let it fall.

   • Developer: Don’t Nod Entertainment
   • Release Year: 2018
   • Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
   • Genre: Action-adventure
   • Why you’ll love it: Compared to Life is Strange, Vampyr contains more elements of a classic action RPG. If you love a balance of story and combat, Vampyr is the game for you!

17

The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood

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1. 
   The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood doesn’t actually involve much adventure or choices, but it does have a deeply emotional and complex narrative—as well as fully-realized, memorable characters. You’ll play as an exiled witch forced to live on an asteroid, who uses divining cards to reconnect with old friends, recover memories, and get her freedom back.

   • Developer: Deconstructeam
   • Release Year: 2023
   • Platforms: Switch, PC
   • Genre: Visual novel
   • Why you’ll love it: There are lots of intriguing twists in the narrative! Furthermore, the game features an optional queer romance, plus lots of tarot-themed artistry and designs.
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18

Until Dawn

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1. 
   Rivera says Until Dawn is another great game similar to Life is Strange. It’s a horror game that plays out more like an interactive horror movie, with difficult decisions and quick-time events that can be the difference between life and death for the game’s cast of characters. See if you can keep them all alive until dawn…or if the sinister “killer” lurking in the mountains will get the better of them.

   • Developer: Supermassive Games
   • Release Year:
   • Platforms: PS4/5, PC
   • Genre: Horror, survival
   • Why you’ll love it: The game alternates perspectives between a group of eight friends, and it’s up to you to guide them through the night. It’s a cinematic, haunting experience with amazing graphics!

19

Night in the Woods

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1. 
   Night in the Woods is an adventure game set in a world full of zoomorphic people (humans portrayed as animals). It follows a young woman who returns to her hometown after dropping out of college, and discovers just how much the town has changed since its coal mines closed. Through your choices, you’ll unravel a mystery that has haunted the town for decades while also exploring the relationships between each resident.

   • Developer: Infinite Fall
   • Release Year: 2017
   • Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch, iOS, Android
   • Genre: Adventure
   • Why you’ll love it: It’s got lots of small-town drama to explore, with meaningful interactions and platforming elements built in.
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20

Quantum Break

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1. 
   If Max’s time manipulation powers were one of your favorite elements in Life is Strange, you might want to explore Quantum Break as well! Its protagonist, Jack Joyce, also has time manipulation powers—and in his world, time can stutter, freezing everyone in place except for him. As you play, you’ll also be forced to make decisions at critical “junction points” that will influence the state of the game.

   • Developer: Remedy Entertainment
   • Release Year: 2016
   • Platforms: Xbox One, PC
   • Genre: Action-adventure
   • Why you’ll love it: Quantum Break has a super unique, interesting feature: there’s a live-action television show integrated into the game, and actors actually act out your choices in the episodes that “air” between acts!

21

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

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1. 
   In Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, you’re both the ghost hunter and the ghost. You’ll play as a pair of partners and ghost hunters named Red and Antea—but when Antea ends up as a ghost while on a dangerous job, she and Red’s partnership changes. You’ll have to choose between freeing souls or sacrificing them in the name of resurrecting Antea, making for a haunting and emotional narrative that will definitely make you question your morals just a little.

   • Developer: Don’t Nod Entertainment
   • Release Year: 2024
   • Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
   • Genre: Action RPG
   • Why you’ll love it: It’s an action-packed ghost-hunting story that centers around the theme of undying love.
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22

Last Day of June

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1. Rivera says Last Day of June is “a poignant time-loop tale of loss and love, where each rewind carries a price.” The game follows Carl after a car crash kills his wife, June, and leaves him in a wheelchair. He soon discovers he can revisit the memories of the people who were present at the car accident and alter their actions, changing the sequence of events on that fateful day. Rivera explains that “like Life is Strange, it forces you to ask: would you change the past, knowing what it would cost?”

   • Developer: Ovosonico (now Avantgarden)
   • Release Year: 2017
   • Platforms: PS4, PC, Switch
   • Genre: Adventure, puzzle
   • Why you’ll love it: It’s a beautiful, heartfelt story with a unique puzzle element and a quick playthrough.

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Tips

• Curious why Life is Strange is so popular? Rivera provides an in-depth breakdown:

  • Themes and characters: “What truly set Life is Strange apart was its willingness to tackle tough topics, mental health, trauma, queerness, and grief, with honesty rather than sensationalism,” Rivera explains. “The evolving relationship between Max and Chloe became one of gaming’s most iconic portrayals of queer intimacy, resonating with fans who saw pieces of themselves in their defiance and vulnerability.”
  • In-game choices: The iconic game mechanic “was a metaphor for regret and control,” says Rivera. “It gave players the illusion of fixing everything, only to show that some consequences can’t be undone. That emotional realism, how even ‘good’ choices can hurt, cemented Life is Strange as a storytelling masterclass.”
  • Worldbuilding: “Arcadia Bay feels alive even when it’s quiet,” notes Rivera. “Every poster, conversation, and stormy sunset tells a story.”
  • Soundtrack: The indie-folk soundtrack features artists like Syd Matters, Daughter, and Angus & Julia Stone, which Rivera says “became a defining part of its atmosphere, with songs that feel like memories—soft, nostalgic, and bittersweet.”
  • Community and identity: “Few games have inspired such personal connection,” says Rivera. “Players often credit Life is Strange with helping them navigate coming out, process grief, or reconnect with their own youth. It’s less a fandom and more a global therapy circle, proof that storytelling can heal.”
  • Impact on gaming: Rivera says, “Academics and developers alike now cite Life is Strange as a pioneer of the ‘slow game’ movement,” which refers to “titles that prioritize introspection over intensity.” According to him, “It proved there’s an audience for empathy in gaming, influencing everything from indie dramas to mainstream AAA narratives.”
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