Detroit: Become Human is one of the most underrated successes in modern gaming, it offers a multi-choice narrative that asks tough questions based on morality. Exploring the themes of transhumanism, artificial intelligence, slavery, and what it really means to be human- this game is a narrative masterpiece unlike anything else.
It’s more of an interactive movie with branching outcomes depending on what choice you make. You can also call it a neo-noir thriller in which you undertake the role of detective and try to solve mysteries using clues scattered around the environment. Gameplay isn’t the focus. It’s about the choices that you make, and whether said choices are ethical.
If you loved Detroit: Become Human, there are several other interactive-story themed games for you to check out. In fact, I made a list of 17 games like Detroit: Become Human that you should definitely check out. These will help quench your thirst for point-and-click interactive story-type games.
And who knows- maybe by the time you’re done with all these, Detroit: Become Human’s sequel will be out. Now, let’s get started with the list.
1. Fahrenheit (Indigo Prophecy)
Fahrenheit is a game that was released all the way back in 2005, and it’s a story-driven RPG following 4 central characters. All 4 of these characters are playable, and there are plenty of choices to make as you progress through the game’s dark and gritty narrative.
Just like Detroit: Become Human, Fahrenheit has you doing detective work. Its graphics are from the PS2 era, so don’t expect much in the way of eye candy. But in terms of replayability and storytelling, it’s on par with Detroit: Become Human, if not better.
Oh, and the game was released in North America as “Indigo Prophecy”. That’s because a Hollywood movie came out during the same time, with the same name. So the game was renamed to avoid any possible confusion. In 2015, a remastered version of Fahrenheit was released which you can find on Steam for a good discount. Remastered gives you HD textures and updated controller support for PC.
2. Life Is Strange
Imagine the story-altering choices and branching outcomes of Detroit: Become Human… but with time-skipping added in. Life Is Strange lets you rewind time, and this causes ripple effects that affect everything from the past to the future.
You play as Max Caulfield, a photography student who is trying to find a missing friend. The story is set in a small town, Arcadia Bay. There are tons of other interesting characters, and the choices you make can drastically affect how the story plays out.
3. Telltale’s The Walking Dead
You know the extremely popular TV series about zombies, The Walking Dead? Yeah, this is a video game version with an interactive storyline. However, it doesn’t feature the same characters and story as the TV series. Instead, the game is based on The Walking Dead comics.
There are a total of 5 episodes, this being an episodic game series. And there is no real gameplay, you basically watch little movies and make choices when the prompt shows up on your screen. The choices you make will affect who lives, who dies, and even the personality changes of certain characters. Choices you make in one episode will be saved and carried into the next episode.
4. Life Is Strange 2
The first game told a heartfelt story of a teenage girl on her quest to find a missing classmate, and you met some really amazing people along the way. Some of those people were allies, the others weren’t so friendly. And the choices you made had lasting effects on both the past and present (even the future).
The sequel introduces a new story featuring new characters, but it retains the same storytelling style and time rewind system. If you like the first Life Is Strange, I highly recommend the sequel.
5. Until Dawn
Are you a fan of horror? How about a game that is inspired by Friday the 13th? Until Dawn is a PS4 exclusive, which is a real shame because if nothing else the story is sure to have you on the edge of your seat at all times.
If you live in an area where the PS Now streaming service is available, you might be able to play this on your PC. This game has all the hallmarks of slasher horror, you have the group of teenagers who unknowingly stumble into a mysteriously deserted place.
They are stalked by a scary person (is it even a person?) who picks them off, one by one. You get to make choices as the story progresses, and your choices decide who lives or dies.
It also unravels various mysteries and you get the sense there is a traitor within your group. I won’t spoil anything, but I suggest you give this game a try if you want an interactive horror story.
6. Beyond: Two Souls
Just like Life Is Strange and Until Dawn, this is more of an interactive movie than an actual video game. This is why it uses Hollywood celebs for voice acting- Ellen Page and Willem Dafoe. However, unlike like Until Dawn, this isn’t a PlayStation exclusive.
You can play it on your Windows PC, and you should if you want an excellent sci-fi action-adventure game. To move the plot forward, you interact with other people and objects in your environment. Like Detroit: Become Human, every choice you make will change how the plot unfolds.
7. Heavy Rain
This is from the same developers as Detroit: Become Human- Quantic Dream. And it came a good while earlier, which is why some of the interactive elements don’t feel as polished. Quantic was still experimenting with the genre, however, the story and characters are incredibly well crafted.
The gameplay consists of QTEs (quick time events) and player choice prompts which advance the plot. Visuals aren’t exactly modern because this game was released back in 2010. But you have a detective-themed narrative that follows the Origami Killer who only kills in the rain (hence the name of the game). The pursuit of this killer combined with the excellent dialogue and voice acting makes Heavy Rain a must-play for fans of story-driven games.
8. The Wolf Among Us
Based on the Fables comic book series, The Wolf Among Us is another excellent Telltale games creation that was released in 2013. It features this comic-book themed art style which makes it stand out from other story-driven games.
Characters from your childhood novels and stories are part of the universe, and your job is to investigate why your favorite fairytale characters are being killed off. You play as Bigby Wolf and make choices along the way that affect how events will play out. When you make said choices also matter.
9. Disco Elysium
Disco Elysium upon first glance seems like another indie top-down game with basic RPG mechanics shoehorned in to attract casuals. However, it is much deeper than that. Disco Elysium is a point-and-click adventure RPG where you learn about the world and its inhabitants through the environment and atmosphere. Things aren’t what they seem, and you must look beyond the surface to truly understand what’s going on.
You are a detective in a city that’s falling apart, thanks to a war that took place a few decades before the game starts. And since you are amnesic, you don’t fully remember all the events leading up to a certain murder that you are investigating. Playing and making choices along the way is how you uncover secrets regarding locations and people, slowly building up the pieces to a large puzzle.
10. Botanicula
While other games on this list feature dialogue and incredible voice acting, Botanicula has nothing of the sort. Not because the game is cheaply designed, but because that’s exactly how the developers wanted it. Besides, when was the last time you saw a talking mushroom?
In Botanica you take control of 5 botanical creatures trying to save their home (a tree) from invading parasites. Each character has their own unique ability which helps you deal with enemies.
As you progress forward by solving puzzles and finding clues, you will see the characters discover how they can save their home. Just their reactions is enough to convey what’s going on, you don’t need dialogue. It’s truly masterful storytelling.
11. Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Daughter
There have been many video game takes on the legendary Scotland Yard detective, but this one is truly different from any other Sherlock Holmes game. Both in terms of gameplay and narrative. It is still not a “proper” game, I would say it’s more like watching a movie. But there are segments of gameplay where you have to actually do detective stuff.
As you gather clues, they get added to a detection board. You have to manually piece together clues to complete bits of information which you can then use to progress the narrative. Oh, and the conclusion you arrive at will depend on how you interpret the clues. Your conclusion might be right or wrong, which will decide whether you catch the culprit or not.
12. The Inpatient
This game is a PS4 exclusive, and more importantly- the only game on my list which requires a VR headset to experience. It is a psychological horror, set 60 years before the events of Until Dawn (basically, a prequel). And since this is a VR game, you have a first-person perspective.
Until Dawn had you playing as a spectator, watching from outside. But in The Inpatient, you are placed smack dab in the center of it all. You are an amnesia patient in Blackwood Sanitorium, looking to regain your memories as you gradually lose your sanity.
13. Little Hope
Little Hope is a horror-themed game with a multitude of likable characters and hundreds of choices. You have to make several split-second decisions that decide how the plot turns out and who survives. Most of the horror isn’t action, you aren’t getting chased around by some big monster. Instead, it’s the atmosphere and not knowing what will happen next.
As you play the game, you will meet various side characters. You might even get emotionally attached to some of them, and will get forced to make tough choices to save people who you personally like instead of other characters.
14. Broken Age
With voice actors such as Jack Black and Elijah Wood, one wonders how the developers of this little crowdfunded game managed to scrounge together the cash for such a star-studded cast. Nevertheless, you get an exceptional storyline and captivating gameplay.
Broken Age can be enjoyed by a 9-year old or your grandparents. It is that good, and incredibly easy to play. This simple point-and-click game is hand-animated which gives it a very nostalgic look, reminding you of cartoons you watched in your childhood.
You can play as two characters and switch between them at any point in the story. Most of the game involves solving puzzles to advance the plot. These puzzles aren’t too tough, and you can take a break by switching to the other character if you get stuck.
15. Kentucky Route Zero
A secret highway runs underneath the state of Kentucky, through a network of hidden caves. If you are a fan of old folktales and ghost stories told around campfires, this game is right up your alley.
It scratches that itch for the strange and unusual, combining excellent voice acting with a beautiful art style. The result is a game that you can play in your free time as you relax on the couch and forget about reality. The characters inhabiting Route Zero are strange at first glance, yet so familiar as you get to know them.
16. Call of Cthulhu
More gameplay than Detroit: Become Human, but still nothing that requires you to constantly fidget around with your controller. It is more of a viewing experience, and you solve a mystery- detective style. Just like in Detroit: Become Human. Except this time, you’re dealing with ancient monsters and cultists instead of androids.
Call of Cthulhu is based on a board game of the same name, and it’s a Lovecraftian psychological horror with stealth elements. There is some open-world exploration involved, with a couple of RPG mechanics sprinkled in.
17. LA Noire
Ever watched a noir film? The dark and mysterious backdrop of a crime-ridden suburb, a lone man trying to solve a mystery while going up against a seemingly untouchable adversary who is constantly one step ahead. With jazz music playing as you piece together clues to apprehend the boss, while trying to survive against all odds.
LA Noire is basically a video game take on the noir genre of movies that were really popular in the 40s and 50s. You play as officer Cole Phelps in a booming post-war Los Angeles, solving a mystery while getting tangled up in all sorts of trouble. Chases, shootouts, interrogation scenes- this game has it all.
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