Games Like Tell Me Why

After a tragic incident, brothers Sean and Daniel Diaz run away from home. Fearing the police, and dealing with Daniel's new telekinetic power, the boys head to Mexico. Each stop on their journey brings new friends and new challenges.

Why similar: Episodic 30.4% ★, Choices Matter 26%, Story Rich 13.5%, LGBTQ+ 8.7%, Choose Your Own Adventure 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: Developed by the same studio, this game shares the emotional weight and focus on a sibling bond during a transformative journey.

Alex Chen hides her 'curse': the psychic power of Empathy, the ability to absorb the emotions of others. When her brother dies in a so-called accident, Alex must embrace her power to find the truth.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 22.2%, Choices Matter 20.5%, Choose Your Own Adventure 11.7%, Story Rich 9.5%, Emotional 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: This title features a similar focus on small-town secrets and supernatural abilities used to understand the emotions of others.

Episode 1 now FREE! Life is Strange is an award-winning and critically acclaimed episodic adventure game that allows the player to rewind time and affect the past, present and future.

Why similar: Episodic 40.3% ★, Choices Matter 21%, Story Rich 14.3%, Multiple Endings 4.8%, Mystery 3.9%

Why You'll Like It: The foundational narrative adventure that established the cinematic, choice-driven style found in Tell Me Why.

Life is Strange: Before the Storm is a new three part standalone story adventure set three years before the events of the first game. This time play as Chloe Price, a rebel who forms an unlikely friendship with Rachel Amber in a dramatic new story in the BAFTA award winning franchise.

Why similar: Episodic 37.5% ★, Choices Matter 19.9%, Story Rich 12.7%, Choose Your Own Adventure 7.2%, LGBTQ+ 4.8%

Why You'll Like It: A character-focused prequel that excels at exploring complex relationships and teenage identity.

Explore the entangled lives of two families across thirty years in an original interactive drama from INTERIOR/NIGHT. Starting in 1998 with a robbery-gone-wrong, the character's lives depend on the choices you make.

Why similar: Choices Matter 20.6%, Cinematic 15.6%, Choose Your Own Adventure 13.1%, Story Rich 10.4%, Emotional 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: An interactive drama that emphasizes the long-term consequences of player choices on a fractured family's history.

Firewatch is a single-player first-person mystery set in the Wyoming wilderness, where your only emotional lifeline is the person on the other end of a handheld radio.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 32%, Story Rich 23.7%, Mystery 13.3%, Atmospheric 10.7%, Adventure 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: A masterclass in environmental storytelling and dialogue-driven character development set in a beautiful, isolated location.

The small town of Basswood will be changed forever by ex-investigative journalist Sam Higgs in this thrilling narrative experience from award-winning studio DON'T NOD. Will you find the truth – no matter the cost?

Why similar: Choices Matter 23.1%, Cinematic 17.8%, Story Rich 12.4%, Choose Your Own Adventure 12.1%, LGBTQ+ 10.9%

Why You'll Like It: Another Dontnod title that utilizes a unique memory-reconstruction mechanic to solve a personal mystery.

What Remains of Edith Finch is a collection of strange tales about a family in Washington state. As Edith, you’ll explore the colossal Finch house, searching for stories as she explores her family history and tries to figure out why she's the last one in her family left alive.

Why similar: Story Rich 30%, Walking Simulator 27.4%, Mystery 10.6%, Atmospheric 9.5%, Exploration 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on uncovering family secrets and exploring the past through a series of poignant, atmospheric vignettes.

Have you ever dreamt of being a superhero? Meet Chris, a creative and imaginative 9 year old boy who escapes reality with fantastical adventures as his alter ego, the Awesome Captain Spirit! Captain Spirit is a free demo set in the Life is Strange universe. Contains links to Life is Strange 2

Why similar: Choices Matter 41.5%, Story Rich 25.6%, Adventure 8.6%, Walking Simulator 7.9%, Atmospheric 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: A short, free-to-play narrative experience that serves as a thematic bridge to the Life is Strange universe.

June 7th, 1995. 1:15 AM. You arrive home after a year abroad. You expect your family to greet you, but the house is empty. Something's not right. Where is everyone? And what's happened here? Unravel the mystery for yourself in Gone Home, a story exploration game from The Fullbright Company.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 46.8%, LGBTQ+ 22.6%, Story Rich 10.2%, Exploration 6.7%, Atmospheric 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: A quintessential walking simulator that relies on environmental clues to tell a deeply personal family story.

A unique psychological action thriller delivered by A-list Hollywood performances by Elliot Page and Willem Dafoe, Beyond: Two Souls takes you on a thrilling journey across the globe as you play out the remarkable life of Jodie Holmes.

Why similar: Choices Matter 29.5%, Cinematic 17%, Story Rich 14.6%, Emotional 10.4%, Beautiful 8.6% ★

Why You'll Like It: A cinematic adventure that explores the life of a protagonist with supernatural connections and a troubled past.

NIGHT IN THE WOODS is an adventure game focused on exploration, story, and character, featuring dozens of characters to meet and lots to do across a lush, vibrant world.

Why similar: Dialogue Heavy 27.8%, Choices Matter 24.3%, Story Rich 17.4%, Mystery 9.4%, Exploration 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: A deeply emotional exploration of returning home, dealing with the past, and navigating complex friendships.

Detroit: Become Human puts the destiny of both mankind and androids in your hands, taking you to a near future where machines have become more intelligent than humans. Every choice you make affects the outcome of the game, with one of the most intricately branching narratives ever created.

Why similar: Choices Matter 28.7%, Cinematic 16.5%, Story Rich 13.5%, Multiple Endings 10.9%, Beautiful 9.5% ★

Why You'll Like It: A high-stakes narrative game where every choice significantly alters the branching paths of the characters.

Oxenfree is a supernatural thriller about a group of friends who unwittingly open a ghostly rift. You are Alex, and you’ve just brought your new stepbrother Jonas to an overnight island party gone horribly wrong.

Why similar: Choices Matter 35%, Story Rich 23.9%, Mystery 10.5%, Multiple Endings 8.4%, Walking Simulator 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: Features a group of young people dealing with supernatural occurrences and dialogue-heavy relationship dynamics.

Embark on a new narrative journey by the creators of Life is Strange. Film your summer of 1995 and create memories of a lifetime with your new friends. 27 years later, confront the dark secrets that made you all promise to never speak again after that fateful summer.

Why similar: Episodic 23.3% ★, LGBTQ+ 18.1%, Choices Matter 14.5%, Cinematic 7.7%, Story Rich 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: A narrative-driven game focusing on the bonds of friendship and the mystery of shared past experiences.

From the makers of the 2012 Game of the Year: The Walking Dead, comes a thriller based on the award-winning Fables comic books. As Bigby Wolf you will discover that a brutal, bloody murder is just a taste of things to come in a game series where your every decision can have enormous consequences.

Why similar: Episodic 42.9% ★, Choices Matter 14.5%, Choose Your Own Adventure 10.9%, Story Rich 8.9%, Multiple Endings 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: A gritty, choice-driven detective story that emphasizes character-driven dialogue and moral ambiguity.

The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series contains all 4 Seasons, 400 Days, and The Walking Dead: Michonne, which includes over 50 hours of gameplay across 23 unique episodes.

Why similar: Choices Matter 33.1%, Story Rich 17.3%, Choose Your Own Adventure 13.6%, Multiple Endings 10.6%, Dynamic Narration 8.6% ★

Why You'll Like It: Renowned for its emotional storytelling and the weight of choices that define the protagonist's relationships.

This Bed We Made is a third-person mystery game in which you play as a maid in a 1950s hotel and snoop around strangers' rooms to uncover their deadly secrets. Discover what links guests together in this tale of love, heartbreak and murder!

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 23.7%, Cinematic 15.1%, Story Rich 10.7%, Walking Simulator 10.3%, Mystery 9%

Why You'll Like It: A mystery game set in the 1950s that focuses on exploring rooms to uncover the secrets of other people.

It's 1986 - Meredith Weiss takes a break from her career in the big city to deliver mail in her hometown. How will she experience two weeks in beautiful Providence Oaks, with its iconic lake and quirky community? And what will she do next? It's up to you.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 18.2%, Choices Matter 17.2%, Walking Simulator 14.5%, Choose Your Own Adventure 14.1%, Story Rich 11.7%

Why You'll Like It: A relaxing, narrative-focused game about returning to your hometown and reconnecting with the people you left behind.

Tacoma is a sci-fi narrative adventure from the creators of Gone Home. Set aboard a high-tech space station in the year 2088, explore every detail of how the station’s crew lived and worked, finding the clues that add up to a gripping story of trust, fear, and resolve in the face of disaster.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 31%, Story Rich 20.4%, LGBTQ+ 18.5%, Mystery 8.3%, Exploration 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: Uses an innovative augmented reality recording system to uncover the personal lives and secrets of a space station crew.

A deep, interactive adventure about love and loss, beautifully depicted and offering an intense cinematic experience. What would you do to save the one you love?

Why similar: Choices Matter 21.4%, Beautiful 16.8% ★, Story Rich 16.1%, Cinematic 11.6%, Walking Simulator 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: A poignant, emotional story about love and loss that uses interactive puzzles to explore different timelines.

Rebuilt and enhanced for PC – Until Dawn invites you to relive the nightmare, and immerse yourself in a gripping slasher horror where every decision can make the difference between life and death.

Why similar: Choices Matter 28%, Choose Your Own Adventure 14.6%, Cinematic 10.3%, Multiple Endings 9.5%, Story Rich 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: A cinematic horror experience where the survival of the cast depends entirely on the player's choices and quick thinking.

Hitchhike your way to freedom in this crazy procedurally generated road trip. No one's road is the same!

Why similar: Choices Matter 23.1%, Choose Your Own Adventure 14%, Dynamic Narration 13.6% ★, Emotional 12.6%, Story Rich 12.5%

Why You'll Like It: A procedural narrative adventure where your choices determine the fate of various characters on a journey to freedom.

Marie's Room is a short story exploration game about an unconventional friendship between two classmates. You play as Kelsey, remembering Marie's room as it was twenty years ago. But something’s off. What happened to Marie?

Why similar: Story Rich 31.7%, Walking Simulator 30.8%, Atmospheric 10.5%, Mystery 9%, Exploration 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: A short, evocative walking simulator that focuses on the memories and secrets hidden within a single bedroom.

KENTUCKY ROUTE ZERO is a magical realist adventure game about a secret highway running through the caves beneath Kentucky, and the mysterious folks who travel it.

Why similar: Episodic 49.8% ★, Story Rich 12.3%, Beautiful 11.1% ★, Atmospheric 9.5%, Adventure 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: A surreal, atmospheric adventure that prioritizes poetic storytelling and character-driven dialogue over traditional puzzles.

The saga of Max and Chloe, and the fate of Caledon, is yours to decide! Play as both Max and Chloe as an all-new story builds towards an epic climax. The fire will force Max and Chloe to make devastating decisions. Can they find a future together… Before everything burns?

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 25.3%, Choices Matter 17%, Cinematic 12.2%, Choose Your Own Adventure 11.7%, Emotional 9.1%

Unpacking is a zen puzzle game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration, you are invited to create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 56%, Story Rich 29.7%, Atmospheric 10%, Singleplayer 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: Tells a subtle, emotional life story through the act of organizing possessions across different stages of the protagonist's life.

Coffee Talk is a coffee brewing and heart-to-heart talking simulator about listening to fantasy-inspired modern peoples’ problems, and helping them by serving up a warm drink or two.

Why similar: Dialogue Heavy 23.9%, LGBTQ+ 23.3%, Choices Matter 16.2%, Emotional 11.7%, Story Rich 11%

Why You'll Like It: A character-focused game that uses the setting of a late-night cafe to explore the personal lives and struggles of its patrons.

Four private lives. One big lie. Search through secretly recorded video conversations to discover the truth. The successor to the acclaimed Her Story.

Why similar: Choices Matter 29.6%, Story Rich 23.5%, Mystery 18.1%, Exploration 10.4%, Adventure 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: A unique detective game that requires you to piece together a complex narrative by watching non-linear video clips.

Experience the BAFTA award-winning story of Life is Strange now beautifully remastered with enhanced visuals and vastly improved animation using mocap technology.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 24.5%, Choices Matter 23.9%, Story Rich 11.9%, Emotional 10.8%, Multiple Endings 8.6%

When Max Caulfield finds her friend Safi dead in the snow, she tears open the way to a parallel timeline. Here, Safi is still alive - and still in danger! With her new power to Shift between two timelines – can Max solve and prevent the same murder?

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 26.5%, Choices Matter 21%, Choose Your Own Adventure 12.4%, Story Rich 9.4%, Emotional 8.1%

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a first-person story-driven mystery. Purchase this game to get both the original and the Unreal Engine 4 remaster called The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Redux.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 33.3%, Mystery 18.4%, Story Rich 14.5%, Atmospheric 11.4%, Exploration 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric mystery game that uses supernatural visions to piece together a tragic family history.

Life is Strange: Before the Storm returns with remastered visuals across characters & environments.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 25.6%, Choices Matter 22.4%, Story Rich 10.6%, Emotional 10.2%, Cinematic 8.7%

A fateful meeting sets off a chain reaction, upending Mark's life. People disappear and memories prove unreliable. Uncover a hidden truth with Mark and his friends in this narrative adventure and race to unravel the mystery before it's too late.

Why similar: Emotional 31.3%, LGBTQ+ 22.6%, Story Rich 20.5%, Mystery 8.3%, Dialogue Heavy 6.4%

Experience a Narrative Adventure where your choices and character growth truly matter. As a member of a 1793 secret society, live a tale of intrigue and manipulation on the hunt for your missing mother.

Why similar: Choices Matter 30.5%, Episodic 30.3% ★, Story Rich 12%, Choose Your Own Adventure 6.8%, Adventure 5.9%

The prequel to Road 96. Play Zoe and Kaito where it all started. Change their destinies!

Why similar: Choices Matter 18.4%, Choose Your Own Adventure 17.1%, Walking Simulator 15%, Emotional 11.2%, Dialogue Heavy 11.1%

In the wake of catastrophe find the means to make your family whole again.

Why similar: Cinematic 21.3%, Emotional 20.2%, Story Rich 13.9%, Multiple Endings 10.3%, Beautiful 7.4% ★

A secluded school might finally be Clementine’s chance for a home, but protecting it will mean sacrifice.

Why similar: Episodic 29.4% ★, Choices Matter 27.1%, Story Rich 16%, Choose Your Own Adventure 14.5%, Adventure 4%

From the creators of Road 96 comes a groundbreaking solo narrative adventure where other players’ choices matter. Follow in your friends’ footsteps, face the consequences of their actions, and decide the fate of a plasticpunk world.

Why similar: Choices Matter 20%, Choose Your Own Adventure 15.2%, Walking Simulator 14.5%, Emotional 14.1%, Story Rich 11.1%

Grotto is a mystical, narrative-focused experience. You are the Soothsayer. The one capable of talking with the stars and unveiling their messages. In a time of turmoil, the tribe of the valley turn to your powers of divination and come to you for guidance.

Why similar: Choices Matter 25%, Walking Simulator 17.2%, Choose Your Own Adventure 16.5%, Multiple Endings 11.5%, Story Rich 9.9%

Enter the fractured psyche of Bruce Wayne and discover the powerful and far-reaching consequences of your choices as the Dark Knight.

Why similar: Episodic 50.1% ★, Choices Matter 22.9%, Story Rich 11.6%, Choose Your Own Adventure 7.4%, Adventure 4%

Eternal Threads is a single-player, first-person story-driven puzzle game of time manipulation, choice and consequence.

Why similar: Choices Matter 18.9%, Dynamic Narration 17.8% ★, Choose Your Own Adventure 14%, Emotional 12.1%, Story Rich 10.6%

An exploration game about emotional ties that transcend even death. Riley is faced with a headstrong ghost, urging her on an adventure across atmospheric shores, uncovering the island's tragic secret. Choices in dialogue shape the bond between the two, ultimately deciding Riley's fate.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 19.1%, Emotional 15.8%, Story Rich 15.3%, Choices Matter 14.1%, Mystery 8.4%

HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE is an award winning, hour long melancholy, point-and-click narrative mystery set in the bible belt of Sweden.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 34.2%, Emotional 24.2%, Adventure 14.7%, Mystery 10.4%, Multiple Endings 7.6%

Take on the role of Camina Drummer and explore the dangerous, uncharted edges of the Belt. From scavenging wrecked ships in a zero-g environment, to combating fearsome pirates, you make the difficult choices in this latest Telltale adventure. All five episodes playable at launch!

Why similar: Choices Matter 24.3%, Choose Your Own Adventure 20.3%, LGBTQ+ 10%, Story Rich 9%, Third Person 8%

Decide the fates of altruistic scientist Anu, her ambitious, "streetwise" brother Octavio, and the fierce, frogurt-slinging Fran. Claw and con your way through five thrilling chapters!

Why similar: Episodic 41% ★, Choices Matter 15.2%, Cinematic 12.2%, Choose Your Own Adventure 11.5%, Multiple Endings 6.9%

Explore a beautiful, low-poly Norwegian island as 17-year-old Jesper. Armed with a mysterious, magical bracelet, you'll solve puzzles, uncover your grandfather's past, and make choices in this heartwarming coming-of-age story about love, friendship, and family.

Why similar: Choices Matter 20.9%, LGBTQ+ 19.8%, Story Rich 13.3%, Choose Your Own Adventure 13.2%, Emotional 10%

memories is a sapphic visual novel dress-up game where clothes are linked to painful memories of a failed relationship.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 34.1%, Choices Matter 24.4%, Emotional 18.3%, Story Rich 11%, Atmospheric 4.1%

When the sun goes down on the last night of summer camp, nine teenage counselors are plunged into an unpredictable night of horror. The only thing worse than the blood-drenched locals and creatures hunting them are the unimaginable choices you must make to help them survive.

Why similar: Choices Matter 46.1%, Cinematic 21.7%, Multiple Endings 15%, Story Rich 9.9%, Multiplayer 4.8%

A cinematic adventure game with a heavy focus on narrative.

Why similar: Emotional 32.7%, Choose Your Own Adventure 25.8%, Story Rich 21%, Adventure 17.7%, Singleplayer 2.7%

On their last night together, three friends embark on one final adventure. Play through a mixtape of memories, set to the soundtrack of a generation.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 38.7%, LGBTQ+ 37.2%, Third Person 6.9%, Adventure 6.3%, Story Rich 4.2%

Dear Esther immerses you in a stunningly realised world, a remote and desolate island somewhere in the outer Hebrides. As you step forwards, a voice begins to read fragments of a letter: 'Dear Esther...' - and so begins a journey through one of the most original first-person games of recent years.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 41.4%, Story Rich 17.4%, Exploration 14.6%, Mystery 11.1%, Atmospheric 8%

In this latest chapter from the award-winning studio behind Batman - The Telltale Series, both Bruce Wayne and Batman will be forced into precarious new roles. The Riddler has returned to terrorize Gotham City, but his gruesome puzzles merely foreshadow an even greater crisis.

Why similar: Episodic 38.5% ★, Choices Matter 28.6%, Story Rich 16.3%, Adventure 5.7%, Choose Your Own Adventure 4.8%

Where We Went is a narrative driven puzzle game. Step into the role of a mysterious character that can control ancient guardians to solve puzzles. Uncover the story behind your visit to the tomb and the reason for its existence!

Why similar: Emotional 25.9%, Cinematic 19.8%, Story Rich 17.2%, Mystery 14.2%, Adventure 10.5%

Award-winning cinematic narrative adventure set in a hand-drawn world of living forgotten objects. Lead Fig and the crew of the Volare through a story of identity, unity, and survival—where diplomacy, difficult choices, and moments of action shape the fate of five divided tribes.

Why similar: Choices Matter 21.9%, Cinematic 20.4%, Emotional 17.6%, Story Rich 12.8%, Multiple Endings 9.5%

The Lies We Tell Ourselves is an episodic first person psychological action-adventure game with introspective/horror elements and a focus on subtle storytelling and atmosphere. Explore, solve puzzles, survive and uncover truths buried deep within a castle of lies.

Why similar: Episodic 28.3% ★, Walking Simulator 19.2%, Story Rich 14.8%, Emotional 13.5%, Atmospheric 6.8%

Embark on a quest for identity through time, as you piece together the puzzle of two lives.

Why similar: Cinematic 20.9%, Story Rich 15.4%, Emotional 14.7%, Choices Matter 11.6%, Mystery 10%

Embark on an emotional first-person narrative adventure where you control the story—and affect its outcomes—with your real-life blinks. With this innovative technique you will fully immerse yourself in a world of memories, both joyous and heartbreaking, as your whole life flashes before your eyes.

Why similar: Emotional 38.1%, Story Rich 24%, Walking Simulator 16.1%, Choices Matter 9.6%, Mystery 6%

If Found... is a game about going home, coming out and erasing everything.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 48.3%, Beautiful 21.4% ★, Story Rich 10.9%, Emotional 10.5%, Atmospheric 3.9%