Join Club 250 today

Interactive Fiction

Category Tier-2 Genre

Top 150 best Steam games of all time tagged with Interactive Fiction, according to gamer reviews.

Rank, title, date, tags, platforms and price Score Rating
8.18
94% 11,689 votes
7.95
100% 141 votes

Correlated tags

Correlation is how often another tag appears together with this tag. If one in every five games tagged with Interactive Fiction is also tagged with a correlated tag, the correlated tag has 20% correlation. 100% correlation means the pair of tags always appear together.

Tags most frequently applied to the same games as Interactive Fiction, with at least 15% correlation.

  1. Adventure 59%
  2. Story Rich 57%
  3. Visual Novel 52%
  4. Casual 50%
  5. Singleplayer 46%
  6. 2D 42%
  7. Indie 37%
  8. Choices Matter 36%
  9. Multiple Endings 35%
  10. Choose Your Own Adventure 34%
  11. Atmospheric 31%
  12. RPG 29%
  13. Exploration 26%
  14. Anime 24%
  15. Drama 24%
  16. Text-Based 24%
  17. Mystery 23%
  18. Romance 22%
  19. Cute 22%
  20. Simulation 21%
  21. Puzzle 21%
  22. Point & Click 20%
  23. Female Protagonist 19%
  24. Colorful 19%
  25. Emotional 19%
  26. First-Person 18%
  27. Horror 18%
  28. Dating Sim 17%
  29. Fantasy 17%
  30. 3D 17%

The Interactive Fiction tag refers to a genre of video games that prioritize storytelling, player choice, and text-based gameplay. Also known as text adventures or interactive novels, these games rely heavily on written narratives and provide the players with opportunities to make decisions that affect the course of the story.

In Interactive Fiction games, players typically read descriptive text that sets the scene and presents various scenarios or puzzles. They interact with the game by typing commands or choosing from multiple-choice options to progress through the story. The game then responds with new text describing the outcome of their choices.

The genre originated in the early days of computer gaming when graphical capabilities were limited or nonexistent. Interactive Fiction focuses on imaginative storytelling and encourages players to engage their creativity through textual descriptions rather than relying on visual representations.

Key features of Interactive Fiction include:

  • Engrossing Narrative These games often feature richly developed stories covering a wide range of genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and horror. Players become immersed in compelling tales where their choices impact character development and plot twists.
  • Puzzles and Challenges Interactivity is not limited to making choices; many Interactive Fiction games incorporate puzzles or challenges for players to solve using logic and critical thinking skills. These puzzles may involve finding objects, deciphering codes, unraveling mysteries, or navigating complex environments.
  • Exploration While some Interactive Fiction focuses solely on narrative-driven experiences where progression depends mostly on choices made within a confined space (e.g., a single room), others allow for exploration across expansive worlds filled with unique locations waiting to be discovered.

Examples of well-known Interactive Fiction titles include:

  • Zork series: Developed by Infocom in the late 1970s and early 1980s, this series set the standard for Interactive Fiction games with its engaging storytelling and challenging puzzles.
  • 80 Days Developed by Inkle, this game is a reimagining of Jules Verne's "Around the World in Eighty Days" where players make choices on behalf of Phileas Fogg as he embarks on his journey.
  • The Stanley Parable Developed by Galactic Cafe, this game explores player choice and narrative manipulation through a non-linear story that constantly subverts expectations.

Interactive Fiction offers a unique gaming experience that emphasizes story-driven gameplay, player agency, and imaginative worlds. These games appeal to those who enjoy immersive narratives and prefer to engage their imagination while playing.

Something wrong? Let us know on Discord