Topic: Text-heavy, story driven games that are no visual novels and actually interesting

Hey Folks,
it's in the title. I'd enjoy that kind of game, possibly in the RPG genre (but open for anything really) and would love to hear opinions and advice. Unfortunately I fall asleep when playing visual novels (except the really sick ones, on PC) so I'm looking for something with lots of text (to improve my english and follow an interesting story) and still some worthwhile gameplay.

Anyone got any experience with that Pillar game?

Sounds like a crpg might be what you're looking for. Divinity Original Sin II, Baldur's Gate I & II, Wasteland 2, etc. Just consider setting the difficultly to the lowest setting because in the crpg genre it's rather easy for your adventure to end quickly if your character build is poor.

If you don't mind PC, maybe you can give a look at Disco Elysium... and if you don't mind experimental gameplay, Cultist Simulator?

If JRPGs are your thing i'd say definitely check out The Legend of Heroes: Trails series. They have some of the longest scripts in gaming. If you've got a PC you can get all the games that have been localised there on Steam. The two that weren't localised (the Crossbell games), you can find fan translated versions pretty easy. Trails of Cold Steel 3 is releasing soon on the Switch, but it is the 8th game in the series, so might want to keep that in mind if you think you might want to pick it up.

But yea, that's my recommendation.

Thank you for all the great input guys. So far I have Fire Emblem Three Houses and Wasteland 2 on my list "worth inspecting further". Keep the suggestions coming though!

I think Wargroove might be something that could interest you.

Text heavy RPG with an interesting story? As PC seems to be an option I'd recommend Morrowind.

@shaneoh Thanks but sold my gaming PC a while ago and Morrowind is ancient, did play it a bit back then though.

@komodo182 Have it, love it! Thanks!

@Scollurio I just finished the dlc last night, so I suggest looking into that if you haven't already. Its free.

@komodo182 Thank's. It's on the list!

The obvious answer here is AI: The Somnium Files

• Phoenix Wright (Trilogy) - Visual Novel with point & click adventure elements and attorney trials.
• Prof. Layton. (Katrielle) - Mystery Visual Novel with puzzles.
• Thimbleweed Park - Mystery point & click with puzzles.
• 60 Seconds! - Survival novel
• 60 Parsecs! - Survival novel sequel

My picks on Switch would be
The Final Fantasy games
Okami
Grandia
Hellblade

If you've got a PS4/PC you can't go wrong with the Yakuza Series, Bioshock Infinite or Deus Ex

@Wargoose Great you're mentioning Bioshock, hope that Collection will soon come over to Switch! I loved the first one, second one was good, didn't play Infinite yet!

@Scollurio

I rate them infinite > Bioshock > Bioshock 2. In terms of story. If you do play infinite, the dlc burial at sea is worth playing. It links infinite to the first game, and is very good.

@Wargoose Thx mate! Will keep it in mind!

@Scollurio I'm a regular on Pushsquare and am interested in this thread. Text Heavy RPG? I know one which is free.

https://aidungeon.io/

AI Dungeon, its rough around the edges, crashes a ton. But when you beat up a dragon by summoning Bruce Willis performing a beat down to I will always love you by Celine Dion life can't get any better.

Not sure if they count as visual novels, but I find detective style games really useful from a language learning perspective because you often have a clear goal and lots of repeated key terms. I’ve found the Ace Attorney series and Detective Pikachu to be very useful.

So, I'm going to try to revive this thread:

I really enjoyed The Forgotten City and am now playing Disco Elysium.
Are there any similar story-driven / text-based games you guys can recommend?
I have a Switch and a PS4, btw.
Thanks!