Novel-like entries have a special place in the hearts of gamers. Fromvisual novelsto dating simulators, these types of games are known for their simple mechanics and aheavy focus on narrative elementsrather than gameplay. As such, interactive novels are the best types of games for fans looking for a laid-back relaxing experience. Also known as interactive fiction, these include both classics, likeAmnesia,and more recent entries likeReplica.
RELATED:Futuristic Sci-Fi Games Set Before 2022
Replicafocuses on the story of a detective looking into the background of an unknown person, suspected of terrorism and criminal activity. The catch? The entire game is played by looking through the person’s phone and social media, allowing the player to interactively carry out the investigation from the first-person view. The interactive novel touches on the topics of privacy and morals, giving it a unique take on ethics in society — topics that very few interactive novels can replicate. Here are the best interactive novels likeReplica.
6The Stanley Parable
Granted, theStanley Parablemay not be anovelin the traditional sense, but it is one of themost surprisingly interactive novel-like gamesout there. Players work through the story of the silent protagonist Stanley, an employee in a seemingly normal office.
However, as the story progresses and the player makes various decisions, the office starts to become more and more mysterious. TheStanley Parableis a great interactive fiction entry that bends the border between reality and delusions, making it a good choice for players that enjoyed the mysterious elements ofReplica.
5Orwell
Few can say that there is a novel more society-critical than George Orwell’s1984— a novel that in many ways created the entire dystopia genre. Likewise, for players that enjoyed the dystopian setting ofReplica, they will love the interactive novel series,Orwell.
RELATED:Best Spy Espionage Games, According To Metacritic
BothOrwell: Keeping an Eye on You,and its 2018 sequel,Orwell: Ignorance is Strength,take place in the authoritarian regime of the Nation. Much like1984,the game delves into a society where personal liberties are suppressed for national security purposes, much like the dystopian world ofReplica.
4Papers, Please
Similar toOrwell: Ignorance Is Strength,the wildly popular2013 hit gamePapers, Pleaseshares a lot of the dystopian themes that are present inReplica. The game takes place in the dictatorship of Arstotzka, where players play as border guards.
Throughout the game, players must make the decision to either allow or deny the entry of travelers from the neighboring nation of Kolechia, with more paper requirements being added each day. ForReplicaplayers looking for a new take on the dystopian genre, Papers, Pleaseis a must-play.
3OPUS
For those who enjoyed themystery and technology narrative aspectsofReplica,but want a break from the dystopian elements of the story, then theOPUSseries may be just the interactive fiction series. The three-entry series (starting withOPUS: The Day We Found Earth) focuses on a lone starship, searching the cosmos for the planet Earth.
RELATED:Awesome New Weird Sci-Fi Games To Get You Into The Genre
Throughout the story, the player must unlock new parts of the starship, gaining knowledge about the mysterious circumstance of the ship, its crew, and the lore of the world itself. All in all, theOPUSseries is a heartfelt interactive story, perfect for those who loved the mystery elements ofReplica.
2The Test Trilogy
Introspection is an incredibly important part of a successful interactive novel. Games that deal in decisions are more heartfelt if the players feel thattheir decisions matterand say something about themselves. This is why dystopian novels which often deal with morally gray environments, likeReplica,are often so successful.
TheTesttrilogy is a series of interactive novels that have players take a mysterious test, with questions becoming more difficult as the test goes on. The questions are subjective — there are no wrong answers in the Test — and the answers will reveal more about the player as the game goes on.
1Legal Dungeon
Of course, when making a recommendation forReplica, one must look no farther than thecriminal investigation simulation,Legal Dungeon. Created by the same producer asReplica, Legal Dungeonfocuses on a legal specialist looking through investigation reports and providing a verdict for each.
Throughout the game, players will be forced to weigh the value of another’s life versus their crime, creating a unique environment where players must simulate both a judge and a jury. The story is morally challenging and a great chance for players to question their own ethics, makingLegal Dungeonone of the best alternatives forReplica.
Replicais available on mobile, Switch, Xbox One, and Windows.
