Can you suggest some PC games similar to Life is Strange to keep myself occupied till EP5 comes out?

[ninja666]

So, I was here a few days ago asking about Life is Strange. After you clearing the things out for me, I decided to give it a go and instantly fell in love with it. One thing I didn't notice, however, was how bad of a time it was to buy that game. Turns out that Episode 4 barely came out, and since I'm done with all 4 that are out already, I'll now have to wait and undetermined amount of time for the last one to come out and the story to finally reach its end. Can you recommend something that is available for PC to keep myself occupied till the fifth episode sees the light of day? Here's what I'm looking for.

- Dark, depressing, emotional story. Preferably something relatable to boot. Nothing pretentious, though. (look below for a list of examples)
- Lots of dialogues.
- Believable, well-written characters with lots of personality.
- Relatively easy and, what's more important, logical puzzles. I'm not really good at solving puzzles in general (although I didn't have any problems with most of the stuff in LiS; I only had to use the walkthrough once and it was only because I completely forgot that cheating your way through using time travel is a legitimate solution in this game), so adding "moon logic" (or "LucasArts logic", if you will) to their design will only make it harder and more frustrating to me. If you can't think of anything that's easy enough for a puzzle-retard such as me, then you can throw something slightly harder in (as long as it still doesn't have "moon logic" incorporated into it). I can juggle some walkthroughs if the story's worth it.
- Not a horror game. I'm simply scared of this genre and don't really feel like playing something that could potentially make me have a heart attack. I don't mind (and even somewhat welcome) dark atmosphere, gore, violence, nudity, sexuality, shocking moments, breaking taboos, or some brief horror-esque sections. I just don't want the game that focuses on scaring me in its entirety.
- If the game is anything episodic, it has to be finished (all of the episodes have to be already released). I don't want to fall into an infinite loop of making threads named "suggest something to play while I wait for another episode of x to come out".
- Not an RPG. Or if you have to suggest an RPG, then make it something more linear in structure, without stuff like open world and Elder Scrolls-esque amount of sidequests. I'm not really in the mood for that level of engagement.
- [OPTIONAL] Moral choices. I know that not every game has that, therefore it's optional, but I'd very much prefer a game where I have some degree of control over the story. I'm only accepting games with gray morality, though - I hate binary, "black & white" morality, where the only choice I have is whether to be a saint or a total dick.

As for the gameplay part, it doesn't need to have this Telltale-like formula - it can be a regular point n' click adventure game, or an action adventure game, or whatever else, as long as it meets the criteria.

And here are the promised examples.

Popular games praised for their story/writing that I also consider very good (apart from LiS of course):

- Silent Hill 2
- The Walking Dead
- Fallout series (save for Fallout 3 and all the spin-offs like Fallout Tactics)
- The Witcher series
- Portal 1 & 2
- Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

Popular games praised for their writing/story that I don't consider good and/or consider them pretentious:

- Gone Home
- The Last of Us
- Bioshock Infinite
- The Cat Lady
- Everything by Bioware

Don't suggest:

- The Wolf Among Us. I've played it already, but didn't like it that much - the whole neo-noir theme didn't click with me.
- Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines. I can't get over how clunky it is and force myself to play it.
- Planescape: Torment. Yes, I get it - the best story ever written and all that jazz. Isometric RPGs aren't really my thing, though. Even though I appreciated Fallout for the wonderful story and setting, it still was a slog for me to get through the classic games.

My PC specs:

- AMD Athlon II X4 2.8GHz
- 4GB RAM
- AMD Radeon HD 7700 1GB
- Win7

That'll be all. Thanks in advance for helping me out.

 

[ninja666]

...how on earth is The Last Of Us pretentious?

It tries to pass as a mature and compelling story, while in practice just a being a zombie slaughterfest with exclusively two-dimensional, mouthy badasses as characters, a'la AMC's The Walking Dead (the show).


Also, I kinda expected more replies...

 

[wulf3n]

Also, I kinda expected more replies...

My guess is the detailed list of specific criteria automatically rule out a significant portion of peoples suggestions, as such they don't bother.

Also one suggestion given your previous thread regarding whether or not you should buy Life is strange might be that for the "Popular games praised for their writing/story that I don't consider good and/or consider them pretentious:" If you haven't played them and they're cheap (or have a demo) to try them out.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

The only thing that comes to mind is The Book of Unwritten Tales and Dreamfall: The Longest Journey (the only one in the series that I've played).

 

[SquallTheBlade]

VNs maybe? Steam has been getting a lot of them recently.

Narcissu is there and it's free. Wasn't my cup of tea but if it clicks I bet it would be very very emotional. It has nice message too.
World End Economica 1 and 2 are also good.
To the Moon is also one of the best story driven games I've played. Well I don't really consider it a game but whatever.

I know these won't fit all the criteria you posted but eh, it's something.

 

[ninja666]

Dreamfall: The Longest Journey (the only one in the series that I've played).

I've heard it's connected in many ways to The Longest Journey - the first game in the series. That said, when playing Dreamfall, did you feel that there were elements you simply didn't understand because of not playing the previous game, or do you feel the game is self-contained enough to just jump straight into it?

 

[Xyebane]

- Planescape: Torment. Yes, I get it - the best story ever written and all that jazz. Isometric RPGs aren't really my thing, though. Even though I appreciated Fallout for the wonderful story and setting, it still was a slog for me to get through the classic games.

If you haven't tried it, I still think you should. Go to Gibberlings3 and mod it with at least G3's WideScreen mod (though you can check out some other nice Quality of Life mods there as well). http://www.gibberlings3.net/widescreen/

It is pretty much what you are describing below:

- Dark, depressing, emotional story. Preferably something relatable to boot. Nothing pretentious, though. (look below for a list of examples)
- Lots of dialogues.
- Believable, well-written characters with lots of personality.
- Relatively easy and, what's more important, logical puzzles. I'm not really good at solving puzzles in general (although I didn't have any problems with most of the stuff in LiS; I only had to use the walkthrough once and it was only because I completely forgot that cheating your way through using time travel is a legitimate solution in this game), so adding "moon logic" (or "LucasArts logic", if you will) to their design will only make it harder and more frustrating to me. If you can't think of anything that's easy enough for a puzzle-retard such as me, then you can throw something slightly harder in (as long as it still doesn't have "moon logic" incorporated into it). I can juggle some walkthroughs if the story's worth it.
- Not a horror game. I'm simply scared of this genre and don't really feel like playing something that could potentially make me have a heart attack. I don't mind (and even somewhat welcome) dark atmosphere, gore, violence, nudity, sexuality, shocking moments, breaking taboos, or some brief horror-esque sections. I just don't want the game that focuses on scaring me in its entirety.
- If the game is anything episodic, it has to be finished (all of the episodes have to be already released). I don't want to fall into an infinite loop of making threads named "suggest something to play while I wait for another episode of x to come out".
- Not an RPG. Or if you have to suggest an RPG, then make it something more linear in structure, without stuff like open world and Elder Scrolls-esque amount of sidequests. I'm not really in the mood for that level of engagement.
- [OPTIONAL] Moral choices. I know that not every game has that, therefore it's optional, but I'd very much prefer a game where I have some degree of control over the story. I'm only accepting games with gray morality, though - I hate binary, "black & white" morality, where the only choice I have is whether to be a saint or a total dick.

It is a very linear, dialogue (text) driven game with plenty of puzzles and characters with a lot of personality with a deep introspective narrative. Get over the fact that it is popular, give it some mods to help with the dated aesthetic, and give it a try.

 

[Fdzzaigl]

There's that game: AR-K: The Great Escape as well. Seems a bit similar, though not overly. Heard good things about it though.

Also, Until Dawn. Which got released recently, if you have a PS4.

Another great point&click series is the "Deponia" series of games. Comedy with an anti-hero as the centerpiece, but also very dark and depressing in its own way. The puzzles aren't very logical, but if you're getting pissed off by them like I was, you can simply use a walkthrough.

 

[ninja666]

VNs maybe? Steam has been getting a lot of them recently.

Narcissu is there and it's free. Wasn't my cup of tea but if it clicks I bet it would be very very emotional. It has nice message too.
World End Economica 1 and 2 are also good.
To the Moon is also one of the best story driven games I've played. Well I don't really consider it a game but whatever.

I know these won't fit all the criteria you posted but eh, it's something.

They sound pretty interesting regardless. I might even get over my aversion for VNs developed after not being able to handle Saya no Uta's stupidity and try them out. Thanks for the suggestions.

- Planescape: Torment. Yes, I get it - the best story ever written and all that jazz. Isometric RPGs aren't really my thing, though. Even though I appreciated Fallout for the wonderful story and setting, it still was a slog for me to get through the classic games.

If you haven't tried it, I still think you should.[...] It is a very linear, dialogue (text) driven game with plenty of puzzles and characters with a lot of personality with a deep introspective narrative. Get over the fact that it is popular, give it some mods to help with the dated aesthetic, and give it a try.

I've tried playing it numerous times over the years, but every time I just end up really confused and direction-less after I exit the mortuary, and I can't really ask for directions or anything since everybody in this world is either distrustful or a total douche.

There's that game: AR-K: The Great Escape as well. Seems a bit similar, though not overly. Heard good things about it though.

I'm not sure about it. I mean, it's a third game in the series, so there may be some connections, while the first one wasn't really well-received and the second one isn't even available on Steam.

 

[ninja666]

-snip-

Not trying to limit your freedom of expression or anything, but I'd say that if you don't have anything to contribute to this thread (a game recommendation fitting my criteria in this case), then there's no need for you to participate in it.

 

[Xyebane]

I've tried playing it numerous times over the years, but every time I just end up really confused and direction-less after I exit the mortuary, and I can't really ask for directions or anything since everybody in this world is either distrustful or a total douche.

The game is from the days when it wasn't unusual to take months to beat a video game. As such there is no shame in using a strategy guide if you are a bit lost.

After you get out of the mortuary your next big destination is Rat-Picker's Square. The Hive is full of random stuff which ties into the bigger story but you probably won't realize how until you are much farther in the game, or have beaten it a few times.

You can check out http://www.gamebanshee.com/planescapetorment/walkthrough.php or gamesfaq for guides if you need one.

 

[esserin]

Maybe, tales of the borderland or telltale's game of thrones?

Though both are missing the final episode of the bunch.

I don't know what to suggest. This genre is still fairly new. Having been essentially created by telltale games. Pickings are still slim.

It's one of the things I like about life is strange. It shows people that others can do what telltale did. So hopefully we'll soon be seeing more companies make this kind of game.

 

[happyninja42]

I can't remember the name of the game, but it came out recently. You play a cop that dies, and is investigating his own murder. The reason why I suggest it, is because mechanically, it's apparently very similar to LiS. There really isn't combat, it's mostly a narrative, interactive story that you uncover as you go along, and you can't really "fail" the game. Also, the voice actress who plays Max voices 2 of the characters in it.

Murdered: Soul Suspect, that's the game I'm thinking of. I watched Many a True Nerd do a let's play of it, and it struck me how similar it was, game design wise, while also being very different. Your mileage may vary on how much of an LiS substitute it would be for you, but it felt similar to me in some key ways.

So, I was here a few days ago asking about Life is Strange. After you clearing the things out for me, I decided to give it a go and instantly fell in love with it. One thing I didn't notice, however, was how bad of a time it was to buy that game. Turns out that Episode 4 barely came out, and since I'm done with all 4 that are out already, I'll now have to wait and undetermined amount of time for the last one to come out and the story to finally reach its end. Can you recommend something that is available for PC to keep myself occupied till the fifth episode sees the light of day? Here's what I'm looking for.

You probably only have to wait about amonth. They'v ebeen pretty regular about releasing each episode 1-1.5 months after the previous. So you should only have a few weeks at this point.

 

[ninja666]

I don't know what to suggest. This genre is still fairly new. Having been essentially created by telltale games. Pickings are still slim.

That's why I said it doesn't need to have the same gameplay formula. Telltale didn't create storytelling in games, and Telltale didn't create dark, emotional stories in games, and that's what I care about the most.

I can't remember the name of the game, but it came out recently. You play a cop that dies, and is investigating his own murder. The reason why I suggest it, is because mechanically, it's apparently very similar to LiS. There really isn't combat, it's mostly a narrative, interactive story that you uncover as you go along, and you can't really "fail" the game. Also, the voice actress who plays Max voices 2 of the characters in it.

Murdered: Soul Suspect, that's the game I'm thinking of. I watched Many a True Nerd do a let's play of it, and it struck me how similar it was, game design wise, while also being very different. Your mileage may vary on how much of an LiS substitute it would be for you, but it felt similar to me in some key ways.

I've seen the Two Best Friends do a let's play of it. Honestly, I didn't like it as far as the story went - it was cliched and full of holes.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

You probably only have to wait about amonth. They'v ebeen pretty regular about releasing each episode 1-1.5 months after the previous. So you should only have a few weeks at this point.

Mid-late October for episode 5 I believe.

Tis the peril of episodic games.

 

[MrCalavera_v1legacy]

Blade Runner. The point and click adventure game from Westwood Studios. Unfortunately, it's an old title, so it might be a bit problematic to get a copy and make it work on your system. But the game covers most points that you have listed, and it's definitely worth checking out.

 

[ninja666]

Hmm, I'm not really the one to sit and fiddle with old games to make them work, but I guess I'll try.

 

[happyninja42]

snip

I've seen the Two Best Friends do a let's play of it. Honestly, I didn't like it as far as the story went - it was cliched and full of holes.

Yeah, like I said, Your Mileage May Vary. I only mentioned it because at its core, it was a similarly built game. No focus on combat, all focus on story and puzzle solving with the powers you have at your disposal. Narrative driven. Beyond that, it doesn't have much in common. I can't really think of any other games that would be a good substitue for LiS, because I can't think of any I've played that have that same feel as the game. Very few games elicit a genuine emotional response from me, but the ones that do, are gems to me. LiS is one of those games. So if your question is "find me a game I will love as much as LiS", I got nothing for you, sorry. xD Glad you found the game so enjoyable though. I've been pimping it to my friends left and right. Even bought it for 3 of them as gifts because I thought they would enjoy it. The thing that fascinates me the most about it, is watching Let's Plays of it (especially episode 2), and watching the reactions people have to that climax. The way the game shifts from a fun little highschool game with time travel to "holy shit! this is serious! omg what do i do?!" reaction for people is quite fascinating to me from a sociology angle. If you haven't done it yet, I'd suggest looking up some of the various Let's Plays of LiS, particularly Geek Remix. Several others of course are awesome too, but their playthrough really hit me hard.

You probably only have to wait about amonth. They'v ebeen pretty regular about releasing each episode 1-1.5 months after the previous. So you should only have a few weeks at this point.

Mid-late October for episode 5 I believe.

Tis the peril of episodic games.

Ah, well that's fine. I'd rather they take their time and get it right, than rush it and have it suck. Luckily though, I'm a patient person, and I have many other games to play to satisfy me until then. xD