Games like A Normal Lost Phone

89% positive from 2,945 reviewsReleased 201756% finish it

What it is

This is a narrative investigation game where players explore a found smartphone's contents to uncover a person's life and disappearance. Its core loop involves searching messages and apps within a realistic phone interface to build empathy.

What players liked

Players praise this story-driven game for its natural narrative exploration of a phone, piecing together an interesting mystery.

The catch

Puzzles boil down to hunting arbitrary dates in walls of text to use as passwords.

Why it is here

It is here because it sits in the band this site looks at: well reviewed at 89% positive, but with 2,945 reviews, far fewer than the household names carry.

View A Normal Lost Phone on Steam

More like this: Story Rich LGBTQ+ Mystery Interactive Fiction

Six games like A Normal Lost Phone

Speed Dating for Ghosts

95% positive from 506 reviews201822% finish itDeck Verified

This is a narrative dating sim where players engage in branching conversations with ghosts to help them find peace. It offers a mix of horror, comedy, and emotional storytelling.

What players likedPlayers praise its incredible character writing and heartwarming stories, feeling more human than human, making it a unique supernatural story experience.

The catchShort, with limited content and few branching paths

Both are tagged LGBTQ+, Interactive Fiction and Story Rich.

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Flowers -Le volume sur printemps-

93% positive from 1,873 reviews2016Deck Verified

A visual novel with a focus on relationship building and mystery solving, featuring a shy protagonist at an all-girls academy. The game explores blossoming friendships and dark secrets within a serene, yet unsettling, environment.

What players likedPlayers praise its impactful story and hope for character returns, reminiscent of games with emotionally resonant narratives.

The catchThe story moves at a crawl with little happening, making long stretches a slog.

Both are tagged LGBTQ+, Mystery and Story Rich.

Games like Flowers -Le volume sur printemps- →

Trials of Innocence

92% positive from 1,710 reviews202592% finish itDeck Playable

Courtroom detective game with evidence-based trials and witness interrogation. Features unique locations and a deep narrative.

What players likedPlayers praise "Trials of Innocence" as a smartly written visual novel detective game, similar to Ace Attorney, with a great storyline and memorable characters.

The catchThe English translation is rough and awkward, which makes following the trials harder.

Both are tagged Interactive Fiction, Mystery and Story Rich.

Games like Trials of Innocence →

BURIED STARS

84% positive from 2,200 reviews202147% finish itDeck Verified

This is a narrative mystery adventure game where players uncover a murder through dialogue choices and social media mechanics, set in a cinematic, atmospheric style.

What players likedPlayers praise its engaging story, character drama, and tense mystery, comparing it to Danganronpa and the Nonary Game.

The catchThe same topics get rehashed with every character, and read text cannot be skipped.

Both are tagged Interactive Fiction, Mystery and Story Rich.

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This Bed We Made

91% positive from 3,105 reviews202311% finish itDeck Playable

This is a narrative mystery game where players explore hotel rooms to uncover secrets. It features a neo-noir investigation and relationship building with consequences.

What players likedPlayers praise its immersive mystery, compelling story, and 1950s aesthetic, often comparing it to Nancy Drew and Life is Strange.

The catchRoughly four hours long and priced far above what that length is worth.

Both are tagged LGBTQ+, Mystery and Story Rich.

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Caravan SandWitch

86% positive from 3,656 reviews202494% finish itDeck Verified

A narrative exploration game with van upgrades and community interaction. It's a peaceful, hopeful post-apocalyptic road trip.

What players likedPlayers praise its cozy, non-combat exploration and rich world-building, comparing it to Outer Wilds, Knytt Stories, Mad Max, KotOR, and Portal 2.

The catchThe loop is fetch quests and slow driving with heavy backtracking over the same map.

Both are tagged Interactive Fiction, Mystery and Casual.

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