Few things hit harder than a well-told story, especially one that makes you reach for the tissues by the end. Narrative-driven games have a special power: they can pull you into their worlds, make you care about their characters, and then crush you with emotion. These top 10 emotional narrative games will make you cry in a way that you never have before. They are designed to stay with you long after you’ve finished playing. If you’re looking for a tear-jerker, you’ve come to the right place.
One game that broke me emotionally was Endling: Extinction is Forever. I haven’t included it here because it’s right at the top of my piece on dark cosy games for the Nintendo Switch. But, as someone who’s always adored foxes and feels deeply connected to environmental causes, the experience of playing a mother fox in a world devastated by human destruction hit me hard. It was almost unbearable to watch the devastation unfold — the loss of wildlife, the struggle for survival, and the undeniable reflection of our own world’s reality. No other game has ever made me cry like this one did.
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Top Emotional Narrative Games on All Platforms
If we’re talking about emotional narrative games, it’s impossible not to think about Spiritfarer. This game, where you help spirits pass on to the afterlife, has brought almost every player to tears. Fans have even said that helping the spirits move on helped them process their own grief, which speaks to how deeply personal the experience can be. But here’s the thing — Spiritfarer is already a huge hit, and you probably already know about it. For this list, I wanted to highlight lesser-known narrative games that deserve just as much attention.
Pssst. If you want to play Spiritfarer, you can find it on Netflix UK along with a bunch of other cosy games.
Little Misfortune

£15.49 on Steam, £16.74 on Xbox One, £15.99 on PlayStation 4, £17.99 on Nintendo Switch, £7.99 on Android, and £6.99 on iOS
Little Misfortune isn’t your typical lighthearted adventure. This one of my top emotional narrative games takes you on a journey with Misfortune Ramirez Hernandez, an imaginative 8-year-old girl who sets off to find Eternal Happiness for her mum. Led by the mysterious Mr. Voice, her story unfolds with dark humour and unexpected twists as she ventures into the woods. What starts as a sweet, quirky tale turns into something much heavier as you realise Misfortune is using her boundless imagination to escape a harsh reality.
The game’s charm comes from its hand-drawn art and offbeat sense of humour, but don’t be fooled—it deals with some heavy themes like family dysfunction, loneliness, and innocence lost. Misfortune’s attempts to keep her world bright with a sprinkle of glitter will tug at your heartstrings. And just like the name implies, don’t expect everything to end with happiness.
Outer Wilds

£19.99 on Steam, £20.99 on Xbox One|Series X|Series S, £19.99 on PlayStation 4|5, £20.99 on Nintendo Switch
Exploration and discovery are at the core of Outer Wilds. But, the true emotional weight of this game comes from its focus on time, loss, and the meaning of existence. As a new recruit of Outer Wilds Ventures, you’re sent into a strange, ever-evolving solar system… One where you uncover ancient ruins and unearth heartbreaking stories about civilisations long gone.
The game’s time loop mechanic means that no matter how hard you try, everything inevitably resets. It’s a poetic reminder of the impermanence of life. As you dig into the mysteries of the cosmos, you’re left with questions about life, death, and the legacy we leave behind. Other players have described feeling a deep sense of melancholy as they uncover the stories of lost cultures. It’s hard to know these lives are all but dust in the wind… Realising that even your best efforts won’t stop the universe from carrying on without you.
Outer Wilds is a game where you’ll spend hours feeling small against the vastness of space. However, those quiet, reflective moments are often the most emotionally stirring. The final moments of the game, when all the pieces finally come together, will leave you with that haunting sense of awe and sadness.
I Was a Teenage Exocolonist

£20.99 on Steam, £19.99 on PlayStation 4|5, £21.59 on Nintendo Switch
I Was a Teenage Exocolonist takes the “coming-of-age” trope and places it in an alien world. Every decision you make shapes the future of the colony and the lives of your friends. It’s full of beauty and wonder, but it’s not afraid to show you the emotional toll of growing up. As you go through the ups and downs of adolescence, you’ll form bonds, face heartbreak, and ultimately deal with the weight of making choices that have far-reaching consequences.
What really hits home in this game is the emotional complexity of the relationships you form with the other characters. Whether it’s falling in love or losing a friend, every interaction feels meaningful. And because you can relive your life over and over, you get the chance to explore “what if?” scenarios… Only to find that sometimes, no matter what you do, things don’t always work out. It’s a stark reminder of how fleeting and fragile relationships can be.
You’ll likely cry more than once playing the game because it deals with heavy themes like loss and sacrifice. Each decision feels like it carries the weight of the world. By the end, you’re left with a deep appreciation for the complexity of life, love, and the choices we make. It certainly deserves a place among the best emotional narrative games available.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake

£15.99 on Steam, £15.99 on Xbox Series X|S, £15.99 on PlayStation 5
Though originally released in 2013, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons was remade in 2024. Bringing a beloved classic to modern consoles is always a risk. However, the story remains just as powerful. Two brothers embark on a perilous journey to find the “Water of Life” so they can save their dying father. The remake offers stunning graphical updates, with sharper visuals and re-recorded orchestral music, making the world feel more alive.
Playing as both brothers simultaneously, you become deeply invested in their bond. The way the two must work together mirrors the emotional core of the game. You feel the weight of their relationship with every puzzle solved and obstacle overcome. While it may not be as gut-wrenching as other emotional narrative games, its quiet, heartfelt story still resonates deeply. By the end, this fairy-tale-like adventure will leave you reflecting on family, sacrifice, and the pain of growing up.
Firewatch

£16.75 on Steam, £15.99 on Xbox One|Series X|Series S, £14.99 on PlayStation 4, £14.99 on Nintendo Switch
Firewatch is a game about isolation, connection, and the mysteries we keep hidden — even from ourselves. Set in the summer of 1989, you play as Henry. Henry has taken a job as a fire lookout in Wyoming to escape from the emotional wreckage of his life. With only your supervisor on the a radio for company, Firewatch focuses on the power of human connection.
The real heart of Firewatch lies in the emotional intimacy that grows between Henry and Delilah. Through simple yet powerful conversations, their relationship blossoms in unexpected ways, pulling you deeper into the narrative. The slow burn of their exchanges creates a tension that leaves you constantly questioning your choices.
What makes Firewatch one of the best emotional narrative games is its subtlety. The sense of dread builds not from danger, but from the unspoken and unresolved issues between the characters. By the end, I found myself feeling emotionally drained in the best way. The ending leaves a lingering ache. The choices you make carry emotional weight, shaping the story in ways that will stick with you.
The Last Campfire

£12.79 on Steam, £11.99 on Xbox One|Series X|Series S, £11.99 on PlayStation 4, £13.49 on Nintendo Switch
The Last Campfire tells a quiet, heartfelt story about a lost ember on a quest to find meaning and light the last campfire. This charming puzzle adventure game, created by the small studio Hello Games, is filled with warmth and introspection. The world is whimsical. Its soft colors and cosy environments invite you to slow down, reflect, and lose yourself in its peaceful atmosphere.
What makes The Last Campfire emotionally resonant is how it balances moments of melancholy with hope. The ember’s journey through a land of strange creatures and lost souls isn’t just about solving puzzles… It’s about helping others rediscover their own hope. Each puzzle you solve feels like a small victory – for you, and for the characters you meet along the way. Their struggles and moments of realisation mirror the ember’s own journey, making it a beautiful metaphor for finding your way when you feel lost.
Though the gameplay itself is relaxing and non-frustrating, it’s the story that carries the emotional weight. The Last Campfire leaves you with a sense of peace. It reminds you of the importance of kindness, hope, and the little moments that light up even the darkest of journeys. It’s the kind of game that makes you pause, take a deep breath, and appreciate the beauty of small victories in life.
Ni no Kuni Wrath of the White Witch Remastered

£39.99 on Steam, £39.99 on Xbox One|Series X|Series S, £39.99 on PlayStation 4, £49.99 on Nintendo Switch
Journey back to the other world in Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered. LEVEL-5’s classic tale returns better than ever, with improved graphics and performance. Join Oliver as he adventures through a new world while trying to bring back his mother after a tragic incident.
This charming story comes to life with animation storyboarded by the legendary Studio Ghibli and music that Joe Hisaishi composed. Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch masterfully combines beautiful visuals, emotional storytelling, and a sweeping score, creating an unforgettable role-playing adventure. While the world itself is vast and brimming with secrets, the mechanics can feel a bit clunky. The hybrid turn-based combat system, for instance, could benefit from refinement, and caring for familiars grows tedious early on. Still, the game’s rich worldbuilding, with its enchanting landscapes and deep lore, pulls you in for countless hours of exploration. A must-play JRPG, often found at a bargain price.
To The Moon

£8.50 on Steam, £10.79 on Nintendo Switch
Dr. Rosalene and Dr. Watts grant people their final wish, but only within their memories. In To The Moon, they’re tasked with fulfilling an elderly man named Johnny’s dying wish to go to the moon. As they travel through Johnny’s memories, the story slowly unravels the why behind his unusual wish.
Though relatively short, To The Moon is emotionally captivating, offering a thought-provoking narrative filled with moments of humour, sadness, and philosophical depth. It doesn’t rely on complex gameplay but focuses on the profound story and the twists that unfold. The game touches on universal themes of love, loss, and identity with grace and emotional weight, making it one of the most memorable indie titles out there. It’s a game that lingers long after the final scene.
Until Then

£16.75 on Steam, £15.99 on PlayStation 5
A chance encounter turns Mark’s life upside down in Until Then, a narrative adventure set in a world still healing from catastrophe. Mark, alongside his friends, navigates the familiar ups and downs of high school life—until strange occurrences start to blur the lines between reality and memory. As friendships are tested and people begin to disappear, Mark must uncover the truth before it’s too late.
In a beautifully designed, Philippine-inspired world, this game brings mundane tasks like texting friends and completing homework to life with pixel art and a unique blend of 3D visuals. The depth of the relationships, the exploration of love and loss, and the integration of everyday tech, like social media and email, create an authentic yet surreal experience. Choices matter, and the ending is shaped by how you guide Mark through his journey. The gameplay includes charming, addictive mini-games, from street food brawls to piano practice, all adding to the immersive atmosphere of a world that’s both familiar and foreign.
Old Man’s Journey

£6.69 on Steam, £8.39 on Xbox One|Series X|Series S, £7.99 on PlayStation 4, £8.99 on Nintendo Switch, £1.79 on Android, and £4.99 on iOS
Old Man’s Journey is a meditative puzzle adventure that invites you to reflect on life’s bittersweet moments. The beautiful hand-drawn visuals and serene flashbacks tell the story without dialogue as you guide an old man on a soul-searching journey across a whimsical landscape. By shaping hills and valleys, you help him move forward, solving simple yet satisfying puzzles.
It’s a short game, but what it lacks in length, it more than makes up for with heart. The atmosphere, art, and music create a relaxing, reflective experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in the old man’s memories of love, loss, and reconciliation. A perfect game for anyone who enjoys introspective storytelling with minimal gameplay mechanics, it’s a visual treat that offers a gentle but poignant look at life’s journey.
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