The best storytelling games - making up stories 2026

MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House is a captivating detective game that expands upon the original MicroMacro: Crime City. Players become sleuths, examining a giant city map (75 x 110 cm) filled with intricate details to solve various crimes. This edition includes 16 new cases, each offering a unique story and set of challenges that require players to scrutinize the map to uncover hidden information and trace suspects' movements.

Dixit Odyssey combines the essence of a standalone game and an expansion for the award-winning Dixit by Jean-Louis Roubira, renowned for winning Germany's Spiel des Jahres award in 2010.

Detective Club is a social deduction and party game that involves both cooperation and deception. Players are drawn into rounds of intrigue, where one player secretly passes clues to their accomplice to reveal a secret word, while others, acting as detectives, try to unveil the conspiracy. Creativity and persuasion play crucial roles as players discuss and defend their choices to avoid suspicion.

Deception: Murder in Hong Kong offers a riveting game of deduction and deception designed for 4-12 players, providing an immersive experience in approximately 20 minutes.

Each round features a storyteller who selects one of six cards and creates a sentence based on its imagery, without revealing it to others. Other players then choose a card from their own hand that fits the sentence and submit it anonymously to the storyteller. Points are awarded based on how many players guess the storyteller's card correctly, while the game concludes when the card stack is exhausted or a player reaches 30 points, with victory going to the player with the highest score. The game includes 84 cards representing various Disney and Pixar films.

Legacy of Dragonholt is an innovative narrative adventure game that transports players to the enchanting Realms of Terrinoth, offering a unique blend of role-playing, adventure, and storytelling without the need for a game master. Designed for one to six players, this game stands out by utilizing the Oracle system to create a rich, interactive story where every decision impacts the unfolding narrative.

Embark on an incredible adventure as you explore the world to find and adopt a dragon. "Find Your Dragon!" is the first book in the "My First Adventure" series, where you become the little hero. Choose your character and dive into a unique story where every decision you make alters your journey.

Destinies is a unique blend of board gaming and digital app integration, offering a rich, competitive, story-driven experience set in a dark medieval-fantasy universe. It is the first game in a series utilizing the innovative Destinies system.

Unlock! Kids: Detective Stories brings the beloved Unlock! game system to younger audiences, allowing families to enjoy the thrill of escape rooms from the comfort of their homes. This edition is tailored for children aged 6 and up, offering a simplified experience that encourages teamwork, problem-solving, and imaginative play without the need for an app.

When I Dream is a whimsical and imaginative board game that delves into the world of dreams, blending elements of storytelling, deduction, and teamwork in a playful setting.

Players solve puzzles that tell stories and immerse themselves in different universes. After assembling the puzzle, they flip the pieces to uncover a narrative, with each piece presenting a small riddle. Help Lina, Sacha, or Timon follow the trail of a missing dragon and rely on sharp observation skills to succeed.

Embark on an incredible adventure as you explore the sea in search of hidden treasure. Choose your submarine—Behemoth, Manta, or Swordfish—and dive into a unique story where every decision alters your journey. This is the second book in the "My First Adventure" series, where you are the little hero.

The wealthy patriarch Anthony Westongrove celebrated his 70th birthday with family at his estate. However, the festivities took a dark turn when he fell seriously ill and was hospitalized, later revealed to be due to poisoning. The family gathers again, eager to uncover the events of the previous night and determine who attempted to harm Anthony.

Forgotten Waters is a captivating board game that plunges players into the whimsical and unpredictable world of pirate adventure. Blending storytelling and strategy, this game stands out for its immersive narrative and engaging gameplay.

Today, you embark on a long journey through the valley, seeking to uncover the cause of a great drought. Choose carefully whether to be Maïlune, the brave huntress; Issa, the shepherdess; or Sumai, the little hobby collector. This adventure in Ochre Land is part of the "My First Adventure" series, where every choice you make alters your story.

It was New Year's Eve at the luxurious restaurant "The Osgood," perched on a mountain ridge overlooking an upscale ski resort in the Rocky Mountains. Chef George Osgood had closed his renowned establishment to celebrate with family and staff, announcing he would reveal his successor that evening. However, just as the midnight celebration began, George was found dead on the terrace, suggesting foul play amid the festive atmosphere. As heavy snowfall delays the authorities, players must solve the mystery of what happened that night.

Players take on the role of young wizards in a cooperative family game filled with adventure and mysterious investigations. They explore the fairyland of the Summer and Winter Kingdoms with Nils, the Moon Cat, while searching for four magical moon stones. Using unique QR codes for each game component, players engage with the game through their mobile device to uncover clues and experiences in a virtual world. Each session lasts around 30 to 45 minutes and comes with a tutorial and five unique stories.

Embark on a thrilling cooperative adventure with Chronicles of Crime, a unique blend of crime investigation, board game excitement, and a touch of Virtual Reality. Picture yourself at the heart of criminal investigations, where the seamless integration of an app with physical components creates an immersive experience.

A terrible egg theft has occurred! Players will turn the town upside down to find the culprit. Choose to be Zoé the mouse, Jeppy the bear, or Nouki the raccoon, and embark on a unique adventure where every decision changes the course of the story.

Mysterium Park beckons with its mysterious aura, set against the backdrop of a 1950s US fairground with a dark twist. The disappearance of the park’s director has left behind a haunting presence, prompting a group of psychics to uncover the truth before the carnival disappears. This cooperative game engages players with visions provided by the ghost, requiring interpretation to eliminate suspects and locations, leading to the revelation of the director’s fate.

The Adventures of Robin Hood offers a refreshing and innovative approach to board gaming, immersing players in the legendary tales of Robin Hood and his merry band in 1193 England. This game distinguishes itself with a dynamic game board that evolves and changes, reflecting the players' actions and choices throughout their quest against the tyranny of Prince John and his minions. With a unique movement mechanism and a story-driven gameplay that forgoes traditional cards for a narrative-driven hardcover book, players will find themselves deeply engaged in the forests and villages of Nottinghamshire.

An idyllic celebration ends in a death, raising suspicions within the König family. Casper König goes missing right before the event, and his son Egon is found dead the next morning. Players investigate by analyzing letters, interpreting police interrogations, making phone calls, and conducting online research to solve the case. Access to the internet and a phone for receiving text messages is necessary, with a laptop or tablet being helpful but not mandatory.