The best storytelling games - making up stories 2024

Looking for a really good game where you have to invent stories? Then we have just the thing for you: the list of the best storytelling games 2024.

What are storytelling games?

In narrative games, players are given conceptual, written, or pictorial prompts that must be incorporated into a creation story by the players. Once upon a time uses an assortment of words, while the Rory's Story Cubes series include ambiguous symbols. Some games, such as Snake Oil and The Big Idea, ask players to design a product, which often takes the form of a short story or vignette.

Other narrative games include titles such as Tales of the Arabian Nights and Above and Below, game concepts in which players do not create their own stories but experience a story from within as one of the participants. Games in this sense might present players with a specific narrative situation, after which the player makes a choice that affects which end of the narrative is told - with the results of that narrative affecting the player's position in the game.

List of the best storytelling games 2024

This list was last updated on March 22, 2024. We compared 2381 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. Dixit: Odyssey

    All details for the board game Dixit: Odyssey and similar games

    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.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 3.

    More details for Dixit: Odyssey
    • 3 - 12 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    🔥 Great price!24€ atAmazon.de*
  2. MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House

    All details for the board game MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House and similar games

    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.

    Nominated for 4 awards.

    More details for MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  3. Dixit

    All details for the board game Dixit and similar games

    Dixit is a beautifully imaginative and simple card game that emphasizes creativity and interpretation. Each turn, a player becomes the storyteller, selecting a card from their hand and giving a sentence or phrase inspired by the card’s image. The other players then choose cards from their hands that they feel best match the storyteller's sentence.

    Nominated for 20 awards and won 10.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2010

    More details for Dixit
    • 3 - 8 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  4. Deception: Murder in Hong Kong

    All details for the board game Deception: Murder in Hong Kong and similar games

    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.

    More details for Deception: Murder in Hong Kong
    • 4 - 12 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  5. Detective Club

    All details for the board game Detective Club and similar games

    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.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 3.

    More details for Detective Club
    • 4 - 8 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Detective Club

    • YouTube Review for the game "Detective Club" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  6. Lands of Galzyr

    All details for the board game Lands of Galzyr and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Lands of Galzyr
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 150 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  7. Destinies

    All details for the board game Destinies and similar games

    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.

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 3.

    More details for Destinies
    • 1 - 3 Players
    • 90 - 150 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!52€ atAmazon.de*
  8. Legacy of Dragonholt

    All details for the board game Legacy of Dragonholt and similar games

    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.

    More details for Legacy of Dragonholt
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 60 - 999 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  9. Forgotten Waters

    All details for the board game Forgotten Waters and similar games

    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.

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 2.

    More details for Forgotten Waters
    • 3 - 7 Players
    • 120 - 240 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!30€ atAmazon.de*
  10. My First Adventure: Finding the Dragon

    All details for the board game My First Adventure: Finding the Dragon and similar games
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 10 - 20 Minutes
    • 4+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    🔥 Great price!22€ atAmazon.de*
  11. Mutabo

    All details for the board game Mutabo and similar games
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 25 - 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!19€ atAmazon.de*
  12. When I Dream

    All details for the board game When I Dream and similar games

    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.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 2.

    More details for When I Dream
    • 4 - 10 Players
    • 20 - 40 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for When I Dream

    • YouTube Review for the game "When I Dream" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  13. Chronicles of Crime: 1900

    All details for the board game Chronicles of Crime: 1900 and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  14. Hidden Games Tatort: Königsmord

    All details for the board game Hidden Games Tatort: Königsmord and similar games
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 90 - 180 Minutes
    • 16+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  15. Chronicles of Crime

    All details for the board game Chronicles of Crime and similar games

    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.

    Nominated for 17 awards and won 5.

    More details for Chronicles of Crime
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Chronicles of Crime

    • YouTube Review for the game "Chronicles of Crime" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  16. Kids Chronicles: Quest for the Moon Stones

    All details for the board game Kids Chronicles: Quest for the Moon Stones and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!20€ atAmazon.de*
  17. The Adventures of Robin Hood

    All details for the board game The Adventures of Robin Hood and similar games

    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.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2021

    More details for The Adventures of Robin Hood
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!35€ atAmazon.de*
  18. Chronicles of Crime: 1400

    All details for the board game Chronicles of Crime: 1400 and similar games

    Chronicles of Crime: 1400 invites players into the heart of medieval Paris, where they embody Abelard Lavel, a knight with a prophetic gift for solving crimes. As a standalone game in the Chronicles of Crime series, it combines familiar investigative gameplay with new elements to create a unique, narrative-driven experience. Players utilize Vision Cards to gain insights into crimes, relying on both futuristic and historical scenes to guide their investigation.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Chronicles of Crime: 1400
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  19. The King's Dilemma

    All details for the board game The King's Dilemma and similar games

    The King's Dilemma presents a captivating blend of narrative storytelling and strategy, set in the fictional Kingdom of Ankist. As players, you step into the roles of leaders of various noble houses, each with your own agendas and influence, making critical decisions that shape the fate of the kingdom.

    Nominated for 7 awards.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2020

    More details for The King's Dilemma
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for The King's Dilemma

    • YouTube Review for the game "The King's Dilemma" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "The King's Dilemma" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  20. Witness

    All details for the board game Witness and similar games
    • 4 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Witness

    • YouTube Review for the game "Witness" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  21. Mysterium

    All details for the board game Mysterium and similar games

    Mysterium is a cooperative mystery-solving game set in the 1920s, where players take on the roles of mediums trying to solve a murder at a Scottish mansion, guided by a ghost who communicates through visions.

    Nominated for 14 awards and won 6.

    More details for Mysterium
    • 2 - 7 Players
    • 42 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  22. Unlock!: Timeless Adventures

    All details for the board game Unlock!: Timeless Adventures and similar games

    Unlock! Timeless Adventures offers a trio of captivating "escape room" scenarios packed into one tabletop game. This cooperative card game draws players into immersive adventures requiring teamwork, puzzle-solving, and quick thinking, all facilitated through a blend of physical cards and a digital companion app.

    More details for Unlock!: Timeless Adventures
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  23. Mysterium Park

    All details for the board game Mysterium Park and similar games

    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.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.

    More details for Mysterium Park
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  24. Unlock! Kids: Detective Stories

    All details for the board game Unlock! Kids: Detective Stories and similar games

    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.

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for Unlock! Kids: Detective Stories
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 20 - 60 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  25. Mini-Mutabo

    All details for the board game Mini-Mutabo and similar games
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 25 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  26. Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures

    All details for the board game Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures and similar games

    Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures is a captivating standalone expansion to the renowned detective game Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective. This expansion brings updated graphics and adds ten new cases set in Victorian-era London for players to solve. It includes essential detective tools such as a "London Directory," a map of London, and newspaper archives to aid in the investigation.

    More details for Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures
    • 1 - 8 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures

    • YouTube Review for the game "Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  27. Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Baker Street Irregulars

    All details for the board game Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Baker Street Irregulars and similar games
    • 1 - 8 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Baker Street Irregulars

    • YouTube Review for the game "Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Baker Street Irregulars" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  28. Snake Oil

    All details for the board game Snake Oil and similar games

    Snake Oil offers a refreshing twist on party games, where creativity, quick thinking, and persuasive skills reign supreme. Players transform into cunning salespeople, concocting bizarre products from a random assortment of word cards to pitch to various "customers" drawn from a deck of unique character cards. The aim is not just to sell a product but to tailor the pitch to the whims and needs of an ever-changing clientele, ranging from pirates to zombies.

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Snake Oil
    • 3 - 10 Players
    • 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  29. Unlock!: Heroic Adventures

    All details for the board game Unlock!: Heroic Adventures and similar games

    Unlock!: Heroic Adventures brings the excitement and challenge of escape rooms into your home with a card game that is both cooperative and imaginative. This set includes three unique scenarios, each offering a distinct adventure that requires players to solve puzzles, discover objects, and crack codes to progress through the story. Utilizing a simple yet engaging system, along with a companion app for clues and timing, players are drawn into thrilling narratives that test their problem-solving skills and teamwork.

    More details for Unlock!: Heroic Adventures
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  30. Unlock!: Secret Adventures

    All details for the board game Unlock!: Secret Adventures and similar games

    Unlock! Secret Adventures brings the escape room experience right to your tabletop with three unique adventures. This cooperative card game challenges players to solve puzzles, combine items, and crack codes using a mix of physical cards and a companion app.

    More details for Unlock!: Secret Adventures
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

Didn't find the game you were looking for?

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