In recent years, text-based games have gained popularity among mobile device users. These games offer a unique gaming experience that focuses on story-driven narratives and decision-making gameplay. Text-based games require minimal hardware resources and are typically lightweight, making them accessible to a wider audience of players. This article aims to showcase some of the best text-based games available for Android and iOS platforms, highlighting their features and gameplay mechanics. Whether you are a fan of single-player adventures or multiplayer competitions, there is likely a text-based game that will pique your interest.
We have compiled a list of 10 Best Text-Based Games For Android & iOS for your consideration, which have undergone rigorous testing and evaluation by our team of experts.
Table of Contents
10 Best Text-Based Games For Android & iOS
1. Blackbar
Blackbar is a sci-fi text game that utilizes word puzzles to portray a dystopian future. It has a unique mechanic that revolves around censorship, which is turned into a game to overcome its frustration. The game’s challenges are engaging, and players can spend days trying to solve them.
Blackbar has received high praise from various sources, including Ron Gilbert, TouchArcade, Eurogamer, and Fast Company. Loren Brichter called it a “super fun” political statement, while Shaun Inman found it “totally unexpected.” The game’s humor is dark, and the puzzles range from simple to very challenging, making for a top-notch story that pulls players into a realistic and well-written narrative.
Blackbar’s approach to storytelling on touch devices is smart, and the game has garnered a rating of 4.5/5 from TouchArcade, and 8/10 from Eurogamer. Gamemoir described it as an “ingenious puzzle game that critiques censorship,” while Kotaku likened playing it to a high school English class. Gizmodo found the story wonderfully written and entertaining, with a touch of a deeper message that hits home.
In summary, Blackbar is a well-received text game that offers a unique approach to storytelling through puzzles and censorship. Its engaging challenges and top-notch story have earned it high praise from various sources, making it a game worth trying.
2. Unmemory
Unmemory is a puzzle game with a chilling storyline. The game immerses players in an interactive narrative about lost memories and a band of criminals as they attempt to escape a room. The challenge is to solve the mystery of the room.
Unmemory has been named the Best Mobile Game of the Year by Stuff Awards, the Best Text Game by PocketGamer, the Best iPad Game of 2020 by Tech Radar, the Best Mobile Game of 2020 by MacWorld, the Best Narrative and Best Mobile Game of 2020 by Valencia Indie Summit, and the Best Mobile Game and Best Idea by DeVuego Awards 2020.
In the game, players must figure out who killed their girlfriend, but they have memory problems that prevent them from remembering anything new. By leaving hints in notes, drawings, and voice messages, they may (just may) uncover the truth in this dark story set in the 90s.
Unmemory is a unique game that combines an interactive story with an exciting storyline and escape room puzzles. The game is entirely text-based and designed with great attention to detail, from the narrative design to the exquisite photographs. The immersive storytelling format expands players’ view of what games (and books) can be. The game is full of references to 90s culture, including well-known movies, comics, and even cult devices. Unmemory touches on themes such as memories, the stifling of culture, pranks in the art world, empowered women and LGBTI.
Unmemory is the Mobile Game of the Year according to Stuff Gadget Awards 2020. From the moment players answer the phone call and swipe the screen, they will be unable to put the game down.
According to IGN, Unmemory is a “book about finding a way out” that will appeal to all fans of the genre. The fascinating, interactive story with many details will keep players engaged for hours.
3. A Dark Room
An individual awakens with a throbbing head and blurry vision, receiving a prompt to light a fire. The Android release of A Dark Room (registered trademark) is now available, offering a game experience free of advertisements, micro transactions, and data usage (playable without wifi). Additionally, the game does not require elevated permissions, and was created by indie game developers with care.
4. WarQuest: Game of the Gods
Game of the Gods is a medieval fantasy roleplaying game that is text-based. Players assume the role of Tokar, a mercenary with a shadowy past, and make choices that shape his survival as they uncover his history. Each chapter offers various resources based on the player’s decisions, and rewards are given at the end of each chapter. The game promises a world of thrilling adventures.
5. King of Dragon Pass
The mobile game, King of Dragon Pass, has been praised by hardcoredroid.com as “the best and deepest text-based game” available. This game boasts 15 new interactive scenes, making it one of the Top 100 best mobile games of all time (according to Metacritic).
Set in Glorantha, a world seen in other games such as RuneQuest, HeroQuest, and 13th Age, King of Dragon Pass is a story-based, text adventure RPG game. It offers an epic saga of conflict, mythology, and community, with an ultimate level of complexity. Players are tasked with ruling their own clan, making important strategic decisions, winning battles, and expanding their influence.
The game is a unique mix of RPG and strategy, with everything centered around choice and control. Players must choose their counsel carefully, sign diplomatic agreements, or declare war on nearby clans. With nearly 600 interactive scenes, this acclaimed game of magical storytelling is also immensely replayable. Short episodes and automatic saving mean that players can easily pick up where they left off, even if they only have a minute or two to spare.
The hand-painted artwork in King of Dragon Pass is stunning, having won Best Visual Arts at the second Independent Games Festival. Advisors with distinctive personalities help players rule their clan, while a built-in saga writes down the story for posterity.
Players are invited to follow @Herocraft on social media, watch videos on youtube.com/herocraft, and like facebook.com/herocraft.games to stay up to date with the latest news and updates.
6. Lifeline
Lifeline is an interactive, real-time narrative game developed by acclaimed writer Dave Justus. The game is a playable, branching story of survival in the aftermath of a crash landing on an alien moon. The player assumes the role of the main character’s sole contact and makes life or death decisions that affect the character’s fate.
The story is immersive and delivered through notifications that players receive throughout the day. The game’s unique feature is that it can be played in real-time, or players can choose to catch up later when they are free. Players can also jump back to earlier points in the story to explore different decisions and outcomes.
Lifeline is available in several languages, including English, French, German, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, and Korean. The game does not require an internet connection, contains no in-app purchases, and has no ads.
The game has received praise for its gripping and engrossing storyline. Players have reported feeling an emotional attachment to the fictional character, Taylor, and a sense of responsibility for their survival. Lifeline was created by a team of writers and developers, including Dave Justus, Mars Jokela, Dan Selleck, Colin Liotta, Jackie Steege, Wilson Bull, Jason Nowak, and Ben “Books” Schwartz.
Finally, Lifeline is compatible with Wear OS, allowing players to access the game on their smartwatch.
7. Ord
Ord. is a game that features stories which prioritize player choices and fast-paced narratives. These stories can range from defeating an evil warlock to creating a world as a god.
Additionally, three new stories have been added to the game, bringing the total to four. The game has also received new visual polish and sound effects.
Furthermore, more achievements have been added to the game, providing players with additional goals to strive for.
8. Reigns: Her Majesty
Reigns: Her Majesty has introduced a new update called the Transformation Update, which includes over 200 new cards, characters and ways for the queen to meet her demise. This game is a sequel to the popular swipe ’em up game Reigns. The world is experiencing cultural renaissance, but the queen must still deal with greed and jealousy from those who aim to depose her and her husband. Players can make just or unjust decisions on various royal matters by swiping left or right. They must maintain a balance between the kingdom’s most powerful factions while using mystical items in their inventory to navigate complex politics and personal relationships.
Players must carefully navigate the kingdom’s eccentric subjects to find balance between the most powerful factions of the land. The queen’s decrees and unpredictable requests from the people will shape her time on the throne and the future of her dynasty. A new inventory system has been introduced where players can find and upgrade five special items. These powerful items can be used on character cards to unlock special paths in the increasingly complex narrative of the kingdom.
The game introduces royal challenges, which require players to achieve specific goals before the beginning of each new monarch’s reign. By completing these challenges, players can unlock new sets of cards and new directions to take the story of their dynasty. Reigns: Her Majesty is a collaboration between multiple creatives, namely, François Alliot (design/programming), Arnaud de Bock (art), Jim Guthrie (music), and Leigh Alexander (narrative director).
9. Bury me, my Love
“Bury me my Love” is a Text Messaging Adventure game that tells the story of Nour, a Syrian refugee who embarks on a treacherous journey to Europe to seek safety. While Nour is on her journey, she communicates with her husband Majd, who remains in Syria, through a messaging app. Majd advises her on how to stay safe and complete her journey. The game is a co-production from ARTE, the European cultural network, with The Pixel Hunt and Figs.
The game is played within an instant messaging app, allowing players to communicate with Nour as if they were chatting with her. As Majd, players can help Nour overcome the challenges she faces by reading the instant messages and selecting response options. The choices made in the game can impact the story, as Nour can visit 50 different locations and reach 19 potential endings with varying outcomes.
The game’s title, “Bury me, my love,” is a farewell phrase that means “Take care, don’t even think about dying before I do.” The phrase takes on a deeper meaning as Majd says it to Nour before she embarks on her journey. The game is a reality-inspired game and draws inspiration from real-world events. The original idea for the game came from an article written by Le Monde journalist, Lucie Soullier, about a young Syrian woman named Dana who fled her country and is now living in Germany.
While “Bury me my Love” is a game, it may contain sensitive content that could impact the sensitivity of younger audiences.
10. Simulacra 2
Simulacra 2 is the follow-up to the popular found-phone horror game, SIMULACRA. This time, players are tasked with solving the death of Maya, a young influencer. Using a combination of police resources and a restored phone, players must piece together the events leading up to her death.
Maya’s phone has been intentionally wiped, and her cause of death appears to be suspicious. As players conduct an unsanctioned police investigation, they must determine whether Maya’s death was accidental or the result of a cold-blooded murder. The victim’s friends may hold valuable information, and players must be wary of the potential dangers lurking within social media.
The game features a simulated phone complete with both familiar and new apps. Players will be assisted by WARDEN, a police AI software capable of restoring deleted files. With an expanded non-linear narrative, there are dozens of possible outcomes to Maya’s story. The game also features a live-action ensemble cast and original soundtrack.