9 Narrative games like StarVaders that you should try

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Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentUpdated May 19, 2026How this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

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We filtered the 50 games similar to StarVaders down to the 9 that fit the “Narrative” category. Balatro, Telltale Texas Hold ‘Em and 7 Grand Steps: What Ancients Begat top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to StarVaders.

iRank97/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

The best narrative games like StarVaders

9 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to StarVaders. Each one has been evaluated across 14 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1BalatroClosest overall match

iRank93

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloHardcoreNarrativeProceduralIsometric2D

Steam👍 98%· 191KRAWG👍 86%· 263IGDB91· 5OC92· 64

Year 2024Dev LocalThunk · PlayStackPlaytime ~14hOn PC · PS · iOS

✓ Both are turn-based strategy games — sharing card game strategy, roguelike runs and turn-based strategy

≠ Its own twist: vibe casual, vibe relaxing and visual pixel, while skipping adventure storytelling

Balatro is a poker-inspired roguelike deck builder all about creating powerful synergies and winning big. Combine valid poker hands with unique Joker cards in order to create varied synergies and builds.

Genre100Game mode100World100Visuals72Tone51

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#2Telltale Texas Hold ‘EmClosest on combat

iRank50

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloTacticalNarrativeCozy2D

Steam👍 68%· 370RAWG👍 24%· 21

Year 2008Dev Telltale GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Both are turn-based strategy games — sharing card game strategy, adventure storytelling and turn-based strategy

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, deep simulation and horror tension, while skipping roguelike runs

Join poker's most outspoken players for a hand of Telltale Texas Hold'em, the card game stacked high with personality. Quips will fly, chips will fall, and you may just end up rolling in the aisles.

Where it drifts furthest from StarVaders: setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against overwhelmingly positive for StarVaders.

It predates StarVaders by 17 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals63Tone60Setting0

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#37 Grand Steps: What Ancients BegatClosest on tone

iRank36

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloNarrativeCozy2DCasual

Steam👍 54%· 768RAWG👍 5%· 20IGDB40· 1

Year 2013Dev MousechiefPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Same family of turn-based strategy games: turn-based strategy, card game strategy and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: deep simulation, puzzle design and vibe casual, while skipping roguelike runs

What Ancients Begat is a complete (~15 hour) game of family generations surviving the rise of western civilization. Survival is the ultimate goal. The sub-goals, you choose, build their story. Experience an abstract telling of the lives of our earliest recorded ancestors.

Where it drifts furthest from StarVaders: setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against overwhelmingly positive for StarVaders.

It predates StarVaders by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals63Tone62Setting0

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#4G.I.R.L.S. will be Girls

iRank63

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloNarrativeCozyAnime2D

Steam👍 63%· 263

Year 2015Dev ZooPlaytime ~5hOn PC

✓ Fits the turn-based strategy games cluster, with card game strategy, turn-based strategy and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: horror tension, puzzle design and vibe casual, while skipping adventure storytelling

"Are You Ready?" "School Girls Edition" for "Mahjong Pretty Girls Battle" has now appeared! An extraordinary collection of Pretty School Girls is waiting for you! The heated struggle to determine the world's top School Mahjong girl is about to begin!

Where it drifts furthest from StarVaders: combat.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against overwhelmingly positive for StarVaders.

It predates StarVaders by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone53Setting53Visuals51Combat0

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloCozyNarrativeMultiplayerCasual

Steam👍 78%· 365

Year 2015Dev Ezzat StudiosPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Both are turn-based strategy games — sharing turn-based strategy, card game strategy and cozy, relaxing feel

≠ Stands apart with deep simulation, sports simulation and puzzle design, while skipping adventure storytelling

New Important Note: To make the gameplay easier and more fun, you can press spacebar to throw the casting sticks instead of mouse click.

Where it drifts furthest from StarVaders: setting and tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against overwhelmingly positive for StarVaders.

It predates StarVaders by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode54Tone46Setting0

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#6Lara Croft GoClosest on setting

iRank89

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloNarrativeAnimeIsometricCasual

Steam👍 93%· 4.0KIGDB86· 5OC83· 19

Year 2015Dev Square Enix Montréal · Square EnixOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Both are turn-based strategy games — sharing adventure storytelling, turn-based strategy and card game strategy

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, precision platforming and horror tension, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from StarVaders: tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for StarVaders.

It predates StarVaders by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Setting78Visuals71Tone29

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloNarrativeCasualFirst Person

Steam👍 88%· 7.4KRAWG👍 68%· 220MC75IGDB65· 3

Year 2013Dev Telltale GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the turn-based strategy games cluster, with card game strategy, turn-based strategy and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: sports simulation, puzzle design and vibe casual, while skipping roguelike runs

Playing poker is good in itself and as an occasion for live communication, a disclosure of communicative talents, a great way to spend time with friends. Especially if these friends know how to play and have fun playing. This poker simulator allows you to spend time in a beautiful company.

Where it drifts furthest from StarVaders: visuals and tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for StarVaders.

It predates StarVaders by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone19Visuals0

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#8Nancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy

iRank85

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloNarrative2DPvPCompetitive

Steam👍 90%· 338RAWG👍 85%· 20MC76

Year 2009Dev HeR InteractivePlaytime ~6hOn PC

✓ Fits the turn-based strategy games cluster, with adventure storytelling, turn-based strategy and card game strategy

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, precision platforming and competitive edge, while skipping roguelike runs

Nancy Drew®: Warnings at Waverly Academy is a first-person perspective, point-and-click adventure game. The player is Nancy Drew and has to solve a mystery. Explore rich environments for clues, interrogate suspects, and solve puzzles and mini-games.

Where it drifts furthest from StarVaders: setting and tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for StarVaders.

It predates StarVaders by 16 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Visuals48Game mode36Tone27Setting0

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#9Ascension: Deckbuilding Game

iRank87

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloTacticalNarrative2DMultiplayer

Steam👍 89%· 1.7KMC84

Year 2011Dev Playdek · Asmodee DigitalPlaytime ~2hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Both are turn-based strategy games — sharing card game strategy, turn-based strategy and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings vibe casual, fantasy world and setting scifi, while skipping adventure storytelling

Ascension: Chronicle of the Godslayer, was the first officially licensed deck building card game for iOS, and is now available for your PC as Ascension: Deckbuilding Game, complete with 5 full expansion decks! Play alone or with friends to battle against the Fallen One for honor and victory.

Where it drifts furthest from StarVaders: setting and tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for StarVaders.

It predates StarVaders by 14 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Visuals60Game mode25Tone22Setting0

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