Novel-like entries have a special place in the hearts of gamers. From visual novels to dating simulators, these types of games are known for their simple mechanics and a heavy focus on narrative elements rather than gameplay. As such, interactive novels are the best types of games for fans looking for a laid-back relaxing experience. Also known as interactive fiction, these include both classics, like Amnesia, and more recent entries like Replica.
Replica focuses on the story of a detective looking into the background of an unknown person, suspected of terrorism and criminal activity. The catch? The entire game is played by looking through the person’s phone and social media, allowing the player to interactively carry out the investigation from the first-person view. The interactive novel touches on the topics of privacy and morals, giving it a unique take on ethics in society — topics that very few interactive novels can replicate. Here are the best interactive novels like Replica.
6 The Stanley Parable
Granted, the Stanley Parable may not be a novel in the traditional sense, but it is one of the most surprisingly interactive novel-like games out there. Players work through the story of the silent protagonist Stanley, an employee in a seemingly normal office.
However, as the story progresses and the player makes various decisions, the office starts to become more and more mysterious. The Stanley Parable is a great interactive fiction entry that bends the border between reality and delusions, making it a good choice for players that enjoyed the mysterious elements of Replica.
5 Orwell
Few can say that there is a novel more society-critical than George Orwell’s 1984 — a novel that in many ways created the entire dystopia genre. Likewise, for players that enjoyed the dystopian setting of Replica, they will love the interactive novel series, Orwell.
Both Orwell: Keeping an Eye on You, and its 2018 sequel, Orwell: Ignorance is Strength, take place in the authoritarian regime of the Nation. Much like 1984, the game delves into a society where personal liberties are suppressed for national security purposes, much like the dystopian world of Replica.
4 Papers, Please
Similar to Orwell: Ignorance Is Strength, the wildly popular 2013 hit gamePapers, Please shares a lot of the dystopian themes that are present in Replica. The game takes place in the dictatorship of Arstotzka, where players play as border guards.
Throughout the game, players must make the decision to either allow or deny the entry of travelers from the neighboring nation of Kolechia, with more paper requirements being added each day. For Replica players looking for a new take on the dystopian genre, Papers, Please is a must-play.
3 OPUS
For those who enjoyed the mystery and technology narrative aspects of Replica, but want a break from the dystopian elements of the story, then the OPUS series may be just the interactive fiction series. The three-entry series (starting with OPUS: The Day We Found Earth) focuses on a lone starship, searching the cosmos for the planet Earth.
Throughout the story, the player must unlock new parts of the starship, gaining knowledge about the mysterious circumstance of the ship, its crew, and the lore of the world itself. All in all, the OPUS series is a heartfelt interactive story, perfect for those who loved the mystery elements of Replica.
2 The Test Trilogy
Introspection is an incredibly important part of a successful interactive novel. Games that deal in decisions are more heartfelt if the players feel that their decisions matter and say something about themselves. This is why dystopian novels which often deal with morally gray environments, like Replica, are often so successful.
The Test trilogy is a series of interactive novels that have players take a mysterious test, with questions becoming more difficult as the test goes on. The questions are subjective — there are no wrong answers in the Test — and the answers will reveal more about the player as the game goes on.
1 Legal Dungeon
Of course, when making a recommendation for Replica, one must look no farther than the criminal investigation simulation, Legal Dungeon. Created by the same producer as Replica, Legal Dungeon focuses on a legal specialist looking through investigation reports and providing a verdict for each.
Throughout the game, players will be forced to weigh the value of another’s life versus their crime, creating a unique environment where players must simulate both a judge and a jury. The story is morally challenging and a great chance for players to question their own ethics, making Legal Dungeon one of the best alternatives for Replica.
Replica is available on mobile, Switch, Xbox One, and Windows.