Kickstarter Games That Introduce Incredible Storytelling

29 March 2025

The gaming world is vast, with plenty of big-budget AAA titles hitting the shelves year after year. But let’s be honest—some of the most creative and heartfelt games aren’t churned out by enormous studios. Instead, they emerge quietly from platforms like Kickstarter, where passionate developers pitch their ideas to gamers directly. These crowdfunded gems often serve as a breeding ground for innovative ideas, including powerful narratives that tug at your heartstrings or make you question reality itself.

If you’re someone who values storytelling as much as gameplay mechanics, you’re in for a treat. In this post, I’m diving into Kickstarter games that completely knock it out of the park in the narrative department. Grab your favorite drink, sit back, and let’s geek out over some incredible storytelling experiences.

Why Kickstarter Is A Haven for Story-Driven Games

Kickstarter has become a go-to platform for developers who want to create something outside the box. But why, you ask? Simple. Studios that go the crowdfunding route don’t have to deal with publishers breathing down their necks to make a game that "sells." Instead, they can focus entirely on crafting their vision—and that often means delivering stories you’ll never forget.

Think about it: traditional studios may prioritize gameplay over narrative. Sure, you’ll find a flashy title with jaw-dropping visuals, but sometimes the story feels like it was slapped on as an afterthought. On the other hand, Kickstarter allows smaller developers to put the narrative front and center, making gamers the heroes of truly unique adventures.

1. "Divinity: Original Sin 2" - A Masterclass in Player Choice

If there’s one game that screams "Kickstarter success," it’s Divinity: Original Sin 2. Developed by Larian Studios, this RPG raised over $2 million on Kickstarter and delivered in ways no one could have imagined.

The storytelling in Divinity: Original Sin 2 isn’t just immersive—it’s deeply interactive. Your choices affect everything, from relationships with your party members to the fate of entire civilizations. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself agonizing over decisions, knowing they could lead to heartbreak or triumph.

What sets this game apart is its depth. From richly written characters like the Red Prince (a lizard aristocrat in exile) to its sprawling lore, Divinity: Original Sin 2 gives you a narrative playground to explore. Oh, and did I mention you can play it with friends? Yep, this is storytelling for the solo adventurer and the co-op crew.

2. "Hollow Knight" - A Wordless Yet Powerful Tale

Hollow Knight managed to raise just under $60,000 on Kickstarter, but don’t let its modest funding fool you. This Metroidvania game from Team Cherry delivers a hauntingly beautiful story, all without shoving it in your face.

Instead of walls of text or hours of cutscenes, Hollow Knight invites players to piece together its lore through exploration. The ruined kingdom of Hallownest hides secrets around every corner, and the game trusts you to connect the dots.

It’s like a novel where half the pages are torn out—you’re left filling in the blanks, crafting theories, and piecing together a narrative that feels personal. Whether you’re uncovering the tragic history of Hallownest or confronting the mysteries of the Void, Hollow Knight proves that sometimes, actions speak louder than words.

3. "Disco Elysium" - A Philosophical Fever Dream

Alright, buckle up for this one. Disco Elysium isn’t just a game—it’s a full-on existential crisis wrapped in masterful storytelling. Funded on Kickstarter by ZA/UM Studio, this detective RPG takes you on a wild ride through the life of a washed-up cop who’s forgotten…well, pretty much everything.

What makes Disco Elysium so special is its writing. Every piece of dialogue feels like it could belong in a Pulitzer-winning novel. With its dark humor, layered characters, and philosophical musings, this game pulls you into a web of ideas and emotions that’s hard to shake. The choices you make don’t just shape the plot—they shape who your character becomes.

Oh, and did I mention the environment? Revachol, the city where the game takes place, feels alive. It’s gritty, flawed, and brimming with untold stories that unfold in the most unexpected ways.

4. "Oxenfree" - A Supernatural Coming-of-Age Story

Oxenfree by Night School Studio is like if your favorite 80s sci-fi movie merged with a deeply emotional video game. Its Kickstarter campaign raised just over $500,000, and the result was a supernatural thriller that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

The game tells the story of Alex, a teenager who accidentally opens a ghostly rift while exploring an abandoned island. What makes Oxenfree stand out is its dialogue system. Conversations flow naturally, letting you shape Alex’s personality and relationships in real-time.

And let’s not forget the eerie plot. It’s packed with mysteries, time loops, and enough paranormal drama to keep you guessing. If you’re a fan of shows like Stranger Things, this one’s an absolute must-play.

5. "The Banner Saga" - A Norse-Inspired Epic

The Banner Saga is what happens when you take an epic Viking tale, sprinkle in some gorgeous hand-drawn art, and wrap it all in tactical RPG gameplay. Developed by Stoic Studio and funded on Kickstarter, this game raised over $700,000 and delivered a trilogy that feels like a masterpiece.

The story centers around a group of travelers struggling to survive in a dying world. The stakes are high—your choices can lead to devastating consequences, like losing a beloved character forever. It’s a gut-wrenching ride that'll have you questioning every decision.

Plus, the game’s art style and haunting soundtrack elevate the narrative even further. Playing The Banner Saga feels like flipping through the pages of an epic Norse saga, complete with all the drama and tragedy you’d expect.

6. "Sunless Sea" - A Journey Into Madness

What happens when you combine Lovecraftian horror with a dash of steampunk and a heaping dose of storytelling? You get Sunless Sea. This Kickstarter-funded game by Failbetter Games lets you captain a steamship in the eerie Unterzee, an underground ocean filled with bizarre creatures and cryptic tales.

The brilliance of Sunless Sea lies in its writing. Every port you dock at has a story to tell, and they range from eerie to heartbreaking to downright weird. Like, we’re talking about cannibalism, eldritch gods, and mysterious technologies—not exactly light reading.

The choices you make during your voyages can lead to fame, fortune, or outright disaster. And trust me, you’ll get attached to your crew, which makes it all the more devastating when the zee swallows them whole.

7. "Torment: Tides of Numenera" - A Spiritual Successor

Fans of classic RPGs will probably recognize this one. Funded on Kickstarter by inXile Entertainment, Torment: Tides of Numenera is the spiritual successor to Planescape: Torment. The game raised over $4 million, making it one of the highest-funded projects at the time.

The story takes place in a world where science and magic collide. You play as a being known as the Last Castoff, trying to uncover your origins while shaping the fate of civilizations. It’s deep, thought-provoking, and incredibly philosophical.

Similar to Disco Elysium, the storytelling in Torment is all about player choice. The dialogue trees alone are worth the price of admission—you’ll find yourself questioning morality, identity, and the meaning of existence.

The Rise of Narrative-Driven Gaming

At the end of the day, it’s games like these that remind us why storytelling matters. They take risks, dive into themes that mainstream titles might shy away from, and give us characters we can’t help but care about.

Kickstarter continues to be a hub for creative minds who want to tell stories in ways we’ve never seen before. Sure, not every project gets funded, and some campaigns fall short of expectations. But when a Kickstarter game nails it, oh man, does it change the game—pun totally intended.

So, if you’re tired of cookie-cutter plots and want to experience narratives that truly push boundaries, keep an eye on Kickstarter. Who knows? The next great story-driven game might just be a pledge away.