Immortality
Netflix/Half MermaidImmortality, the latest FMV masterpiece from Sam Barlow, follows the mysterious career of fictional actor Marissa Marcel (Manon Gage). After starring in three unique films (none of which were ever released), the starlet inexplicably disappeared from the limelight. Immortality tasks you with scouring through all this footage in search of answers — and you'll be greeted with more than a few twists along the way.
Gameplay in Immortality couldn't be simpler: You're given access to all available footage and left to your own devices to pick through every scene. As you watch the films, you can stop and rewind the footage to make sure you don't miss any important details. Immortality also offers a nifty feature that lets you select an on-screen object and jump to another scene related to your selection. This makes it easy to follow story threads without getting lost and helps you keep track of important characters without getting confused.
The heart of Immortality is its enigmatic story. What starts as a simple investigation into the life of an actress quickly becomes much darker — and the less you know going into the game, the better. It doesn't take long to unravel the mystery, with most players rolling credits in five hours. Thankfully, there are dozens of similar games to pick up after parting ways with Marissa Marcel. This includes other FMV games from Barlow, along with a few narrative-driven adventures that should scratch a similar itch.
Here are 10 games like Immortality to play next, listed by Metascore.
L.A. Noire
Rockstar GamesMetascore: 89
Best for: Fans of detective dramas
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L.A. Noire is a detective game that takes place in the 1940s. You'll play as Cole Phelps, a detective from Los Angeles that's tasked with solving a string of murders and violent crimes. But instead of throwing you headfirst into shootouts, L.A. Noire instead has you interviewing suspects, reviewing your notes, and scouring the crime scene for additional evidence. You'll also need to carefully read facial expressions as you interrogate your targets — as they won't always be telling you the true. If you loved playing detective in Immorality, L.A. Noire is certainly worth a closer look.
"L.A. Noire's absorbing investigations and intoxicating sense of style make it an unforgettable journey through the seamy side of the City of Angels." — GameSpot
The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series
Telltale GamesMetascore: 89
Best for: Fans of the undead
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The Walking Dead: A Telltale Game Series takes you on an emotional journey of survival. You'll play as Lee Everett as he tries to find shelter for himself and Clementine, an orphaned child that Lee stumbles upon early in the game. Survival is largely determined by your decision-making and dialogue choices instead of fast-paced action and zombie slaying. Pulling the experience together is a gorgeous comic book-inspired art style that breathes life into every character you meet. The series encompasses more than 50 hours of gameplay, so there's plenty to sink your teeth into if you get hooked.
"An incredibly powerful, emotionally engaging experience; a watershed moment for video game narrative and storytelling." — PC PowerPlay
What Remains of Edith Finch
Annapurna InteractiveMetascore: 88
Best for: Fans of anthologies
Where to buy: PlayStation Store
Also available on: iOS, PC, PS5, Switch, XB1
Edith Finch is the last living member of the Finch family, and it's up to you to figure out why. What Remains of Edith Finch has you poring over every inch of the Finch household to learn about the family's past, diving into standalone adventures along the way. Each story follows one member of the Finch family on the day of their death, and what you learn about their demise could help you learn more about Edith and her future. Colorful graphics and a great soundtrack round out the package, making this an adventure game worth exploring.
"When a game tells a story as well as What Remains of Edith Finch does here, it deserves…to be remembered and discussed and considered long after you've set down the controller." — Gaming Age
Heavy Rain
Sony Interactive EntertainmentMetascore: 87
Best for: Fans of psychological thrillers
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Heavy Rain is starting to show its age (first released in 2013), but its brilliant story and innovative gameplay have largely stood the test of time. It follows four different characters whose fates become intertwined by the violent Origami Killer. None of the characters are safe, and if you make one wrong move, they might become the Origami Killer's next victim. When a player dies, the game doesn't necessarily end, as you can jump into the shoes of one of the other three characters to continue the story. Violent, dark, and intensely emotional, Heavy Rain is fraught with tense scenes and high stakes — and it's also responsible for the hilarious Jason meme.
"Heavy Rain isn't just a masterpiece; it's an ingenious step in the right direction...This may very well be the most 'human' game ever made." — Heavy Rain
Gone Home
Annapurna InteractiveMetascore: 86
Best for: Fans of slow-burning mysteries
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: iOS, PS4, Switch, XB1
After spending a year overseas, Katie Greenbriar comes back to a home that's eerily quiet. She eventually stumbles upon a note from her sister, telling her that the family is gone — and that Katie shouldn't try to seek answers. Of course, Katie doesn't heed the warning and instead sets out to figure out what happened to her family. Various clues are scattered throughout the massive Oregonian homestead, and you'll slowly piece together the puzzle by walking around and interacting with your surroundings. It's a slow and methodical game, but one that excels at building tension and evoking strong emotions from the player.
"A fascinating, surprising, and indispensable experience." — Eurogamer Portugal
Her Story
Sam BarlowMetascore: 86
Best for: Fans seeking another hit from Barlow
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: iOS
Fans of Immortality will be right at home with Her Story. This FMV game has you sifting through police interviews from 1994 of a woman (played by Viva Seifert) whose husband has gone missing. It's your job to solve the mystery, searching for specific clips that'll help you crack the case and close the file once and for all. Its narrative is just as captivating as anything else on this list, and fans of FMV games will especially find Her Story to be another enthralling experience.
"With a strong script, great use of FMV, and a simple yet empowering core game mechanic, Her Story is the most unique game I've played in years." — IGN
Telling Lies
Annapurna InteractiveMetascore: 84
Best for: Fans of twisting storylines
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: iOS, PS4, Switch, XB1
Another entry from Barlow, another engaging FMV game. This time around you're watching stolen footage from an NSA database as you try to figure out why four individuals have been under surveillance for the past few years. You'll again be flicking through hours of footage as you hunt for clues and try to piece together a mystery that quickly escalates to something much more dramatic. Like Immorality, Telling Lies is best played with little prior knowledge, but it's definitely one to play if you're a fan of Barlow's work.
"It's a game that doesn't hold your hand, and ultimately it's down to you to decide the truth — another secret of a good mystery done well." — Guardian
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
The AstronautsMetascore: 82
Best for: Fans of first-person mystery games
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The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a bit more chilling than some other narrative-driven games, but it's one to consider picking up if you don't mind a few nightmares. The game throws you headfirst into an open world environment to explore with minimal direction, and it's not long before you run into some paranormal horrors on your search for the missing titular character. In order to solve the mystery, you'll need to recreate crime scenes and scour your surroundings for clues. The game only takes a few hours to complete, making it a great title to finish in a single weekend.
"Fans of puzzlers, horror, and story driven games alike will find enjoyment from Ethan Carter as it manages to be compelling, challenging and terrifying, all at once." — COGconnected
Firewatch
Campo SantoMetascore: 81
Best for: Fans of immersive worlds and engaging stories
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: PS4, Switch, XB1
Firewatch takes place in the picturesque Wyoming backcountry (which is brought to life with colorful, stylized graphics). But while the surrounding mountains and forests might look beautiful, there's something sinister lurking outside your tower. As you hike through the wilderness, you'll receive guidance from your supervisor, Delilah, on your handheld radio. The game discusses some mature themes and the dark, foreboding landscape can create some chilling scenes, but you'll be rewarded with a thrilling story if you manage to survive.
"This unconventional game combines strong story, beautiful natural surroundings, and fantastically written and played characters." — LEVEL (Czech Republic)
As Dusk Falls
Xbox Game StudiosMetascore: 77
Best for: Fans of narrative-driven adventures
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As Dusk Falls starts with a botched robbery attempt. From there, the interactive drama game will put you in control of the fate of multiple characters from two different families. The story spans several decades and unravels slowly over the years, and your actions in the present might have a big impact on the future. Since the narrative is largely driven by your decisions and dialogue choices, it should come as no surprise that As Dusk Falls is a game that's well-suited for multiple playthroughs, and there are a variety of endings up for grabs depending on your actions.
"As Dusk Falls is gripping from start to finish and has a lot to say, becoming one of the few games where your choices actually can upend the story." — GameSkinny