Her Story is a nonlinear crime-fiction game built around searching a police database of interview footage. Rather than follow missions in sequence, you type words, watch the clips they surface, and assemble your own account of a missing-person case. Reviews have generally been strong, though players have been more divided about the experience.
What is Her Story?
Created by Sam Barlow and starring Viva Seifert, Her Story presents seven police interviews recorded in 1994. In them, detectives question a British woman about her missing husband. The player explores the fictional interview database rather than controlling a character through a conventional sequence of levels. The official game site and Steam listing describe the premise and format.
How does Her Story work?
You enter a word in the database search field, then watch interview footage in which the subject says that word. A useful clue may lead you to try related terms; comparing the resulting clips can reveal connections, contradictions, or new questions. The central activity is therefore a loop of searching, watching, and revising your theory—not completing missions or following a fixed scene order.
The game leaves you to decide what the evidence means. That open-ended structure can make discovery feel personal, but it also means the interface does not guide every player through a single, clearly marked path. Sam Barlow’s official site sums up the intended accessibility this way: “If you can Google, you can play Her Story.”
#1 Best Overall
- ENTERTAINING AND UNEXPECTED QUESTIONS: This handy box is filled with 140 surprising and engaging prompts to inspire reminiscences between family, friends, or couples!
- FAMILY GAME NIGHT FUN: A special way to inspire intergenerational sharing. Great family game for kids and adults.
- TAKE IT ANYWHERE: The portable box is the ideal size to throw in your bag to take on vacation or to a family get-together.
- A FUN GIFT: Perfect for game night enthusiasts; kids, parents, and grandparents wanting to connect across the generations; anyone in search of birthday presents, anniversary gifts, or stocking stuffers for adults, teens, or the whole family.
- EXPLORE THE ENTIRE SERIES: This game is part of the Games Room series, a collection of elegantly designed, geometrically patterned small boxes filled with engaging games to inspire lively conversation and endless laughs.
What do reviews say about Her Story?
Review scores are broadly positive, but the ratings differ by outlet and audience. In figures retrieved October 8, 2026, Metacritic listed an 86 Metascore from 50 critic reviews and a 6.4 user score from 583 user ratings. Steam showed 88% positive among 5,094 English-language reviews overall, alongside 74% positive among 27 recent reviews. These are separate rating systems and samples, not directly comparable scores; Steam’s figures can change. GameSpot lists Justin Clark’s review at 8/10, one outlet’s assessment rather than a consensus measure.
The game’s strongest appeal is its unusual search-based storytelling: the player’s own curiosity determines which pieces of the interviews come into view and how they fit together. Whether that feels satisfying or frustrating depends in part on how much ambiguity and self-directed investigation you enjoy. The scores offer context, but they cannot settle that question for every player.
Rank #2
- FAST-TALKING PARTY GAME: Race against the random timer to describe and guess words before time runs out – the ticking adds suspense and laughter to every round.
- GUESSING GAME WITH A TWIST: Pass the card quickly to the other team after guessing correctly; don’t be caught holding the card when the timer buzzes!
- FUN FOR ALL OCCASIONS: Perfect for family game nights, parties, or casual gatherings, Buzzed Out brings excitement and friendly competition to any group.
- IMPROVES THINKING & COMMUNICATION: Encourages quick thinking and teamwork as players describe words in creative ways to help their teammates guess correctly.
- EASY TO LEARN & PLAY: Designed for ages 8 and up, this game is simple to pick up but endlessly entertaining, ensuring hours of fun for kids, teens, and adults.
Who is Her Story for?
It is a natural fit for players who enjoy piecing together stories from fragments, following verbal clues, and forming theories without constant prompts. It may be a poorer match for someone looking for action, conventional objectives, or a tightly directed plot that explains every connection as it unfolds. Because searching is the main way to make progress, the experience depends on noticing details and choosing useful terms to investigate.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Platforms and content
The official site lists PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android. The available sources do not establish that one platform is superior; check the current store listing for regional availability, device compatibility, and price before buying. A device with a convenient keyboard may make entering search terms easier, but that is a practical consideration rather than evidence of a platform advantage.
Rank #3
- A WHOLE NEW WAY TO PARTY: Skip the small talk and spark unforgettable conversations with It’s Kind of a Fun Story, the adult party game where the story of your life earns you points. Perfect for adult game nights, pre-games, happy hours, bachelorette parties, or family gatherings.
- EASY TO LEARN, FUN TO PLAY: Take turns drawing cards and answering questions to be the first player to earn seven points! Story Cards put you in the spotlight to tell a story from your life, but watch out, if another player thinks they have a better tale, they can play a Hear Me Out Card to try to steal your points. Left or Right, Point a Finger, and Everybody Answers cards keep every round fresh, fast-paced, and full of surprises.
- FUN, HEARTFELT, AND FULL OF CONNECTION: With 320 conversation cards, every round is unique, hilarious, and full of exciting stories. More than just a funny adult card game, it brings people closer: laugh together, share embarrassing memories, and bond over stories that are silly, surprising, or even deep.
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR VIBE: Keep it clean or make it spicy with the included R-Rated mini-expansion pack. Clearly marked R-Rated cards let you adjust to your group, and every player gets a Nope Card to skip any topic they’re not comfortable with. Everyone stays engaged and having fun. Perfect as a drinking game, icebreaker game, or casual conversation game.
- PERFECT FOR EVERY OCCASION: Ideal for friends’ game nights, family gatherings, pre-games, happy hours, bachelorette parties, or adult game nights. It’s Kind of a Fun Story is the ultimate adult storytelling card game that gets everyone laughing, sharing, and connecting every time you play.
Steam’s content advisory notes verbal descriptions of sex acts, violence, homicide, and profanity. The game is presented through interview footage and dialogue, so these themes are part of the material players hear about.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- DARK CARDS FOR DARK MINDS: Take your game night Straight to Hell with this dangerously fun expansion for It’s Kind of a Fun Story. This expansion adds 54 brand-new R-Rated cards filled with shocking, spicy, and brutally honest prompts guaranteed to unleash chaos, laughter, and unforgettable stories.
- NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART: From scandalous secrets to unfiltered confessions, the Straight to Hell Expansion dives into the taboo and twisted corners of your crew’s minds. Perfect for after-hours parties, pre-games, or adult game nights when you’re ready to turn up the heat.
- 54 NEW CARDS TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR GAME: Includes 30 Story Cards, 8 Everybody Answers, 8 Left or Right, and 8 Point a Finger cards. All cards are clearly marked, making it easy to add or remove them depending on your group’s vibe.
- SPICY, SHOCKING, AND HILARIOUSLY WRONG: Add this expansion to It’s Kind of a Fun Story to unlock even deeper conversations, outrageous laughter, and stories you’ll never forget (or be able to un-hear).
- THIS IS AN EXPANSION PACK: Requires a copy of It’s Kind of a Fun Story to play. Easily mixes into the main deck or can be played as a fully R-Rated edition for adults only.
Rank #4
- 150 Prompt Cards To Make You Share Your Best (And Worst) Stories From Every Occasion
- It Gets Personal. Impress The Group With The Best True Story Of The Weirdest Way You'Ve Ever Made Money, Your Best Celebrity Encounter, And Much More
- The Juicier The Story The Better. Spare No Detail
- The Group Votes On Whose Story Is Best
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
