Best Story Rich Video Games

01

The Last Of Us (2013)

(Dog, Naughty)

Naughty Dog tells great stories. That was clear already from its incredible work on the Uncharted series. With this title, however, the development team really mastered the formula. They took all the good parts from their previous games and put it into a new and raw setting, weaving a story that reaches fresh emotional heights. In The Last of Us, a zombie outbreak has torn the world apart. Factions fight for control of what's left of society, while the military does its best to contain the spread with quarantine zones. Really, it's nothing you haven't heard before. There are new and interesting twists on the zombie formula, but its world generally sticks to the ideas movies have penned for decades. That sounds like a criticism, but that fact is one of the game's strongest points. It shows that even after decades of the same idea, Naughty Dog can still bring something incredible to the table. And it does so by largely doing away with the clichés. The focus in this game is not mowing down hordes of zombies with a machine gun, it's on character. The interaction between a graying man and a young girl as they make their way across a harsh land and struggle to survive. Naughty Dog uses its world infested with inhuman creatures to accurately portray humanity. The true evil exists not in the mindless zombies but in those willing to exploit the chaos it causes. However, moments of kindness and the bond between the two leads act as a contrast, painting a dark yet emotional tale with plenty of inventive twists.

02

Red Dead Redemption (2010)

(Barba, Tim Bogenn & Rick)

The Wild West has been done to death in film, but in the video game world, it's still a bit of a rarity. Games that do take on the theme often take the form of arcade style shooters, despite the wealth of stories available. Thankfully, Rockstar has already created a masterpiece that will fill the genre for years to come. Red Dead Redemption takes off where the previous game left off, following former outlaw John Marston as he's taken from his family and forced to hunt down the members of his former gang. Quickly injured in a confrontation, you end up on the farm of rancher Bonny McFarlane as you recover and formulate a plan for redemption. From there, you'll make allies and enemies, kill and capture, gamble and cheat. You'll even make your way through the U.S. and into Mexico, past powerful adversaries who are benefitting from the technology of the Frontier's last decade. Incredible writing, music, environments, and voice acting combine to create one of the most powerful experiences in gaming.

03

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)

(Red, Cd Projekt)

With the Witcher 3, CD Projekt Red managed to create a game so compelling that it has almost universal appeal. The open world title brings the player to a beautiful, breathing world that's made dark only by the people and creatures that inhabit it. It ticks all the boxes of a great RPG, from a satisfying combat system to great progression and hundreds of gameplay hours.However, the true mastery of this game lies in its story elements. While games like Skyrim take a more sandbox approach, Wild Hunt's story is at the center of its gameplay. The developers have focused on character on an almost unprecedented level, building emotional relationships into the fabric of the game.This is no more apparent than in the core plot thread. You take the role of Geralt, a grizzled monster hunter, searching the lands for your adoptive daughter as she runs from a malignant force. The intense father-daughter bond drives the story with a natural tension, forcing you to call on old friends to combat it. Those friendships unfold to reveal complex and flawed characters, budding into relationships and conflicts, each perfectly voice acted and animated. They exist not just to serve the main character, but have interactions of their own, giving a true feeling of growth.That's true not just in the main story but with each side quest. Each has its own sub plot, providing entirely different tasks and giving a clearer picture of the world. Add to that the wealth of creatures and the cultural differences between nations, and you have a title that feels entirely real.

04

Planescape: Torment (1999)

(Studios, Black Isle)

At the time of its release, Planescape: Torment was not a huge commercial success. It didn't sell millions of copies, but it was noted as an amazing title, and almost twenty years later, it stands out even more. Planescape shows its age through a dated interface, but the other aspects hold up surprisingly well. Its graphics are relatively timeless, but it's the story that truly stands out. In The Nameless One, the player is given a blank slate. Waking as an amnesiac and nothing but a floating skull for company, his quest is to reclaim his memory. That mystery keeps you invested in the early story, but a bigger component is deciding if you want to live up to the memories you discover.Planescape was one of the first games to introduce branching story and dialogue mechanics, and few games have done it better since. Dialogue is brilliantly executed and text-driven, and the player can legitimately affect the game. Your choices aren't between different vague one-liners with the same outcome, but specific and concrete choices. You can interrogate someone, be witty, ignore someone completely, or outright kill them. It's not just a choice between good and evil, but plenty of hard decisions with gray areas. As a result, this title remains one of the most in depth and fleshed out narratives around.

05

Alan Wake (2010)

(Entertainment, Remedy)

With inspiration from greats like Stephen King, Neil Gaiman and Alfred Hitchcock, you would expect Alan Wake to have a strong story, and you'd be entirely correct. This psychological thriller lives up to its creators' vision with extraordinary atmosphere and a slowly unfolding mystery.The games titular character is a writer at a mountain retreat named Bright Falls, which he quickly discovers is far darker than its name suggests. The town hides a malevolent force, is shrouded in fog, and strange people and creatures shuffle about in the night.In a quest to find his wife, Alice, Alan must sneak through mist-filled woods with only a supernatural flashlight for company. Taking a note from other great horror titles, Alan Wake's story is revealed mostly through manuscript pages and exploration rather than heavy-handed cutscenes. The pace lends itself perfectly to the Bright Fall's moody atmosphere, building from a trickle into a crescendo as the truth begins to reveal itself.

06

Heavy Rain (2010)

(Aspyr, Quantic Dream &)

Heavy Rain is not a perfect game. It struggles with some questionable voice acting, is driven largely by quick time events, and even has some narrative missteps. The scope of it can't be denied, however, and nor can the intense mystery it provides. David Cage presents an entirely original noir thriller, imbued with sci-fi elements and an extraordinary number of different, branching narratives. The game puts you in the shoes of four different characters as you try to figure out the mystery of the 'Origami Killer', who drowns children and leaves paper sculptures on their bodies. Playing as an FBI agent, agoraphobic father, photojournalist and private detective, you gradually discover how their lives are intertwined. Along the way, however, you'll have to make some difficult decisions, and the story is completely shaped by those choices. Protagonists can die quite easily in this franchise, and that doesn't present you with a simple 'try again' screen. Death is permanent, and the lack of that character will have a significant impact on the outcome. This lack of linearity has inspired countless titles since, really taking the genre to another level and proving that video games are a perfect platform for storytelling. With a recent PS4 re-master improving the graphics even further, this revolutionary title must be experienced.

07

Undertale (2015)

(Fox, Toby)

Games with great writing are somewhat of a rarity. Despite some standout titles, there are many that simply focus on mechanics or graphics instead. However, with Undertale, indie developer Toby Fox showed that with a brilliant story, next-gen graphics can fade into the background. Undertale isn't a particularly pretty game. Its style is that of minimal pixels, and they aren't always perfectly executed. None of that matters, because the unification of the game's atmosphere and art style is near-perfect, and it's all a vehicle for the world that Fox has built. In this game, you play a small girl in a mysterious underground world. Monsters who once lived in harmony with humans now inhabit it, sealed in by a magic barrier. It's the perfect breeding ground for an emotional story, but the game also imbues plenty of humor. Comedy is rarely done well in video games, but in this case, it's on-point. Undertale is full of jokes, parodies and random moments. It's present in dialogue, mechanics, and the actions you can take. It subverts RPG and story tropes at every corner, leaving you consistently blinking in disbelief. Despite this, Fox somehow manages to build incredible emotional connections to characters, be it your goat-like mother figure or a skeleton who's trying only half-heartedly to kill you. Add to that the branching endings and huge variation in enemies, and you've got yourself one of the biggest achievements in gaming history.

08

Chrono Trigger (1995)

(Squaresoft, )

It may have roots on the SNES over twenty years ago, but Chrono Trigger is still one of the most original and compelling stories in gaming. This title's originality has led to numerous remakes, and it's still playable today on mobile devices. This game has stood the test of time, and coincidentally, time is its core concept. Crono is a boy from 1000 A.D. who steps through a portal to the future to rescue a friend. In doing so, he discovers that an apocalypse is coming, and must travel through seven different time periods to prevent it. Unfortunately, that's easier said than done, with each action causing a butterfly effect and irrevocably changing the present. Through these mechanics, Square creates a world of cause and effect, where the world is constantly evolving and reacting to your decisions. Yet, despite the gap in time, Chrono Trigger weaves in a story of friendship. Amid paradoxes and time travel, it manages to tell a simple story that can end up to fourteen different ways.

09

Soma (2015)

(Brockmann, Suzanne)

Another horror game with a narrative focus, SOMA introduces Sci-Fi elements and the expertise of Amnesia creators Frictional Games. Like that title, introduction material is very minimal. This game is the ultimate example of 'show don't tell', building an incredible story simply through exploration and atmosphere. That story starts in the shoes of Simon Jarrett, a patient in an underwater research facility. No idea how he got there, his only option is to explore and find answers. Those clues come in the form of flashbacks that are revealed by corpses, and that's also what creates the bulk of the horror. As you try to piece together what happened in the abandoned laboratories, the dread of the situation will slowly rise to a crescendo. Pursued by monsters and with no tools to defend yourself, it's absolutely a terrifying game. But in this case that doesn't take away from the story. Even in the face of horror, SOMA ties in dark humor and exploration of themes and philosophies. It will leave you questioning reality itself, all the while forcing you to hide in your chair.

10

Grand Theft Auto Iv (2008)

(North, Rockstar)

Mechanically, GTA IV is not the best in the series. It takes away many of the RPG elements that made San Andreas great, and its car controls are shaky at best. Nor does it have the incredible world of GTA V, or its three-perspective narrative. It does, however, have a real, well-developed protagonist, and for story alone, it's a standout title. The Eastern European war veteran Niko Belic is a gangster of circumstance rather than choice, forced to defend his brother Roman from loan sharks. He's not trying to prove himself or trying to rule the city, he's just attempting to get by. That fact alone brings something that rarely appears in the GTA series – a sense of humanity and restraint. Doubtless, you'll be forced to perform ruthless tasks, but it won't be with a borderline psychopathy. Niko is quick to anger, but he also presents hints of dry humor and empathy. The game is as much about his relationships as it is his crimes. As he falls deeper into that life, it's his combination of cynicism and humanity that create the story's great emotional gravity.

11

Grim Fandango (1998)

(Productions, Lucasarts & Double Fine)

Great characters are the key to a good story, and Grim Fandango is full them. Though its graphics and audio are naturally dated, the ingenuity of its character and story design is still incredible. This wholly unique experience is why it's still so popular today. In this classic title, you play Manny Calavera, a humble travel agent trying to make a living in a corrupt underworld. Rather than a road straight to heaven, the dead get given various travel packages to the Land of Eternal Rest. How quickly they get there depends on how kind they were, with some journeys taking up to four years. Manny quickly finds that the system is unfair to his client, Meche, who has been sentenced to walk on foot despite her good deeds. Uncovering a deep conspiracy and trying to get justice, the player must solve puzzles and converse with characters to progress. Each is astoundingly well-crafted, voice-acted, and written, with Manny himself presenting a flawed yet developing protagonist that will stick with you long after the conclusion.

12

Portal 2 (2011)

(Press, Future)

There are few series as imaginative as Portal when it comes to storytelling. The first game weaves a short tale with puzzles and comedy, but the second stretches into a longer masterpiece that holds even more value. Back again in the shoes of test subject Chell, you're met by the eccentric Wheatley several years in the future, when the Aperture Science facility is all but abandoned. Waking the evil AI GLaDOS, you're in a constant struggle to survive her test chambers and escape from the laboratories. Of course, all of it is powered by the Aperture Science gun, which lets players traverse the map by placing two linked portals. The layer of complexity adds to the story rather than taking away from it, imbued with pieces of humor and rewarded with dialogue when you're successful. Through it, you will form bonds with inanimate objects, chuckle at its dark comedy, and appreciate every bit of humanity in the cold environment.

13

Silent Hill 2 (2001)

(Tokyo, Konami Computer Entertainment)

Horror isn't usually the genre you associate with great stories. By now, movie-goers will be used to the same tired clichés and plot mechanics. Video games, however, are different, and Silent Hill 2 proved that very early on. This game isn't focused on gore or unnecessary jump scares. Silent Hill presents a town where atmosphere and mental strain is as important as the physical threats. The environment draws on the fears of its visitors, creating the illusions that terrify them most. For James Sunderland, the fear revolves around his dead wife, who he's searching for desperately in the fog-ridden streets. The way the story unfolds, however, is far more unique. Silent Hill 2 introduces elements slowly, gradually building the tension as you discover more about this terrifying place. Its plot is less of a straight line and more of a journey of discovery, gradually lifting the cover on deeper questions about guilt and morality. Even with this, Konami manages to make the story evolve with the player. How you play will shape the ending of the tale, and for once each is just as powerful.

14

Life Is Strange (2015)

(Entertainment, Dontnod)

This fantastic blend of fantasy and high-school drama manages to create a truly emotional story that explores important concepts. Dontnod Entertainment tells the story of a photographer with a mysterious power to turn back time, and through that mechanic, it reveals the unintended consequences actions can have. Max Claufield sees a vision of a storm coming to destroy the fictional town of Arcadia Bay, Oregon, and realizes she can rewind time for a few seconds. Unsure where this power comes from, she uses it to prevent a tragedy, but gets roped into a search for a missing girl as a result. Storm on the backburner, she uses her newfound power in secret to influence important events, creating a butterfly effect of consequences. Combining simple puzzle mechanics with excellent writing and voice acting, Life is Strange weaves a strong story where the bond between characters is paramount. It unflinchingly explores taboo topics, building to an incredible and emotional conclusion.

15

Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic (2006)

(Bioware, )

Plenty of development studios have tried to do justice to the Star Wars name, with varying degrees of success. Knights of the Old Republic got in there early, however, and arguably no game has done it better since. KoTOR is a true Star Wars story, from its memorable characters, to its plotlines and its references. It's clear that BioWare crafted it with a true love for the franchise, and that gives it's an epic scope. The game begins almost 4,000 years before the Galactic Empire, with Darth Malak intent on destroying the Republic with his armada. You start as a nobody on board a Republic ship, fighting your way past Malak's forces and crash landing on the planet of Taris. Escaping just before it's leveled, you take refuge in the Jedi Academy, where you train and begin a quest across the galaxy to destroy Malak's forces. From there, you are constantly bombarded with the game's brilliance. Powerful, emotional decisions, incredible characters, twists, and narrative freedom. All of the major characters have an extensive backstory, driving the players to discover more details and lore elements. You'll meet Wookies, mercenaries, druids and assassins, and each of them has unique personalities. However, this is a BioWare title as well as a Star Wars one, so KoTOR adjusts to your choices. The dialogue you choose, actions you take, and choice of alignment all affect the outcome in this epic sci-fi narrative.

16

Bioshock (2007)

(Games, 2k)

If you're at all familiar with the history of videogames, this title will already hold a place in your heart. But the joy of Bioshock is that it can be discovered by anyone, at any time, and still be a compelling title. Other than the timeless mechanics of first person shooters, this game's ten-year reign is thanks to its incredible world and story. Taking the role of Jack, you crash land in a steampunk dystopia hidden underwater. Known as Rapture, this place is home to terrifying genetically modified humans, abandoned buildings, and hulking machines Driven by a sort of insanity, Raptures inhabitants will attack anything that moves, and it's up to you find out why. However, a deeper story emerges as you fight your way through enemies with magic and pistol. A tale of unchecked capitalism, gray areas, and powerful figures. Through its weaving story, Bioshock acts as a stark warning that still resonates today.

17

Tyranny (2016)

(Entertainment, Obsidian)

There are few games that let you be truly evil. GTA lets you kill civilians, others let you make terrible sacrifices, but the ability to completely crush a civilization is rare. In Tyranny, you can do all of those things. The world has already been taken over by the evil overlord Kyros, and as the Fatebinder, it's up to you to enforce his will. However, even within evil there's wiggle room, and you can choose to be a monster or have mercy where possible. Make no mistake, though, you will face some difficult choices, and all within a world so richly built that it feels a shame to tear it down. Tyranny has a clear Iron Age influence but is complete with fantasy elements and text-driven dialogue that will occasionally give way to a voiced cutscenes. Your task is to end the siege on a rebel fortress and staunch a rebellion, but with high stakes. If you don't succeed, the entire province will be leveled by Kryos' magic edict. The choices you make and the company you keep in that short time will greatly affect the outcome of the story. Entire towns can be slaughtered, populations decimated, factions can be with or against you, and the extent of your power will vary. It adds a huge amount of replayability to the title, but it also acts as a poignant exploration of gray areas, and for that alone it deserves a place on this list.

18

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty (2001)

(Japan, Konami Computer Entertainment)

The Metal Gear Solid series has gone down as some of the best storytelling, not just in video games, but period. But while there are countless titles that deserve an accolade, Sons of Liberty is that title that truly captured gamers hearts. It was one of the most hyped games in history, with impossible expectations, yet somehow it met all of them. In MGS2, you play a fresh-faced agent called Raiden, who embarks on a complex story of deception, terrorism, and action. The plot is the shining point of this title, much more winding than the first, but with the same absolute dedication to character, voice acting, and atmosphere. I can't go any further than that without spoiling the story, but rest assured that it's populated with tons of incredible cutscenes, dialogue, and lore. Sons of liberty seems almost like a mashup of multiple genres, a combination of stealth-action and interactive movie. But the skill that Kojima does it with, combined with its beautiful music and environments, will always leave players astounded.

19

Gone Home (2013)

(City, The Fullbright Company & Midnight)

On the surface, The Fullbright Company's Gone Home is a very simple game. It's a first-person exploration of a house in Portland, Oregon in 1995. In fact, to many, that would sound boring, but the developer's execution of a very simple concept has led to an overwhelmingly positive response. This title is from the perspective of 21-year-old Katie Greenbriar who returns home to her family to find the house deserted. Ignoring the note that tells her not to investigate, you begin to very slowly piece the story together. Objects and notes within the game will unlock different areas of the house, creating a puzzle element that adds value without being too demanding. Despite this, Gone Home tells a story that's realistic and told beautifully. You wouldn't expect objects to convey such emotion, but Fullbright ties in audio narration to give a true feel of the protagonist and her struggles. It gives an unflinching look at topics that are still needlessly taboo today, ultimately crafting a story that will stay with its players forever.

20

The Wolf Among Us (2013)

(Games, Telltale)

Telltale came into the spotlight with its adaptation of The Walking Dead, but this title's focus makes for a much more original story. An adaptation of Bill Willingham's Fables, it tells the tale of folklore creatures forced into the human world after an evil figure takes over their own. Settling in Fabletown, Manhattan, they have to stay hidden from the outside world, and you follow major Bigby Wolf as he tries to stop the town from falling apart. Of course, in typical Telltale style, it's not just a regular, linear story. The decisions you make across the various episodes significantly affect the ending. If anything, this lends itself even better to The Wolf Among Us than previous titles, forcing players to accept the grim reality and highlighting issues of class and immigration. Tasked with solving a murder in Fabletown, there's a growth in detective work via Bigby, and it creates an intelligent combination of point and click and branching dialogue. Discovering clues lets you question characters, but pushing them too hard can be counter intuitive. As the tension builds, decisions get more brutal and difficult, excellent voice acting tugging at your heartstrings as you try to do the right thing.

21

Final Fantasy Vi

(Squaresoft, )

While Final Fantasy VII is undoubtedly one of the best in the series, there's plenty of value to be found in its predecessor, too. The sixth installment may not have the same 3D graphics, but it does edge just ahead in terms of its narrative. Set in a world reminiscent of the second industrial revolution, this title features a grand total of fourteen playable characters. Each is fleshed out and has distinct differences, and together, the group of rebel's plot to overthrow a dictatorship. The setting provides a different feel to the usual medieval environment of the series, but it also offers a look at a different culture. Square builds in all of the aspects you'd expect from a 19th-century steampunk world, including opera, arts, railroads, and steamships. The game is huge in scope, both in its characterization and its twisting, world-changing plot. As you take on huge powers with a band of memorable but conflicting characters, any of the game's flaws fade into the background. Square pulls you into its highly emotional tale with a scope and grace that hasn't been matched.

22

Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time (1998)

(Ead, Nintendo)

There's no doubt that the Zelda series holds some amazing storytelling. The reinvention of Link's legend with each telling is the ground for consistently new and interesting tales. This particular title, however, has reached an acclaim above all the others, presenting one of the first action adventure games, but also some of the time's most emotional scenes. Part of that is the feeling of tragedy that underpins Ocarina of Time. Link is thrust from his happy forest life into a world much darker, with a fight that seems impossible and an imprisoned love. Link must fight off Ganondorf at the request of Princess Zelda, and that quest takes him across Hyrule. Tied into that is Link's ability to travel through time, characters in the present hinting at things from the past that you haven't gone back and done yet. It weaves a story that gives a look at the intricacies of our speechless hero, and does so with fantastic characters, addictive gameplay, and an incredible soundtrack to boot.

23

Baldur's Gate 2 (2000)

(Bioware, )

This faultless improvement on the original title still has a scope beyond many of today's biggest RPGs. Created at BioWare's heights, this game throws you into a D&D inspired world where the protagonist is the subject of a series of magical experiments. Escaping from your cage and into a high fantasy environment, you'll be met with hundreds of hours of quests, fighting and story, but it's not the usual low effort approach. In Baldur's Gate 2, every task is meticulously crafted, down to the characters, dialogue, and themes. There are few repetitive quests and little hand holding. You'll probably die countless times, but each feels like a learning experience rather than a frustration. Those encounters also drive the story, pulling you intro intricate plot threads that will eventually blend into a satisfying and cohesive whole.

24

Deus Ex (2000)

(Storm, Ion)

This is a title as revolutionary in its story as it is in its mechanics. Deus Ex has been labeled a founding father of the stealth genre, but underneath those accolades is an incredible, original story that still resonates. Thrown into a cyberpunk world, you take the role of JC Denton, a nano-augmented solider with an important mission. You must recover the vaccine for a man-made virus from a dangerous terrorist organization. The premise is simple, but the overall plot is not. Deus Ex is filled with twists, layers, metaphors and side plots. Its extensive diversions from the original path both offer variety, and gives the impression of a real story. It weaves into different paths, adapts to newly discovered information, presenting anything but a straight line from start to finish. It's a game that truly adapts to your actions, and one that will keep you invested all the way.

25

Half Life 2 (2004)

(Corporation, Valve)

There's little bad to be said about this title, which has kept gamers yearning for the next installment for over a decade. It's easily one of the best games ever created, and that owed to its story just as much as it's incredible combination of atmosphere, gunplay, and audio. Similarly to the first title, the story follows theoretical scientist Gordon Freeman, but this time the location is entirely different. Rather than the streets of modern America, you'll find yourself in City 17, a dystopia home to the alien Combine forces. With the world taken over, it's up to you to figure out how to save the human race and it return it to its former glory. The story sounds simple enough, but there's far more nuance than a short paragraph can explain. The say Valve combines simplicity with its own style is nothing short of masterful, giving a true atmosphere of eastern Europe through various service announcements and overheard conversations. That dialogue is well voice acted, well written, and gives ample room for the player to think and discover conclusions on their own. There are no cutscenes, no branching narratives, just a linear, expertly polished tale with plenty of hidden depth.