Beyond: Two Souls

We've mentioned Indigo Prophecy already on this list, masterminded by David Cage and developed by Quantic Dream. It's an old game, however, and the development team now has had years to build its expertise. With Beyond: Two Souls, they push slightly out of the interactive movie genre and more into a fully-fledged gaming title. The result is an entirely unique experience. The game follows Jodie, a girl bound to an ethereal presence called Aiden that lets her possess minds and move objects. You can switch between the two at will, listening in on conversations, choking people, or getting a different perspective. It sounds like a cool power, but it's not an easy life. Quantic Dream pushes it past a simple superhero story with emotion and hardship. There's a powerful sense of conflict as Jodie and Aiden are forced to accept each other and life outside of a lab. This all ties in with the textbook elements of Cage's stories. Intense quick-time events and powerful action scenes have a real and very noticeable impact on the story. With outstanding performances of Ellen Page and Willem Dafoe, Quantic Dream has produced a game that has a lasting and poignant impact.