Video games are an immersive medium. A good story isn’t just engrossing, it can feel like the events of the game are happening toyou. A good story will stick with you long after you’ve finished playing.
Sometimes the narrative reacts to your actions, while other times you’re just following a path laid out in front of you like a good book or a movie. Here are some of the medium’s finest moments, no spoilers.
12The Last of Us
Both games inThe Last of Usseries have impactful narratives, believable characters, and plot points that will have you on the edge of your seat. I’m going to single out the first game here, not only because it’s the obvious starting place for any newcomer but because masterfully depicts a rapidly changing world and the impact that these changes have on a varied cast of characters.
The Last of Usis a gritty zombie game in which a mutated strain of the Cordyceps fungus turns its hosts into aggressive hordes of infected. The game mostly takes part from the perspective of antihero Joel as he escorts the young Ellie across the United States. The plot twists and turns, particularly in the second game, while the gameplay remains an engaging yet bloody mixture of stealth, action, and exploration.
The Last of Ushas beenadapted for TV, though the story told in the series diverges from that told in the games.
Red Dead Redemptionis a 2010 open-world Western from Rockstar Games, a company better known for theGrand Theft Autoseries. It tells the tale of the player character John Marston as he is forced to hunt down members of his former outlaw gang during the dying days of the Wild West.
Players are free to soak in the world as they move between missions, completing side quests and stumbling upon random encounters. The game manages to pack so many Western tropes in, from storming well-guarded forts to buddying up with snake oil salesmen and ambushing stagecoaches.
What follows is one of the finest stories in video games, with top-notch world-building, performances, and the perfect soundtrack.
10Shenmue
Originally released on the Dreamcast in 1999 (and now available onSteam)Shenmuetells a tale of revenge as you step into the shoes of Ryo Hazuki who takes it upon himself to investigate why his father was killed and who is responsible. The ensuing mystery takes you beyond the confines of your small village to dangerous and far-away places in search of answers.
While some aspects ofShenmuearen’t for everyone, the game represented a significant step forward for open-world gameplay when it burst onto the scene. The story itself is gripping, and you’ll explore many different facets of Japanese culture on your journey. The game is set in the 1980s, which adds even more flavor.
Fair warning: Shenmue’s creator Yu Suzuki still hasn’t managed to conclude the saga, even after three games. While it’s the journey and not the destination that counts, you might find yourself waiting a while (or forever) for answers.
9Firewatch
Having earned a reputation as one of the best “walking simulators” of all time,Firewatchis a must-play narrative adventure thatyou can finish in an evening. Take on the role of a fire lookout in Wyoming’s Shoshone National Forest, an isolated and theoretically peaceful way to spend a summer.
But things aren’t quite as they seem. You’ll soon find yourself investigating some strange goings on, which leads to some genuinely puzzling moments where you’re really not sure which direction the story is going to take. The whole time you’re bathing in the beauty of a rural woodland setting, speaking to a mysterious voice through your walkie-talkie.
The game keeps you guessing, while its short runtime leaves you wanting more (in a good way).
8Outer Wilds
Outer Wildsis a time-loop game and it’s not a spoiler to say that if you knowexactlywhat you need to do, you can complete the game in a matter of minutes. Of course, the whole point ofOuter Wildsis to use the time-loop mechanic to your advantage to experience and explore as much of the world as possible in order to unravel the mystery.
Though the game world resets each time the world ends, your own knowledge slowly builds. Each loop gets you a little further as you learn more about the cultures that call the universe home, and the systems you need to manipulate in order to end it once and for all.
The game might have the “loosest” narrative thread on the list since it’s a story that you ultimately need to discover for yourself rather than following a plot, but it’s also arguably one of the most satisfying games here because of it.
7Mafia
The originalMafiawas released in 2002 as an open-world action adventure that broke new ground. In 2020,Mafia: The Definitive Editionwas released and though the game is far from perfect the story alone is enough to keep you engaged. Like a good mobster movie, the action takes place as a series of flashbacks while an unfolding conversation keeps the narrative grounded in a “bigger picture” of sorts.
You play as Tommy Angelo, a lowly taxi driver who falls in with the formidable Salieri family in the fictional city of Lost Haven (which is based on Chicago). As the narrative wears on, you see Tommy move from small-time racketeering to big-time organized crime and the toll this takes on him.
Though the shooting is clunky and the driving could be better, the game’s writing, voice acting, and eventual crescendo make it worth seeing through to the end. If you enjoy this, ensure to check out the rest of the series.
6Spec Ops: The Line
Most games about war see you take on the role of a battle-hardened action movie hero. Racking up hundreds of kills and then base-jumping to freedom or escaping on the back of an ATV during a firefight is no big deal these days. ButSpec Ops: The Linehits differently. This third-person shooter puts you in the shoes of Captain Martin Walker as he ventures into a post-apocalyptic Dubai as part of an elite team of soldiers.
Over time, the game tells the tale of a soldier who is haunted by what he sees. The psychological effects of warfare manifest as visual and auditory hallucinations. You have to make moral decisions as part of the story, and the player character’s actions become more violent as your mental state deteriorates. This is not your averageCall of DutyorGhost Recon.
While the gameplay is nothing to write home about, the way the game tells its story makes it worth your time. Unfortunately, 2K has removed the game from sale due to licensing issues which means it’s hard to get hold of outside ofphysical copiesfor the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
5Yakuza 0
It is sometimes said thatShenmuewalked so thatYakuzacould run, and it’s true that there are a lot of similarities between the franchises (and SEGA is responsible for both). ButYakuza 0writes a very different kind of story, a tale of being fully immersed in Japan’s organized crime world, told from multiple perspectives.
2015’sYakuza 0is a prequel to the original title, setting up two of the series’ most important characters: Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima. This is a game where a lot of things happen, and you won’t be sat waiting around for the action to start. As the two playable protagonists’ paths intertwine, you’ll be left discovering a tale that’s more akin to a four-season Netflix spectacular than a video game.
While there’s a lot ofYakuzato sink your teeth into,0is a great starting point.
4Sleeping Dogs
It would be easy to dismissSleeping Dogsas a mereGTAclone, but that would be a mistake. The game tells the tale of Wei Shen, a cop who goes undercover in a bid to infiltrate a Triad organized crime ring. The game continually throws curveballs that you must navigate through the eyes of the law like being told to prove your loyalty by killing rivals.
The narrative is made even more lively by the existence of police, triad, and civilian missions (with different types of XP awarded for each). The game is dripping in atmosphere, with a lively city to explore, a killer soundtrack, and a narrative that will make you feel like you’re playing a Hong Kong action film.
On top of an award-winning story, the game is notable for its use of melée combat in an open-world setting, which really sets it apart from itsTrue Crimeroots.
3Hades
Rarely do you play arun-based roguelikeand come away feeling exhilarated by the quality of the writing, but that’s exactly what happened to me withHades. In it, you play the role of Zagreus as he attempts to escape from his father’s clutches to reach Mount Olympus. Each run gives you a random assortment of boons that lead to wildly different character builds, keeping the game feeling fresh despite its repetitive nature.
As each run ends, you return to the Underworld and converse with its various residents (including those who fight to stop you from leaving). Successfully escaping is far from the end of the game, and you’ll keep trying just to see more of the story unfold as you go.
