Story-driven video games have always been the pinnacle of gaming. They provide the most immersive and enjoyable experiences with their creative and elaborate storylines. These titles allow players to escape the monotony of everyday life by drifting into the rich and diverse worlds they offer.
With multiplayer titles and live service-based video games gaining popularity in recent years, many developers have developed the idea that story-based single-player video titles are on the decline. However, these story-rich games continue to bring great gaming experiences to fans around the world.
Note: This article is subjective and reflects the opinion of the writer only.
Red Dead Redemption 2, Ghost of Tsushima and 8 other great storytelling video games that have earned their place among the greats of all time
1) The Last of Us
Developed by Naughty Dog and released by Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2013, The Last of Us is widely regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time.
Despite the outdated gameplay mechanics and linear plot progression, the game has set the standard for other single-player video games with its flawless narrative and compelling character arcs.
The Last of Us follows Joel Miller as he travels through a dystopian post-apocalyptic world filled with infected creatures to escort a child named Ellie to a group called the Fireflies. Their interactive dynamic and budding father-daughter-like relationship is the crux of the experience, taking players on an emotional ride.
2) God of War (2018)
The God of War series has provided fans with some of the best PlayStation exclusive video games over the years. With its soft reboot in 2018, the series made a glorious return to modern consoles with a Game of the Year-winning effort.
Despite continuing the lore of the previous games, God of War (2018) has made some bold and ambitious changes that have completely revived the feel of the series. The shift from Greek to Norse mythology is just the beginning. The game also has an over-the-shoulder perspective rather than the fixed camera-angle approach of previous titles.
Kratos, the main character, seems to be a completely different person. He is no longer the furious personification of ruthless revenge. Instead, he is a rather wise and stoic father who accompanies his son Atreus on a perilous journey to fulfill his wife’s dying wish.
With God of War Ragnarok set to be released in November 2022, now is the perfect time for players to revisit this masterpiece.
3) Red Dead Redemption 2
As the sequel to 2010’s Game of the Year, Red Dead Redemption 2 had a lot of hype leading up to its release. Rockstar Games delivered on all fronts and blown all expectations out of the water with the most immersive and polished open world experience.
The game follows the adventures of Arthur Morgan, a rebellious gunfighter and bounty hunter. He struggles to find a place for himself in an unknown civilized world, while caring for his loved ones and fighting the law.
The vast world is full of side missions, activities and brilliant NPC interactions. It earns its reputation as one of the greatest video games of all time, thanks to a captivating story that will leave players in tears by the time it reaches its conclusion.
4) Marvel’s Spider-Man
The genre of superhero themed video games is often plagued with mediocrity. In addition to the Arkham series, most titles do not faithfully represent the source material or offer a disappointing gaming experience in general. However, Marvel’s Spider-Man defies both standards by giving fans the ultimate Spidey experience.
Much can be said about the depth of the game’s combat and web-slinging mechanics, as well as its beautiful graphics and cinematic set-piece events. However, the real credit lies in the expertly crafted story that makes players invested in the story.
Marvel’s Spider-Man truly encompasses all aspects that make Spider-Man a brilliant and recognizable character. It delivers a heartbreaking story to complement the enjoyable action scenes.
5) Grand Theft Auto V
Rockstar Games is truly the master of crafting masterful story-based video games. The company has proven itself over the years with games like Red Dead Redemption and Bully, along with the popular GTA series.
Released in 2013, GTA V is one of the most commercially successful games of all time. Launched on three different console generations, the game continues to entertain fans to this day.
GTA V is unique among its peers in that it allows players to seamlessly switch between three different character perspectives and complete missions with each of them to further develop the plot.
The huge open world, side missions, entertaining characters and NPCS, as well as the wide variety of activities, all complement the enjoyable storyline to create the ultimate gaming experience.
6) The Walking Dead
Developed and published by Telltale Games in 2012, The Walking Dead is a choice-based interactive adventure game set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by zombies.
The game follows the story of Lee Everett, a college professor and convicted criminal, who rescues and raises a young girl named Clementine. Their relationship is at the center of the game’s story, portraying a beautiful and emotional journey.
The choice-based plot progression adds even greater depth to the immersion the game offers. Players quickly bond with the characters, making their story even more empathetic and heartbreaking. It earns its spot on this list as one of the best story-driven video games of all time.
7) Ghost of Tsushima
Released in 2020 by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Ghost of Tsushima is the epitome of what the PlayStation 4 console can offer in terms of graphics capabilities. Not only is it one of the most visually impressive video games of all time, but it also has an immersive storyline that makes players feel like a true samurai warrior.
The game tells the story of the adventures of Jin Sakai, a samurai who tries to protect his homeland during the Mongol invasion. The combat system in the game features a mix of sword fighting and stealth-based killing mechanics.
As one of the last AAA video games to be released before the release of PlayStation 5, Ghost of Tsushima is a fitting farewell to the previous generation of consoles.
8) Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
The Metal Gear series is one of the most recognizable names in the stealth action video game genre. Since its inception in 1987, the franchise has continued to innovate, providing fans with numerous iconic titles.
The Phantom Pain was released in 2015 by Konami. It serves as the perfect culmination of decades of creativity by Kojima Productions. It contains everything fans love about MGS video games and offers them a visually stunning open world experience.
The game follows the story of Venom Snake as he embarks on a vengeful journey to seek retribution against the people who killed his troops. The classic stealth mechanics and close quarter combat of the Metal Gear franchise are at their peak in this title. Players are given more freedom than ever when it comes to their approach to the game.
9) Batman: Arkham Knight
With their Arkham series, Rocksteady Studios managed to break the standards and finally do justice to the genre of superhero themed video games. The series sets the standard for future titles with its flawless story, immersive environments, innovative combat mechanics and faithful reproduction of the source material.
As the defining title in the series, Arkham Knight offers a fitting end to the Caped Crusader’s journey with a narrative experience that respects original lore.
Batman’s battle against his own demons and the ubiquitous theme of good versus evil work together to create a story that truly immerses players in the world of Gotham City.
10) NieR: vending machines
Released in 2017 by Square Enix, NieR: Automata is an action RPG that differs from other video games in the genre by the sheer diversity of storylines. Despite being an incredibly action-oriented title, the game is anything but linear as players can reach up to 26 endings with multiple playthroughs.
The game takes place in a dystopian depiction of the Earth, as humanity has left the planet and left behind androids to fight against an alien invasion. The hack-and-slash combat system is incredibly entertaining, offering a masterful mix of melee and projectile attacks. The open world adds an extra dimension of freedom for players and gives the game more replay value.
An outlier in its genre, NieR: Automata is definitely one of the most unique video games of all time, earning its spot on this list.
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