Video games have traveled above and beyond since their inception. No longer are they just about button-mashing or shooting your way through levels? Many games today focus on storytelling, creating immersive and engaging experiences for players. Here are 10 of the best story-driven videogames of all time, which have left a lasting impact on the gaming world.
1. The Last of Us (2013)
The Last of Us is widely regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time, winning numerous awards and critical acclaim for its gripping story, characters, and gameplay. The Last of Us takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where a fungus has taken control of most of the population, turning them into flesh-hungry “infected.” The story follows Joel, a smuggler living in a quarantine zone in Boston, who is tasked with escorting a young girl named Ellie across the country to a group of resistance fighters known as the Fireflies. The game’s gripping story, memorable characters, and intense gameplay make it a must-play for any fan of action-adventure or survival horror games.
2. Mass Effect 2 (2010)
Mass Effect 2 is the second game in the Mass Effect trilogy and is widely regarded as one of the best RPGs ever made. The game takes place in the Milky Way galaxy, where humans and other alien species have established a spacefaring civilization. The player takes on the role of Commander Shepard, a human soldier who is tasked with assembling a team to stop a new threat to the galaxy: the mysterious Collectors. Shepard must recruit a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique abilities and personalities, to form a team capable of taking on the Collectors. Along the way, Shepard must navigate complex political alliances, make tough moral decisions, and uncover the secrets behind the Collectors’ motives.
3. Bioshock (2007)
The game takes place in 1960, where the player character, Jack, survives a plane crash and finds himself stranded in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. He discovers an underwater city called Rapture, built by the eccentric billionaire Andrew Ryan as a utopia for the world’s brightest minds and talents. However, Jack quickly discovers that Rapture has become a dystopian nightmare, overrun by genetic mutants called “splicers” and ruled by Ryan’s former protégé, Frank Fontaine. Jack must navigate the dangerous world of Rapture, uncover its dark secrets, and decide the fate of the city and its inhabitants.
4. Red Dead Redemption (2010)
Set in the American Old West in the early 20th century, Red Dead Redemption is widely regarded as one of the best games of its generation. The game takes place in 1911, where the player character, John Marston, is a former outlaw who has retired to a ranch with his family. However, the government forces Marston to track down his former gang members in exchange for his family’s safety. Marston must navigate the dangerous world of the Old West, facing off against rival gangs, corrupt officials, and dangerous wildlife. Along the way, he meets a diverse cast of characters, each with their own motivations and secrets.
5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
The game follows the story of Geralt of Rivia, a skilled monster hunter known as a Witcher. Geralt is on a mission to find his adopted daughter, Ciri, who is being pursued by the powerful Wild Hunt. Along the way, Geralt must navigate a complex web of politics and intrigue, facing off against powerful enemies and making difficult moral choices. The game’s combat is challenging and dynamic, with gamers facing off against a variety of monsters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The game’s open world is vast and detailed, with numerous side-quests and secrets to discover.
