The Best Story-Driven Games

A video game can have the best graphics ever seen but if the story doesn't grab a gamer's attention, then all may be lost. As players look to games for more than just fun game-play and adventure, stories have never been more important. Story-driven games have a narrative as their backbone, hoping to not only entertain with a great game but to tell an engaging and heartfelt tale.

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By  Zackari Greif

Narrative adventures and story-rich RPGs have become increasingly popular through the years, with players seeking an emotional connection to characters in smart and interesting stories. Now is the best time to delve into the world of amazing and underrated story-driven games.

10 A Plague Tale: Innocence

A Story Of Survival Against The Odds

A Plague Tale: Innocence takes you on an emotionally charged journey through grim, plague-ridden medieval France. At the heart of the story are two children, Amicia and Hugo, who are being pursued by The Inquisition and hideous swarms of rats.

The story is a gritty, heart-wrenching and enthralling tale depicting the loss of innocence through war and disease. It has horror, mystery and intrigue brought to life by likeable and interesting characters. The gameplay can be a little frustrating in places, but the characterization and plot carry players through with ease.

9 Pentiment

A Compelling Medieval Adventure

Pentiment is another historical narrative game, this time set in 16th-century Europe. Graphically, the game is stunning, with bright, stylized artwork displayed as if straight from a medieval manuscript. This fits the exciting character-driven tale as players discover secrets and stories in a Bavarian town.

As a medieval illustrator, Andreas Maler, players find themselves embroiled in a murderous mystery. Each decision has a consequence and impacts generations to come as Andreas uncovers conspiracies and secrets through the years. Pentiment combines elements of an engaging RPG with a fascinating visual novel in a compelling and beautiful package.

8 Disco Elysium - The Final Cut

A Challenging, Humorous RPG

In Disco Elysium - The Final Cut, the player is a detective investigating crimes and interrogating suspects. It could be perceived as a simple mystery RPG but it soon becomes clear that this is far more meaningful than that.

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By  James Houghton

Disco Elysium explores existential themes of loss and alienation and delves deep into the human condition. Each character the player meets is unique, with their own complex and fascinating backstory. Everywhere the player turns there is another character to speak with to gain insight or just to pass the time. There is a lot of dialogue, but it is cleverly written with a descriptive and captivating style.

7 Firewatch

A Gripping Mystery

Firewatch is an intimate and dialogue-driven game with an emotionally charged narrative. Set in the beautiful wilderness, players explore the evolving relationship between protagonist Henry and his supervisor Delilah through only a hand-held radio.

Players may start by enjoying an intriguing story set in a simple walking simulator game, but they will soon find that Firewatch is a far more immersive and meaningful experience than first expected. The conversations between Henry and Delilah are reflective and amusing; together they help craft what is a beautifully atmospheric game that stays with the player for a long time.

6 Oxenfree

A Ghostly Adventure Game

Oxenfree blends a ghost story with teen drama to create a thrilling supernatural adventure game. As the main protagonist, Alex, players join a group of friends who accidentally open a rift on an old military island, releasing strange creatures into the night.

The dialogue is well-written and only made better by the superb voice acting. The teen characters are believable, and their chemistry and interactions are great. As a narrative adventure game, Oxenfree makes the conversations feel fluid and realistic, while every decision made changes the relationships and story. It is a wonderful game to try and replay as often as possible to see which ending you can uncover.

5 The Vanishing Of Ethan Carter

An Elegant First-Person Mystery

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a haunting mystery game with stunning visuals and a soundtrack to match. A brutal murder has been uncovered, a local boy is missing, and strange things are occurring in Red Creek Valley. Playing as Detective Paul Prospero, the aim is to piece together fragments of the story as it unfolds by solving puzzles and exploring the environment fully.

The game is full of supernatural and creepy moments as players explore the ominous town of Red Creek Valley. The story dips and twists in a non-linear fashion as the spooky detective interrogates the dead and the living to find out the truth about The Vanishing of Ethan Carter.

4 Slay The Princess

A Disturbing And Delightful Game

Staying in the realm of the spooky and strange, Slay The Princess is a visual novel with seemingly endless branches created through players' decisions. The hand-pencil drawing aesthetic lends itself wonderfully to the fairytale book style, but there will be no happily ever after.

Slay The Princess is disturbing and thought-provoking. It has surprising moments of depth and emotion as the player battles with the decision to slay or save the beautiful and terrible princess. The endless branching paths and character interactions are written with intelligence and wit, making it a pleasure to play again and again.

3 Spiritfarer

A Literal Spiritual Journey

Spiritfarer is a cozy management game like no other. Set in a magical world with sumptuous colours and interesting characters, the player has the important job of ferrymaster to the dead. There may be crafting, building and exploring to do but this game is centered on its stories most of all.

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Each spirit has their own rich and moving story to tell and as the player travels with them, they are treated to each one in turn. Spiritfarer introduces the unique and well-written characters to help explore sensitive topics like death and loss, and learning how to say goodbye.

2 Gris

A Serene And Sorrowful Story

When playing for the first time, the most striking thing about Gris is the captivating watercolor art style. That, combined with the ethereal soundtrack and textless gameplay, it feels at times like an animated movie more than a game.

The protagonist, Gris, channels her trauma through her clothing, changing its shape and discovering new abilities. The story takes players on a poignant experience as Gris grows and recovers from her emotional ordeal. It is an absorbing, artistic and all-around stunning experience which grows more colorful as it progresses.

1 What Remains Of Edith Finch

A Strange And Bittersweet Journey

Was there truly a Finch family curse or did it just become a self-fulfilling prophecy? As the last one left alive in her entire family, Edith Finch explores her family home to find out the truth once and for all. What transpires is a unique and imaginative journey through the death days of each Finch family member.

That may sound morbid but in fact What Remains Of Edith Finch leans more towards poignant, hopeful, and emotionally rich. Players get to enjoy little puzzles and mini-games as they journey through the Finch family home and the memories locked away inside.

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