The Most Compelling Video Game Storylines Ever
Video game stories range from the extremely simplistic to the staggeringly complex. While early games - and many contemporary ones focused on gameplay - treat the plot as a loose outline filled in by action or puzzles, some games have tried to push the boundaries and tell emotionally gripping, cinematic stories with elements of interactive control and player choices that forward the storyline.
The advent of so-called "sandbox" games, which give players more freedom in choosing how to explore the environment, which missions to embark upon and what order to progress in has also served to make games more character-driven and involving. ("Fallout 3," for example, builds up a karmic profile of the player based on decisions in how to advance through missions.) These best storyline games build on the gameplay and graphics with genuinely good stories.
Currently at the top of the list of the best video game storylines are the Mass Effect games with BioShock, The Last of Us, and Half-Life 2 all in contention for the number one spot. Gamers will also recognize other popular video game franchises, like the worlds of Kingdom Hearts, or Metal Gear Solid and Assassin's Creed, which feature twists and surprises in their storylines.
This list collects the games with the most entertaining and involving storylines. Vote for your favorite games on the list, and build your own version to add more suggestions that aren't already ranked! There is no shortage of games with amazing stories.
- Action-adventure
- Action role-playing game
- Action-adventure game, Survival horror
- Action-adventure game
Life Is Strange
- 6
Shooter game, Action-adventure game - Shooter game, Action role-playing game, Action game
- Action role-playing, Adventure, Role-playing
- Shooter game, Action-adventure game, Action game
- Action-adventure game, Third-person Shooter
- Action-adventure game, Action role-playing game, Action game
- Action-adventure game, Action role-playing game
- Episodic video game, Adventure, Graphic adventure game
- Role-playing
- Action role-playing, Action, Adventure
- Action-adventure game, Beat 'em up, Stealth game
- 17Action-adventure, Hack and slash
- Action-adventure game, Action role-playing game, Action game
- 19Action-adventure game, Action game, Hack and slash
- Action-adventure game, Stealth game
- Role-playing
- Action-adventure
- Graphic adventure
- Shooter game, Third-person Shooter, Action role-playing game
- Action role-playing
Horizon Zero Dawn is an action role-playing video game developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation 4 and released in early 2017.
