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The Most Compelling Video Game Storylines Ever

Originally by Ranker Community

Updated February 16, 2020 332.6k votes 39.1k voters 699.1k views271 items

List RulesOnly games with great narratives (graphics and gameplay not considered).

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.

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1
9,355
2,686
The Last of Us
Action-adventure game, Survival horror
Release: 2013
Developer: Naughty Dog
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2
6,161
2,164
Red Dead Redemption
Action-adventure game
Release: 2010
Developer: Rockstar San Diego
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3
5,972
1,344
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Action role-playing game
Release: 2015
Developer: CD Projekt RED
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4
2,602
1,127
Tell Tale's The Walking Dead
Episodic video game, Adventure
Release: 2012
Developer: Telltale Games
5
5,117
2,369
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Action role-playing game, Adventure
Release: 2003
Developer: Aspyr, BioWare
6
6,155
2,738
BioShock Infinite
Shooter game, Action-adventure game
Release: 2013
Developer: Irrational Games, 2K Marin
7
2,859
1,225
Fallout: New Vegas
Shooter game, Action role-playing game
Release: 2010
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment

8
3,042
1,344
Metal Gear Solid
Shooter game, Action-adventure game
Release: 1998
Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo, Konami
9
731
63
Red Dead Redemption II
Action-adventure
Release: 2018
Developer: Rockstar Studios
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10
2,508
938
Life Is Strange
11
4,174
1,985
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Action-adventure game, Action role-playing game
Release: 1998
Developer: Grezzo, Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development
12
4,289
2,243
Assassin's Creed II
Action-adventure game, Stealth game
Release: 2009
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
13
4,507
2,221
Final Fantasy VII
Role-playing
Release: 1997
Developer: Eidos Interactive, Square
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14
3,192
1,653
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Action-adventure
Release: 2009
Developer: Rocksteady Studios
15
1,041
482
The Wolf Among Us
Graphic adventure
Release: 2013
Developer: Telltale Games
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16
1,381
660
Tomb Raider
Action-adventure
Release: 2013
Developer: Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Montreal
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17
2,082
934
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords
Action role-playing game, Action game
Release: 2004
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
18
3,551
1,884
Dragon Age: Origins
Role-playing video game
Release: 2009
Developer: Edge of Reality, BioWare
19
514
128
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
Action-adventure game, Third-person Shooter
Release: 2016
Developer: Naughty Dog
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20
1,804
849
Grand Theft Auto V
Action-adventure game, Racing video game
Release: 2013
Developer: Rockstar North
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21
2,444
1,273
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Action-adventure game, Action game
Release: 2004
Developer: Rockstar North
22
393
103
Horizon Zero Dawn
Action role-playing
Release: 2017
Developer: Guerrilla Games
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.
23
4,590
2,484
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Action role-playing game, fantasy
Release: 2011
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
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24
998
480
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Action role-playing
Release: 2014
Developer: BioWare
25
2,535
1,257
Final Fantasy X
Console role-playing game, Role-playing video game
Release: 2001
Developer: Square
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