Here’s a look at the top 5 story-driven games you can play this year. Although some of these games were released years ago, they are still held in high regard because of their great storylines.
A game with a great story often sits atop the charts because of its focus on an interactive narrative. It makes the player feel he or she is inside the game. The story also gives a sense of satisfaction as every new stage mimics a new chapter of a book.
The best example of this type of game is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. It came out in 2015 and it continues to be one of the most suggested games to play in 2020.
There are a lot of titles with the same impact as The Witcher. These titles will take a lot of your time, so get ready for a long grind.
Here are some of the video games available with very impressive stories.
1. Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
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This game is available on several gaming platforms and it is well-recommended. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the most iconic role-playing games (RPG) created in the decade. It even spawned its own Netflix adaptation.
The player takes the role of Geralt as he navigates an open-world to find the child of prophecy. The freedom to explore cities and activate side-quests adds to the depth of its story.
Battling in-game gets sluggish at times. But story-wise, it is hands down one of the best available right now, and probably better than its rivals in the same genre, such as the Assassin’s Creed series.
2. The Last of Us
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The Last of Us follows the story of Joel and Ellie in a zombie-infested post-apocalyptic world. It came out in 2013, but it is still considered a must-try today.
This PS4 exclusive features visuals and gameplay, in addition to its stellar narrative. The game is not the typical hack and slash, or a shooter. It is more than that. It tells the story of two strangers bonding over a fallen world.
The game progresses in a linear fashion. As The Last of Us moves forward, it shows the back story of the characters. How the story is told often hooks the player into the game.
The Last of Us is praised for its story that is comparable to movies and books.
The sequel The Last of Us 2 is set to be released this year.
3. Detroit: Become Human
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Quantic Dream released Detroit: Become Human in 2018, becoming a huge hit and garnering positive reviews.
This game is a third-person adventure game that follows the story of three androids named Kara, Connor, and Markus. These androids have their own narrative in the game and it is up to the player to decide their destiny.
Story-wise, Detroit: Become Human is one of the best releases in 2018. It won several awards such as the 2019 SXSW Gaming Awards “Excellence in Narrative,” the Italian Video Game Awards “Best Narrative,” and Develop: Star Awards “Best Narrative” award. It garnered a total of 68 nominations from different awarding bodies in several categories.
4. Persona 5
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Persona 5 is a role-playing game developed by Altus and released on the PlayStation in 2017. It follows the story of Joker and the vigilante group called “Phantom Thieves of Hearts.” The protagonists set out to fight for justice and to change the hearts of corrupted people.
The game is made to be played for an average of 100 hours, which seems a lot. But Atlas made the story very interesting and the long playtime is not noticeable.
For someone looking for long gameplays with an interesting story, then Persona 5 is a wise choice. Unfortunately, it is a PlayStation-exclusive.
5. Mass Effect 3
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Mass Effect 3 was released in 2012 yet it is still a great game today. This role-playing action game by Bioware was the third installment of the game. But the great story applies to all Mass Effect titles.
For first-time players, the main character is Commander Shepard who is tasked with saving the Earth from invading Reapers. These Reapers are alien life forms who are capable of destroying living things across the universe.
This game takes over the events of Mass Effect 2. If a saved file is available, it can be opened on Mass Effect 3 and all the things that happened on the second game will be carried over.
Both games were great and it makes story transition into the final title better. Mass Effect 3 is still a standalone game if ever the first two games are inaccessible.
Mass Effect 3 is available on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. Eight years after its launch, it is still one of the best video game stories available today.
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