Top 11 Video game stories of all time

I am going to start with the first 10 games that have exceptional stories, and sometimes I will group them as a series if the stories connect with eachoter directly.

Np particular order...

Silent Hill 2 - the only horror game that truly matters, beneth the distrubing imagery and the tension, along with the series most iconic character in Pyramid Head, lies a story about love, lost, and sin.

Planescape Torment - One of the best written video games of all time, the story stars an immortal on his quest to die. Along with him, one of the best written protagonists in gaming, is a unique supporting cast that includes a floating skull.

Final Fantasy VI - The most revolutionary JRPG story since Phantasy Star, this game's story transcends JRPGs before it and very few JRPGs ever reach the level FFVI elevated the genre to. The story was more than just an epic quest, it wasa statement on the value of human life, as the game mostly revolves around the journey of two women finding their humanity and to stop a madman who seeks to destroy it.

Bioshock (series) - Both games and the DLC Minerva's Den are top notch in storytelling. Featuring twists and turns, great characterizations, poignancy, twists, philosphy, and an incredible setting, Rapture is one the most realized settings in video gaming.

Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn - What is one of the greatest RPG's ever, this story revolves around stopping an outcast mad wizard from taking bloody revenge on the elves who outcasted him. Featuring memorable scenes and characters, along with one of the greatest bad guy defeat scenes ever, this game still is considered a bar for storytelling in the genre.

Final Fantasy Tactics - While the localization was terrible in the games first release, the plot was top notch, what may very well be the best written story in the series. The story is about two friends who take different journeys to stop a corrupt church from taking over power. Its this divergence that truly makes FF Tactics's story great.

Mass Effect (series) - Yet to come full circle, this franchise, along with Bioshock, is this gens ur-example of great storytelling. The universe relies heavily on the great characterizations and immersive settings. The fact that this franchise is more than just games is testament to how great the storytelling is. The latest novel is excellent as well.

The Longest Journey - one of the great adventure game stories starring a woman in strange lands of Stark and Arcadia. One of the swan songs of the genre that was big in the 90's in PC gaming, few games can match the epic fantasy story of the Longest Journey.

Suikoden II - one of the greatest JRPG stories ever. Although plagued with translation problems, the story revolves around four children caught up in a brutal war started by one of the most heinous villians in gaming (Prince Luca Blight). The two main characters, Riou and Jowy, have their friendship tested after picking up runes of power that carries a curse in which the bearers must do conflict with eachother. The story is not about an epic quest to stop the destruction of the world, but about the tragedies that war, division,and cruelty brings(especially on children), and in the end, about saving a friendship.

Shadow of the Colossus - a very simple but powerful tale about a boy making a deal with the devil to revive his love. The ending is one of the most memorable ever, in which [spoiler] you were the villian all along [/spoiler] .

And the game with the best narrative goes to........

This is the greatest game story ever told. 12 years after this games release, there has not been a story as creative and charming as this one. The story stars a travel agent of the Department of Death, or the grim reaper, trying to solve a mystery of why a lady who lived avirtuous cannot get tickets to the Ninth Underworld, or heaven. Along the way you meet a bunch of memorable characters as take part in a unique plot. The setting is also top notch, mixing elements of Day of the Dead (in which the game takes place ont hat day for four years) with 50's film noir. This game is the top of the adventure genre, but sadly one of the last as Grim Fandago did not sell well. Its a shame they do not make games like this anymore.

I clicked the spoiler by accident and I've never played SotC :cry:

Yay, someone who acknowledges Minerva's Den!

FEAR was very enjoyable.

The Metal Gear Solid series should be up on that list.majadamus

Oh most defintitely u cant go wrong at all wit Metal Gear Solid, the strength in that whole series, is the story

The Mass Effect story is not that good.

[QUOTE="majadamus"]The Metal Gear Solid series should be up on that list.MetalGearTwin

Oh most defintitely u cant go wrong at all wit Metal Gear Solid, the strength in that whole series, is the story

The Mass Effect story is not that good.

The Mass Effect story is not that good.

Mass Effect.

FFX and Kingdom Hearts. Although KH may seem light-hearted and cartoony, the story actually made me emotional. :DMr_Cumberdale

Yeah me too. KH definitely has a strong story even if its really convoluted.

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]Fried_Shrimp

But it does...

I agree with Grim Fandango,Planescape: Torment,Baldurs Gate 2,The Longest Journey(including Dreamfall,wich you didn´t)and FFVI along with Shadow of the Colossus at some extent(Ico is pretty good as well).

I haven´t found SH2 story to be that great to be honest,although it was good,just not at the same level as the others.

Bioshock´s story is a rip off of System Shock 2 story and while it´s good,it´s just the same thing that irrational done in 1999,with a few changes.

Mass Effect?No,just no. You may like it a lot,but it´s not even close to be on the same level as the games mentioned so far.

Personally,there´s other games/series that have superb narratives/storytelling such as the Myst series,Soul Reaver/Blood Omen series,Gabriel Knigth,Fallout 2,Ultima VII,among many others.

[QUOTE="MetalGearTwin"]

[QUOTE="majadamus"]The Metal Gear Solid series should be up on that list.texasgoldrush

Oh most defintitely u cant go wrong at all wit Metal Gear Solid, the strength in that whole series, is the story

Please explain why Metal Gear shouldn't be added. It's basically one of the best stories gaming has to offer.

[QUOTE="texasgoldrush"][QUOTE="MetalGearTwin"]

Oh most defintitely u cant go wrong at all wit Metal Gear Solid, the strength in that whole series, is the story

xYamatox

Please explain why Metal Gear shouldn't be added. It's basically one of the best stories gaming has to offer.

Good job on Silent Hill 2. Missing Xenogears.

[QUOTE="xYamatox"]

[QUOTE="texasgoldrush"] The MGS series is bested by the games listed.... MGS1 and MGS3 are good stories, MGS2 and MGS4 are not as good.DarkLink77

Please explain why Metal Gear shouldn't be added. It's basically one of the best stories gaming has to offer.

You have, PLAYED the whole MGS saga, correct...?

Bioshock is on the list, but System Shock isn't? System Shock 2, at least.

Mass Effect made it there, what the :? Wow, this guy is a complete noob.

Bioshock 2's good ending is as epic as HL2: Episode 2's ending. Just incredibly epic. Mass Effect's good ending come close second.

The darkness should be on the list. Though the storytelling is what really makes the story. But the overall experience is phenomenal.

Silent Hill 2 is a hell of a game but I personally believe Fatal Frame 2 was a better game story and gameplay wise. One of the best games I've ever played.

And why are people always hung up on FF6? I thought the story sucked in it big time. And FF7 did more for JRPGs than any game.

For me, Half Life, Stalker, Killer7, Disgaea 1, Final Fantasy 6, Starcraft, The Witcher, Shadownrun (Snes), Vagrant Story, Planescape: Torment and Deus Ex.

Silent Hill 2 is a hell of a game but I personally believe Fatal Frame 2 was a better game story and gameplay wise. One of the best games I've ever played.

And why are people always hung up on FF6? I thought the story sucked in it big time. And FF7 did more for JRPGs than any game.

SexySasquatch11

The pivitol point where [spoiler] Kefka destroys the world [/spoiler] just blew my mind. Completely unexpected, and went against the cliche of "saving the world".

But Kefka doesn't "destroy the world," he just badly damages it and shifts it around. The end of the game in "the world of ruin" is literally gathering party members so you can prevent Kefka from destroying the world i.e. "saving it."

Silent Hill 2 is a hell of a game but I personally believe Fatal Frame 2 was a better game story and gameplay wise. One of the best games I've ever played.

And why are people always hung up on FF6? I thought the story sucked in it big time. And FF7 did more for JRPGs than any game.

Bioshock is on the list, but System Shock isn't? System Shock 2, at least.

Mass Effect made it there, what the :? Wow, this guy is a complete noob.

I would remove Bioshock from that list, and add System Shock 2, which is one of the greatest FPS's ever created, mainly in story.

Would also add the Max Payne series, the noir atmosphere and naration in the game is unrivaled to this day.

METAL GEAR SOLID FTW!!!!Apocalypse482

[QUOTE="SexySasquatch11"]

Silent Hill 2 is a hell of a game but I personally believe Fatal Frame 2 was a better game story and gameplay wise. One of the best games I've ever played.

And why are people always hung up on FF6? I thought the story sucked in it big time. And FF7 did more for JRPGs than any game.

texasgoldrush

Ur opinion, many would disagree with u.

I would put Chrono Trigger and MGS1 in that list.

You forgot The Witcher.DragonfireXZ95

I would remove Bioshock from that list, and add System Shock 2, which is one of the greatest FPS's ever created, mainly in story.

Would also add the Max Payne series, the noir atmosphere and naration in the game is unrivaled to this day.

Because Mass Effect has some of the best characterizations I have seen in a game..."The Lair of the Shadow Broker" is just the latest reminder of this.texasgoldrush

That means you don't know much about gaming, not that Mass Effect has a great story.

[QUOTE="SexySasquatch11"]

Silent Hill 2 is a hell of a game but I personally believe Fatal Frame 2 was a better game story and gameplay wise. One of the best games I've ever played.

And why are people always hung up on FF6? I thought the story sucked in it big time. And FF7 did more for JRPGs than any game.

texasgoldrush

Stories employ mulitple themes and are not restricted to one "overarching theme." Learn 2 literature. Thank you.

Not that FFVII doesn't have a single most prominent theme; "humans are willing to destroy the world they live in for power, wealth and convenience."

KoTOR I&II and The Witcher should be on that list.

It's always funny when gamers pretend video game stories are something other than hilariously bad.

It's always funny when gamers pretend video game stories are something other than hilariously bad.

AfterBurnerZ

You know, after nearly finishing the x files and watching District 9 recently, I would concede that we're probably more criticial of game stories than movies and television, even though movies and television are "more respectable." There's really not that much of a difference in the level of quality.