What is the best story video games have ever told?

Iunno. I don't really pay that much attention to stories in games. Might be because videogame stories suck horrendous amount of balls 99% of the time. But I do enjoy some stories, often pretty simple ones.

I loved the story in Zelda: Wind Waker. Felt really epic to me. I like the story in Super Mario Galaxy. I like the story of Mafia, even though I find it derivative. I also love when stories get unfolded in the gameplay. Metroid, Axiom Verge, Inside, Hollow Knight, Dark Souls.. stuff like that.

planescape torment, ff7, mafia, mgs1, danganronpa 1, BioShock and silent hill 2

A lot of games are great story tellers, but not all stories are great.

Personal favorites aren't actually good stories, I just enjoyed them, cause a lot of times, the right story for the right mood.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.

Runner up would be The Last of US.

KOTORS, HALOS, Mass Effects.

The Only right answers. :P

Yakuza Zero's story was amazing. I was also genuinely excited about Mass Effect's universe and story. Until Mass Effect 3 released, that was.

Why wouldn't it count as a video game?

Metal Gear Solid Franchise.

I view it all as one epic story. From WW2 to 2018.

It is simply the best.

lol, stealth jab at the sony "movie games" mantra. I see what you did there. Anyway, sony games arent really about the story per se but rather the characters. Uncharted, TLOU, GOW, etc have redundant, cliched stories yet thrive because the characters are expertly done and the games make us care about what'll happen to them. Btw, how is Mass Effect not yet another 3rd person action game that feels like the others?

But anyway, I digress, to actually answer your question the last game that I thought had a "above the average" videogame story was SOMA. The best story in a videogame, however, probably Silent Hill 2 or Shadow of the Colossus. The later is beautiful in its simplicity

I still think point n click games are the best platform for story games.

None really. Video games are horrible for stories.

Grim fandango

TLOU was a great story brilliant pacing and character development. Really should replay the remaster before 2.

I... Don't... Even.....? Wasn't making a stab at anyone or anything. When I do I don't do it "stealth" . I'll do it directly. I don't even really care about the existence of movie games... They get to sit at the table of choice like the rest. Some are good! Rdr2 or God of war. Some are meh, uncharted 4.

I'm grateful I was there in 2007 when mass effect burst on the scene to feel like a newly produced and focused action rpg in a genre brimming with life... To me the trilogy still feels like a high mark for the third person action rpg genre and still is. Andromeda was the worst ever.

12 years later, the genre feels a bit tired... And somewhat overplayed.... No?

Secret of Evermore.

Knights of the Old Republic
* Bioware's crowning jewel in narrative with strong character and world interaction and still to this day the greatest plot twist in gaming.

The Witcher 3
* Sets the bar for highly detailed characters of realistic and believable people, motives, traits, behaviors, and drives that are genuine, all in a richly developed world of history and lore, in a narrative that explores complex themes and subjects.

The Last of Us
* Strong character journey of growth and bonding between Joel and Ellie, well done pacing between action, tension, mentoring, and even beautiful reflective moments like the giraffes.

Spec Ops the Line
* Unlike any other shooter this is a deep and meaningful exploration into the madness and horror of war, taking the contrived soldier narrative the shooter genre typically places the player into the role, and flips it on its head in a brilliant reveal that has to be experienced!

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
* Much like the above listed Spec Ops, this is a compelling journey where the player is not just in the body of the character, but also the mind, the mythological setting intertwined with a sincere exploration of mental disorder. What ever you do, play with headphones!!

Ninja Gaiden

All time? Probably Baldur's gate 2.

Recently, the Witcher 3.

HZD had a surprisingly interesting story as well. I was expecting it to be pretty shallow, but was pleasantly surprised.

Xenogears. From story telling, ost, characters specially citan on katana. It is the game i woukd love to have an remake.

Horizon for me....... but I just love the world and the mystery around it.

Mafia

Half-Life 1/2

Yakuza 0

Credit to old Bioware as my mind immediately went Kotor, Mass effect, Dragon age but you could definitely add witcher in there and Kotor 2 (if somewhat unfinished) and New vegas (if somewhat less focused but still interesting.)