Top 20 Best Videogame Narratives

Longtime readers of my blog may not know this, but I’m actually an author. I’m endlessly writing things, whether it be for this blog or for my novels, and I’m constantly honing my storytelling craft. As a result, I’m always on the look out for media to draw inspiration from.

Videogames are my favourite medium of narrative entertainment – nowhere else can you become so utterly engrossed and involved with a story. You control the characters and you live in their world. In other words, you feel their emotions and suffer the toils they endure.

I’ve compiled a list of my Top 20 favourite videogame narratives, based purely on which stories affected me the most. So yes, this will be a very biased and subjective list. I’ve tried not to include any outright spoilers … but it’s quite hard to talk about some of these games without mentioning potential twists and endings.

Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:

My Top 20 Favourite Videogame Soundtracks

Every Modern Resident Evil Game Ranked

EVERY Game I Played In 2024 – Ranked

Every “Game of the Year” Nominee Ranked

Honourable Mentions

Before we begin, I wanted to highlight some amazing game narratives that didn’t make my list for one reason or another. I’ve split my reasoning into three categories:

Games With Amazing Worlds (But Not Necessarily The Strongest Stories)

Games like Horizon Zero Dawn and Elden Ring absolutely deserve a place on lists like these … in terms of their narrative worldbuilding. The worlds you explore are immensely detailed and never boring, but the stories themselves I can take or leave.

Conversely, I remember having a really good time with games like Days Gone and Paradise Killer. But, if I’m being brutally honest, I think the worlds and its characters in those games are stronger than the core narrative itself.

Games That Are Probably Great (But I Haven’t Played Them Yet)

These are the titles that kept cropping up when I did some research into people’s favourite videogame narratives.

Final Fantasy 6 and Chrono Trigger are two classic games which paved the way for complex videogame narratives, and titles like Shadow of the Colossus and Mass Effect blew gamers’ minds back in the day. These games are just before my time, however, but I’m sure I’ll get round to them eventually.

Guilty Pleasure Games With Insane Stories

I wanted to give a quick shout-out to some of my favourite gaming franchises and their bombastic storytelling. While their stories could be over-the-top (and they probably won’t ever win any storytelling awards), I can’t deny how euphoric their narrative twists and turns made me feel.

I absolutely loved how clever the Ace Attorney and Zero Escape franchises could get, and I also adored how ridiculous Danganronpa and Yakuza could be. Those franchises contain some of my favourite gaming experiences ever … but if I scrutinized their stories under a microscope, I have to admit that a lot of their foundations don’t hold up.

20 – Celeste

I don’t think “Celeste” is a game people think of when discussions about videogame narratives arise. It has some killer platforming gameplay and retro visuals, so that’s what a lot of people remember.

At its core, it’s a simple story about climbing both a physical and personal mountain … and yet this parallel works far better than it has any right to.

Madeleine wrestles with anxiety and depression for the vast majority of the climb, and the writing excels when she’s bouncing off her “evil” alter ego. This is the kind of parable anyone can get behind – life is a mountain, and you will always stumble, but you will always reach the summit in the end.

19 – Spider-Man

I can’t even begin to imagine how hard it is to write a good superhero story. Not only does it have to be action-packed and compelling, but it also has to win over the die-hard comic book fans too.

Against all odds, 2018’s “Spider-Man” blew everyone’s socks off – both in terms of gameplay and story. It follows an already mature Peter Parker (in other words, we don’t have to sit through an origin story for the hundredth time) and how the suit is compromising his adult life.

Where this game shines is in its characters. You can wholeheartedly believe the relationships Peter has with Aunt May, Mary Jane and Otto Octavius, and then when – SPOILER ALERT – the Sinister Six unite it feels like a genuine threat to the world. It’s a perfect escalation of action and tension.

The second game also had an excellent narrative, but I don’t think it was as compelling and cohesive as the first.

18 – Arkham City

The other superhero game to really knock its story out of the park was “Arkham City”. It’s not my favourite Arkham game (I think “Arkham Knight” wins for its better gameplay), but its narrative is the clear gold standard for the series. I would say it rivals any Batman story.

The city-wide carnage of Protocol 10 leads to some glorious chaos, and I love how almost every iconic Batman villain gets their chance to shine.

What makes this narrative so good, I think, is its treatment of Joker. There are some fantastic twists and turns, and – SPOILER ALERT – it was a fitting end to the Crown Prince of Crime.

17 – Hades

When I first started compiling this list, I completely skipped over “Hades”. I think of it more for its gameplay and characters than its story … but when I stopped to think about it, I realised that its narrative is actually one of the strongest I’ve played.

Like “Celeste”, “Hades” has a simple narrative of overcoming physical and personal obstacles in order to enact growth. I rate “Hades” higher, however, because it’s a multi-character Greek epic with strong themes of family and acceptance.

Very few Roguelikes actually give me an enticing reason to fight, but in “Hades” I was desperate for Zagreus to one-up his father and escape the depths of the underworld.

16 – Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

The “Uncharted” games were always about Nathan Drake going on a mesmeric, oftentimes otherworldly adventure, but it was only in his swansong “Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End” where we finally got to see his full character.

The introduction of his brother Sam was an inspired choice, and framing the story as “one last adventure” meant the set-pieces could go all-out.

15 – BioShock

The “BioShock” series has some of the best level design and worldbuilding we’ve ever seen in gaming, but I think people forget just how tight its story is as well.

I almost went for “Infinite” for how crazy that story became, but the original is still the gold standard for the series. It has one of gaming’s all-time great plot twists, after all.

14 – Disco Elysium

I feel that a lot of games, especially nowadays, are too afraid to get political. “Disco Elysium” laughs in the face of such a challenge – it might be the most political, ideology-confrontational game I’ve ever played.

It’s a detective / mystery game at its core, but it also juggles politics, friendship, self-identity, justice, law, society and other such topical themes with ease.

13 – Ghost of Tsushima

I went into “Ghost of Tsushima” expecting a gorgeous open world with some electrifying combat. I was not expecting the story to be as fleshed-out as it was.

The narrative follows Jin Sakai, a man who must save Tsushima from invading forces … However, he has to compromise his Japanese, honourable ideals to do it. What could have been a cheesy samurai / ninja story ended up being very thought-provoking.

12 – Telltale’s The Walking Dead

For me, the thing separating film and television narratives from videogame narratives is player investment. It’s the choices we make which define the characters’ stories. No company capitalizes on this notion better than Telltale.

Their version of “The Walking Dead” regularly eclipses the TV show. It has characters you genuinely care about, decisions which rip you apart, and an ending which no gamer will ever forget.

11 – Baldur’s Gate 3

Telltale made some incredible games where players could guide a short, concise narrative by their own choices. Larian’s “Baldur’s Gate 3”, however, increases the scale of the narrative one hundredfold by comparison.

The sheer depth here is astounding. Every party member gets their own side story, all three acts have distinct side quests which rival the main narrative, and the main story is a masterclass in Fantasy. The choices you make will affect the ending in hundreds of ways.

In many ways, “Baldur’s Gate 3” is the best DnD campaign of all time.

10 – Persona 5 (Royal)

Either “Persona 5 Royal” or the base game will do for this entry. And “Persona 3 Reload” (or the original) and “Persona 4 Golden” were awesome too. Oh, and “Metaphor: ReFantazio” was some excellent fantasy. Atlus clearly have some of the best narrative designers in the business.

The “Persona” series, especially the fifth one, came at the perfect time in my life. The Phantom Thieves are the epitome of vigilante justice – like all young minds, they want to change the world, and I loved how the narrative explored public opinion to justice and people’s openness to change.

What makes the “Persona” series shine, however, is the Social Links. These “side quests” are the chance to spend time with each side character and learn what makes them tick. They’re not all winners, but they all make up the rich tapestry of life – a sentiment which “Persona 5” excels in.

9 – Alan Wake 2

Sam Lake is one of the more famous writer-directors in the gaming world. “Control” was a fun yet mind-bending romp, and the original “Alan Wake” showed promise but didn’t wow me.

The sequel, on the other hand, was such an exceptional, cerebral story. It follows Alan Wake and Saga Anderson in their battle against The Dark Place, and it’s a mystery narrative which you can never predict.

What I love most about this story is its risk-taking. There is never a safe moment across the narrative – there aren’t many games (especially horror games) who’d dare to include a musical interlude.

8 – Cyberpunk 2077

“Cyberpunk 2077” was clowned on when it released – so much so that I think people forget just how near-flawless its narrative is. Ever since all of the updates which ironed out the creases, there’s now no excuse not to experience this masterpiece.

V’s life changes forever when they become mentally entangled with rockstar renegade Johnny Silverhand, and the resulting narrative is a masterclass in revenge and mortality. The ending in particular, though immensely tragic, was perfect for the brutal world the story inhabits.

7 – God Of War 2018 & Ragnarök

I’m cheating for this entry. Both of the recent “God Of War” games are exceptional – so much so that I couldn’t pick a favourite narrative. In my mind, they both tell parts of an overall narrative … so that can be my flimsy excuse for picking both.

The first game of the series reboot came as a complete surprise back in 2018. Kratos had been a ruthless, often thoughtless killing machine up until that point, so the idea to make him a dedicated, past-stricken father to Atreus was an inspired choice. It’s a simple coming-of-age narrative about spreading a loved ones ashes, but the journey and character growth are exceptional.

“Ragnarök”, on the other hand, ups the stakes dramatically. Atreus comes out of his father’s shadow and forges his own path, all while a cataclysmic event is threatening to end the world and destroy everything they hold dear. Like “Alan Wake 2”, I was surprised by how unpredictable this story could be.

I believe a third game is coming at some point in the future, so time will tell if they wrap the narrative up in a way which satisfies me … because “Ragnarök” already ended in a perfect way.

6 – Red Dead Redemption 2

The original “Red Dead Redemption” was an early gaming classic, in no small part thanks to its gritty story. Its sequel, however, improves upon the narrative in every way.

I’ll just come right out and say it – Arthur Morgan has a good shout at being the best-written videogame character. Ever. Seeing this outlaw wrestle with his mortality and morality led to some of the best character conflicts and tender moments I’ve seen in gaming.

Dutch and his gang are quite the cast of eccentric characters, and this leads to lots of conflicts as well as some light-hearted moments of bonding. In other words, “Red Dead Redemption” is the full character package.

Games like this are why I think the videogame industry will always trump Hollywood. The more time you spend with Dutch’s gang – and Arthur in particular – the more crushing their downfall eventually becomes.

5 – The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

“The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” has always been in the running for my favourite game of all time. On some days it’s the best whereas other days I’d put it top three, and a lot of my fond memories have to do with the all-encompassing story.

Though Geralt and allies have to battle with the titular Wild Hunt, this game at its heart is about his adoptive daughter Ciri. The hunt to find her is some truly compelling stuff, and I didn’t doubt for a second that this was the most important figure in Geralt’s life.

And it would be remiss of me not to mention the incredible side content. Both DLCs have some flawless stories of their own, and the side quests you find across the world all have the same level of detail and emotional investment as the main questline. Not many games can boast that.

4 – Silent Hill 2

For context, I’ve played the “Silent Hill 2” remake but not the original. I assume their stories are extremely similar, but make of that what you will. I can only imagine how mind-blowing this must have been twenty years ago.

For the first two thirds of “Silent Hill 2”, you don’t really know what the story is about. You follow James Sunderland as he tries to find his (supposedly) dead wife, but that mystery hook is all you’re given. As the world gets weirder, and as characters you come across start explaining their existential problems, you begin to suspect that all is not as it seems.

The narrative reaches a breaking point in the finale, where it’s revealed that James hasn’t been as truthful and open as we thought. It’s an incredible twist which recontextualizes everything we’d played up until that point, and it leads to such a gut-punch of an ending.

3 – The House in Fata Morgana

I toyed with whether to include “The House in Fata Morgana” or not, as it’s a visual novel … In other words, it’s far more a book than it is a game. It’s on sale as a videogame, however – and it’s one of the most affecting games / stories / books / whatever you want to call it I’ve ever played or read.

It starts off slow, which is the only thing holding it back from the top two spots on this list. The first half is a series of short stories that are written well but are seemingly disconnected. I believe this wasn’t originally written in English, so whoever translated it did an unbelievable job.

“The House in Fata Morgana” picks up in the second half, and my god is it brutal. I became so invested in the characters’ hardships, and it made the story of love even more endearing as a result.

It’s no exaggeration to call this the best love story I’ve ever read.

2 – The Last of Us (Part 1)

Up until 2013, there were games like “Silent Hill 2” which pushed the boundaries of storytelling in this medium, but Hollywood was still the main place for stories. “The Last of Us”, on the other hand, was I think the first time a videogame proved it could be the definitive medium of storytelling – rivalling even film and television.

In a desolate world which has been ravaged by a zombie-like virus, an untrusting man and an enigmatic young girl must do what it takes to survive. This is already a really solid premise, but the writers take the scenario and run with it.

Joel and Ellie are presented with many moral dilemmas and experience vignettes of other characters’ lives, and it culminates in a major decision which shapes their world. Its ending may be controversial, but I don’t think it could have been any better.

“The Last of Us” was a cultural juggernaut when it came out. People were waxing lyrical about its characters, acting and story – and rightly so. It became the new standard for videogame storytelling, and (in my opinion) it’s only been topped once.

1 – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Is this a case of recency bias? I genuinely don’t know. It’s been about a year since I played “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” for the first time, and I’m still reeling from every scene of its narrative. I don’t think any game has consistently hooked me from start to finish as much as this.

It has such a great opening with the Paintress and the Gommage, and I was fully on board with this continent-spanning journey which the Expedition volunteer to undertake. Across their journey they meet incredibly memorable characters and are subjected to insurmountable tragedies, and I was fully invested at every step of the way.

The only thing holding it back narratively, I think, is that there are still some unanswered questions. We don’t yet know much about the Painter-Writer conflict … but I imagine this will be saved for an eventual sequel.

This is a game with a perfect beginning, an amazing second Act which kept me engaged, and a jaw-dropping finale which almost brought me to tears. I’m not sure if any videogame will ever eclipse the way I felt during “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33”. Ever.

Aaaand that’s my list! If you liked this post and want to support me, please consider giving me a one-time donation. Even a few pence (or whatever currency you use) is fantastic! I’ve never monetized this blog before, but it would be great if I could do this comfortably and not have to worry about the yearly website domain costs. Thank you so much!