Trending
As gaming graphics advanced, video games started to adopt a cinematic approach, resembling movies more closely than traditional games. Esteemed actors began providing their voices to game characters, leading to narratives that rivalled major Hollywood blockbusters in storytelling prowess.
In the current year, as in previous ones, we had the chance to experience games with exceptionally well-crafted narratives. These titles consistently surprised us with their high quality, evoking unique feelings and emotions.
In the continuation of this article, explore our thoughts on the five games with narratives that set them apart from the rest, leaving a lasting and impactful impression on us.
Games with the best stories of 2023
1. Alan Wake 2
Certainly ranking among the best narratives this year is Alan Wake 2, a game that seamlessly builds upon the intriguing storyline of its predecessor, elevating it to an entirely new level. The story in Alan Wake 2 not only surpasses the quality of its forerunner but also stands head and shoulders above all other games developed by Remedy Entertainment, and we know the calibre of compelling stories this developer consistently delivers.
Alan Wake 2's story is teeming with mystery, intrigue, unexpected plot twists, and charismatic characters. The setting itself harbours a unique backstory, and the interplay among the characters, coupled with a compelling cliffhanger at the end of the game, enhances the story's appeal. The enigmatic nature of certain characters further contributes to the special flavour of this narrative, solidifying its well-deserved position at the pinnacle of our list.
2. Baldur's Gate 3
What more needs to be said about Baldur's Gate 3, or more specifically its compelling and exceptional narrative? Larian's RPG It's one of the best games of 2023 in many aspects including story.
We mention in our review how the biggest highlight of Baldur's Gate 3 writing is the smaller stories that you find in side quests. "Each and every quest in the game has a great story to tell, either directly or through environmental storytelling, with each of them being able to pique the player's interest," our Adnan Kljajic writes in the review.
3. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is the game that "wowed" me the most of all video games that I've played in 2023. It's incredible production values, stunning visuals and incredible espionage story made me enjoy every single minute of this expansion, which could easily pass as a full-fledged game.
In terms of the story, we praised the game's mysterious plot with many twists and turns as well as great characters that make the narrative feel believable.
"The story in Phantom Liberty eclipses the one in the base game. It's intriguing and mysterious with twists and turns that will make your jaw drop but as with every great spy story, it doesn't shy away from thrilling action-packed sequences either," we stated in our review.
4. Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals
Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals, emerging from Netflix's foray into the realm of video games as their debut title, truly excelled in what we anticipated it to shine in—compelling storytelling.
In all honesty, there's not a single aspect of this 2D adventure that we can commend as outstanding except for its truly exceptional story. The narrative, involving supernatural occurrences linked to mysterious radio signals, time travel to the past and future, and decision-making that shapes the game's outcome, comprises elements that render the story remarkably robust. In my review of this game, I noted that the narrative is crafted in a manner akin to that of a highly engaging novel.
5. Marvel's Spider-Man 2
While the initial two Spider-Man games, particularly Spider-Man: Miles Morales, boasted relatively strong narratives when compared with the story of Spider-Man 2, they fall significantly short in terms of quality.
The narrative of Spider-Man 2 takes players on a genuine emotional rollercoaster, closely aligning with other narrative-driven Sony titles like God of War and The Last of Us. The way Spider-Man 2 unfolds suggests that Insomniac's primary objective was to deliver a compelling story of high quality. As an enthusiast of captivating narratives in video games, I absolutely embrace this approach.
Once again, the interplay between the characters plays a pivotal role in shaping this story. The introduction of Venom as the central antagonist, coupled with the revelation of his true origin, is certain to leave you in a state of awe.
DON'T MISS!
- Leaked slides reveal Sunset Overdrive 2 was in development at Insomniac Games
- Team Ninja say Rise of the Ronin will have multiple difficulty options
- Sony see Microsoft's Activision Blizzard acquisition as a massive threat to PlayStation bussiness
- Insomniac Games suffer a massive leak, revealing Wolverine gameplay, confidential roadmaps and more
- Marvel's Blade to use Arkane Studios' in-house Void engine
