gaming Best story oriented game?

[Sanic Screwdriver 345]

I was just wondering, what's your guys favorite story oriented game? Excluding obvious answers like the walking dead and such. If those are your favorites feel free to say it as well though XD Even if it's not story oriented what's your favorite story in a game?

[~Silver Essence~ 2,625]

I have played many games where I am interested in the story no matter how convoluted or confusing they may be, but one of my personal favorite stories might be a short one, but it's an underrated game that is one of the best games of all time, story wise that is.

 

 

Trust me when I say, that for a short game, you will love these characters with the most ambient, quiet, and most serene stories you'll see in a while.

[Moonlight 7,286]

Bioshock Infinite, easily. The story was interesting and while the ending was confusing, after having it explained for me, I really liked it. I care for all of the characters involved and there's never a dull moment.

 

[Scootalove 10,689]

The best story oriented game to me would be, Spec Ops: The Line.

 

[lomk 20,663]

I love story oriented games! I think I'm gonna follow this (although I've already thrown enough money at Steam in the last couple months.....)

 

Anyway my favorite story oriented game is, hands down, Heavy Rain. Control scheme is kinda weird when you're walking, but the story is so awesome in this game.

 

[long gone 8,929]

Easy, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

 

 

14 years later the story still manages to capture me, make me feel like I'm accomplishing something. Then it gets even better when you look deeper into the story, the characters and why everything happens as they do. It's truly a masterpiece of storytelling in video games.

Edited January 22, 2014 by Champion Daring

[ReverseFaller 2,483]

Pokemon Black/White, and Black/White 2 had a pretty interesting story in my opinion. I think N is awesome.

 

Anyways, Mass Effect had a great story as well. The Fallout, and Elder Scrolls games have epic stories as well.

[Discordian 6,015]

Any game can be considered "story-oriented" if one doesn't play certain games.

 

There's games that the only reason to ever play them is the story like Walking Dead or Heavy Rain but there's also games that are focused on other things but have amazing stories regardless like DmC or BlazBlue.

 

One could argue that any and all RPGs are story-centric games by design short of a few fast-paced Action RPGs.

 

I suppose I'm just being snooty and off-topic though.

 

If I were to say a 'best game' that was specifically made to enjoy the story then I'd say any RPG ever, no matter how cliche. I am a RPG-holic. It's practically all I play.

[Flying Space Badger 84]

Final Fantasy 9. No seriously though. Some of the best dialogue, best character interaction (Zidane and Steiner have some pretty hilarious interactions) best villain right below FFX's Sin (Kuja is just so damn fabulous, oh and he also is like the only Final Fantasy villain to actually complete his end game even if the heroes undid it one insane giant space flea boss battle later). Also, most epic dramatic scene in an RPG, you know the part, when You're Not Alone plays exactly once.

 

Biggest thing though was that the story from start to end was solid and well written, even FF10 with it's amazing story is relegated to 9's monolithic shadow.

[Sir Fluffernutter 435]

My personal favorite is The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Sure, the main quest was a little too long, but it was still a great game to me. Also, the Dark Brotherhood quest line was probably one of my favorite TES quest lines.

[Gone Airbourne 21,977]

The Ocarina of Time / Majora's mask

 

Jak & Daxter Trilogy

 

Final Fantasy 7 

 

There a ton others but those stick out to me as of right now.

[Tigerpop198 696]

GTA 4 had the best story in my opinion.

[Katana 298]

Darn, someone beat me to Spec Ops.

 

Phoenix Wright is in some ways a bit formulaic (on the broad view, someone could probably predict many of its twists) but it's still masterful in execution, and each game they always manage a big revelation that surprises everyone playing. Ghost Trick (my avatar) goes in the same category, as it's the same creator. The villain in that game was especially well-thought out.

 

EDIT: Oh man! Almost forgot: Papo & Yo. It's very effective at combining gameplay with its storyline message. In fact, it takes only a little bit of genre-savviness to figure out the "twist" of the game from pretty much just the opening quote. Still, that doesn't diminish the experience at all - in some ways it helps it to be aware of the metaphor as it's occurring. (Whereas by contrast, Spec Ops: The Line is an experience far better left unspoilt)

Edited January 22, 2014 by Katana

[Megas 27,697]

Metal Gear Solid franchise, just everything about those games' stories are incredible

[Joy Stick 12]

For me.... It has to be the Halo series, I mean come on, from the start they make you care for almost EVERY character, and then when Halo 4 releases, and as you play rushing to get home, the ending hits you...

 

 

Edited January 22, 2014 by Joy Stick

[Harmonic Revelations 8,835]

I found Halo's backstory interesting enough to purchase all the books and read them. Halo actually has one of the most complicated and well-defined universes out of any game series I've encountered and the extended universe adds on to that greatly.

[Simon 4,557]

The Last of Us <3

 

That probably qualifies as an obvious answer but IDC it's still my favorite story oriented game xD

[packmule1123 55]

Darn it!!! I was beaten to Halo! It's one of my favorite games. There's a special place left in my heart for it. I even have some of the books. They were so interesting! I even love how they referenced the books in Halo: Anniversary! There was one in the first level, and one in a terminal. 

Edited January 22, 2014 by packmule1123

[Harmonic Revelations 8,835]

Darn it!!! I was beaten to Halo! It's one of my favorite games. There's a special place left in my heart for it. I even have some of the books. They were so interesting! I even love how they referenced the books in Halo: Anniversary! There was one in the first level, and one in a terminal. 

I think that's one of my favorite things about 343 taking over developing Halo. They stated in an interview that they are trying to include more content from the books/comics/etc in the games they produce.

[Discordian 6,015]

I found Halo's backstory interesting enough to purchase all the books and read them. Halo actually has one of the most complicated and well-defined universes out of any game series I've encountered and the extended universe adds on to that greatly.

I've found that in general extended universes tend to make for pretty good stories even if the main storyline doesn't portray that fact very well. Sometimes you gotta dig deep into the game or franchise to find the good stuff.

 

One of the better examples I can come up with is Star Ocean 3. If you read the datalogs you'll find a plethora of information, some very convincing science behind the theories of gravitational warp (unless you're an actual rocket scientist but that's a different story entirely... ) and much about the universe it takes place in the main game will never tell you.

[packmule1123 55]

I think that's one of my favorite things about 343 taking over developing Halo. They stated in an interview that they are trying to include more content from the books/comics/etc in the games they produce.

Finally!!! Someone else who isn't giving 343 crap! I seriously saw people complaining about thew new sprint button in 4!

[~Asuka <3~ 867]

Ever17:  The Out of Infinity is by far the greatest story oriented game.  It is both a novel and a game (it is labeled as a "visual novel" after all).   Not only was it written with expert skill, but the story was extremely in depth.  The game makes players follow five different routes; in order to unlock the fifth, the previous four must be completed.  The first four provide all the necessary backstory for the fifth.   The fifth story line is the crown jewel, as to be expected.  It is quite possibly the most eye-opening ending of all time, I kid you not.  Combing aspects of science fiction, survival horror, and psychological thriller novels,  Ever17 is not to be missed. 

 

 

In addition, I'd definitely check out Kara no Shoujo.  No, I'm not talking about the admittedly hot  hentai, I'm talking about the game.  The ending is one of the greatest ends to a story I've ever read.   Keep in mind, the game is rated R18 for gore and pornographic content.  It's not for little kids.  If you're fifteen or older, you should be able to handle it though.  As long as you like watching high school girls get knocked up by a thirty-something detective.   But for real, it's excellent, and I'd recommend it to all those mature enough to play it. 

 

[Harmonic Revelations 8,835]

Finally!!! Someone else who isn't giving 343 crap! I seriously saw people complaining about thew new sprint button in 4!

Halo 4 has to be among my favorite games in the series, actually.

 

My top three Halo games are in this order;

 

1.) Halo; Combat Evolved

2.) Halo 2 and Halo 4 are tied for this one

3.) Halo; Reach

[packmule1123 55]

Halo 4 has to be among my favorite games in the series, actually.

 

My top three Halo games are in this order;

 

1.) Halo; Combat Evolved

2.) Halo 2 and Halo 4 are tied for this one

3.) Halo; Reach

Reach was really good. Halo 3 to me wasn't my favorite, but it was still a good game. I wish they hadn't have gotten rid of the Arbiter missions. Did you know that ODST was originally going to be a Covenant strike force and not ODSTs?

[Joy Stick 12]

 

 

Did you know that ODST was originally going to be a Covenant strike force and not ODSTs?

With that being said, I would love to see a few Halo games in the Covenant's point of view, especially more with the Elites, I thought it was awesome on Halo 3, when you are allied with the Elites, and as missions progressed you fought along side them. Made the story interesting. Like the quote, "Yesterday's enemy is today's friend."