I Love Story-Driven Games

My brother and I have been playing video games since forever and as I've grown, my taste in video games has grown too. I used to be in love with games like Little Big Planet (still am), Overwatch, Mirror's Edge, and any game for the PS2. But now I've come to realize that my niche, my crème de la crème is story-based games. BONUS points if it's a murder mystery or just a simple mystery game. These are a couple of my favourites (at least, the ones I can remember).

SPOILER WARNING - I will definitely be discussing spoilers from most games on this list so if you see a game mentioned that you don't want spoiled, please skip ahead :)

#15 - The Stanley Parable

Despite the simplicity of this game in story and design, it's really captivating. The narrator's voice is magical, in fact it was the main reason why I stuck around for the play-through (I'm more of a play-through viewer than an actual gamer cause...wallet, storage space and panic). It starts off slow but I watched MessYourself's play-through and his commentary was hilarious. This is one of many choice-based games -- go through door A and you'll trigger a different ending than the one you'd get through door B. But the end results in this game are very drastic. *SPOILER -- choose door A in this game and you end up getting crushed to death or dying out on the curb from the crazy. Choose door B and you free yourself and live the rest of your life in a haven realm.* Everything is up for interpretation and there are nineteen different endings so the choice is up to you whether Stanley breaks from his mold or not.

#14 - Red Dead Redemption 2

Now I know what you might be thinking -- why the hell isn't this game higher up the list?! And that is because of the game's length. You lose me a bit if your game isn't chopped up into chapters. And even when you crop the game into 1 hr. play-throughs each, there are 10+ videos to go through. From what I've seen the game takes around 12-30 hours to complete (depending on how much you fart around and investigate/if you complete side missions). But the story is great, Arthur Morgan the animation is beautiful, and there are quite a handful of compelling missions. For example, whenever my brother replays RDR2 he always replays the 'saving Jack' mission. The music and the intensity and the voice acting is just so good. Long game, sad ending, but very very good.

#13 - At Dead Of Night

I just recently discovered this game from Dashie and while I'm not much of a horror or scary game fan, there are a few exceptions including this game. They used real actors for the prologue and even then the animation in-game looks disturbingly real. And because this is a murder mystery game there is gore. *SPOILER -- the discovery of Amy Bell's tragic d*ath really messed me up with what they showed on the stairs, yeesh.* You have to discover all of the d*aths that happened at this hotel and uncover clues with the help of spirits. The voice acting is fantastic and this game had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The jump scares get an A+ from me and everyone I've seen play it!

#12 - Firewatch

While this game is slow in progression, it is a somewhat calmer mystery game. I watched Jacksepticeye's play-through and was compelled the entire time purely by his reactions and the phenomenal voice acting! Cissy Jones voices one of the main characters in this game (she's the VA for Joyce Price in Life Is Strange!) so I was of course sticking around. This game makes you feel like you're listening in on a real conversation which is what made it so compelling. And *SPOILER -- there's a surprise d*ath mystery near the end which completely caught me by surprise.* The animation in this game is beautiful, very Hello Neighbour-esque. And the music when the tension picks up is phenomenal. I was looking over my shoulder when I finished the play-through. I rewatch this game when I need lowkey sleuthing vibes. 

#11 - Batman: Arkham Knight

I love anything and everything Batman so this one was a guarantee. Again, this game is really long (damn Riddler riddles) but I don't mind it because this game is captivating from beginning to end. The side missions are a little repetitive but the henchmen's/Batman's in-fight one-liners are fantastic. The graphics are insane, the voice acting is great, the music is great and the main plot points are ooh-worthy. From all of the mind trips and rescue missions and heartbreaks (*SPOILER -- Knightfall Protocol*), this game takes you on an absolute ride from start to finish. This is one of my favourite games to watch my brother play (also because he can do a near-perfect Batman impression).

#10 - Tell Me Why

The chances of me liking this game were high since it was made by the champs, Dontnod. Dontnod has really stepped up their game in the way of animation and inclusivity. Not only do they reflect on the Indigenous, LGBTQA+ and transgender communities in Tell Me Why, but one of their main characters is transgender and is voiced by a transgender VA (August Aiden Black)! This game leaves you guessing and throws surprises at you from start to finish and gets very deep. It makes you question everyone and actually left me second guessing events in my own life.. Beautiful and nostalgic, this game is a must. 

AND for the month of June, this game is available for free on Steam so if you're going to try it out, now is the best time!

#9 - The Last Of Us

Joel Miller. Yes, he has made mistakes and sacrifices not everyone will agree with but he is one of if not my favourite fictional father figure (say that five times fast). He grew so much as a character throughout the first game and into the second (and unfortunately, my assumptions for TLOU2 were proven to be true). Watching his and Ellie's bond grow throughout the first game inspired me deeply and left me longing for something I no longer have. Not only does the world of TLOU suck you in but the graphics are breathtaking in both games, as well as the intensity of their stories, subject matter and songs. I can't listen to Future Days anymore without sobbing my eyes out but it's fine. 

#8 - Beyond Two Souls

Some games you know will just stick with you forever and Beyond Two Souls is one of them. As I was watching my first play-through of this game I just knew it would be one I'd never forget. This game deserves a Netflix series it is that good; it actually just feels like a tv show on its own. The mo-cap is off the absolute chain, the soundtrack is fantastic, the rawness of Jodie and her intense story will make you want to wrap her up in a blanket, give her a bowl of soup and tell her everything will be okay. Jesus. The things Jodie goes through... *SPOILER -- near sexual a**ault, homelessness, emotional/physical/psychological torment, war, seeing her now brain-dead mom, the list goes on.* This game is definitely the most intense one on this list and it really puts you through the QTE wringer. Elliot Page and Willem Dafoe are amazing.

#7 - Life is Strange: Before the Storm

As random as the last episode of this game was, my mind was blown when we finally got to see Rachel Amber in the flesh. I was starstruck by the fact that we got to meet her and interact with her and get to really know who she was in this game since she was one of the core topics of conversation and the core motive in Life is Strange. Chloe's younger VA did a great job, as did Rachel's. Joyce, David and Evan's new VAs threw me a bit but the game is beautiful and while there was so much more they could've covered in further detail, it's a good game. Plus, I mainly watch it for the Dungeons and Dragons scene and Steph because I love her with all my heart.
*SPOILER -- I found the final episode a little lacklustre. The 'Sera in the barn' scene was a bit random and weird. I'd also hoped they'd show more of Rachel and Frank interacting since they end up together before the events of the first Life is Strange game. And the way the game ended with just chilling on Rachel's hospital bed? I don't know, show Jefferson rolling up to Blackwell!*

#6 - L.A. Noire

So, despite the dodgy history of Rockstar and a lot of the language/actions that happen in this game, it is entertaining to watch (aside from said dodgy elements). This game takes place in 1947 so there is quite a bit of racism and sexism which sucks but again, a very compelling series of murder mysteries with funny interactions and goofy mo-cap. I think it's higher up the list for that reason alone -- lots of different cases and lots of goofiness. Also, if you don't already know the correct answers or aren't born with the gift of pro sleuthing, I can see this game being a little more difficult.
The cases in this game are pretty intense but it's insanely compelling watching the suspects crack when you hit the correct conversation prompts. Also, completely was not expecting what happened at the end of the game.

#5 - Heavy Rain

I don't think I'll ever forget this game. My first watch was from MessYourself's play-through and the OMG moment shook me. Big time. I was not expecting it at all. I remember feeling actual chills run up my arms, even at MessYourself's staged reaction. Literal chills. *SPOILER - I felt ill watching Ethan go through his trials, I have to skip that part when I rewatch #RIPfinger.* I love the three separate storylines and how they all come together in the end. And, well, it's an underlying murder mystery so of course I'm gonna love it. An older game and still an amazing one. I'm shocked this one never made it to tv/cinema. *SLIGHT SPOILER - when Norman discovers who the Origami Killer is, I get chills every time. I sometimes watch that scene alone just for the hell of it.*

#4 - Detroit Become Human

WOW, where do I even begin with this one? For starters, I have never heard a game soundtrack that could top this one (in my opinion). Every single song in Connor's portion of the game is a serious work of art. Again, another choice-based game with three different storylines, all of which are extremely compelling. Markus's can get a tad boring but Connor's portion never fails. The relationship between Connor and Mr. Krabs Hank is beautiful (if you make the right choices), Connor and Markus are beautiful, the visuals are out of this world and the story is a tear-jerker. If you make the right choices, it's beautiful. But if you make the wrong choices, it's absolutely chaotic. I would never attempt this game because of the QTEs and crucial decision making, but man is it beautiful to watch. Speaking of which, I watched Jacksepticeye's play-through - best decision since his love for Connor and pure excitement about the game kept me extra intrigued. This game covers the topic of social justice in a whole new light with a ton of panic and tension along the way. 1000/10.

#3 - The Wolf Among Us

I was introduced to this game back in 2019 and it quickly consumed me. This was my first time sitting down and fully dedicating myself to a Telltale play-through and again I watched MessYourself. This game is a gorgeous and gore-y clash of fairytales and modern day murder mystery (I definitely have a type when it comes to games). The entire story is captivating from start to finish and the voice acting really sells it for me. There were a handful of instances in the game when I just sat there staring at the screen, completely enthralled by the raw intensity. There were also a few times when I had to look away because hello gore. The characters are so interesting and depending on your choices in-game, the ending is very satisfying. I feel this game above every other choice-based I discussed makes you suffer repercussions the most. Smaller decisions you made earlier on will come back to haunt you. It's an amazing game and I cannot wait for TWAU2.

#2 - Kingdom Hearts

This game/series came to me during the darkest period of my life so in many more ways than one, this game means the world to me. And not only that, but this game was my introduction to anime. It is a perfect clash of anime and Disney and it completed lit the flame of character design and OC creation for me. Utada Hikaru was the front-runner through my early pre-teen years and every sketchbook I owned was crammed with Sora, Riku, Roxas, Kairi, Naminé and Axel. Despite the incredibly hard to digest lore and enormous cast of characters, this game is amazing. And I say 'this game' because I also love KH2 and so on but there's just something about Sora's innocent dedication and determination that struck a cord with me in the first game. KH1 is the beginning of this long detailed journey and the nostalgia from the first game has just always stuck with me. I love this game with my whole heart, despite how hard it is for me to defeat one boss.

If the appeal of Mickey, his gang and a massive cast of Disney movie characters interacting with you in their worlds doesn't draw you in, the characters and environments of this game will. That and battles are very reminiscent of D&D and Miitopia. Despite the lack of merchandise at the time, Kingdom Hearts was even a hit with the popular kids at my school. A beautiful and complicated game with a massive place in my heart. 

#1 - Life is Strange

My favourite. My number one. My everything. This game is my ultimate comfort game (aside from Animal Crossing), I've lost track of how many times I've played it. Life is Strange (unfortunately, and no offence) has many ties to my ex but 2015 was such a nostalgic year which might be why I love it so much.

You know how people always say "I kin (insert character here)"? One of my top kins is Max Caulfield. Max is who I was and still am - shy, introverted and a people-pleaser. I love her with every fibre of my being. I actually started to act like her when I would ride around in the car, listening to To All Of You and Santa Monica Dream on repeat, romanticizing my beige hometown.

The world-building in this game was phenomenal. Despite being a grungy, sleepy seaside town, I want with every fibre of my being to visit Arcadia Bay. They showed so much of it that playing the game and watching play-throughs made it feel completely immersive, that you were actually there or at least grew up there. I felt many emotions when I finished the last chapter, including immense nostalgia and farsickness. Arcadia Bay felt like dysfunctional home. 

And the characters, oh my lord the characters. Again, depending on player's choices you either built new friendships or created barriers between others. *SLIGHT SPOILERS - In the end, my heart broke for Nathan. My heart shattered when Max listened to his voicemail. And Victoria - she was just insecure. I remember seeing a Life is Strange dating sim that someone made and Max x Victoria was an option and I was not against it!* You sympathize with so many people and have the potential to find the good in so many that the final choice of the game hits you hard. There are so many possible choices to make.

And then of course, Chloe. My type isn't punk but it is when it's Chloe Price. Despite her bad influence and poor health choices, you cannot help but love her. She and Max grow so much over the course of the game, in many more ways than I'd originally expected. 

The plot twist of the game shook me just as much as the one from Heavy Rain. Literal chills. 

And that's it that's all! I'm excited to see if this list shifts and changes as new games are released (*cough cough* Life is Strange: True Colours) so we'll see~