Summary
Narrative-driven games can be a somewhat acquired taste, as many of them are rather antithetical to video games as a whole: they frequently don’t feature much in the way of gameplay. From the old-school LucasArts adventure games to more modern story-rich titles such as Telltale’sThe Walking Dead, many of these games rely on occasional puzzles and interactive story elements to keep players engaged. However, there are also plenty of gameplay-heavy experiences with rich, well-told stories (Half-Lifebeing just one example).
From complex narratives and well-written characters to interactive, meaningful story decisions and rich worldbuilding, these games encompass a variety of narrative-driven experiences that are rich in story. In the interest of variety, this topic aims to cover multiple genres.
Developed bythe prolific Klei Entertainment(Don’t Starve,Oxygen Not Included),Griftlandsis a unique roguelike deckbuilder that tasks players with the management of two decks: one for negotiation, and one for violence. This results in a gameplay loop that’s unique toGriftlands, allowing players to approach obstacles and challenges from different directions and even exercise some role-playing muscles.
While thedeckbuilding and roguelikegameplay is at the forefront ofGriftlands, its RPG and story-driven elements are a great part of what makes it unique. The ensemble cast of NPCs and variety of playable characters also help to support the game’s story-driven nature.
Featuring an art style similar togames likePaper Marioand a charming sense of humor that does a lot of heavy lifting,Duck Detectiveis a love letter to hard-boiled, pulpy detective stories colored with a cartoon personality, brought to life through positively unhinged voice acting.
Duck Detectiveis a ridiculously accessible experience that almost anyone can enjoy, with an intuitivemystery-solving systemand a lighthearted conspiracy at the heart of its story. The characters, music, and tongue-in-cheek tone really help to sell the experience, offering players a truly unique title that’s as much of an homage as it is its own beast.
Caves Of Qudisa traditional roguelikethat doubles as an RPG, going as far as to offer multiple game modes and allowing players to enjoy the game without the threat of permanent death. One of this roguelike’s greatest strengths is its careful blend of procedural and hand-crafted content, resulting in a world that benefits from attention to detail and an underlying sense of mystery.
The evocative writing sprinkled throughoutCaves Of Qud, from its expressive item descriptions to its quirky dialogue interactions, elevates the experience dramatically. There’s plenty to discover in, around, and underneaththe science-fantasy worldofCaves Of Qud, and the richness of its stories is found less often in quests and more in the worldbuilding itself.
ThoughHollow Knightis an excellent Metroidvania with a well-tuned combat system, it could be argued that its greatest strengths are arguably its subtle narrative threads and the ensemble cast of quirky NPCs that support them.The wonderful art styleand imaginative underground world of Hallownest provide an evocative backdrop, supported by atmospheric music and joyously written characters.
The richness ofHollow Knight’sstory is born primarily from its well-realized world and the attention to detail in its design. Learning about the world around and the stories within it is done primarily through talking to the many memorable charactersHollow Knightoffers, but also through subtle environmental storytelling.
Essentiallya walking-simulator,Firewatchis elevated by its incredible atmosphere and the well-written dialogue between its protagonist and supporting character, Delilah. Much of the game is centered around the relationship between these two characters, facilitated by frequent radio chatter.
It’s a story that twists and turns from unsettling to cozy, emotional to uplifting, and the evocative setting provides a wonderful backdrop to the experience. Players who enjoy more simple, grounded stories that focus on relationships and very human problems will likely find a lot to love withFirewatch.
Disco Elysiumis a unique role-playing game with a distinctive skill system that drives the gameplay forward. Despite much of the game being centered around text,Disco Elysiumrarely feels dry, thanks in large part to a beautifully realized painterly art style and talented voice acting.
The narrative in place inDisco Elysiumis supported by rich worldbuilding and a cast of colorful characters, each of which offer their own quirky personalities and nuances. Fans of detective stories, audacious worldbuilding, and melancholic atmospheres should certainly giveDisco Elysiuma try.
There’s something unique and simultaneously familiar aboutNight In The Woodsand its autumnal small-town setting, and the story that unfolds, along with its cast of memorable characters, make it a setting worth being immersed in. From the charming interactions between friends and family, to the biting edge and melancholic atmosphere brought about by the game’s wonderful soundtrack,Night In The Woodshas a lot to offer for fans of story-rich experiences.
Night In The Woodsis a story-driven game, bothering very little with gameplay (outside of a slew of mini-games and the simple act of exploration). However, its colorful characters and carefully told story of a college dropout returning home do plenty of heavy lifting on their own.
Magical realism is at the heart ofKentucky Route Zero, but despite its otherworldly nature, it remains a relatively grounded story. Taking place over the course of multiple distinct acts,Kentucky Route Zerotakes players on a journey through a rich, surreal depiction of Kentucky.
The imaginative locations, superb dialogue, and atmospheric music result in a story-rich package that’s incredibly immersive, supported by an expertly crafted sense of place and mood. Featuring a stunning 2D art style, truly moving music, and a variety of emotional beats that are both tragic and thoughtful,Kentucky Route Zerowill pull at anyone’s heartstrings if they let it.
