#10 Heavy Rain
- Developer: Quantic Dream
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Platforms: PS3, PS4
- Release: February 23, 2010
Quantic Dream specializes in video games that focus more on the narrative journey than other gameplay mechanics similar to the Life is Strange franchise. Most often the video games are more like walking simulators that are littered with QTEs. We’re looking at Heavy Rain, one of the more critical hits from the development studo.
The game follows a mystery surrounding a serial killer known as the Origami Killer. This killer targets young children where they all end up dying by drowning of rainwater. Throughout this story, you’ll be presented with a cast of characters all in search to find out just who the killer is and each seem to have their own backstory that relates to the case.
When Ethan Mars finds his son kidnapped the hunt begins. You’ll take the role of several characters all of which are looking to save Ethan’s child before its too late. Most of the game is surrounded by investigating characters and areas for clues in attempt to save a child along with finding the true identity of the killer.
#9 Detroit: Become Human
- Developer: Quantic Dream
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Platforms: PS4
- Release: May 25, 2018
Set in Detroit, Michigan, and developed by Quantic Dream, gamers who enjoy choice-driven narratives will want to pick up Detroit: Become Human. This is a futuristic neo-noir thriller that’s based off an old 2012 tech demo from Quantic Dream that became viral online.
Players will take control of three different characters, all of which are androids. You will have Kara, a female android that has escaped the factory from where she was made. There’s also Connor, who is a male android that is tasked with hunting down deviant androids. Lastly, there is Markus, another male android who has begun an android revolution against the human race.
This video game is all about choices and it certainly seems that there will be a ton of them to choose through within the game. In fact, there are so many choices that each will alter the narrative storyline and can have grave consequences with your characters.
#8 Until Dawn
- Developer: Supermassive Games
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Platforms: PS4
- Release: August 25, 2015
Until Dawn is a PlayStation 4 exclusive and a horror adventure title. Developed by Supermassive Games, Until Dawn follows a group of eight characters who decide to hold a holiday retreat at a cabin within a fictional mountain resort in western Canada.
However, their holiday retreat quickly turns sour as they learn a psycho killer is on the loose forcing our group of eight to survive until sunrise. If you enjoy choice-based video games then this title will be a must play.
While this game centers around horror, there is a massive emphasis on choices. Much like Life is Strange, choices will make a difference throughout the narrative and in this particular, it may cost certain characters lives.
#7 Oxenfree
- Developer: Night School Studio
- Publisher: Night School Studio
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO, NS, Android, iOS
- Release: January 15, 2016
Developed as their first debut title, Night School Studio released Oxenfree. This is a supernatural adventure video game that puts players into the role of a teenage girl named Alex. It’s within her weekend trip to a local island that events turn for worse leaving her and a group of friends stranded with a mysterious being.
Most of the game is revolved around choices when speaking to the other cast of characters while you explore the island in search for a means to escape. There will also be a few puzzles to solve as well, though the main center of focus is the story. Speaking of the story, the game will give players the ability to go back and replay the narrative a few times as there will be multiple endings available depending on the choices that you make.
#6 To The Moon
- Developer: Freebird Games
- Publisher: Freebird Games
- Platforms: PC, Android, Ios
- Release: November 1, 2011
Chances are, you already played To The Moon. It was a massive video game since its release and circulated online for fans who enjoyed the more emotionally depth video game titles like Life is Strange. To The Moon is set in the future where players follow a company that is able to give the dying a special treatment. With this treatment, the company is able to tap into the ill’s mind and give them a final fake memory of their choosing, essentially making them believe that they accomplished something they’ve always wanted.
Not only does this story already set up an emotional journey, but the patient you encounter makes for a truly heartfelt journey. Players will be meeting Johnny Wyles, an elderly dying man who has a wish to go to the moon. However, finding out who Johnny was previously as a younger man and his reasons for wanting to reach the moon will likely make you teary-eyed.
