Video games can easily tap into all sorts of situations and emotions for players with the deep narrative storyline. As a result, some video games can be extremely difficult not to set the controller down for a break. If you’re looking to enjoy a game that sucks you in for its narrative journey then we have plenty of great titles that you can enjoy on the PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and lastly the Nintendo Switch platforms. I always like to make note that there are no definitive lists. Everyone has their own opinions and you may have different games you would add in your own list. As a result, we would love to know your personal picks as well.
#21 Quantic Dreams Collection
The Quantic Dreams Collection includes two titles featuring Heavy Rain and Beyond Two Souls. Here’s a quick breakdown of both games.
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.
#20 Beyond: Two Souls
- Developer: Quantic Dream
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Platforms: PS3, PS4
- Release: October 8, 2013
Beyond Two Souls is another Quantic Dream video game title and if you ever played a Quantic Dream video game then you should have a good idea on how this game will play out mechanically. The center focus on these games is narrative where players must go through gameplay in a series of picking up clues, QTE’s, and choices. This game in particular also has a supernatural element to it much like the Life is Strange franchise.
Players take on the character Jodie Holmes who is connected to an invisible supernatural being called Aiden. With the help of Aiden, Jodie can defeat hostilities or interact with objective out of reach but as those realize there is something unique to Jodie, she ends up being taken under the care of the government, doing their bidding.
This narrative follows Jodie’s journey throughout her life and paints a picture of the struggles and joys our protagonist has had because of Aiden.
#19 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.
#18 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.
#17 Firewatch
- Developer: Camp Santo
- Publisher: Panic, Campo Santo
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO, NS
- Release: February 9, 2016
Firewatch is the debut title for development studio’s Campo Santo. Within the game, players take on the role of a forest fire lookout named Henry. Set back in 1989, Henry’s only form of communication is through a walkie-talkie to another nearby forest fire lookout named Delilah.
Overall, Henry is tasked with maintaining the safety of the forest and preventing forest fires if possible. However, there seems to be something more going out in the woods leading to potential sabotage. During this narrative adventure title, players will discover the reason behind Henry taking a job that essentially secludes him from the outside world.
#16 Life is Strange
- Developer: Dontnod Entertainment
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Platforms: Android, iOS, PC, PS3, PS4, X360, XBO
- Release: January 30, 2015
Life is Strange is one of those games that at first glance doesn’t seem to be something that would have such a deep narrative. But when you give it a try, you’ll have a terrible time when it comes to setting the controller down. There are so many elements to the narrative and journey Dontnod Entertainment takes you that it’s easily a great title recommendation for those that want a deeper story or to those that might not be extremely skilled when it comes to gaming.
Within the game, players take the role of a young adult named Max who is in her senior year of high school after she was accepted into a prestigious academy featuring a desirable photography course. This school actually takes Max back to her hometown of Arcadia Bay, Oregon and it’s with her return that she stumbles upon her past best Friend, Chloe.
Years have passed since Max left with her parents and their friendship slowly chipped away into nothing more than acquaintances. However, one day Max discovers she has a supernatural ability to reverse time and through it, she is able to rekindle her friendship with Chloe. But with all that said, there is something deeper that resides in Arcadia Bay and this game definitely doesn’t hold back.
You’ll learn of deep dark secrets the town has kept hidden along with morally tough and emotional choices that will alter the narrative. This is an episodic video game and with the entire season available, we highly recommend playing the game. Gameplay is aimed more towards puzzle solving and exploring which makes it easy for anyone to pick up and play.
