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#5 Firewatch
Firewatch was a big hit when it first released so we wouldn’t be surprised if you already went through this game. Developed by Campo Santo, which is now owned by Valve, came Firewatch. This game is a walking simulator which means that the gameplay is mainly exploring the area, picking up some items, and solving puzzles. As a result, the game can be quite relaxing as you’re fully focused on the narrative or mission at hand. In Firewatch you’re taken back to 1989 where our protagonist Henry, has become a forest fire lookout. Back then these jobs were isolated and it was tough for people to leave loved ones or friends.
For Henry, his only means of communication came in the form of a walkie-talkie that spoke to a nearby forest fire lookout, a woman named Delilah. As the game progresses, we learn more about Henry and his decision of becoming a fire lookout. However, as the game progresses, it also seems that there is someone else in the area causing mischief. This is another example of a game that can be completed rather quickly as you’ll only need to set aside four hours to complete the main story.
#4 Life is Strange
Dontnod Entertainment managed to create an IP that was a huge hit and it’s sparked additional video game installments after the first debut release. Life is Strange is an episodic adventure, but of course, right now the game is complete which means you can enjoy the full season without having to wait for episodes to release. In this game, players take the role of a girl named Max. Max has returned to her hometown of Arcadia Bay thanks to being accepted into a prestigious school for photography but it’s upon her return that she discovers a newfound supernatural power.
Max posses the ability to rewind time. It’s with this new power she manages to save her old best friend and rekindle their friendship. However, now that the duo has this unique power, they can dive into some of the darkest mysterious this town has been keeping secret. It’s quite the emotional journey and one that will rely on players making narrative choices. As for the gameplay, this is an adventure title where you’ll have to explore and solve a series of puzzles to progress the narrative. Being an episodic game, the full season will take players a bit of time to complete. You’re looking at about fourteen hours to finish the first season.
#3 Nier: Automata
Nier: Automata is a game that’s beloved by so many and it’s a game that you’ll get recommendations on for a wide variety of lists. Once you pick up this game, it’s going to be tough putting it down. In this world, Humanity has left Earth from these mechanical forces and it’s a fight to reclaim the world. However, rather than fighting this war themselves, humanity has crafted up advanced human-like androids to fight off these mechanical beasts. As the war rages on you’ll follow the story of androids 2B, 9S, and A2 during their difficult journey. This game has been around for a good little while now so you can likely find a new copy at a pretty big discount. Still, you’ll want to set aside some time to go through this main storyline as it will take you about twenty hours to complete.
#2 The Witcher 3
The Witcher has become such a worldwide hit that it’s continuing to spark interest from players to pick up The Witcher 3 either for the first time or simply a means to replay it. This is also due to the hit Netflix adaptation of the novel series, which was the source material the developers CD Projekt Red used for their video game series adaptation. In this rich narrative adventure, players take on the role of Geralt of Rivia who is dealing with an invasion from the Northern Kingdom and the Wild Hunt.
The narrative does wonders as it blurs the lines between good and evil, making players go with their gut feelings. If you haven’t played this RPG then you’re missing out though going in blind without having some knowledge of the series, in general, is not recommended. You’ll also find yourself sinking over fifty hours of the main game, that’s just the main game as there are expansions that add additional storyline content.
#1 Red Dead Redemption 2
Lastly, I want to throw in Red Dead Redemption 2 as a game filled with a narrative adventure that players may lose countless hours in. This is a prequel to Red Dead Redemption so if you’re a newcomer you’ll still be able to enjoy this title as a standalone adventure though with that said, the narrative does pick back up in Red Dead Redemption. In Red Dead Redemption 2 players step into the boots of Arthur Morgan, a rough outlaw that has been riding with the Dutch Van Der Linde Gang. In a heist that went wrong, the group has been forced to flee though the government is seemingly not far away. Each member of this gang has their own story to tell and in this massive world, you’ll end up meeting quite a few interesting side characters that may need help along the way.
Still, this journey if such a fun one to sit in on. It’s filled with romance, revenge, friendships, and penance. You never really know where the storyline is going to go. Not to mention when you’re not diving into the narrative, you’ll find yourself exploring this old west world. This is also a hefty game to go through. If you’re sticking just to the storyline, you’re going to be spending nearly fifty hours in the game otherwise completionists will have well over a hundred hours worth of content.
Bonus
Quantum Break
Quantum Break sets players up in a fictional university where a group of individuals, one of which is our protagonist Jack Joyce, conducts an experiment. Things don’t go as plan leaving Jack alongside our main antagonist of the narrative, Paul Serene, with time-manipulating powers.
With a rift building between the two, it’s clear that Jack must stop Paul from potentially ripping time apart altogether. This game also features a live-action series with players getting to sit through a couple of episodes that further progress the plot. As such, if you’re a narrative junkie and crave a rich and vivid story then you may want to give this game a shot. This narrative adventure will take you about ten hours to complete the main storyline.
Thimbleweed Park
Thimbleweed Park was an instant hit after it was released under Terrible Toybox and as a spiritual successor to the much-beloved Manic Mansion. This is an adventure game where players are tasked with investigating a murder within a small town. Players will be going through this point-and-click style adventure game investigating the area, gathering clues, and speaking with a cast of oddity characters. It’s a quirky but fun story game and if you enjoy the likes of Twin Peaks then you’ll find quite a bit of charm throughout this game. Since the game was also released back in 2017, you can get the game relatively cheap.
