Looking for a well written story

[PhoenixFlame]

If you liked Silent Hill, then original Resident Evil might be a good bet. It's made fun of for the cheesy stuff but is a good classic game with a solid "survival horror" feel.

You liked Disgaea? If you don't mind that, then Final Fantasy Tactics will be a perfect fit for you, if you can live without it having voice since you had listed it. It's much loved for the mechanics but the story is great too.

The original Blood Omen was a great game which is borderline RPG but is more of an action game. Frequently narrated dialogue, great, dark story, good anti-hero.

 

[Same River New Water]

I never play these kinds of games. ... Alas, I don?t like sci-fi plots. ... No pretentious sci-fi/ Star Wars or medievil/ LotR games. I thought people would pick this up with the 'originality' tag, but maybe not. ... I really admire stories with uniqueness or putting a spin on things, which is why I will avoid Bioware games at all costs. ... I understand I?m kinda on a whim here asking for a good story on a forum like this, as it's pretty obvious this site is more akin to FPS/ RPG gamers, genres where its more acceptable to have a game devoid of a good story ... I've also been recommended Bloodlines on other forums so at some point I'll bite the bullet with this, despite the clichéd Vampire thing.

Jesus H Christ, man. Judgemental much? For someone who's so opposed to pretentiousness, you're an awful snob.

This isn't in any way an FPS/RPG site. It's an intelligent gaming review site. The only reason we focus on FPSes and RPGs is that they're the bulk of what is new at the moment, but if you browse back issues of the Escapist magazine itself you'll find issues and articles about adventure games, writing in games, game narratives and the like.

Most of my nominations have been said, so I'll suggest a game I haven't actually played but heard a lot about, and that's Psychonauts. Yahtzee, story-loving flower child that he is, gave it a glowing review: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation/1368-Zero-Punctuation-Psychonauts

 

[goestoeleven]

Jesus H Christ, man. Judgemental much? For someone who's so opposed to pretentiousness, you're an awful snob.

This isn't in any way an FPS/RPG site. It's an intelligent gaming review site. The only reason we focus on FPSes and RPGs is that they're the bulk of what is new at the moment, but if you browse back issues of the Escapist magazine itself you'll find issues and articles about adventure games, writing in games, game narratives and the like.

No, man, it's OBVIOUS we're a forum biased towards FPS, RPG, Adventure (Point-and-click as well as Text), Survival Horror, Action-Adventure, Beat-em-up, and Puzzle games, as well as many varied hybrids of the above.

(And that's just based on what we actually recommended.)

 

[Same River New Water]

The only reason we focus on FPSes and RPGs is that they're the bulk of what is new at the moment

No, man, it's OBVIOUS we're a forum biased towards FPS, RPG, Adventure (Point-and-click as well as Text), Survival Horror, Action-Adventure, Beat-em-up, and Puzzle games, as well as many varied hybrids of the above.

(And that's just based on what we actually recommended.)

Oh sorry, I forgot our nefarious plan for a second there. Take that, Sim games and platformers!

i don't get how people think half life has a good story at all. i played it for what seemed like forever and the only trace of a story i found was the occasional scientist telling me to go to the something wing and interface the particle overdrive belt to repair the holes in the quantum guitar riff or something.

I finished Half Life 2 with very little idea of why anything was happening. I could see that there were alien stromtroopers enslaving a city of refugees, plus some zombies and some War of the Worlds tripods, but I didn't really know what their deal was, despite having played Half-Life 1. So I went and read all about it on Wikipedia, which told me a lot of stuff I would have liked to know during the game.

Valve do very little story telling, but they occasionally do some subtle story-showing. Like, you see the ships and ports beached by the receding shoreline and the houses bricked up in the city, but you have to connect the dots yourself to realise the implications: that the Combine is slowly devouring the planet for resources. There are also some newspaper clippings and such scattered around which indicate the history of the Combine invasion, and the megaphone broadcasts of Dr Breen and Dr Kleiner imply a lot about the political state. Subtler hints: the make of cars and two or three street signs in the city indicate you're in Eastern Europe. It's all very clever, but it's also all easy to miss.

Do they ever say where the Antlions are from? (I haven't played Episode 2 yet.)

 

[Terramax]

Most of my nominations have been said, so I'll suggest a game I haven't actually played but heard a lot about, and that's Psychonauts. Yahtzee, story-loving flower child that he is, gave it a glowing review

Yep, that's another Schafer game. I loved it. LOVED IT! I avoided that game when it was first released because I was quite angred that he'd left the adventure game scene, but I prefer to think now that if I ever bash my head against a wall by accident, it's my well-deserved karma for not picking the game straight up at first release.

I'm still skeptical with Half Life 2 and I made the decision ages ago not to sign up to Valve. If I get an Xbox360 in the future then I'll go looking for it to see what all the fuss it about (assuming I don't have to sign up online with Orange Box).

 

[lohac]

I finished Psychonauts only a few days ago, after buying it for the steal it was on Steam. It's quite simply the best platformer I've played. Because it has an ace in the hole called a /story/. Also, if you liked Max Payne, Terramax, why not give Max Payne 2 a shot? It picks up from the story of the first one and keeps it really interesting. Also very replayable due to the various small choices you can make during the game and an infinity of easter eggs and entertaining dialogue. I think they just added both Max Paynes to Steam recently, too.
The Half-Life series, if you're looking for a story, are an 'ok' solution. The main character doesn't speak and is completely transparent because of it, but the world and its atmosphere are great. Also, you get a bit more out of the story if you've played Half-Life 1. But you can probably find the 'storyline' of HL1 summarized in five lines in Wikipedia.

 

[Kryopsis]

I'd like to suggest Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura. If you disregard the bugs and the balance issues, you are going to enjoy this game. It is an incredibly subtle parody of traditional RPG storylines and is spectacularly well-written. Also the game's steampunk setting and the conflict between magic and technology are original and add a lot of depth to an already great game.

You might also give the original Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption a spin. It's not a particularly deep game but I found that the game's story is the better of its kind.

 

[Annonchinil]

Hmmm If you want a good story I would not go for Fallout or VtM:B, simply because the stroies in those games are not very good. Instead they are praised for things like writing, role-playing, atmosphere, setting and characters, the overreaching main plot in those games is only alright.

I would reccomend PS:T but only if you do not mind a ton of reading. Also out of the many games that claim to be mature and grey it actually feels like one, not because there is nudity or that every choice you make is going to have a bad outcome but because... well I can't really describe it, you have to play it yourself.

One moment that stuck with me (minor spoiler) was when an angel told me that 'those who truly believe their ideas are willing to betray them' and then he had his head chopped of by a walking suit of armour that embodies pure justice. After I finished the game I had to go sit down and just think about all the things that happend in the game.

It also had the only 'moral' choice that I had trouble making simply because it was more of a personal and emotional one rather than simply idelogical/moral.

 

[strayjay]

Ill say it.

Assassin's creed.

If you can get past the "repetitive" game play and actually pay attention to what the characters are saying, you'll find a storyline that gets deeper as you play, the plot thickening like epoxy resin. The assassins are an interesting group, and the philosophy involved in their justification of their work really fascinated me. I've never played a game where I felt the impact of murder quite so deeply, especially in the actual assassinations.

Just an idea.

 

[Corbineau]

Now, Shadow Hearts 1&2 are nominally rpgs. However, the turn based combat, while... well, turn based, has some interesting mechanics in the judgement ring, plus in #2, the combos are pretty awesome/useful. But the stories in both are fairly decent, and in #2, the comedy is freakin' awesome. It's nice to see some meta, a game that doesn't take itself too seriously.

On that note, there's Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. While the story itself is on the surface, bare bones Michael Chriton schlock, the game, once again, doesn't take itself too seriously and is genuinely entertaining, combining Prince of Persia: Sands of Time style platforming and puzzles with a usable (if not terrific) combat/shooter system, and fantastic moments of humor. Like when the protagonist comes up against the giant jungle Doom Fortress, pauses, blinks up, stares and as the title reads "Chapter 5: Fortress" says, "You gotta be kidding me."

Apart from that, well, everyone and their mother has undoubtedly recommended Bioshock, so go play that. Also, the person who recommended Skies of Arcadia is spot on. If you can find a copy, it is a worthy investment.

 

[Corbineau]

Ill say it.

Assassin's creed.

If you can get past the "repetitive" game play and actually pay attention to what the characters are saying, you'll find a storyline that gets deeper as you play, the plot thickening like epoxy resin. The assassins are an interesting group, and the philosophy involved in their justification of their work really fascinated me. I've never played a game where I felt the impact of murder quite so deeply, especially in the actual assassinations.

Just an idea.

I don't disagree, in fact. The thing is: I enjoy watching it being played more than playing it myself. But yeah, it's got a great story, and the sequels promise more fascinating developments to come.

 

[Corbineau]

I finished Psychonauts only a few days ago, after buying it for the steal it was on Steam. It's quite simply the best platformer I've played. Because it has an ace in the hole called a /story/.

Finally. I cannot BELIEVE I forgot Psychonauts. Jesus Christ Almighty, single best story game ever, possibly best game ever, holy crap excellent. Go get it now!

 

[Gir]

well.. a Few games i enjoyed to the point that i would recomend them.

i will jump all the way back to the NES. in a heart beat i would say
-Dragon Warrior 1, 2, 3.
(of Course these are all RPG's, but i enjoyed the story.. which is consistant, the leveling, the gear change, and the balance.)
Of course i played them back several years ago. i still hold them with high esteam.
(Though, they did make a game boy port for 1 and 2 and a game boy color port for 3 which i would whole heartly sugest if your not in to the whole old school walk to a chest, open action menu and use "open Chest" walk to npc "talk" selection which is replaced with the standard push "a".
Jumping ahead of course to the playsation.
-Syphon Filter 1, 2, and 3. (they aren't too complicated. there's story. Lots of fun little things to do. all for playstation. Third person gunnin. But i still find it to be one of my favorite shooters (first being Rainbow6 vegas, due to it's decent play and the co-op muti player which was something i couldn't find anywhere... just death matches among players which is boring. to me )

Another Game i enjoyed with GREAT reverence, And when i say that i mean it's prolly the best of the series.
-Final Fantasy Tactics (the graphics sure aren't "FF13" but the story is the best in the series EASY. and the story doesn't involve "you" the single protaganist to save the world from a "single" evil that wants domination or something. it trully is amazing. and worth it 110% to play threw the entire game.

Anyways, that was my two cents
-Gir

 

[BPLlama]

Anybody interested in great game stories needs to learn two names, and learn them well.

a)Tim Schafer - http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,1365/
b)Ron Gilbert - http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,1363/

These two guys are responsible for writing nearly all of the greatest game stories, ever. The best stories are the ones they both contributed to, but Tim's solo stuff is also incredible.

My favorite samples of their work include:

Maniac Mansion
Secret of Monkey Island (1,2, and 3)
Sam & Max Hit the Road
Day of the Tentacle
Full Throttle
Grim Fandango <-- The best of the best, in my opinion
Psychonauts <-- Most original of the lot, and that's saying something since they're all pretty damn original

 

[dreamshark]

I value story and writing very highly, too, Terramax! Thanks for starting this thread. IMHO, the best stories are in the older adventure/puzzle games. If you like Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers you should definitely try the Tex Murphy games. Cleverly written mystery plots, with the wittiest dialogue trees you'll ever find. The old Sherlock Holmes adventure games are in the same mold as Gabriel Knight. I loved Shivers and Shivers2 - rendered screen puzzle games with an entertaining story to discover. Black Dahlia has an incredibly deep and well-researched historical plot, but extremely tedious game mechanics. Worth trying if you can find a copy. Bladerunner is also worth a look, bearing in mind that it's more like an interactive movie than a game (not really a lot of decisions to make, but tons of story). If you like the funny old LucasArt games, the best of them all is "Day of the Tentacle." It's sophomoric, but I couldn't stop laughing. Oh, and Dark Earth, which is sort of like Fallout (only completely different). Best of all, all of these games are dead cheap if you can find computers old enough to run them. So there's little to lose by giving them a try.

Moving to action/adventure - for me Realms of the Haunting was an epiphany. I got so sucked in by the deeply creepy, very complex story that I overcame my fear of 1st-person shooters and eventually went on to things like Half-Life (which does not have much story at all, that I can see, but has one hell of a BACKSTORY). Other people have mentioned the sneaker-shooters from Looking Glass and its descendants (Thief, System Shock, Deus Ex). Deus Ex is the best game EVER. FPS fun in the Half Life mode, but with story and character development that leave Half Life in the dust. Deus Ex is better than its sequel, but both are great.

Here's one final recommendation that nobody else is going to mention, but until I played Deus Ex it was my favorite game of all time: Azrael's Tear. It's an obscure DOS game from the mid-90's. It's a first-person adventure game with occasional easy action sequences. Mostly it's story, puzzle-solving and exploration. Lots of games use the Knights Templar mythology as a background, but this one gets it right. The last dozen or so survivors from the Templar massacre have been holed up in the caverns under a Scottish Rite temple for 600 years, and none of them are exactly playing with a full deck any more. You meet them one by one and hear different sides of the same story and eventually have to choose sides. The story unfolds in a non-linear fashion through conversations and scraps of parchment which can be discovered in any order as you complete side quests. There were times in playing this game when I could literally feel the hair rise on the back of my neck, and the denouement blew me away: all through story, not pulse-pounding action. If you can find this game somewhere, and dig up a machine antique enough to run it, you should play it!

 

[dreamshark]

i don't get how people think half life has a good story at all. i played it for what seemed like forever and the only trace of a story i found was the occasional scientist telling me to go to the something wing and interface the particle overdrive belt to repair the holes in the quantum guitar riff or something.

I finished Half Life 2 with very little idea of why anything was happening. I could see that there were alien stromtroopers enslaving a city of refugees, plus some zombies and some War of the Worlds tripods, but I didn't really know what their deal was, despite having played Half-Life 1.

EXACTLY! It's obvious that somebody had put a lot of thought into the backstory, but for some reason the implementers of the game never get around to explaining any of it. The actual plot of Half-Life2 is a series of scenes that go more or less like this: "Gordon! Thank God you finally got here! Let me explain what's going on.... oh oh! Here they come! Quick! Take this thing and run THAT WAY with it!! Good luck and God bless!!"

The scenery is fantastic and it's really a lot of fun, but kind of like watching X-Files for 7 seasons and finally realizing that you're never gonna find out what the deal is with The Black Oil, or where the Cigarette Smoking Man buys his Morleys.

 

[Vigormortis]

I've been told you have to sign up to the internet and hand out personal details regarding your pc information in order to play?

Alas, I don?t like sci-fi plots. I'd give Bioshock the chance though, as it appears to have some much needed 'originality', but I am aware of the hoops through that as well (hoping Metaboli will get it at some point) and maybe Deus Ex for its freedom of choice.

Ok, to install HL2 you do need to make a steam account and download the updates, but that's it. Once you have it, you don't need to go online ever again to play it. Likewise, who ever told you you need to "hand out personal details regarding your pc information in order to play" is full of crap. Only thing you need to "give" to make a Steam account is a user name, password, and maybe email address. That's it. And as Melaisis said, you can download a slew of other games, from many different companies, some that you yourself want to/have played. If you're really are looking for originality, you can do a hell of a lot worse in pretty much any case than playing Half-Life 2 or Deus Ex. Especially as they fit every one of your definitions. I have to ask though, how can you say you dislike sci-fi, when you liked Metal Gear Solid AND are looking forward to playing Bioshock, System Shock 2, and Deus Ex? You say you want to play them only because they have "originality". Well, then avoid Bioshock. Bioshock is anything but "original". It's basically SS2 with a different paint job. Unsurprising as it's made by the same team. Sure the themes are different, but everthing else feels cloned. Once you played SS2, you won't care to finish Bioshock. As for other titles I'd suggest: can't think of any others that fit your descriptions off the top of my head, but I'll try. There are good, original games out there. They just like to hide. Only thing you can do is keep looking. Til you find them though, a good book is the better choice. (sans the voice acting and interaction of course)

 

[Kikosemmek]

I'm surprised no one mentioned the Baldur's Gate series. It's very much an RPG, but it's the single best storyline I've ever played through. If you play it, absorb it and learn its spirit, and don't just speed through it.