Top 10 Best Video Game Stories: Ranked & Explained

Video games today are not just about pressing buttons and having quick fun anymore. Many players now look for games that tell deep emotional stories that stay on our minds even after switching off the screen. Some of these stories can feel as strong as a good movie or novel because they mix simple but powerful writing with great characters and rich, detailed worlds.

In this article, our focus is on the top 10 best video game stories and why they stand out. These best story video games are for every type of gamer, which is why games like The Last of Us, Red Dead Redemption 2, and The Witcher 3 are often called some of the best story-driven games you can play.

Ranking Factors

These are the three main factors we used to rank all the video games with the best stories by story for the list to feel fair.

1. Narrative

By narrative, we mean how well the main story is written and how smoothly it moves from beginning to end. Titles with emotional themes and an engaging plot make the game feel more complete.

2. Character Development

The character development in any game monitors growth both internally and externally. When a character has real-feeling emotions and mental flaws, the story is more interesting because it is relatable.

3. Lore

Lore refers to the world-building of the story with history, culture, factions, and important past events. Games with rich lore feel alive, allowing players to explore beyond just the gaming storyline.

Top 10 Best Video Game Stories

Our picks for the video games with the best stories include some popular titles like Silent Hill 2, God of War, Mass Effect 2 and more. Continue reading to find out the top choices that you can try out today.

10. Undertale

In this video game, a human child falls into the Underground and comes across a variety of Monsters. While it may seem fairly basic at first glance, Undertale has rich gameplay with great depth.

Undertale's lore contains much about the backstory of the relationship between humans and Monsters, which the player learns over multiple playthroughs and from hidden areas throughout the game, making it one of the best video game stories.

9. Silent Hill 2

Silent Hill 2 narrates the story of James Sunderland, who travels to the foggy town of Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his wife, who is supposed to be dead. The story uses symbolism and creepy imagery to show what is happening inside James’s mind.

James' character changes as he slowly uncovers the truth, and the world itself seems to shape itself around each person’s trauma and best fit for video games with the best stories. The game was published by Konami and developed by Team Silent. To learn more about the game, check out our coverage of all Silent Hill games in order.

8. Life is Strange

Life is Strange follows Max Caulfield, a photography student who discovers she can rewind time. The story focuses on her complicated friendship with Chloe Price. They deal with teenage struggles such as mental health issues. Several in-game tough choices change the future.

The town’s secrets and mysteries slowly appear as you explore, talk to people, and examine small details, making it a video game with the best story.

7. Disco Elysium

Disco Elysium tells the story of a detective who wakes up with no memory after a night of heavy drinking. He must solve a murder in a city filled with political conflict and poverty.

Instead of traditional combat, your inner thoughts and skills act like voices guiding you or arguing with you. Disco Elysium's world is filled with unique lore about its history, ideologies, and unusual technology. They are revealed through long talks and exploration.

6. God of War

God of War from 2018 showcases an older Kratos living in a Norse world with his son, Atreus. Their journey to scatter the ashes of Atreus’s mother becomes a story about family, guilt, and learning to communicate.

Kratos and Atreus slowly learn to understand each other. The world is filled with Norse gods, myths, and hidden realms that make the setting feel deep and rich for the best Video Game stories. They must work together to survive and fulfil their mission. Also, gamers must not forget that Kratos is easily one of the best video game characters created.

5. BioShock Infinite

BioShock Infinite takes place in Columbia, a floating city in the sky. The plot follows Booker DeWitt as he tries to rescue a girl named Elizabeth. Booker and Elizabeth both have troubled pasts. Their character growth drives the story forward.

The world’s lore explains Columbia’s unusual technology and its extreme beliefs. As the plot moves forward, gamers learn how the city came to be, using audio logs and environmental details.

4. Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2 puts you in the role of Commander Shepard, who must gather a team for a dangerous mission to stop an alien threat known as the Collectors.

The story's structure feels like preparing for one final, impossible job. Every squad member has their own story and loyalty mission. It makes the characters the heart of the experience.

3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt follows Geralt of Rivia. He searches for Ciri, his adopted daughter, with a ghostly army called the Wild Hunt threatening the world.

The story blends emotions with huge magical and political conflicts. The world is filled with myths, history, and unique regions that feel truly alive.

2. Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 follows Arthur Morgan. The protagonist is an outlaw trying to find his place as the Wild West era slowly disappears. He is part of the Van der Linde gang. The game shows how everything around him begins to break apart.

Almost every gang member feels like a real person with their own struggles. The world shows the shift from the wild frontier to a more modern America. Both the publisher and developer are Rockstar Games.

1. The Last of Us

The Last of Us tells the story of Joel, a tired smuggler. He meets Ellie, a teenage girl who might be the key to curing a deadly infection that has destroyed most of the world. Their journey across the United States shows how far people can go to protect someone they care about.

The story is well known for its emotional moments and bold ending. It still makes players argue about what is right or wrong. The game was published by Sony Computer Entertainment and developed by Naughty Dog.