Can you imagine living like an outlaw bounty hunter from 1899 or a spy, special operations soldier, and mercenary from modern-day warfare? Modern games take role-playing to the next level. Any gamer can take on the role and start living the player’s life. The realistic graphics, engaging music, mind-boggling environmental details, and story narration will make you want to take on the role in real life. The life of Aurthur from Red Dead Redemption 2 is entirely of betrayal and hardships, taking players on an emotional roller coaster. Similarly, Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid also fights through his moral compass while in a war.
Modern AAA games are like movies that the players get to live. They are incredibly immersive and take you through the character’s life. They are well-directed and have a solid storyline. If you are looking for some games with outstanding graphics and stories that will touch your heart, here are the sneak peeks of the 5 best video game storylines of all time. We recommend playing each one of them.
1. The Last of Us: A Journey Through Post-Apocalyptic America
If you are into zombies and the anarchy they might bring to the world, then The Last of Us is the best video game with a solid storyline. It has excellent gameplay mechanics. It’s like living the life of a man who loses everything and finds hope for the planet by playing a vital role in creating the cure. Here are the snippets from the most popular game across all platforms for its storyline:
Joel and Ellie: A Father-Daughter Bond in a Hostile World
The game starts with a story of a father, Joel Miller, and a daughter, Sarah. Their simple life turns into a nightmare in minutes with a mutant Cordyceps fungus outbreak. While trying to escape from the anarchy, a paranoid FEDRA soldier shoots the daughter in the gut, leading to her death.
Joel later finds a 14-year-old girl who becomes the most important person on the planet. She was bitten by one of the infected but showed no sign of Cordyceps fungus working. In the West, scientists think they can create a cure for Ellie’s immune system, and with the help of a group named Firefly, they travel to rid the world of the disease. Along the way, Joel bonds with the girl and ends up in a Father-Daughter bond.
Infected with Madness: The Cordyceps Brain Infection and Its Impact on Society
The game shows that the CBI (Cordyceps brain infection) eventually turns humans into a carrier with an urge to spread the virus by biting people. Immediately after the outbreak, 60% of the population became infected with the virus. The concept of CBI is from a real-world virus, which makes it horrendous.
The Power of Human Connection Amidst Despair
Ellie and Joel find that human connection is among the most demanding situations. The game ends very powerfully when the duo reaches the destination where scientists will use Ellie to find the cure. Soon enough, he finds out that they will need vast chunks of her brain, thus leading to her death.
Joel is now stuck with a heart-wrenching decision where he has to let go of another person he holds dear. The game puts the player under extreme pressure, bringing out the beauty of the game’s storyline. Play the game to know further.
2. Metal Gear Solid: A Tale of Stealth, Espionage, and Physical Test
Snake: A Stealthy Soldier’s Quest to Regain Control of a Nuclear Weapon
The game revolves around the life of a government agent, “Snake.” As the name suggests, Snake is known for his stealth and extraordinary soldier characteristics. It is a Japanese game developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Japan. The player has to use his stealth and exceptional skills to regain control of a secret nuclear base from terrorists’ hands.
Unarmed and Undeterred: Snake’s Stealthy Battle against Rogue FOXHOUND
The player goes against a rouge unit, FOXHOUND, to liberate hostages and stop them from launching a nuclear strike. In the initial stages of the game, the protagonist has low-power weapons, and he must use his stealth to take over the enemy undetected. Revolver Ocelot, one of the members of the rogue FOXHOUND unit, gets hold of Snake.
Tortured and Tested: Snake’s Final Confrontation with Revolver Ocelot
By the end of the game, the player has to put in extra effort to escape the torture of Ocelot. Players can die being tortured on an electric rack or put in extra effort to break free. The game ends with Snake conversing with an unidentified man about the accident’s aftermath.
3. Max Payne 3
Max Payne 3 is a story filled with a complex man’s story; as players, we get to live through the experience. The game is the sequel to the successful Max Payne series developed by Rockstar Games. Here is a sneak peek that shows which game has the best storyline.
From New York Streets to the Gritty Underworld of São Paulo
Max Payne 3 starts with the former New York detective and undercover cop who left police work in 2003. Now he is in São Paulo, Brazil, trying to let go of his past and doing what he does best: bodyguard. He protects the wealthy family of Rodrigo Branco with his fellow Raul Passos.
From Bodyguard to Savior: Max Payne’s Reluctant Return to Action
As expected in the line of work, a street gang kidnaps Rodrigo’s wife, Fabiana, and before we know it, Max Payne is back saving fallen women. Excellent game shooting mechanics topped with a dark story will get anyone hooked. The hostage exchange goes equally bad, with multiple personnel with high-tech weapons showing up at the exchange.
A Shocking Conclusion Filled with Gore, Violence, and Unsettling Truths
Max Payne goes bald and ruthless like he never was in the final stages. High on painkillers, he goes deep into Victor and UFE’s involvement in organ theft. The game ends with extreme gore and violence that our bald protagonist never faced. Overall, the game has a deep storyline, interesting characters, and an unfamiliar environment that will undoubtedly get anyone hooked. It deserves to be the video game with the best storyline category.
4. BioShock
BioShock is the choice if you love games with unique storylines that take you into a fantastic world. Gamers massively accredited the game due to its excellent graphics and direction. Here is a snippet of the story that makes this video game have one of the best storylines ever.
A Lone Survivor’s Descent into an Underwater Dystopia
In the year 1960, Jack remains the only survivor of a plane crash in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. He discovers the underwater city Rapture. The player finds himself trapped in an unknown place and tries to grasp the realities of the dangerous dystopia.
The Discovery of ADAM and Rapture’s Spiral into Chaos
The decline of Rapture starts when genetic material ADAM is discovered and sets the city into a declining society. Our player fights through the chaos using weapons and plasmids that give him unique powers. ADAM are skill-enhancing Plasmids. Our player tries to fight into the proxy war between Atlas and Andrew.
BioShock’s Enduring Exploration of Human Nature
The game forces you to fight off the Big Daddy and collect ADAM from the Little Sisters. The player has no choice but to continue to process for survival. The game challenges the player’s moral compass and exposes the player to concepts of free will and unchecked ambition. The game has multiple possible endings: Happy, Sad, and Worst.
5. Grand Theft Auto 5
GTA 5 is the second game listed from Rockstar Games. It is the most popular game of all time. The game was released in 2013 and still has a massive online following. Gamers play GTA 5 to make money using websites such as Eldorado. These online game marketplaces have GTA 5 accounts for selling and buying. GTA 5 takes a deeper dive into each player’s past than any other game in the series. So, let’s explore the three switchable character stories.
Michael De Santa: From Gangster to Family Man
The game plot primarily starts with the life of Micheal, who is part of a small group of robbers. They successfully rob a bank, but at the end of the heist, Micheal gets to keep all the loot for himself. After that, he settles with his family, which has a troubling nature. Micheal seems unhappy about how his kids turn out. He also finds out that his wife is cheating on him. Michael becomes unable to escape his past and gives regular visits to psychiatrists who don’t seem to be working. Eventually, he finds himself in the Los Santos criminal underworld again.
Trevor Phillips: An Unpredictable and Explosive Force
Being chaotic and unpredictable, Trevor Phillips emerges from the depths of the criminal underworld, fueled by a burning desire for revenge. His descent into madness intensifies as he relentlessly pursues Michael, his estranged partner, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. Despite his volatility, Trevor’s unbreakable bond with Michael reveals a twisted reflection of their past camaraderie.
Franklin Clinton: From Street Hustler to High-Stakes Operator
Franklin Clinton is a street hustler with a sharp mind and a hunger for success. He explores the underworld of Los Santos. However, Franklin quickly gets involved in jobs that put his moral compass to the test. He has to make tough choices and eventually meets our other protagonist, Micheal. Together, they make a great team, but their relationship has a bitter ending.
Conclusion
Overall, our 5 best video game storylines contain games that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster. The purpose is to present our readers with a list that not only helps them build a gaming library full of unforgettable narratives but also showcases the incredible storytelling potential of video games.
Some games will challenge players’ moral compass, while others will explore complex themes of love, loss, redemption, and the very nature of humanity. So why wait? Try out each game to spend quality time on your gaming hardware!