Games with great stories

[Dahne]

Since I play games when I feel like playing them and when I find them on sale, instead of right when they come out like most people, I often arrive at the party very late. It took me a very long time to pick up and Metal Gear Solid, and it took me even longer to pick up Metal Gear Solid 2. I'd heard that the story was the weakest point, due to being convoluted and overcomplicated. And you know what?

I loved it.

Absolutely, head over heels, where-will-I-ever-find-anything-anywhere-near-this-great-again adored it.

Now, my problem.

What to play now?

The average mediocre story isn't gonna cut it anymore. I've played just about every RPG there's ever been several times over. Only current system I've got is a PS2, though I'm thinking about picking up a Cube since the recent pickings have been so slim. I need characters I can care about, sudden plot twists, and all that stuff that made me remember why I started loving games in the first place. Is there anywhere to find that these days?

[Joelius]

I loved SW:KOTOR personally for the story. I mean, i think it was well written, with plot twists (though clues led up to them for all of you that picked them up, unlike me) and i just seemed to fall in love with the old jedi guy. But that is just me, and i do like Star Wars too...

[GunPanther]

For me, the entire Syphon Filter series had a great storyline. Even the atrocious 3rd installment had a great storyline bogged down by repetitive gameplay.





:rockets: GunPanther :2gunfire:

[PhoeniX]

Thanks to the ciruit city deal i was able to purchase many games that i would have otherwise been unable to play. One that has totally grabed me with its solid gameplay and enthrawling story is Beyond Good and Evil!

Once I got over the fact that the "Beyond Good and Evil" was not a Nietzsche reference :( I fell into the game and really think its great. I wish more games would be as original, well produced and compelling as this game!

[Nez]

Xenogears had a great story.
And if you like complicated storys Xenosaga is good but complicated and has too many fmvs.
Oh and the my personal fav. is Disgaea has the Best story IMO.

[classicb]

Thanks to the ciruit city deal i was able to purchase many games that i would have otherwise been unable to play. One that has totally grabed me with its solid gameplay and enthrawling story is Beyond Good and Evil!

Once I got over the fact that the "Beyond Good and Evil" was not a Nietzsche reference :( I fell into the game and really think its great. I wish more games would be as original, well produced and compelling as this game!

I second "Beyond Good and Evil" and I'll add "Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy"

[Dahne]

lol, I *knew* somebody was gonna mention Xenogears. Which did indeed have another example of a wonderful story. Xenosaga, not so much, since very little actually happened.

I'll have to check out Syphon Filter, KOTOR, and BG&E, especially if I can find it at a Circuit City. I've never heard of Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy before.

[-hellvin-]

Betrayal At Krondor for the PC.

Old game, you're gonna need an old school pc to run it, but it has the most AMAZING story I've ever played in any game. The game's story was written by and based on the fantasy novels of Raymond E Feist so naturally it had a wonderful storyline and awesome cutscenes for it's time. I just got totally absorbed in this game and really cared about the characters by the end. Very primitive looking by today but I think it's the best RPG I have ever played.

[classicb]

I've never heard of Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy before.

It was released just before the holiday season and seemed to get lost in the shuffle. Look for some reviews online most reviewers really liked it.

[Kroogah]

SNATCHER for the Sega CD.

[EnemyZero]

I still say FFVII has the best story line of any game ever made to this day.

[Sniderman]

Well, as an old-schooler, I gotta give props to the old Infocom text adventure stuff for storylines. Planetfall, Lurking Horror, Zork - hell, they ALL had a great storyline.

Now, coming into the 21st century , the game that really caught me up in the story was Ico. I don't know why, 'cause it was a real simple fairytale/fable-type storyline, but I really care about the people and what happened to 'em.

The ending delighted me and still haunts me. Can't wait until Ico 2.

[NESaholic]

If i have to choose from the games i played on my nes i would have to say Shadow Warriors.The storyline is very cool, i was stunned when i saw the ultra cool graphix when starting,storyline between the levels and the ending.Great work! :)

[musical]

BEST:
Final Fantasy 10 - not the fake religion story, but the story about Yuna sacrificing herself to save her people

WORST:
Final Fantasy 7 - although a good story, it was poorly executed. They needlessly over-complicated a relatively simple idea.

[calthaer]

Top Tier:
Deus Ex
System Shock 2
the Thief series (1, 2, maybe 3 haven't played it yet)
Ultima VII + Ultima Underworld I & 2
The Dig
Full Throttle

Second place:
Freedom Force
Warcraft III
FF7
TRON 2.0

Third place:
Alundra (ps1)

I would really need to look over my whole collection to remember any other titles; I know there are some.

[Nuadha]

I loved the stories of Final Fantasy 6, 7 and 9. I also really liked Chrono Cross.

My favorite video game story is the story of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night with Aria of Sorrow at a close second.

[Crush Crawfish]

CHRONO TRIGGER!!!!!

Chrono Trigger has the greatest story of any game I've played ever, and it has the greatest cast of characters ever. There has yet to be any game that even comes close to surpassing this masterpiece.


Anyway, I think the game Dahne is looking for is Tales of Symphonia. Easily the best RPG I've played in a long time. It's got everything you're looking for. It's definitely worth buying a gamecube for.

[SoulBlazer]

If you have a GameCube, check out Eteneral Darkness.

For PC, The Longest Journey is a very good adventure game.

[sisko]

Red Faction. Simply enthralling,

Also, both Golden Sun games

[robotriot]

I'd also say The Dig, and maybe Outcast as well.

[SpasticFuctard]

Grim Fandango: Best. Story. Evar.

SF - It's even got a Casablanca allusion!

[Kamino]

good story lines? I'm gonna do something rare in a storyline discussion - talk about the storylines in SHOOTERS.
Max Payne. Had to play through a few times, as i'd notice something else in the storyline. I still wonder about it......leaves so many questions unanswered. Is max the killer? Max payne 2, however, while having a decent plot, leaves nothing to guessing.
Vice City. Freaking awesome storyline. (check my avatar, guess what game i play a lot ;) ) Gta3 has an ok storyline but weakened by the fact that the main character does not talk.

Splinter cell has a very interesting storyline...
And of course we can't forget the panzer dragoon series.

[Dahne]

Where did you get that sweatshirt? :eek 2: I must have one.

[Kamino]

@dahne: the VC hoodie? good freakin luck man, i scored it on ebay, its a promo item :\ not likely to find one. i've got the hat and keychain too :D

[AMG]

Final Fantasy Tactics!

[RetroYoungen]

I second Eternal Darkness on the 'Cube, but I'd like to add one of my favs I was sure would be mentioned by now: the Lunar titles. Lunar Legend is pretty easy to find, if I remember right, and it's pretty inexpensive, and one of my fav GBA games so far. And if you can find the PS-X or Sega CD titles, then even better.

[sabre2922]

SILENT HILL 1-3 all great stories in my opinion 8-)
Lunar:the silver star story was great also

[SirDrexl]

good story lines? I'm gonna do something rare in a storyline discussion - talk about the storylines in SHOOTERS.

Halo actually has a good story, with a plot twist in the middle.

[musical]

Pac-Man Junior

(the intermissions)

;)