10 Best Story Games That Will Leave You Hooked (2024)

Gaming allows you to step into many other realms. In the best story games, you're not just an NPC or passive observer but an active participant in crafting your own narrative. Story games use interactive storytelling to offer experiences that stay with you long after you've put down the controller. They create characters you connect with and worlds that can feel as real as the room around you.

If you’re interested in starting your next story game adventure, continue reading to discover the best story games of 2024.

The 10 Best Story Games

1. The Last of Us Part I

• Genre: Action, adventure
• Release date: September 2, 2022
• Platforms: Windows, PlayStation
• Gameplay features: Fungus-controlled mutants, combat, linear storyline with minor choices
• Developer: Naughty Dog LLC, Iron Galaxy Studios
• Payment model: $69.99 (PlayStation), $59.99 (PC)
• Rating: 89/100 on Metacritic
• Best for: Players familiar with the story game genre, fans of immersive cutscenes and realistic dialogue

The Last of Us Part I is a remake of the 2013 game The Last of Us. The series is gripping, with emotional turns and characters real enough that players can become easily invested in them, their storylines, and their outcomes as they navigate the post-apocalyptic setting.

In this game, players are faced with a world where humans are infected with a mutant fungus, leaving them conscious but out of control of their bodies. A twist on the traditional zombie genre, The Last of Us has a linear storyline that offers choices with little to no stakes or major impacts, allowing players to experience and interact with the plot without missing key elements. 

2. Red Dead Redemption 2

• Genre: Action, adventure
• Release date: October 26, 2018
• Platforms: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox
• Gameplay features: Open-world exploration, first- or third-person gameplay, side storylines, multiplayer options
• Developer: Rockstar Games
• Payment model: $59.99
• Rating: 97/100 on Metacritic
• Best for: Players looking for a storyline with room to explore and complete other quests

If you want to lose yourself on horseback in the open plains, saddle up for an epic Western tale following the life of Arthur Morgan, an outlaw struggling to navigate morality. This game blends RPG elements with action, adventure, and an open world set in the Old West to explore.

Although this game contains an engaging main storyline, complete with post-game free roaming, there are also various side quests players can partake in. Players can combat enemies using different old-timey weapons, and they can even take their gameplay online for Red Dead Redemption 2’s multiplayer option, adding an interesting social element to this narrative game.

3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

• Genre: Action, role-playing
• Release date: May 19, 2015
• Platforms: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
• Gameplay features: Combat, melee and ranged weapon options, magic, dynamic environments
• Developer: CD PROJEKT RED
• Payment model: $39.99 (PC, Xbox), $49.99 (PlayStation), $59.99 (Switch)
• Rating: 92/100 on Metacritic
• Best for: Fans of Slavic mythology, players looking for a combat-oriented story game with exploration and alternate endings

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt interlaces all the traits of a role-playing game with action, combat, and alternate endings, offering an alluring experience paired with high replayability.

Although players may not be able to customize their character like in other RPGs, this game offers an interactive storyline with dynamic environments and the chance to make decisions that impact the game. As you play The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, you’ll make choices that impact who the playable character ends up with romantically and the results of certain in-game events and lore.

4. Mass Effect 2

• Genre: Action, role-playing
• Release date: January 26, 2010
• Platforms: Windows, Xbox, PlayStation
• Gameplay features: Character customization, character classes with different in-game skills, combat, quests
• Developer: Electronic Arts
• Payment model: $29.99 (PC), $19.99 (Xbox)
• Rating: 96/100 on Metacritic
• Best for: Fans of Mass Effect, players who appreciate character customization  

One of the best story games PC and console players enjoy, Mass Effect 2 allows players to fully customize their character, known as Commander Shepard. Not only can players choose attributes like gender, appearance, background, and even their first name, but they can also choose from different character classes that offer in-game bonuses and weapons. For example, the Infiltrator class focuses on stealthy combat and sniper rifles.

For fans of the original Mass Effect, players can import their previous character into Mass Effect 2, which can impact the storyline.

5. Baldur’s Gate 3

• Genre: Role-playing
• Release date: August 3, 2023
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox
• Gameplay features: Decision-making that impacts gameplay, character customization, turn-based combat
• Developer: Larian Studios
• Payment model: $59.99 (PC), $69.99 (Xbox, PlayStation)
• Rating: 96/100  on Metacritic
• Best for: Fans of Dungeons & Dragons, players looking for high replayability, those who appreciate character customization

Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the best new games of recent years. A staple in the role-playing video game genre, this Dungeons & Dragons-based title offers players nearly endless replayability, with ultra-detailed character customization and hundreds of choices to make.

The game begins with creating one or more characters and forming a party, which can also include in-game characters. As you design your protagonist, you’ll also be able to choose attributes like an RPG class or character class. This game features turn-based combat, strategic decision-making, and even romance options.

6. God of War

• Genre: Action, adventure
• Release date: April 20, 2018
• Platforms: Windows, PlayStation
• Gameplay features: Fast travel, Norse mythological enemies and characters, puzzles
• Developer: Santa Monica Studio, Jetpack Interactive
• Payment model: $49.99 (PC), $19.99 (PlayStation)
• Rating: 94/100on Metacritic
• Best for: Fans of the God of War series and Norse mythology 

For fans of the God of War series, the 2018 release of God of War allows players to control Kratos, who travels alongside his young son, Atreus. While much of the series focuses on Greek mythology, this title instead focuses loosely on Norse mythology. As a result, players will be able to travel across ancient Scandinavia as they progress through this interesting storyline.

Although originally released in 2018 for PlayStation 4, God of War was later released in 2022 for PC with upgraded graphics. This allows players to take in the breathtaking views that Kratos and Atreus encounter on their quest. The game also offers combat against various creatures, ranging from dark elves to draugrs.

7. Horizon Zero Dawn

• Genre: Action, role-playing
• Release date: February 28, 2017
• Platforms: Windows, PlayStation
• Gameplay features: Mechanic creatures, hostile human NPCs, different biomes, quests
• Developer: Guerrilla
• Payment model: $49.99
• Rating: 94/100 on Metacritic
• Best for: Players looking for a story game set in a post-apocalyptic mechanical world

In this action-packed RPG, you take on the role of Aloy, a hunter exploring a vast, post-apocalyptic world. Although much of this game focuses on survival and gameplay, with players using weapons like a bow and arrows, the main story focuses on trying to uncover the secrets of a technologically advanced past.

Horizon Zero Dawn provides a world with several different biomes, ranging from lush jungles to snowy plains to deserts. As players progress through the story, they encounter a variety of beings, including mechanical creatures and humans, some of which are a hostile threat to combat. From its interesting world to its realistic main character, Horizon Zero Dawn is one of the best PS5 story games.

8. Firewatch

• Genre: Adventure
• Release date: February 9, 2016
• Platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
• Gameplay features: Aesthetic scenery, open-world exploration, mystery
• Developer: Campo Santo
• Payment model: $19.99 (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch)
• Rating: 81/100 on Metacritic
• Best for: Players who enjoy objective-driven storylines with open-world post-games

If you're all about characters, then Firewatch could be the best story game for you. The protagonist, Henry, investigates a mysterious conspiracy related to a historical fire. Your actions dictate the overall nature of the narrative, including the quality of Henry's relationship with Delilah, a companion he stays in touch with over a walkie-talkie line.

Because of the game’s setting, it is one of the most aesthetic games on this list. Through open-world exploration, players can take in the views of the park Henry attends to, from little creeks to mountainous cliffs, while enjoying the vibrant art style.

9. What Remains of Edith Finch

• Genre: Exploration
• Release date: April 25, 2017
• Platforms: Windows, Xbox, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation
• Gameplay features: Narrative-driven storyline, magical realism, semi-linear exploration
• Developer: Giant Sparrow
• Payment model: $19.99 (PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch), $4.99 (iOS) 
• Rating: 88/100 on Metacritic
• Best for: Players new to story games, fans of short story anthologies

An anthology of short stories that explores the lives and deaths of cursed members of the Finch family, What Remains of Edith Finch is a great video game story if you enjoy an epic generational saga.

Unlike other story games, What Remains of Edith Finch balances narrative-driven gameplay focused on uncovering the stories of the Finch family members with exploration and simple, easy mechanics. New and veteran players looking for a captivating experience can pick up this game easily, making it one of the best narrative games.

10. Life Is Strange

• Genre: Adventure
• Release date: January 30, 2015
• Platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, Xbox, PlayStation
• Gameplay features: Episodic adventures, puzzle solving, quests
• Developer: DON’T NOD Entertainment, Feral Interactive
• Payment model: Free to play (Episode 1, iOS), $7.99 (Episodes 3-5, iOS), $19.99 (Episodes 1-5, PC, Xbox, PlayStation), free to play with in-app purchase of episodes (Android)
• Rating: 85/100 on Metacritic
• Best for: Players interested in storylines with different decisions and outcomes

Life Is Strange is an episodic adventure game that focuses on time manipulation and the consequences of your choices. Players control Max Caulfield, who can rewind time. As the game progresses, players must make choices in different situations, some of which can have devastating results. They must also meet main objectives and quests to progress. 

Unlike some of the other titles on this list, Life Is Strange can be played beyond PCs and consoles, as it's one of the games also available on iPhone and in the Play Store for Android devices.

The Best Story Games at a Glance

Like books, the best story games vary in theme and complexity, and different storylines may appeal to different people. When choosing the right game, it’s important to consider platform availability and key elements of the game.

How To Choose a Story Game

There are several factors to consider when choosing the right game for you, especially when it comes to immersive genres like story games. Here are some criteria to keep in mind to help choose a story game tailored to your skill level and preferences:

• Look for strong character development: As you play a story game, you’ll likely come to know several characters. Choose games that build characters you’ll want to know with rich stories and diverse backgrounds, as well as strong development. 
• Prioritize immersive world-building: One of the best parts of story games is how involved you can become. Playing a story game makes you feel like you’re in that world. As a result, pick a game that prioritizes building an engaging world.
• Evaluate branching narrative choices: Not every game offers branching choices that allow you to dictate the narrative. These can be more immersive, but they also offer the potential to receive poor responses in-game.
• Check for emotional engagement and depth: One reason storylines are so popular is because of their emotional and narrative depth. Make sure to choose a game that fits your preferences.
• Consider replay value through alternate endings: Even in games that don’t have branching narrative choices, many story games offer situations in which you can alter the ending of the game. These provide high replay value, as you can play different ways each time to unlock new events or endings.

Discover Must-Play Story Games

There are hundreds of games available to play now with rich, immersive storylines, relatable characters, and engaging gameplay best suited for interactive games. The best story games offer an entirely new world ready to be explored. 

FAQ

What Makes a Game a Story Game?

Unless you’re playing a strictly multiplayer online battle arena that focuses on different competitive matches, nearly every game has a storyline or some form of plot.

However, what sets story games apart is how essential the storyline is to the gameplay itself, both in fostering background knowledge and providing objectives for players to complete the game. These features help make story games some of the best games to play online. 

Do Story Games Require Advanced Gaming Skills?

Some story games can be more mechanically advanced than others, requiring real-time skill tests, combat, and more. However, other story games, like What Remains of Edith Finch, can be great for beginners because they have simpler mechanics without sacrificing engaging and immersive gameplay. 

What Is the Role of Character Development in Story Games?

Characters are the backbone of a story game. They bring the plot to life and help you feel connected to the story. As a result, it’s important that story games offer a way to relate to the characters and grow with them, which is where character development comes into play.