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If you are looking for something to play that emphasizes story above all else, then here are the best 5 narrative-focused games for you.
(Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Video games are a media format that consists of different elements. Whether it’s gameplay, world design, or campaign, every developer picks one of these as a focal point for their title and then builds the entirety of it around it. Among these, narrative-focused games often have a lasting impact on players due to their emphasis on story and characters.
Experiencing this particular sub genre can be incredibly rewarding if you choose what to play carefully. To help you out, we have listed our picks for the 5 best narrative-focused games that you can try in 2025.
Top 5 Narrative-Focused Games That You Can Try in 2025
A good story always moves the human heart and expands our imagination. Many titles in the gaming industry take this philosophy and run with it. From the struggle of a Samurai to a heartfelt bond between a father and his adopted daughter, many developers use video games as a vessel to tell unique tales and craft an immersive narrative. If you are interested in exploring such titles, then here are the five best narrative-focused games for you.
1. Undertale
The great thing about narrative-driven games is that developers don’t always need AAA-stature budgets to express themselves. Undertale is a near-perfect example of this, as the title tells an interesting and gripping story through its small production and pixelated graphics. As you experience the campaign, which tells the story of a child in an unknown mountain, desperately trying to find his way home. To achieve this goal, you must interact with the different monsters in the mountain with a violent or peaceful approach. However, keep in mind that the action you take will affect the ending of the game significantly.
2. Bioshock
Many might be familiar with Bioshock as one of the pioneers of environmental storytelling in the gaming industry. However, the game is much more than that. Set in the underwater city of Rapture, the game features the journey of the protagonist, Jack, as he tries to uncover the dark secrets of the fallen civilization and the disappearance of its residents. As we mentioned, Bioshock’s game design is unique with its quiet yet effective methods of storytelling and meta commentaries on video games as a medium. Furthermore, the game’s slow burn grips the player as they explore and introduces many iconic enemies.
3. The Last of Us
If you are a fan of the survival genre or have been anywhere near it, then you would probably have heard of The Last of Us already. From a design perspective, the title’s stealth and combat mechanics, alongside incredibly well-written characters, set a new standard for the entire industry when it first came out back in 2013. The game follows Joel and Ellie as they bond over their personal losses in a post-apocalyptic world full of hostile forces. Furthermore, the story does an excellent job of exploring complex themes such as existential crises, the process of grief, and trauma.
4. Firewatch
Firewatch is essentially a walking simulator that hides an incredibly thought-provoking story beneath its beautiful horizon. Indeed, the game has seen some criticism due to its short duration and lack of action, but since the game did not intend to focus on those elements, it is hard to describe them as flaws. Despite its divisive nature, Firewatch successfully explores a narrative that delivers its exposition almost solely through dialogue between the protagonist and a character named Delilah. Yet, its seamless blend of humor and depth can rival movies and books. The game is a testament to how high a video game can soar in terms of storytelling, and anyone who has experienced it will remember it for a long time.
5. Disco Elysium
Since video games work as a way of escapism for many gamers, reflecting the complexities of the real world in them can prove to be exhausting for many. However, Disco Elysium’s complex characters, multilayered motivations, and exploration of the grey area between good and bad portray the dark realities of our times with impeccable execution and earnestness. The protagonist, Harry, is as real as a human being gets, and his fate is completely in the hands of the player while he interacts with the various well-written antagonists and solves mysteries in the beautifully solemn city of Revachol.
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