Top 10 Lists : The Top 10 Best Game Storylines
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 11:35 am
#10: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)
The story in OoT is one that many people will know off by heart. The game was a classic battle of good and evil. It didn't require plot twists, or an immersive atmosphere. It was simple, and it worked. Was it predictable? Sure. Did it matter? No. This game was the height of the Zelda series. It featured great new characters, and all in a 3D world, whilst still remaining undeniably 'Zelda'. A fantastic game, even today.
#9: The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (PC)
Morrowind tells the tale of a warrior who starts as a prisoner on a ship, and rises to become the champion of the land. Great, right? Well, no, but that's what made Morrowind's story so great. It wasn't a game where you turn it on and it holds your hand throughout the game. Instead, it drops you on a 3-square mile island, and tells you to see Caius Cosades. What happens next? That's up to the player...
#8: The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay (XBOX)
If ever there was a cinematic game, this was it. Vin Diesel plays Richard B. Riddick, a convict who can escape any prison in the galaxy. To prove it, he gets captured and sent to Butcher Bay, the most secure prison there is. The story itself is rather simplistic, however the atmosphere set by the game gives the feeling of actually being in an action movie, and a brilliant one at that.
#7: Myst (PC)
Myst starts with no introduction, no tutorial, nothing. It simply puts you standing on an island, overlooking the sea. From there you investigate the island, and the world that is 'Myst'. The action fan will probably turn this game off, to put on something more fast paced; however the patient will find one of the most engaging stories ever told.
#6: Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne (PC)
Max Payne 2 is a great example of how a game storyline should be written. The majority of the speech in the game is told through Max's monologues, and you play through a story so incredibly well written and acted, that it's no surprise a movie is in the works. The game starts in mid scene, with no explanation of how Max got there, or what is happening, and this is a sign of how fast moving the plot really is. It's one of those stories that if you miss a second, you miss a lot. And I suggest you miss none of it,as this is a prime example of a story-propelled game.
#5: Halo 2 (XBOX)
To the casual fan, the Halo series is your above average FPS. To the more 'hardcore' fans however, it is a story that's so deep, it has it's own universe. Bungie has written a huge backstory to the game, and done so that it contains very few inconsistencies, whilst still remaining fast, fun, and incredibly epic. This is all the more clear in Halo 2, as anyone who completes the last level find they will be itching to 'Finish the fight'.
#4: Final Fantasy VII (PS)
Considered by many to be one of the greatest games ever, it is remembered for many things: the CG graphics, the well written soundtrack, and of course, the story. This game featured a story so deep, that, when looked at fully, is still not completely understood by many (including myself) today. It's possible to say that this is because of the large number of 'holes' in the plot, or it could simply be a sign of a brilliantly conceived work of art. Whatever the case, this deserves to be in the top 10, if only for what is to many, one of the biggest plot twists in gaming.
#3: The Longest Journey (PC)
This game told a story that few other games even attempt. The story was so masterfully told that even thought the player was merely clicking through cutscene after cutscene, they still wanted to play. It also featured one of the most realistic main characters the gaming world has ever seen, who didn't need 'witty' one-liners or a deep gruff voice to be likable. The game tells the story of how April Ryan goes from art student to apparent saviour of the world,and all the while without being too far-fetched. There are a couple of times when the game loses footing, but it gets straight back up afterwards.
#2: Legacy of Kain: Defiance (XBOX)
The entire Legacy of Kain series tells a twisting tale of deceit, betrayal, and the ultimate battle between good and evil. This is apparent throughout the all of the games, but never more so than in the fantastic conclusion to the series. This game wrapped up any questions that were left, bringing the series full circle, and ending in a final, shocking conclusion. Told from the perspectives of both Kain and Raziel alternately, the story tells of Raziel trying to find out his past (and future), with Kain trying to stop him. It is only towards the end of the game that everything falls into place, and the 'true enemy' is revealed. If the gameplay lets you down, the story certainly will not.
#1: Metal Gear Solid (PS)
The entire Metal Gear series is known for it's well written, twisting stories, but for me Metal Gear Solid is, and always will be the best. It was before the series got too surreal, whilst being too over the top to become boring. Accompanied by incredible voice acting and a legendary soundtrack, this game told a story few games can even compare to. The player played Solid Snake, a secret agent infiltrating a military outpost to rescue two hostages captured by terrorists. The game takes many twists and turns, and it is an ultimate disappointment when the game game finally ends.
The story in OoT is one that many people will know off by heart. The game was a classic battle of good and evil. It didn't require plot twists, or an immersive atmosphere. It was simple, and it worked. Was it predictable? Sure. Did it matter? No. This game was the height of the Zelda series. It featured great new characters, and all in a 3D world, whilst still remaining undeniably 'Zelda'. A fantastic game, even today.
#9: The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (PC)
Morrowind tells the tale of a warrior who starts as a prisoner on a ship, and rises to become the champion of the land. Great, right? Well, no, but that's what made Morrowind's story so great. It wasn't a game where you turn it on and it holds your hand throughout the game. Instead, it drops you on a 3-square mile island, and tells you to see Caius Cosades. What happens next? That's up to the player...
#8: The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay (XBOX)
If ever there was a cinematic game, this was it. Vin Diesel plays Richard B. Riddick, a convict who can escape any prison in the galaxy. To prove it, he gets captured and sent to Butcher Bay, the most secure prison there is. The story itself is rather simplistic, however the atmosphere set by the game gives the feeling of actually being in an action movie, and a brilliant one at that.
#7: Myst (PC)
Myst starts with no introduction, no tutorial, nothing. It simply puts you standing on an island, overlooking the sea. From there you investigate the island, and the world that is 'Myst'. The action fan will probably turn this game off, to put on something more fast paced; however the patient will find one of the most engaging stories ever told.
#6: Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne (PC)
Max Payne 2 is a great example of how a game storyline should be written. The majority of the speech in the game is told through Max's monologues, and you play through a story so incredibly well written and acted, that it's no surprise a movie is in the works. The game starts in mid scene, with no explanation of how Max got there, or what is happening, and this is a sign of how fast moving the plot really is. It's one of those stories that if you miss a second, you miss a lot. And I suggest you miss none of it,as this is a prime example of a story-propelled game.
#5: Halo 2 (XBOX)
To the casual fan, the Halo series is your above average FPS. To the more 'hardcore' fans however, it is a story that's so deep, it has it's own universe. Bungie has written a huge backstory to the game, and done so that it contains very few inconsistencies, whilst still remaining fast, fun, and incredibly epic. This is all the more clear in Halo 2, as anyone who completes the last level find they will be itching to 'Finish the fight'.
#4: Final Fantasy VII (PS)
Considered by many to be one of the greatest games ever, it is remembered for many things: the CG graphics, the well written soundtrack, and of course, the story. This game featured a story so deep, that, when looked at fully, is still not completely understood by many (including myself) today. It's possible to say that this is because of the large number of 'holes' in the plot, or it could simply be a sign of a brilliantly conceived work of art. Whatever the case, this deserves to be in the top 10, if only for what is to many, one of the biggest plot twists in gaming.
#3: The Longest Journey (PC)
This game told a story that few other games even attempt. The story was so masterfully told that even thought the player was merely clicking through cutscene after cutscene, they still wanted to play. It also featured one of the most realistic main characters the gaming world has ever seen, who didn't need 'witty' one-liners or a deep gruff voice to be likable. The game tells the story of how April Ryan goes from art student to apparent saviour of the world,and all the while without being too far-fetched. There are a couple of times when the game loses footing, but it gets straight back up afterwards.
#2: Legacy of Kain: Defiance (XBOX)
The entire Legacy of Kain series tells a twisting tale of deceit, betrayal, and the ultimate battle between good and evil. This is apparent throughout the all of the games, but never more so than in the fantastic conclusion to the series. This game wrapped up any questions that were left, bringing the series full circle, and ending in a final, shocking conclusion. Told from the perspectives of both Kain and Raziel alternately, the story tells of Raziel trying to find out his past (and future), with Kain trying to stop him. It is only towards the end of the game that everything falls into place, and the 'true enemy' is revealed. If the gameplay lets you down, the story certainly will not.
#1: Metal Gear Solid (PS)
The entire Metal Gear series is known for it's well written, twisting stories, but for me Metal Gear Solid is, and always will be the best. It was before the series got too surreal, whilst being too over the top to become boring. Accompanied by incredible voice acting and a legendary soundtrack, this game told a story few games can even compare to. The player played Solid Snake, a secret agent infiltrating a military outpost to rescue two hostages captured by terrorists. The game takes many twists and turns, and it is an ultimate disappointment when the game game finally ends.
