Recommendations Part 1: Narrative.

 

    People like lists. Part of the success of clickbait articles is the fact they're lists of some sort with a fuck ton of advertisements strewn about while they drag out the content onto multiple pages to milk ad revenue for as much as they possibly can. It's an annoying business model but you really want to know why number 3 will shock you. I prefer lists that just have everything right there. Maybe a short description underneath each entry. 

    I often like to think about top 10 lists of things. But sometimes I get caught up on overly complicated nuances and don't like to leave things out. Like I have a list of favorite shows, but I have a separate list of favorite anime. But that list of anime may or may not take into account the manga. If it's hard for me to pick a specific example from a franchise, I'll just put in the whole franchise.

    When it comes to video games I decided on 3 lists. Two of them are games I recommend or feel everyone should play. One of those lists is for narrative, the other is for gameplay. The third list is my favorite games. There is certainly overlap between the lists, too. In light of the fact my more recent posts have been existential introspections, I thought I'd make this more lighthearted post. Note that these games are in no particular order. Like I wouldn't say I have a #1 favorite game. Kinda is just based off how I feel. Also it's possible I might change these lists over time. Need to be fluid, ya know?

It's taking me longer to make these lists than I thought, so I might have them in three separate posts. 

List 1: Games I Recommend for Narrative.

    I suppose I first should define what I mean by Narrative. The story in a game and how it's told, I believe, can make or break most titles. Sure you can have a fine game without one. I don't think you really need anything complicated for a Mario game. However some games might be forgettable were it not for some kind of story that gets a player hooked. It could be how well crafted a world is, or how the story is told.

  1. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time & Majora's Mask (Hero of Time Saga).  I know, I know, 'everyone would say that.' But they are truly masterpieces in every way. I will probably have Ocarina of Time in every list. The story now might seem redundant and kinda done before, but this is where modern game storytelling took off. The world was flushed out and it took the generic "kill bad guy; save princess" and added in so many memorable characters and wasn't afraid to have the story take dark turns. It's a story that has stood the test of time (no pun intended). Majora's mask is the direct sequel to Ocarina of Time, however this game is dark all the way through. The world is like a trip, especially if you played Ocarina of Time first. Link is now in some world that isn't the normal Hyrule (another world/dimension? maybe) where you have 3 days to complete tasks before the end of the world. The game brings into question morality and whether saving people is even worth it or if you can even actually save everyone. It brings up the inevitability of death and many believe the whole story is symbolic for growing up and accepting ones mortality; bringing Link through the stages of grief. The story of this game is a true work of art and needs to be experienced to be fully enjoyed.
  2. Hollow Knight. This game takes a page out of Dark Souls form of storytelling where a lot of info is not immediately given. Unlike Dark Souls, however, it does give the player more information. The world and the art style is beautiful. All the characters are bugs that live in a fallen kingdom with a long history. The story follows an unnamed, voiceless protagonist exploring the depths of this underground kingdom to uncover the history of the kingdom, the source of a strange infection and their own origin. All in an attempt to bring peace to their siblings.....maybe? The game has multiple endings based off how much you uncover with an extra incredibly difficult ending added in a DLC. Because of this extra ending, it's hard to truly know the goals of the knight we play as. I don't know what is the cannon ending, but with the sequel "Silksong" on the horizon, we may find out. I recommend playing this, however, like you'll read later with Dark Souls, don't push yourself too hard. Worst case, there are people online with explanations on the lore.
  3. Bioshock.  Bioshock was pretty revolutionary for it's time. While I'm not sure it's the first, it was certainly the game that solidified the "world building from listening to voice recordings" type idea. You're a nameless person thrusted into a dangerous situation in a secret city underneath the sea whose society completely collapsed. The city being controlled by some paranoid mad man named Andrew Ryan while violent people who are addicted to splicing their genes run wild. The ideologies of Andrew Ryan (who also created the city) are reminiscent of Ayn Rand and the game is a testament to how her ideas are doomed to fail. You, as the player, follow the word of a random Irish man named Altus while you scavenge your way through the city and make choices that can effect the outcome of the game. 
  4. Persona 5.  Most turn based RPG games have convoluted stories that ultimately end up being "some fantasy or sci-fi shit" and, while interesting, are usually forgettable. I mean I didn't grow up with Final Fantasy 7 that everyone swears has the most amazing story, but I've read it. It's whatever. My brother has referred to games like FF as "Anime Games," which is honestly pretty accurate. I generally don't care for turn based RPGs with the exception of like Pokémon and Paper Mario. Two turn based RPG's stood out to me, however. These were Skies of Arcadia and Persona 5. Persona 5 isn't a basic RPG where you go into a dungeon to grind and then go fight more things. It was much more than that. In this game, you follow a high schooler that you can name in Japan who was fucked over by society and was sent to jail (juvy?) because he attempted to stop a (presumedly) rape. The culprit was someone high up on the social ladder, which is why the protagonist was the one who got in trouble. Thus and sent to a different school as punishment (I still don't really know why. They just kinda say it was his parents decision). Here, he begins getting weird dreams of being in a jail cell and meeting some odd figures: twin wardens and a man with a low voice and long nose who explain that his fate is about to unfold. After a bit he ends up in some other world, only to learn it's the world of the subconsciousness. Over time, your protagonist meets up, helps and becomes friends with various other characters screwed by society. The game takes an interesting change of having half the game be normal dungeon crawling and half as a friendship simulator where you befriend the various characters and deepen your bonds to learn more of their stories. I've heard from Persona fans that P3 has the best story, but I haven't played that one yet and the rebellious nature of P5 spoke to me.
  5. Dark Souls series.  If you know me, you've heard me talk about Dark Souls. Story-wise, we are given the bare minimum in each of these games. The rest of the story is derived from conversations with npc's, terrain, item descriptions and locations. So you don't really know what's right and what connects with what. Someone could be lying. Different characters have different alignments and goals. A lot you have to reach your own conclusions and truth. I will say, I don't like DS2 for gameplay. The enemies and traps are incredibly cheap. The story, though, was really well written. DS3 really brings it all together. While I do recommend it, don't beat yourself up if it's too difficult, because they aren't easy games. I'm not saying I'm amazing at them (I really am not). I have beaten 1 and 3 to completion. 2 pissed me off. 
  6. Undertale. Undertale really blew my mind when I first played it. The game advertises that you don't need to kill the bosses. So when I accidently killed the first boss, I reset to my last save point and the game KNEW I DID THAT. Sure the character remained alive but a different character remembered. But that's part of the story. It was a story with a deep background and a multitude of possible outcomes based off your decisions and they're all cannon as you do multiple playthroughs. The characters were deep, lovable and memorable. The music was awe inspiring. I laughed, I cried, and I was left wanting more. Overall I think everyone should play this game. I look forward to when the full game of  Deltarune comes out. Toby Fox is a story genius. 
  7. Bastion. You don't hear about Bastion much. It's by the same group that made Hades, which was really popular about a year ago. The game keeps popping up in my mind. The music and method of storytelling are so well done. It takes place immediately after an apocalyptic event where the only land masses in the world are floating in the sky. The game deals with themes of war, racism and the futility of fighting; all wrapped up with a vibrant design and fantastic soundtrack. The story is narrated by one of the characters who is an old man who misses the old days but understands that going back is never going to truly be possible and has accepted that the future isn't up to him.
  8. Inscryption. I played this one recently and it was a trip. A story within a story, within a story. In the normal game, you're locked in a cabin with some odd character who forces you to play a life or death card game that follows a rouge-like story. Some of the cards talk to you and try to guide you to escape. Meanwhile, you can move about the cabin to complete escape room type puzzles to unlock items and cards to help you. The twist comes when it's realized that this is only Act 1. And that's not even the real twist. Be prepared to change up your play style and get thrusted into a story about a sentient game about a game surrounded by conspiracy and ARG elements. Even if you don't go into the ARG, the general story is really good in itself.
  9. Ori and the Blind Forest. This game isn't really centered around its combat so much as its movement. The flow of the gameplay is smooth and the feel of it compliments the story that tugs on the heartstrings. It brings into question the idea of light and dark meaning good and evil. A narrator guides the story for none of the characters but the whisps talk. The art is absolutely beautiful and inspiring. I didn't include the sequel "Will of the Whisps" because, while still an emotional story, I felt a little less invested.  The story took a few too many notes from Hollow Knight (them both being metroidvania style games where the first installment came out around the same time) so it ended up feeling a little contrived. The twist at the end is good and I'd recommend it, but I don't really want to put it on my list for story. 
  10. Borderlands Series (Specifically 2). Borderlands keeps is a near and dear franchise for me. While out in a barren wasteland filled with death and decay, hunting for a legendary vault, this series doesn't fail to keep it interesting. The first game is a little slow to start, but keeps you interested with a cell shaded environment with an iconic art style together with memorable characters and a story with just the right amount of mystery. The series isn't afraid of dark humor and one off gags but doesn't rely on them to drive the story. It knows when to be funny and when to be serious. I say specifically Borderlands 2 because the story is nearly perfect. Borderlands 1 does a great job at setting up the world and Borderlands 2 uses that world to its fullest extent with what is possibly one of the best villains I've seen in a game: Handsome Jack. On top of that, even the multiple DLC's are made with love. One even winning awards on its own, eventually sparking its own spinoff game. The pre-sequel sets up the events that happen in between 1 and 2 and is alright. My only issue with 3 is I felt rushed through the story like the game kept telling me to hurry at many points. The villains were alright but ended up being pretty obnoxious for the most part. But I guess that's the point, being they were based off media influencers. They did add one character whom I thought embodied the spirit of Borderlands. You find his media files around the various maps. Overall I recommend playing these games.
Honorable Mentions

    Games I thought were great narrative-wise but you don't need to go out of your way to play them. A couple of them, I have posted playthroughs on YouTube if anyone wants to watch them*:
  • Kirby series
  • The Stanley Parable
  • Portal
  • The Beginner's Guide
  • One Shot
  • RiME*
  • Night in the Woods*
  • Little Nightmares*
  • Super Paper Mario
    Obviously as time goes on, this list might change. It's more a guideline to how I feel at the moment. Maybe I'll forget about Inscryption. Maybe one day I'll think Persona 5 is too anime. But who knows. I'll try to release the next list (Gameplay) next week. 
       

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