A sci-fi game with a better story than the Mass Effect trilogy.

that mass effect The trilogy is often considered the pinnacle of science fiction video games in terms of story, and it's easy to see why. Between the Paragon and Renegade options, there's a lot of room for great roleplaying with Shepard. The story is not complicated, but there is a sense of heroic urgency and responsibility as a commander whose choices have real consequences. Most importantly, it boasts some of the best and most memorable companion characters and romantic partners in gaming history. Garrus and Liara lovers will understand.

Needless to say, achieving more than that is very difficult. mass effect 3 After three solid games and hours of exploration, the ending was a major disappointment for many. However, purely in terms of plot and storytelling, its depth and emotional payoff, there are several contenders that surpass the trilogy's stories, even if only by a small margin.

There are minor spoilers for the following game.

bioshock

A simple symbolic story with a huge twist.

Everyone loves a good, thrilling twist, and no game does it better than the first one. bioshock. But it's not just the infamous “please”. A twist that makes the story feel more vivid. bioshock Although it doesn't rely on dialogue or cutscenes to tell the story, it's still considered one of the best video game plots of all time. why?

The main reasons are the clever world-building that shines through the environmental storytelling (the idle dialogue of enemies and the random graffiti on the walls) and the various audio logs that tell us what really happened in Rapture, an underwater city where protagonist Jack is washed up after a mysterious plane crash caused by a lighthouse. Without spoiling too much, these events are much less coincidental than you might imagine.

Frey (2017)

Story-wise, Arkane's underrated title is a gem

Speaking of twists, another game famous for turning everything upside down is this 2017 game. prey From Arkane Studios. The game wasn't a huge hit and was actually considered a bit of a flop, but despite its few shortcomings, the storytelling is incredibly good. very good bioshock, prey It tells a unique story about the Talos base and its inhabitants, and relies on environmental clues and audio recordings to tell us exactly what happened. It's rare that a major character is shown directly on screen, like this one: bioshockBut as you discover hints about their lives scattered throughout the station, you quickly become interested in them and their ultimate fate.

The beginning of the story, with Morgan finally escaping from simulated reality, is shocking enough to keep players interested. Completing various side quests throughout the game will determine the ultimate fate of some survivors and what the final ending will look like for the player. This is an immersive simulation, a game where your actions really shape not only the environment but also how you explore Morgan's story. It's an unexpected and touching journey that may challenge you. mass effect story.

soma

Simon's journey is lonely but meaningful

soma The story begins with a car accident that changes the protagonist Simon's life forever. After a brain scan, things went seriously wrong and he found himself on Pathos-II, deep in the Atlantic Ocean. From the beginning, Simon's loneliness and fear are palpable as he faces the dangers of the old station, and finding Catherine is a moment of almost relief as the player has a real human connection. It is a light of hope in the darkness.

Unfortunately, nothing is real or human anymore. soma; That's the tragedy. And you find it even surprising to slowly watch and feel Simon's hope dying, as well as yours. mass effect Most emotional moments are difficult to recreate. That narrow hope? Now, just as the inhabitants of Pathos-II are gone, so is the world Simon once knew. The ending is not for the faint of heart. Because it will make you ask yourself what it means to be human and what it means to live.

cyberpunk 2077

V's story is full of heartbreaking stories.

CD Projekt Red doesn't take hostages with its writing and storytelling. cyberpunk 2077 It shows its quality perfectly. It's one of those games that easily outgrows its depth recently. mass effect The plot is about deep, dark, and gritty themes about humanity and survival. V's fight for survival begins in the first act. This act already has players wailing when the Arasaka raid goes horribly wrong.

The whole game is about finding a solution. There is even a little hope, but there is none in Night City. It's this sense of hopelessness that makes you so invested in the game's standout characters, like Panam and Judy. But their struggles are equally felt. After experiencing numerous pains and losses through various missions, depending on what the player chooses or gains, cyberpunk 2077 For example, marching alone to Arasaka headquarters or asking for help from an aldecaldo can feel almost liberating. But each decision comes with a cost, and here too it feels like a huge burden. mass effect.

Detroit: Be Human

Your choices, your story, your tragedy.

mass effect It's about choice. Another game that does this well is Detroit: Be Human. Your choices completely determine the outcome of every character and the game's ultimate ending, and it's not always easy as the game pushes you into a corner and tests your ethics and principles in truly sinister ways. Would you do anything, even if it meant hurting a human being, to protect the one you love? For what purpose will you go to find the truth? Would you kill someone for that?

Detroit: Be Human All these difficult questions are asked as players progress through the story from three different perspectives: Markus, Kara, and Connor. Each person has their own goals and interests, which sometimes coincide. Anyone can live happily ever after if they play it right, but no path is without challenges and hard sacrifices.