The best game with a hidden story

Sometimes a video game's main story is just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the surface lies a hidden story waiting for players to discover. These stories often unfold through an approach called “environmental storytelling,” in which scattered objects, forgotten documents, or subtle details tell fragmented stories about the world around us.

But in most cases, digging a little deeper reveals these hidden stories, and small hints turn into big revelations. These stories reward your willingness to dig deeper, go beneath the surface and add new dimensions to the game. Next up is a video game that tells the story “under the iceberg” and is ready to be released soon.

8 life is strange

Dana's Pregnancy

If you don't just skim the surface, you'll find plenty of little stories in Life Is Strange. Like in the case of Dana, one of the characters in Blackwell Academy. Once you enter her room to retrieve the flash drive, you may stumble across hints about her personal struggles as you explore her space. Dana is pregnant and Logan may be the father.

Looking around, she finds books on how to be a good mother, supportive notes from Logan, and undeniable evidence: a positive pregnancy test. Their relationship is complex. You'll discover more over the next few days, but it's up to you to dig deeper.

7 Firewatch

Ned Godwin and his son Brian

At Firewatch you are surrounded by the beautiful nature of Wyoming. But as the quest progresses, the story gets darker as they discover clues about Brian, the son of former warden Nead Goodwin. Throughout the game, Henry can find several of Brian's personal belongings, including school notes, toys, role-playing games, and tools related to his love of climbing.

Unfortunately, Brian was not an experienced climber. While exploring hidden campsites and abandoned shelters, they learn that Brian has died in a climbing accident. Haunted by guilt and unable to face the consequences, Ned chooses to live a life of isolation rather than face the outside world.

6 oxenfree

The True Story of USS Kanaloa

Oxenfree is full of eerie supernatural happenings, but one of the most intriguing hidden stories revolves around the USS Kanaloa. As you explore the Mysterious Island, you can tune into the radio frequencies that transmit messages from the past. Dig deeper and you'll discover the story of the USS Kannaloa, a submarine whose crew met a tragic end.

Full investigation reveals that the crew is not simply lost, but trapped in another dimension, currently hunting the island and desperately trying to return to the real world.

5 Red Dead Redemption 2

strange man

Red Dead Redemption 2 has hidden stories scattered across the map, but one of the creepiest involves the Strange Man's Cabin. Deep in the forest, you will find a cabinet with an ominous atmosphere. As you explore, you'll see your portrait slowly paint itself over time. When completed, the painting is a reflection of the Strange Man himself.

And if you're really paying attention, you might spot his reflection in the mirror standing right behind you. For attentive fans, this eerie encounter recalls the moment John Marston met him in the first game. There is also a theory that it symbolizes death itself…

4 the last of us

suburbs

The Last Of Us already tells a very moving story, but there are some heartbreaking moments hidden in the background. A prime example is The Suburbs. Once you reach this area, you discover the remnants of a small community that was trying to survive underground but is now filled with clickers. Through scattered notes, we learn about Ish, a man who returned to land by boat and found refuge in the sewers, where he welcomes other survivors, including children.

You can see how we transformed the space into a well-organized home with rules for the kids and a water collection system. But one small mistake – leaving the door open – led to tragedy, and only a few survivors, including Ish, survived.

3 What's left of Edith Finch

all members of the family

What Remains of Edith Finch is about uncovering the hidden story of an unusual family, the Finch family. Each room in Finch House is like a time capsule, telling the tragic story of the family that once lived there.

From a swing set that leads to a fatal accident to a child's bedroom frozen in time after she goes missing, you will piece together the details of their fate. Every object in this house hides a story waiting for you to tell, making What Remains of Edith Finch a game that rewards deep exploration.

2 Gone Home

Terry and Jen

In Gone Home, you play as Kaitlin, trying to find out what happened to her younger sister, Sam, simply by exploring the house. But during your investigation, you'll also discover a hidden subplot – the story of Terrence and Janice, Sam and Caitlin's parents. Through clues such as hair salon bills and a stack of unpublished books, you learn about their uneasy marriage. The father struggles with his writing career and neglects his wife, who begins seeing a colleague.

The two desperately try to mend their relationship through 'travel', or more accurately, a couple's retreat. What's great about Gone is that it tells this story entirely through objects. With no human contact or direct interaction, only the environment slowly reveals the hidden story.

1 dark soul

all

You could create thousands of lists detailing all the stories behind Dark Souls. If the main plot of controlling a nameless knight is already confusing, the story behind it is an even bigger mystery. The main story itself feels like a ‘hidden story’.

In reality, director Hidetaka Miyazaki is known for creating complex, secret narratives that players must unravel. Every detail in the world, whether it's an NPC's dialogue or a small item, provides a hidden narrative. If you're dedicated enough to discover it (and being dedicated means watching hours of YouTube knowledge videos).