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5 Best Story-Driven Games of 2022 (So Far)

Published

2 years ago

March 3, 2022

Let's take a walk down memory lane, shall we? Think of all of the great games you have played growing up and how they may have had an imprint on your life. For me, story-driven games have always had the biggest influence on my life. Now, regardless of what type of game you were thinking of, it was able to connect with you in more than one way. That right there, that feeling is one of the greatest joys you can experience from a video game.

Story-driven video games are great for this reason. Done successfully, they have something more to offer than just the gameplay. However, where there is a great story, great gameplay tends to follow. Whether these games are emotionally provoking or speak to you on a deeper level, they are of utmost rewarding. Not just rewarding in the conventional sense of killing the main boss, but they have something to offer gamers beyond the story. Now if you've been dying to connect with a game on this level, don't worry we have you covered with this list.

5. Sifu

There's nothing like a good revenge story, and that's exactly what you are getting with Sifu. The game kicks off with you witnessing your father's murder at a relatively scarring age. Yes, nothing like the murder of your father to fuel a good revenge story. You follow your father's footsteps and begin mastering the art of Kung Fu, with one goal in mind. Takedown all five people that murdered your father. I will say though this is one of the best intro chapters I have seen in a game and should have you invested right from the get-go.

The only problem is you have very little information about these people, who they are, and what their reason to kill your father was. As you work your way to hunt down these people, you begin to learn more about them and their stories. This at times will be your biggest motivator, and others your biggest weakness. The more you progress throughout the game, the more the plot unfolds and delivers a truly captivating story.

4. Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Now let's step away from revenge and into justice. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus you will first find yourself falling through a rift in space, and eventually landing in the natural majesty of Hisui. The game is set in a timeline prior to all the other games, which you will quickly understand because people and Pokémon don't live in harmony. Your main goal as a trainer is to discover the hidden mystery behind the rift and close it to return peace and safety to the land. You are said to do this by defeating the five noble Pokémon of Hisui.

In Pokémon Legends: Arceus there are three alternate endings that can be played to completion. You have the main campaign that follows the general story. The second ending dives deeper into this and is said to be the true ending. The third one is the most fulfilled of all. You will need to capture all 242 Pokémon and face your biggest challenge yet. Each ending progressively adds more to the story, but they are all sure to leave you with a lot of satisfaction.

3. Life is Strange Remastered

The first Life is Strange game came out in 2015, with the second version Before The Storm, following a couple of years behind. The remasted version, released this year, includes both titles with its purchase. Nothing too new has been added to the story but the game is far more enhanced and really feels like you are playing through a movie. If you haven't gotten around to playing these games yet, I would highly recommend them. There is a major emphasis on the story, which doesn't hold back by any means.

If you are looking to connect with a game emotionally then these are your games. Throughout life is Strange, there is a driving narrative of trying to figure out who you are, and what your place is in the world. The game throws you into a real-world atmosphere where you connect through and deal with real issues. Be aware though, this is a game about growing up and discovering yourself and can deal with some pretty difficult subject matter. Nonetheless, it is every bit immersive as it is compelling.

2. Horizon Forbidden West

Horizon Forbidden West was one of the biggest titles to come out this year and it did not disappoint. The game really improved on every aspect from its previous version and delivered a more well-rounded story. The game continues the story of Aloy, half a year later after the events of Horizon Zero Dawn. Building off of the past history, the game has even higher stakes this time around.

What further completes this story are the driving cutscenes and its characters. The most important aspects of the story are played through beautiful cutscenes that capture all the action and drama you have been fighting for. The characters are all relatable in their own way and add a lot in terms of immersion. Overall Horizon Forbidden West offers a full-circle story with a thick plot and gorgeous atmosphere.

1. Elden Ring

If you want to get completely lost in a game's world and the story behind it, then Elden Ring is an obvious choice. The reason I say this is because the more you invest into the story of this game, the more you will get out. I mean with a game that was written by the likes of George R.R. Martin and Hidetaka Miyazaki, you are sure to get an enveloping story. The amount of backstory and lore brought into this game by these two great minds is wildly complex.

Every corner of this game is covered by its story, down to each individual character. All the main characters, opponents, and allies connect to the story and play an important role. On top of that, they all have their own lore, which is beautifully thought out. The game's story is extremely lengthy, however, it is nothing short of epic. If you are a lover of all things fantasy, then this game is a must, hands down.

So which story-driven game are you going to dive into first? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here.

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Riley Fonger is a freelance writer, music lover, and gamer since adolescence. He loves anything video game-related and grew up with a passion for story games such as Bioshock and The Last of Us.