Best/Favourite Stories in a Game?

[Divinegon]

- Persona 3
With exception with one thing, I think the story was well fleshed out and tied in. Specially in the last third of the game.

- Portal
A very subtle storyline yet that ends up grasping you no matter how you try, making you genuinely feel the same emotions that kind of game should bring you in several situations.

- Legacy of Kain series (Soul Reaver Saga)
One of the most brilliantly thought out storylines in my opinion, specially since the dialogue it had felt so deep and intriguing. Taking Harrie's example, the exchange between Raziel and Kain about the hope of the coin landing on its edge (metaphor for the mythical third choice in our lives) is one of my personal favorites.
(And funny on how shortly after that game I saw a Malcolm in the Middle episode where Malcolm used a coin to decide and the coin actually landed on its edge)

I'm sure I know some more, just can't remember them yet.

 

[GenHellspawn]

I don't know if this has been said already, but definitely Fallout 2.

The level of choice you had in the game was huge. You could save your village, or you could let them starve. You could complete the game without killing anyone (yes it is possible) or you could do it by killing everybody.

I know that has nothing to do with the story, but the story is really good as well

 

[Phantom6]

I loved the story in Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance. It made me cry on quite a few occasions. And I loved many of the characters' backstories in their support conversations. My personal favorite character was Rolf. I've never seen character development as intense as his - in the beginning, he's the weak little kid crying in the corner being told by the girl about his age not to cry. But it's that same little kid who later says:

"We're not fighting targets. I know the difference. Targets don't squirm on the ground and gurgle in pain. Targets don't make the grass slippery with blood. I learned that lesson the first time I took a man down. They're fighters, just like us. But there's a difference. They're trying to hurt the people I love. Anyone that tries that is an enemy of mine. That's why I won't hesistate to kill them. If I let even one of them live, they will do everything they can to kill one of our own. I... I'm afraid of that. I won't stop spilling blood until it's over."

And I LOVED Soren, Zihark, Tauroneo, Reyson, Astrid, and especially Jill's backstories.

 

[10 Dollar Bagel]

Tales of symphonia

Mass effect

Halo series?

Oblivion

bioshock

and some others.*nibbles on bagel*

 

[REDPill357]

and some others.*nibbles on bagel*

Can you please stop nibbling on your bagel? It's slightly annoying.

For story, I'd say these games:
Half-Life series
Portal
F.E.A.R.
Prey

 

[alexhayter86]

Morrowind - Felt like I was part of a real epic story, which I'd never experienced in a game before.

Day of the Tentacle - Such a classic, wacky story full of unforgettable characters.

The Dig - At age 8 or so I read I got the book and the game for Christmas, I read the book first then revelled in the dark storytelling within the game. First time that a game felt like an interactive movie to me. One of the earlier examples of moral choice in a game, at least in my memory: when you choose between allowing your female companion to stay in the afterlife or try to bring her back... pick the latter and she commits suicide. That was pretty intense as an 8 year old.

Deus Ex - Deep conspiracy thriller narrative.

Bioshock - Enough said.

Others: Any proper Lucasarts Adventure, Longest Journey (superior to Dreamfall), KOTOR, HL1 and 2

 

[HSIAMetalKing]

List:

Killer7-- For being so fucking dark and intense that just thinking about it makes me squeal like a piglet.

Final Fantasy 9-- This game's story touched me in ways that I haven't been touched since I was a lad. I even shed a tear of happiness during the ending.

Mass Effect-- Yes, Mass Effect. I enjoyed every moment of this game-- all three times that I played through it.

Phoenix Wright Series-- Some of the best characters in any game ever-- after the end of the third game I felt like Phoenix and the gang were part of my life.

Dragon Warrior VII-- Perhaps not the most exciting gameplay, but the story kept me playing to the bitter end-- and that bitter end took over 100 hours to reach.

 

[FanboyInDisguise]

Zero Wing - You have lost everything. All of it are belong to a polite cyborg villain. All hope is lost. But still, you make your stand against the oppressors. You're not fighting to save some princess, or even save the world. There's nothing left to save. At this point, the easiest thing to do would be to simply lay down and accept the destruction to which you are on the way. But no, there is one last thing to fight for. You're fighting for the most honourable cause known to man. You know what you doing. You're fighting for Great Justice.

LOL! I've never seen Zero Wing put that way...

FOR GREAT JUSTICE!!

 

[GenHellspawn]

This has Probably already been said, but Syberia.

 

[HyperReaper33]

Secret Of Mana

Dark Cloud 1+2

Final Fantasy 9

American McGee's Alice

 

[tobyornottoby]

Zelda: Majora's Mask

I think I said that in every 'favorite [...]' thread >.>

 

[thebobmaster_v1legacy]

KOTOR

Mass Effect

Final Fantasy IX

Metroid Prime trilogy

 

[Mr Wednesday]

Kotor, simple story telling, done well.

Vastly more engrossing than its broken sequel.

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

I think you need to look at stories from different perspectives than a simple 1-10 list, at least this explains my personal favorite stories better.


Favorite 'Long' Story: Suikoden V
- I'm a sucker for the heavy politics, sweeping war drama and emotional character interaction that is the staple of the Suikoden series and nothing proves it better than a game that takes 8 hours to introduce you to the characters then pulls you along at break neck pace for the next 60 hours of gameplay.

Favorite 'Short' Story: Drakes Fortune
- Sure it's story is basically an amalgamation of the best of Indiana Jones but for me this game presents the perfect plot that concludes at 8 hours of game play. Super Charming characters certainly helped in this.

Favorite 'Scary' Story: Silent Hill 2
- At the great revelation I was speechless and I couldn't believe the hollow feeling the ending left me with. To this day I still haven't seen anything that has scared me so much and gotten me so involved with the characters.

Favorite 'Immersive' Story: Mass Effect
- This game really made me feel like I was a part of the story and was directing it myself rather than simply being a victim of circumstance. That and the ending was truly kick ass, completely salvaging the game for me.

Favorite 'Character' Story: Persona 3
- I really fell in love with this games cast, all of the characters were compelling and I was interested in what happened to them.

Favorite 'Non-Linear' Story: Fallout 2
- I really enjoyed being able to take my own personal vengeance on the slaver Metzger, being forced to just let this evil bastard live and then walking in and shooting him in the head and taking down all his thugs without provocation was priceless. I definately enjoyed how your choices had consequences and how much freedom you had to make your own decisions.

Favorite "Moments" Story: Metal Gear Solid 3
- Certain games for me are defined by offering brilliant jaw dropping moments of revelation or eye popping amazement that they are made all the better for them. Metal Gear Solid 3 definately fit this bill with the amazing final battle against the boss in a field of white flowers to the long drawn out sniper battle with The End to the fast paced chase with the Shagohod.

Favorite "Passive" Story: Xenosaga 3
I would characterize a passive story as one where the cutscenes are long and the gameplay a little more sporadic. I enjoyed the no-bullshit pull you from cutscene to cutscene pacing of Xenosaga 3, having to wrap up 3 games worth of plot in one game certainly has its advantages, 3 end boss worthy battles is nothing to snear at.

 

[SimpleReally]

i read the first 3 pages and im surprised nobody mentioned final fantasy tactics

 

[Takhisis]

Legacy of Kain through and throughout...... The ending of Soul Reaver 2 was the jaw dropper of a lifetime

 

[Iron_will]

Half life series has one of the best stories I've have ever come across.

 

[ABeck]

Final Fantasy X is touching

Final Fantasy VII is deep yet sometimes confusing

Metal Gear Solid (series) is very deep (and interesting at that)

Silent Hill is atmospheric and contains some very interesting ideas

Persona 3's main idea - save the world before it is destroyed - isn't anything new, but the characters and setting make it so enjoyable

Uncharted: Drakes Fortune is an adventurous and one of the better stories that takes place in the real/modern day world (haha)

 

[Dectilon]

"Final Fantasy 9-- This game's story touched me in ways that I haven't been touched since I was a lad. "

I hope you realize how wrong that looks