Games that have outstanding writing

[Alfador_VII]

No mention of Chrono Trigger? Not even from the guy with Magus as his avatar? Frog's backstory alone is, in my opinion, one of the greater stories in video game history.

Thought Chrono Trigger HAD been mentioned, sorry I'm not sure how I omitted it from my list.

It's not just the avatar that's from there, also the user name!

 

[OrpheusTelos]

Radiant Historia. Im dead serious, that game had a really good story and very well-written (if a tad flowery) dialogue.

Really, Atlus' JRPGs tend to have very good writing.

Final Fantasy Tactics, on the PSP where the translation is more readable. Vagrant Story, FFVI and IX as well. Every SMT. Lost Odyssey. Most old-school point `n clickers, MGS series, Psychonauts and Bioshock all stick out.

Also, these.

 

[Xiroh86]

Final Fantasy IX: in my opinion, the best story in a FF game. VI was really good too, but IX was absolutely superb at mixing grand drama with more understated moments. It had both a villain who was camper than David Bowie collaborating with Freddie Mercury, and wonderful scenes of introspection and real emotion. It also opens with the player taking part in a faux-Shakespeare drama. And continues that theme by having a comedy of errors during the game's mid-point.

I would actually have to disagree with you on FF9. I feel that the delivery of everyone's dialogue, as well as many parts of exposition were overly childish and didn't fit with the tone or themes the game was trying to portray, including genocide, political turmoil, and genetic manipulation and finding one's self. Now FF9 is by no means a bad game. It is well made and can be quite fun to play, however the childish delivery throughout much of the game ruined both the story and immersion for me.

 

[xplosive59]

The first and Third Matl Gear Solid as well as Final Fantasy Tactics and FF9. The PS1 era was great for storytelling.