The technological advancements in gaming over the years have made storytelling easier. Now, developers can 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:create long cutscenes featuring detailed facial expressions and body language to help tell their tale. That is partly why most♛ of the best story games ever have been released over the past few generations.

Related
168澳洲幸运5开奖网: 8 Best Old-School RPGs

From Chrono Tr𝐆igger to Earthbound, we've ranked the best old-school RPGs of all time.

2

Yet, that isn’t to say they weren’t great stories being told in games before that. In fact, there were several retro games that included compelling tales long before that became a priority for the industry. Fo✤r example, here are several retro games that have good narratives.

8 ♏ 🐠 Planescape: Torment

A bony pale figure with dark hair standing in an orange hazy environment from Planescape: Torment.
mixcollage-10-dec-2024-12-24-pm-6974.jpg

Your Rating

168澳洲幸运5开奖网: Planescape: Torment
Top Critic Avg: 84/100 Critics Rec: 77%
Released
December 12, 1999
ESRB
t
Developer(s)
🔯 Black Isle Studios
Publisher(s)
Interplay
Engine
Infinity Engine

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL

Platform(s)
PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One

In Planescape: Torment, you play as a very interesting character who's known as The Namelesꦕs One. The guy is immortal. Technically, he can be killed, but he just comes back alive, albeit with som﷽e memory loss. His goal is to figure out his past.

It's a very character-driven storyline, so it's good the game has a strong main character. Unlike many video game protagonists from the '90s, he i🍷sn't a do-gooder. He's a complex character that you can help shape. Yet, whatever version of the character you turn him into, his story will always be somewhat tragic. While it may make you emotional, his journey may also make you reflect on things, as this is a very thought-provoking game.

7 Vagrant🅰 Story

Ashley Riot in a vibrant and colorful cathedral from Vagrant Story.
mixcollage-04-dec-2024-03-49-am-9355.jpg

Your Rating

Vagrant Story
Systems
10.0/10
Released
May 15, 2000
ESRB
T For Teen ဣdue to Animated Violence
Developer(s)
Square
Publisher(s)
Square

WHERE TO PLAY

PHYSICAL

Platform(s)
PS1

Things start quickly in Vagrant Story as within the first five minutes, the manor of a Par♎liament member is on fire as a religious cult is attacking it. You play as a talented agent named Alex, who is tasked with bringing them to a halt. The leader of the cult is𝕴 named Sydney Losstarot. Stopping her is your main objective during the game.

Related
168澳洲幸运5开奖网ꦏ: 𝄹 15 Best Modern Retro Video Games

An appreciation for classic games has spawned many re🍌tro-style contemporary titles. What are the best modern games inspired by the past?

2

However, this narrative gets far more complex as things go on. In fact, it can be a little confusing, as the game doesn't always spell things out for you. That said, if you can keep up with what's going on, there is an exceptio༒nal story here containing deep and flawed characters.

6 Grim Fandango 🦄

Skeleton characters meeting in a dimly lit office in Grim Fandango.
mixcollage-13-dec-2024-09-10-am-3961.jpg

Your Rating

168澳洲幸运5开奖网: Grim Fandango
Point-and-click
Systems
Released
October 30, 1998
ESRB
t
Engine
grime, imuse

WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL

Platform(s)
Android, iOS, PC, PS4, PS Vita, Switch, Xbox One

Upon release, Grim Fandango wasn't the most successful game, but these days, it's often regarded as one of 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:the most underrated titles of its♔ generation. It's set in the Land of the Dead, which is a place souls travel to beཧfore reaching their final destination. You play as Manny, who helps these souls on their way. One client, in particular, called Meche, is an interesting case, and the game revolves around helping her get to where she needs to go.

This game's 🌱whole premise and setting are unique and help it stand out among other titles. Plus, the writing i🌱s fantastic, as it's both compelling and humorous. It helps you to get sucked into the game's world easily and appreciate the characters within it.

5 Deus Ex

JC Denton with his mouth open in conversation, wearing shades, in a dark room in Deus Ex.
mixcollage-29-nov-2024-04-07-pm-9061.jpg

Your Rating

168澳洲幸运5开奖网: Deus Ex
Action RPG
FPS
Stealth
Systems
Released
June 23, 2000
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ 𝄹// Blood, Violence
Developer(s)
Ion Storm
Publisher(s)
ꦕ Eidos I🔯nteractive
Engine
Unreal Engine 1
Multiplayer
ꩵ Local Multiplayer
Franchise
Deus Ex

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL

The original Deus Ex game stars JC Denton, an agent for the United Nations Anti-Terrorist Coalition. So, his job is ꧅to stop threats to the country. Early in the game, though, he discovers that the biggest threat might be close to home as he begins to unravel a conspiracy.

The story feels like a well-told political espionage plot. Yes, the dialogue and voice acting aren't always great in this title, but that doesn🦩't distract from the intriguing and ambitious narrative. Later entries in the Deus Ex series didn't deliver a story this captivating, even with flashy cinematics and better dialogue.

4 System Sh🥀ock 2 ꧟

Wielding a pistol in System Shock 2.
mixcollage-13-dec-2024-02-48-pm-4083.jpg

Your Rating

168澳洲幸运5开奖网: System Shock 2
Action RPG
FPS
Systems
Released
August 11, 1999
ESRB
m
Developer(s)
Irrational Games, Looking Glass Technologies, 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:NightDive Studios
Engine
dark engine, kex engine ⛄
Multiplayer
💮 Local Multi💧player
Franchise
𝓡 🦹 System Shock

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL

Platform(s)
PC

System Shock 2 begins with you waking up in a cryo-tube on the deck of the impressive ship know💖n as the Von Braun. That said, it doesn't look very impressive anymore, as most of the crew has been turned into monsters. Your character has amnesia, so they have no clue of what happened. All they know is that they have to attempt to get to safety. There is an artificial intelligence on board that may help with that.

Related
168澳洲幸运5开奖网: Best RPGs Set In Space

Here are the best RPG video games set in space!

Something that stands out about System Shock 2's story is how it's told. You learn about the narrative and what happened to everyone primarily through audio logs left by your former comrades. This does a great job of putting you in the shoes of the protagonist as you learn about what happened in the same way they wou🌃ld if the situation were real. It also means the game doesn't need many living characters, which helps create a feeling of isolation and the need to rely on the AI.

3 🌌 F🦄inal Fantasy 7

Aerith Gainsborough praying in the Temple of the Ancients in Final Fantasy 7.
mixcollage-08-dec-2024-02-07-pm-9968.jpg

Your Rating

168澳洲幸运5开奖网: Final Fantasy 7
Top Critic Avg: 81/100 Critics Rec: 84%
Released
January 31, 1997
ESRB
T for Teen: Blood꧑, Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Theme𒅌s
Engine
Unreal Engine 4

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL

Final Fa💙ntasy 7 follows the adventure of a mercenary named Cloud Strife, who joins an eco-terrorist group. Their goal is to stop the evil corporation known as Shinra from destroying the planet. Howev🔯er, they also have the superhuman being known as Sephiroth to deal with.

The story takes unexpected twists and turns throughout the game, leading to some mind-blowing moments. It's all carried by a fantastic cast of main characters who are among ﷺthe best in Finဣal Fantasy history.

2 🧸 Chrono Trigger

Marle is pulled through a Time Gate in a teleporter accident as Crono and Lucca look on in Chrono Trigger.
mixcollage-04-dec-2024-08-59-am-5763.jpg

Your Rating

168澳洲幸运5开奖网: Chrono Trigger
Released
March 11, 1995
ESRB
🅺 T for Teen:ꦍ Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
Engine
Cocos Creator Engine
Multiplayer
🌞 Local Co-Op

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL

Ear🐟ly in Chrono Trigger, your party uses a teleporter to transport themselves to d🉐ifferent periods of time. This includes the future. Unfortunately, though, that future is very bleak as they learn that an all-powerful creature has ruined the world. So, they intend to stop this future from coming to pass, which is what this story revolves around.

Time travel tales don't always work great, but the one in Chrono Trigger is continually engaging and doesn't get overly confusing. What helps keep your attention is the well-written and deep characters, as the game does a great job of making al🍃l of your party members feel 𒈔like worthwhile additions to the cast.

1 🐬 Metal Gear Solid ꦑ

Metal Gear Solid screenshot of Ocelot talking with Liquid.
mixcollage-22-dec-2024-06-26-am-759.jpg

Your Rating

Metal Gear Solid
Stealth
Systems
9.0/10
Released
October 20, 1998
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ D𒁏ue To Blood and🧜 Gore, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Developer(s)
ꦏ Konami Computer Enter🐈tainment Japan
Publisher(s)
Konami
Engine
Fox Engine
Sequel(s)
168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, 168澳洲幸🍒运5开奖网:Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004), Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Mജetal Gear Solid 5 The Phantom Pain

Platform(s)
PS1, PC

The core premise of Metal Gear Solid is that you're a soldier named Solid Snakeও who has to infiltrate a nuclear weapons facility that terrorists have taken over. Yet,🥀 things are far more complex than that.

People that Snake meets keep dying from sudden heart attacks, and what the terrorists really want is a bit of a mystery. Plus, the leader of the terrorists looks a lot like ꧂Snake. So, there is a lot to uncover as you make your way through this captivating narrative. It's made all the more interesting due to the excellent voice acting and writing that's on display.

Next
168澳洲幸运5开奖网: 9 Best Story-Rich 2D RPGs

Don't let the 2D era fool you, there are some definite gems with storytelling behind thiไs specific art style.

3