There are few things that gamers are anticipating more than the upcoming September 1st release of The Lord of the Rings: Gollum. Fans expect state-of-the-art graphics, extraordinary gameplay, and a story that will rival the best narratives in the gaming landscape.
But Gollum will have a lot to live up to. After all, the past few decades have seen some incredible releases that completely changed the way that people view the medium. Fans on the site Ranker have actually taken to voting to determine which games had the greatest storylines of all time, and Gollum will be hard pressed to match a single one.
Note: Ranker lists are fan-voted, live, and continue to accrue votes, so some rankings may have changed after this publishing.
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
A role-playing game set in a galaxy far, far away, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic has long held a place in the minds of fans thanks to its incredible storytelling. Though the game is nearly two decades old and the graphics are somewhat outdated, the unique setting in the Old Republic keeps fans incredibly engaged, as does the morality system the game employs.
But the reason that fans remember the game fondly enough to determine it one of the best narratives of all time is because choices matter. Players can take the game in a direction that allows them to become Lord of the Sith or else just a normal Jedi hero. It's interactive in a way games seldom are, which makes it incredible to this day.
Metal Gear Solid
Though Metal Gear Solid was released in 1998, fans still consider it Hideo Kojima's best game and generally one of the greatest stories in gaming. With long cinematic cutscenes, the game functions as both a game and a film, entertaining fans even when their controller doesn't need to be in their hands.
Ranker fans also likely view the game positively thanks to the fact that it helped to propel stealth-based games into the forefront of the market. Given that stealth games can often add some extra tension to a narrative, both the story and the gameplay work together masterfully.
Fallout: New Vegas
Released in 2010 and depicting a post-apocalyptic version of several US states, Fallout: New Vegas remains beloved. With a wide variety of complex NPCs, players are able to interact often with others in the setting, making the game's environment feel realistic.
The fact that the player also plays an integral role in deciding the future of New Vegas helps to add weight to the game, making the narrative feel grounded by the player's choices. It also features some truly scary quests, which helps to bend the genre and keep things interesting even when players start to get tired of their surroundings.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
Though the very heart of the game contradicted facts from its predecessors, such as the fact that Nathan Drake was meant to be an only child, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is still regarded as an incredible game. That's in no small part thanks to a thrilling narrative that feels like it may as well have been a part of a movie script.
With Naughty Dog working to characterize Drake further than it ever had before, fans were greeted by a vast landscape, strong cinematic elements, and a story that can engage fans even when they can't interact with the on-screen action. With so many things to explore and do, it's no wonder fans found the story incredible, especially as Drake's swan song.
BioShock Infinite
A game that somehow managed to make escort quests fun, it's no wonder that fans continue to love BioShock Infinite. Though the gameplay is thrilling and the shooter elements continue to delight gamers, the story itself remains simultaneously whimsical and dark.
With a fun setting like Columbia and a plot twist that left fans excited instead of scratching their heads, the narrative was as satisfying as it was heartwrenching. The game also manages to have a firm ending instead of leaving the narrative open needlessly as sequel bait, which surely helped to satisfy fans that still look back at the game fondly.
Life Is Strange
One of the best episodic games on the market, Life Is Strange explores the life of a time-traveling teen as she uses her powers to protect her friends. It's a moving story, exploring a close-knit friendship while also utilizing the butterfly effect to keep the game interactive and the plot moving.
Fans adored the emotion that the game brought with it. With its college setting, it was also a unique environment in gaming, which helped the narrative feel fresh and engaging. With thousands of games available at a click of a mouse, it's always great to see games that feel so new.
Red Dead Redemption
Still one of the most popular open-world games, Red Dead Redemption has left its mark on gaming. After his wife and child are taken captive, the protagonist, John Marston, is left working as a mercenary to take down his former friends in the hopes of getting his family back.
It's a story that moved many fans, which is likely why it's been considered such an extraordinary narrative. With a heavy emotional toll, incredibly high stakes, and slow gameplay that lends itself well to the plot presented, the game felt utterly perfect, and the heavy themes certainly contributed.
The Last Of Us
A narrative so good that it's set to become an HBO show, the first iteration of The Last of Us has quickly become a must-play game. With a fully realized world, heavy emotional arcs, and supporting characters that drop like flies, the game's narrative remains incredibly striking even a decade later.
The game was certainly voted so highly because of its deuteragonists, whose arcs managed to make them household names while also showing the dark and light in human nature. Far from being a video game that shied from heavy themes, the game makes sure to take advantage of its dark setting at every point, leaving fans haunted for years.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
There are some games where side quests are more fulfilling than main quests. Then there are games where both are equally entertaining. The Witcher 3 tends to fall into the latter category. For fans who finish the main story, or who are putting off engaging with it, the story's side quests are the best.
But, the overall narrative exploring the Witcher's journey to find and protect a girl called Ciri is as enthralling as any side quest. With a wide and variable setting, interactive NPCs, and fun gameplay, fans were encouraged to keep playing and exploring every part of the map in the hopes of furthering the narrative. It is, after all, why they loved it so much.
Red Dead Redemption II
There's nothing better than a good tragedy, and Red Dead Redemption II certainly qualifies. Arthur Morgan's story of survival in a culture that's falling apart is thrilling, but his slow and sad decline leaves fans feeling oddly hollow for a long while after, which is certainly why it's so beloved even now.
With fans having voted it the best narrative game of all time, it's hard to deny its excellence. It can be dark, it can be funny, and it can be moving, and each element comes and goes as the game progresses. With an excellent cast of characters, even the setting feels hauntingly realistic, and it's why fans have come back to it time and time again.