Like any form of art, there are multiple ways that video games can create atmosphere and story. From riveting dialogue to memorable visual design, several games stick with players long after their credits roll.
Most video games use the conversation between characters to tell a story along with the action that takes place, but not all video games use or need to use dialogue to tell a story. There are quite a few hit games that had no talking at all but instead let the environment and action move things forward.
Another World (2018).jpg)
While the gaming industry has moved on to working primarily with 3D design, there are still successful games that use 2D design. Another World, otherwise known as Out of this World, is a good example of a successful 2D game that doesn't need to use dialogue to tell its story.
The story follows a young scientist named Lester Knight Chaykin that goes through space and time caused by a nuclear experiment gone wrong. The game's story is told using its gameplay, intriguing art style, and environment. The game also includes fighting aliens and solving certain puzzles, offering players a bit more to the already interesting story.
ABZÛ (2016).jpg)
Not every game needs a lot of action and violence to make it a great video game. Some games can be relaxing and let the player explore the world they find themselves in.
In ABZÛ, players will take on the role of a mysterious diver that has just woken up floating in the middle of the ocean and recovers and restores two drones that will help players navigate as they dive deep into the ocean. The creators certainly went out of their way to wow the players by adding beautiful colors, a relaxing atmosphere, and the look and movements of the ocean wildlife. While it doesn't have a distinct plot, it still tells a story of the players' journey as they explore, discover, and interact with the things they encounter.
Unravel (2016).jpg)
There are plenty of fun and cute games with plenty of the characters talking to help the story progress. But for the game Unravel, there is no need for talking when playing as the busy Yarny.
Unravel is a physics-based puzzle platformer with players taking on the role of Yarny as they work to mend broken bonds. It is Yarny's mission to fix them using the thread they have on hand to fix the bonds in clever and unique ways. The game uses its stunning graphics and Yarny's journey to tell its heartfelt story that has captivated many players who have had a chance to play the game. There is also a second game that is a lot like the first, which has received many good reviews.
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Many puzzle games have vocal character interactions, while others don't. One game that has been able to tell its story without any talking is Rime.
Players get to explore the beautiful and dangerous world of Rime as they take on the role of a young boy that has found himself on a mysterious island. While exploring, there are plenty of wild animals to see, forgotten ruins, and a massive tower that players must travel to. Rime is a great example of visual storytelling as it uses all the elements needed to make it work by using its interactive puzzles, unique art style, and beautiful scenery. Players will find themselves playing the game for hours.
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Disturbing games with a bit of horror can make for some great entertainment. Many of these horror games are story-driven with plenty of nerve-racking content, such as the game Little Nightmares.
Little Nightmares has dark imagery with some twisted-looking characters that have an Alice: Madness Returns feel to them. Its story has players confront their childhood fears while they help Six escape The Maw. Players will also encounter puzzles and will have to outrun the monsters that chase Six down. The atmosphere and environment that players will find themselves in will bring it all together as it adds to the already tense situations.
Hyper Light Drifter (2018).jpg)
16-bit classic games are always fun to look back on and play. Some game developers still use that style to make their games which adds a nostalgic flare and appeals to those who enjoy the classic style.
For Hyper Light Drifter, the 16bit game has a lot of vibrant colors, different regions to explore, and plenty of unique enemies to fight. The main character is known as a Drifter. The Drifters are known as collectors of forgotten knowledge, and the main character of the story has an illness that is hoping to discover a way to help fight it while traveling through many regions and fighting against enemies that stand in their way.
LIMBO (2011).jpg)
Some games are not so colorful and as vibrant as others. Some are black and white with tones of grey mixed in and have a simplistic style that is both charming and effective, such is the case with the game LIMBO.
LIMBO is one of those games that even non horror fans can enjoy. The 2D game is a puzzle platforming adventure that puts players in the shoes of a young boy traveling through a mysterious dream-like world made of silhouettes to discover what happened to his sister. While simple in its design in terms of how the main character looks, it is a very unsettling world that players will have to travel through while trying to solve the puzzles and avoid traps and monsters that will kill the main character.
Ori And The Will Of The Wisps (2020).jpg)
The Nintendo Switch has plenty of games available for players to enjoy. Many great story-driven Indie games are on the Switch. So for those looking for a dialogue-free Switch game with an immersive storyline and beautiful graphics, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an excellent game to look into.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps has a beautiful setting, and adorable characters with plenty of action to engage in as players take on a new challenge in the quest to unravel Ori’s destiny. The game also has plenty of challenging puzzles and enemies the player will encounter. The graphics in the game, atmosphere, characters, and gameplay make for a wonderful and fun experience.
Flower (2013).jpg)
There are many other games that provide relaxing gameplay similar to the game ABZÛ. Like ABZÛ, these games are also simplistic in their plot and have a lot of beautiful graphics added in with it.
The game Flower has a simple story. The story revolves around the player navigating through daydreams of potted flowers, each level consisting of different landscapes. To do so, the player takes on the appearance of a trail of flowers floating in the wind. Its simplistic premise works well as the game uses its beautiful graphics and unique gameplay to tell the story.
INSIDE (2016)
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Similar to those before it, many games with no dialogue are typically horror based. Not always, but a lot are, and if there is one game that could be considered a good combination of LIMBO and Little Nightmares, it's INSIDE.
INSIDE provides players with a tense situation as they play as the young boy that is alone and being hunted down. There are a lot of challenging puzzles and an ambient soundtrack that adds a bit more tension to the already unsettling atmosphere. This dark, narrative-driven platformer will put players on edge as they try to avoid getting caught and dying in horrible ways.