Best AAA Story Games

Many gamers highly value a compelling story. Games with intricate plots, relatable characters, and emotional depth are often seen as similar to movies, offering a unique blend of interactive and cinematic entertainment.

Highly-rated story-focused AAA games aren’t just about compelling characters and movie-like storytelling; they also deliver exceptional visuals and gameplay. Here are some top AAA story games that are as fun to play as they are to experience.

As a big fan of those huge, blockbuster AAA games, I get that this list is focusing on the really big titles. That means some amazing story-driven games, like *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* and *Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice*, unfortunately don’t quite fit because they’re considered more mid-tier, or AA, games.

God of War

Reinventing the Iconic Character and His Legacy

The 2018 release of God of War is considered one of the best games of its time, and truly showcases the quality PlayStation was known for. It successfully honors the series’ history while also forging a fresh and exciting path forward, delivering a fantastic story focused on compelling characters.

Similar to *The Last of Us*, the new *God of War* game takes Kratos and his son Atreus on a remarkable adventure through a unique world inspired by mythology. Players experience the growing connection between them as they travel, all while enjoying a powerfully emotional story, detailed exploration, and exciting battles.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Perfectly Marrying Freedom With Storytelling

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a remarkable achievement, easily ranking among the very best open-world and story-focused games ever made. Whether you prefer exploring, completing missions, or simply living in its world, RDR2 consistently delivers a fantastic experience. Its popularity continues to grow, and it remains unmatched in what it accomplished – Rockstar truly created something special.

Honestly, playing *Red Dead Redemption 2* was a total experience. You really get sucked into the story, living as Arthur Morgan and getting to know everyone in the Van der Linde gang – they’re all so well-developed and complicated. It’s an unforgettable ride, and the ending? Man, it hit me *hard*. It’s easily one of the most emotional moments I’ve ever had playing a game.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

All Killer, No Filler

As a huge RPG fan, I don’t even need to explain how amazing *The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt* is – it’s been setting the standard for open-world games for ten years now! So, naturally, everyone’s incredibly excited about *Witcher 4*. It’s a lot of pressure for CD Projekt Red, because they really need to deliver a game that’s just as good, if not better, than what came before.

Whether you’re discovering new places or getting lost in its stories, *The Witcher 3* truly shines. It’s filled with well-developed characters and a huge number of carefully made quests that are often deeply moving. Even minor characters and their stories can be surprisingly memorable, making the game exceptional through its powerful storytelling.

The Last of Us Part 1

Surpassing the Medium

Any list of top story-driven games needs to include *The Last of Us* series. The second game has a more ambitious, longer, and intricate story told from several viewpoints. However, the original *The Last of Us* is generally more popular with fans and easier to recommend.

The Last of Us Part 1 delivers a compelling, character-focused action-adventure experience with its traditional road-movie storytelling and beautiful graphics. Now that both Naughty Dog games have been adapted into a TV series, fans have multiple ways to connect with the story and the memorable characters of Joel, Ellie, and Abby.

BioShock Infinite

Almost Unreachable Bar for Story-Driven Shooters

Released in 2013, *BioShock Infinite* quickly became a favorite among players for its captivating story, well-developed characters, intricate historical setting, and thought-provoking themes. Despite challenges during its development, the game proved to be a landmark achievement in storytelling, showcasing the creative talent of Ken Levine and pushing the boundaries of what video games could achieve.

Even after more than ten years, it’s hard to find a game with a story as deep and meaningful, especially one that combines it with the fast-paced action of a first-person shooter. It’s a shame the original ideas for *BioShock Infinite* weren’t fully brought to life before parts of the game were removed.

Mass Effect: Legendary Edition

For Those Craving Long-Reaching Consequences

The Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is widely considered one of the greatest gaming trilogies ever made. It’s a vast science fiction story where you play as Commander Shepard, representing humanity in a galactic conflict against a powerful enemy called the Reapers. What makes this trilogy special is that your choices in one game genuinely impact what happens in the next, creating a strong sense of consequence and a truly reactive narrative.

With roughly 100 hours of gripping story, memorable characters, and fantastic voice acting, *Mass Effect* is still a beloved classic that few RPGs can rival.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

As Interesting to Play as to Watch

Finishing the story of a beloved character is always a challenge, but Naughty Dog did it brilliantly with *Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End*. Even though it’s the fourth game in the series, it’s easy for new players to jump in – the beginning provides all the information you need to understand the story.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is a truly special game. It features vast and realistic locations, a cast of lovable characters with great chemistry, and thrilling action sequences. It’s so captivating that even people who don’t usually play video games can enjoy both playing and watching it.

Cyberpunk 2077

Emerging From Geralt’s Shadow

Though it hasn’t reached the legendary status of *The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt* yet, *Cyberpunk 2077* is becoming increasingly popular as the developers continue to refine and improve it. The game’s core story is already quite strong, and the *Phantom Liberty* expansion elevates it even further with compelling characters like Solomon Reed and Song So Mi.

This game offers a unique and captivating experience, putting you right in the middle of the action with a diverse group of memorable characters. You’ll become deeply involved in their emotional and often difficult stories, and you might even have the chance to influence how things turn out.

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2025-10-08 09:35