Sci-Fi Games With Better Stories Than The Mass Effect Trilogy

by

The Mass Effect trilogy is widely considered one of the greatest story-driven sci-fi video game series ever made, and for good reason. Players have a lot of freedom to shape Commander Shepard’s personality through choices between being a Paragon (noble) or Renegade (ruthless) character. The story is epic and engaging, giving you a strong sense of purpose and showing how your decisions truly matter. But what really sets Mass Effect apart are its incredible companions – characters you’ll genuinely care about, and even fall in love with. Fans of Garrus and Liara especially know what makes them so special.

Man, it’s tough to beat the Mass Effect trilogy, especially considering how disappointed so many of us were with how Mass Effect 3 ended after investing so much time and effort. But honestly, thinking about story and how emotionally invested I got, there are a few games that might just be better, even if it’s only by a little bit. They really stuck with me, you know?

Minor spoilers ahead for the following games.

BioShock

A Simply Iconic Story With A Gut-Wrenching Twist

Everyone enjoys a surprising plot twist, and the original BioShock delivers one of the best. But it’s not just the famous “Would you kindly?” moment that makes the story so compelling. What’s remarkable is that BioShock tells its story through the environment and gameplay, not through lengthy conversations or cutscenes, yet it’s still considered a masterpiece of video game storytelling. What makes it so effective?

The game truly comes alive thanks to its detailed worldbuilding. You learn about the story of the underwater city, Rapture, not just through cutscenes, but through little details like what enemies say and the messages scrawled on walls. Audio logs also piece together the events leading up to the game, revealing that the protagonist, Jack’s, plane crash wasn’t as random as it seems. The story unfolds to show that everything is connected in surprising ways.

Prey (2017)

Story-wise, Arkane’s Underrated Title Is A Gem

Man, if you like games that really mess with your head, you HAVE to check out Prey from Arkane Studios. It came out in 2017 and, honestly, it didn’t blow up like it deserved, some even called it a flop. But the story? Seriously good, even with a few rough edges. It’s a lot like BioShock in how it tells its story – you piece things together from what you find in the environment and through audio logs. You’re trying to figure out what happened on the Talos station and to the people who lived there. What’s cool is you barely see most of the characters directly. Instead, you find little pieces of their lives scattered around, and it makes you actually care about what happened to them and how things ended.

The game immediately grabs your attention when Morgan escapes the simulation. As you play, the choices you make in side quests will decide the fate of other characters and ultimately determine how the story ends. It’s a deeply immersive experience where your actions genuinely impact both the world around you and Morgan’s personal journey. Many players will find it surprisingly moving, and some even believe it rivals the storytelling of games like Mass Effect.

SOMA

Simon’s Journey Is Lonely But Meaningful

The game SOMA opens with a car accident that dramatically alters the life of its main character, Simon. After a brain scan, he wakes up in a disturbing situation: deep underwater on a facility called Pathos-II. Right away, players experience Simon’s isolation and fear as he explores the rundown station. Finding Catherine offers a brief moment of hope and a much-needed human connection in the otherwise bleak environment.

As a fan, what really stuck with me about SOMA is how utterly devoid of genuine humanity everything becomes – and that’s where the real heartbreak lies. Watching the hope drain away, not just for my character but for Simon too, was incredibly powerful. Honestly, even the most emotionally resonant parts of Mass Effect didn’t hit me quite as hard. That tiny glimmer of hope? It’s extinguished, just like everything and everyone on Pathos-II, including the world Simon remembered. Be warned, the ending is brutal. It really forces you to confront what it even means to be human and to truly live.

Cyberpunk 2077

V’s Story Is Full Of Heartbreak

CD Projekt Red is known for its strong writing and storytelling, and Cyberpunk 2077 is a prime example. Its complex and mature themes about humanity and survival rival even the acclaimed plot of Mass Effect. The game immediately throws you into a desperate fight for survival, starting with a disastrous heist in the very first act that’s sure to leave a lasting impact.

Throughout the game, you’re constantly searching for answers and a glimmer of hope, but Night City offers very little of either. This overwhelming despair is what draws you to the game’s well-developed characters, like Panam and Judy, though they’re also battling their own hardships. After enduring so much pain and loss during missions, the ending of Cyberpunk 2077 – whether you confront Arasaka alone or with the Aldecaldos – can feel surprisingly empowering. But every choice you make comes with a price, and the weight of those decisions is just as significant as in games like Mass Effect.

Detroit: Become Human

Your Choice, Your Story, Your Tragedy

Both Mass Effect and Detroit: Become Human really emphasize player choice. Detroit: Become Human is particularly notable because your decisions have a huge impact on the fate of all the characters and the overall ending. It’s a challenging game that forces you to confront difficult ethical dilemmas and test your own values. You’ll be put in tough situations where you have to ask yourself how far you’re willing to go – even if it means harming others – to protect the people you care about or uncover the truth.

Detroit: Become Human explores complex themes by letting players experience the story through the eyes of three different characters: Markus, Kara, and Connor. Each character has unique motivations, and their paths sometimes intersect. While it’s possible for all of them to survive and achieve a positive outcome, reaching that ending requires careful choices and difficult sacrifices along the way.

Read More

2025-12-06 02:37