10 Games with Layered Storytelling

Occasionally, video games present their tales in non-traditional, non-sequential manners. These intricate narratives are sometimes integrated into the gameplay itself, contributing to the overall enjoyment of playing the game.

Instead of providing all the story details upfront, these video games gradually reveal bits of the narrative as players advance in the game, much like dripping water.

Each time you play, you’ll find even more elements of the game becoming more enjoyable due to the numerous hidden details that are revealed.

These games excel due to their multi-layered storytelling approach, enabling players to gradually discover the complexity of the plot in a natural and immersive manner. This method often makes the story more impactful and memorable.

When you jump into these games, understand that playing them multiple times can offer the richest, most immersive gaming experience possible.

10. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Geralt’s Story Is Complicated

Many gamers discover the entire Witcher series with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt as their introduction. At first, the game seems straightforward, but this perception changes dramatically when Geralt awakens and the player is tasked with a journey – the search for Ciri, which sets the story in motion.

Starting out, players delve into understanding every aspect of The Witcher’s universe, its history, as well as Geralt’s narrative (including his complex love story). Frequently, novice players find themselves halting gameplay to explore characters and incidents on the wiki.

In the game, you’ll find that it offers minimal guidance, instead encouraging players to uncover essential details as they play for the first time.

Additionally, with each new gameplay experience, there’s always something new to uncover, making it necessary for the developers to start anew in a fresh save file of “The Wild Hunt” to ready themselves for the upcoming game.

Indeed, this development only fuels the anticipation among fans for The Witcher 4, as they eagerly await the unfolding of Ciri’s fresh narrative.

9. Pathologic

An Unsettling Horror Experience

When it comes to the “Pathologic” series of games, people are often quick to praise the sequel, yet they seem to have a different opinion about the original game, stating that it’s not as well-regarded for some unknown reasons.

The game is fantastic, without a doubt, and it’s downright eerie in a unique way. Granted, the controls were a bit awkward, but if you play the high-definition remake, you’ll get a chance to experience the mechanics directly.

I’d say that Pathologic is similar to a thought-provoking artwork found in a museum, designed to unsettle its audience and encourage them to delve into unconventional artistic paths.

In this game, your mission is to heal a stricken town afflicted by a deadly disease. As you navigate through this challenging scenario, you’ll need to take care of your own health, which is under constant threat from the plague, severe food shortages, and hostile elements.

The game doesn’t provide much guidance as you try to find your way around, resulting in a very tough journey to undertake.

In this game, you get to manage multiple main characters, each presenting a separate narrative that ultimately connect and create a more intricate storyline. Such interwoven narratives are commonly found in novels, but it’s quite exceptional to find them in video games.

8. What Remains of Edith Finch

The Reminder of Vastness

Have you ever pondered about the idea that each person within your entire family might eventually pass away? No, such thoughts are usually not something we intentionally entertain.

In the captivating world of “What Remains of Edith Finch,” I’m not left guessing or using my imagination; instead, I bear witness to each and every story unfold right before my eyes.

In this game, you’re not controlling Edith Finch herself, but rather her son, who’s going through a journal she wrote specifically for him. This journal recounts the tragic series of untimely events that have supposedly befallen their family.

Experience a chilling narrative unfold as you observe every death from the perspectives of those who pass away, making for one of the most hauntingly intense storytelling journeys found within video games.

Indeed, the quantity of emotional outpourings related to this game is significant and should not be overlooked. It’s a powerful observation about sorrow and its profound impact on families, particularly when they face repeated hardships.

In the end, when you’re the sole Finch left on this earth, you carry with you the remnants of all these tales. The next chapter in these stories lies with your decisions, my friend.

7. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Slowly Regain Your Memory (of the Plot)

As a devoted fan, let me share my unwavering conviction: there’s something uniquely extraordinary about The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. In my humble opinion, it stands head and shoulders above all other Legend of Zelda games, a title I am unwilling to relinquish, even in the face of differing opinions.

Each time I watch Link burst from the Shrine of Resurrection into the expansive Great Plateau, it sends shivers down my spine, and the music only adds to the perfection.

Pondering this thought, Link finds himself utterly bewildered about how he arrived and why Hyrule transformed into a post-apocalyptic landscape. Yet, one fact remains crystal clear: he must save it.

As you journey through the game at your own pace and strategy, you uncover fragments of Link’s past, helping to reconstruct the fate of the enchanting realm of Hyrule and its inhabitants.

Through NPC interactions and flashback scenes, you gradually unravel the larger narrative, much like solving a puzzle by fitting together its various pieces. With each replay, fresh aspects of the tale come to light.

The game exudes a Studio Ghibli atmosphere, leaving players spellbound with its breathtakingly beautiful and calming (almost ASMR-inducing) presentation as they delve deeper into the story’s intricacies.

6. Bloodborne

Souls Games Are Notoriously Obtuse

Players often envision challenging boss encounters and captivating gameplay rather than the storyline when contemplating “Souls” games.

In these games, the stories can be quite complex and hard to grasp, often demanding several detailed play sessions to fully comprehend the entire storyline.

Bloodborne stands out by concealing a significant portion of its lore within intricate details, items to read, and even side characters, which many players might overlook or pass by without noticing.

Skipping from one superior to another might leave you with an incomplete understanding of the game’s narrative, given that it tends to provide minimal details following character setup.

The game draws inspiration from European folklore, presenting its story in a manner reminiscent of Bram Stoker’s Dracula but with a H.P. Lovecraft twist. To express that it’s complex is an understatement; players might need multiple playthroughs to fully understand the intricate lore underlying the gameplay.

Once they fully understand Elden Ring: Nightrein’s lore, it only fuels their anticipation for the potential experiences that await Bloodborne fans.

5. Death Stranding

A Truly Unique Story Experience

Kojima is well-known for creating intricate and densely plotted stories, with Metal Gear Solid boasting one of the most complex narratives in video games. Luckily, his storytelling became more streamlined when Death Stranding was launched.

This doesn’t imply that Death Stranding is a straightforward or simple game to grasp; please don’t be misled – its storyline is equally complex and multi-layered as in Kojima’s other creations.

In this sci-fi universe, you assume the role of a character named Sam, who works flexibly as a delivery person. The narrative begins seemingly ordinary but quickly veers off into extraordinary twists and turns, maintaining its profound and moving impact throughout.

To fully immerse yourself in the unique narrative of “Death Stranding”, try approaching it with minimal prior knowledge. In fact, its intricate plot twists and thought-provoking abstractness are key elements that make this game a lasting memory for many players, despite leaving them contemplating long after the final credits.

4. Silent Hill 2

Remember Your Guilt

The original game Silent Hill 2 provides an unparalleled horror gaming adventure, and the remake of Silent Hill 2 elevates this experience even further in every imaginable aspect.

As I delve deeper into this captivating game, I’m constantly uncovering fresh layers of detail, making each playthrough an exciting new exploration. There’s a veritable treasure trove of hidden nuances that spark my imagination, leaving me with plenty of intriguing theories to ponder.

Bloober Team exceeded expectations; not only did they masterfully execute the task at hand, but they crafted James Sunderland’s narrative so skillfully that it becomes an enriching experience to play the game even if you are aware of the plot twists beforehand.

As a gamer, I can tell you that unraveling a storyline’s twist without prior knowledge definitely adds an element of surprise and excitement. But let me tell you, once you know the backstory, those hidden gems – the Easter Eggs – become so much more apparent and rewarding to discover!

The “Silent Hill” video games are steeped in metaphorical and symbolic themes, extending even to their monster designs. These creatures serve as manifestations of diverse fears, emotions, or circumstances that significantly influence the storyline and its interpretation.

Uniquely, Silent Hill 2 delivers its narrative by way of misdirection, presenting a certain tale while simultaneously spinning another (the actual story) entirely. It isn’t until you ultimately reveal the truth that the true story becomes clear, along with the raw emotion it evokes.

3. Devotion

A Tragedy Drip Fed in One Room

At times, the solution is right before your eyes, and this is precisely what happens in “Devotion“, where you assume the role of Feng Yu, head of the Du Family. Here, you revisit all your past blunders, as they impact your family’s life.

From the outset, even though it appeared ordinary, a dreadful incident seemed to have occurred involving the Dus.

As I delve deeper into this game, some eerie symbols and jumpscares feel oddly misplaced. But once I uncover the game’s grim past, those unsettling moments suddenly resonate with a chilling depth, hitting me right in the heart like an unexpected punch.

This narrative presents a singularly exceptional tale, serving as a cautionary lesson about unquestioning belief and excessive devotion to religion. It also portrays a family’s disintegration, orchestrated by the dishonesty and deception of one female character.

Beyond merely entertaining, it skillfully sheds light on the pervasive problem of cults in 1980s Taiwan, a narrative that only Red Candle Games could effectively convey from my perspective as an ardent fan.

Absolutely, give this game a try; I assure you that it’s unlike any other experience you’ve had before. Once played, it will leave an indelible mark on your recollections.

2. Outer Wilds

Save the Universe Through Repetition

Typically, situations that resemble Groundhog Day, where you live the same day over and over again, can feel overwhelmingly tiring in every aspect. However, this isn’t true for Outer Wilds, as each repetition presents a fresh opportunity for exploration.

You get 22 minutes to delve into the cosmos and uncover the critical aspects necessary for its salvation. With each fresh attempt, gamers can advance utilizing the knowledge they’ve already accumulated, tackling challenges that build upon one another like successive layers of a puzzle.

This new interpretation of the Metroidbrainia is truly one-of-a-kind, without a doubt. It’s an adventure that gamers can’t forget in a hurry, and they’re biting their nails in anticipation for the next installment.

Many people know that one common saying is that the behavior of repeatedly doing something in hope of a different outcome, despite previous failures, can be likened to insanity.

In essence, this game brings about varying outcomes, similar to the 3-Day Mechanic found in The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. If you were fond of that feature, you should find this appealing as well.

1. Baldur’s Gate 3

The Story is Told Through You

As a gamer, I can’t help but be captivated by Baldur’s Gate 3 and its immersive narrative set within the rich tapestry of Dungeons & Dragons lore. This role-playing game has been a long-standing desire among players for years, and it doesn’t disappoint in delivering an unparalleled experience. What sets this story apart is that every decision, every action, and every outcome are mine to shape, making the journey uniquely my own.

Beyond what you initially assume, the tale has many more layers. Initially, it might appear to be a straightforward mission to free oneself from a mind-flayer larva, but as the hidden intricacies are revealed, the narrative undergoes a dramatic transformation into an entirely different storyline. In essence, understanding the context adds depth to the story.

Every small choice you make, whether it’s about the overall plot or even character development, can have unexpected impacts on the narrative that you may not have foreseen. For instance, opting for ‘The Dark Urge’ during character creation will offer a fresh, captivating viewpoint to the storyline, adding depth and richness to your personal experience as well.

This game deserved its title as Game of the Year because it offers a captivating narrative that unfolds in intricate layers. As you progress, you’ll encounter a complex network of deceptions and interconnections that will surprise you at every turn.

2025-03-02 17:41