Best First-Person Story Games – Investment Policy

There’s a unique power in experiencing a story directly through the eyes of the main character. It makes you feel completely connected to them, as if you’re living their experiences intimately. However, a compelling story doesn’t need to be told from a first-person perspective – Red Dead Redemption 2 demonstrates that a third-person view can be just as, if not more, effective.

If you enjoy getting completely lost in first-person games, here are a few recommendations for your next story-driven adventure. These games – some well-known classics, others hidden gems – all feature exceptional storytelling. I’ll present them in a rough order, based on how strong the story is and how immersive the experience feels.

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The Portal Games

A Marriage of Complex Puzzles And Environmental Storytelling

The puzzles are what make Portal truly special, but the game also features a remarkable story that’s best experienced firsthand. Many people see the Portal games as a great starting point for getting into video games, and I think they’re right.

Solving puzzles and interacting with the environment are great ways to challenge your mind as you discover what happened at Aperture Science Laboratories. Throughout both games, a peculiar AI guides (and unnerves) you with its commentary, creating a distinctly creepy atmosphere. It’s a really engaging mystery, told brilliantly through the game’s surroundings, allowing you to uncover the story piece by piece. If you enjoyed Portal, I also highly recommend The Talos Principle – you’ll likely love it.

Prey

Unravel The Lives Of Talos-I Inhabitants

Okay, so you want to get into immersive sims? Awesome! I’d say start with Prey. It’s a more modern game and a really good entry point before tackling classics like Deus Ex or even the System Shock Remake (or the original, if you’re feeling brave!). Prey throws you into this crazy story as Morgan Yu, working on a space station called Talos-I that’s been taken over by these alien things called Typhon. You figure out what’s going on by finding audio logs, reading notes, and talking to the few people still alive – it’s a real mystery and you slowly uncover what your life was like before everything went sideways.

What you do in the game has a real impact, though it’s not always obvious. The game keeps track of your choices, how you develop Morgan’s abilities, and which quests you pursue or skip. You’ll have the freedom to explore the world of Talos-I, and the story will unfold based on your unique playthrough. You’ll encounter many touching moments and become invested in the lives of various characters, even those you only experience indirectly.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

A Spooky Mystery Walking Simulator

I’m a huge fan of games that really focus on story, and The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is one of the best. You play as a detective who can see ghostly visions, and you’re sent to this gorgeous valley called Red Creek to investigate the disappearance of a boy named Ethan Carter. It’s not about action – it’s about exploring, finding clues, solving mysteries, and honestly, just soaking in the incredible scenery as you try to figure out what happened to Ethan and uncover the truth behind a really bizarre case.

The game has some suspenseful and slightly scary moments, so if you dislike horror games, be warned! However, it’s not a traditional, terrifying survival horror experience. It’s a great pick if you enjoy uncovering a story through exploration and investigation, especially if you’re interested in true crime.

What Remains of Edith Finch

Uncover The Stories Of The Finch Family

You play as Edith, the sole survivor of her family, and must explore her family home to discover what happened to everyone else. By reliving the final moments of each family member, you’ll piece together their stories and learn about their unique personalities, creating a poignant and beautiful, yet tragic, narrative.

If you enjoyed games like The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, or you’re just into those story-focused ‘walking simulator’ types, you need to check out What Remains of Edith Finch. Seriously, it’s a really powerful and emotional game – I actually teared up a few times figuring out the history of the Finch family. Keep a box of tissues handy, you’ve been warned!

Firewatch

You’re Not Alone In The Wilderness

In the game Firewatch, you play as Henry, a man trying to escape a troubled past. He takes a job as a fire lookout in the wilderness, hoping for a peaceful fresh start. However, as he communicates with a woman named Delilah via radio and investigates odd events in the park, his past unexpectedly resurfaces.

This game is a captivating experience, blending suspenseful moments – like feeling watched by something in the wilderness – with a deeply emotional story about characters confronting their personal struggles. Because your choices have a real impact, replaying the game is highly encouraged to discover all it has to offer.

SOMA

Survive And Untangle The Gruesome Fate Of Pathos-II

Frictional Games had to be included, and their most compelling story is definitely in SOMA. You play as Simon, who undergoes a brain scan after a car accident that killed his friend. But when he wakes up, things are very wrong – he’s in a strange, underwater facility called Pathos-II, now filled with bizarre machines.

SOMA is a truly terrifying survival horror game. You’re completely defenseless, relying solely on advice from other characters. The story unfolds through audio logs, data entries, and notes you find on computers, piecing together what happened and what you need to do. I won’t spoil the details, but prepare to be shocked, and to feel a powerful sense of longing and a deep need for human connection as you play.

BioShock

Untangle Your Memory, And Rapture’s History

I considered including System Shock, but I’m particularly drawn to the atmosphere of the original BioShock. The game begins with a plane crash, leaving you near a lighthouse that descends into the underwater city of Rapture. Don’t expect a friendly reception, though – Rapture has fallen into chaos. As a newcomer to this disturbing underwater world, you’ll soon discover your connection to it runs much deeper than you realize.

While BioShock’s story progresses directly, it’s told effectively through voice recordings and radio conversations with survivors. The game excels at using these techniques to deliver its narrative, alongside rich environmental storytelling. Each area of the game has a unique feel and reveals details about the fall of Rapture.

Cyberpunk 2077

An Emotional, Neonlit Journey To Becoming Afterlife’s Legend

Even though Cyberpunk 2077 had a famously rough start, it’s been significantly improved with updates and the Phantom Liberty expansion. And while it might be controversial to say, the core story is actually excellent. It doesn’t quite fit the open-world format, where it’s easy to get sidetracked, but the game’s somber mood, combined with the small moments of hope you experience as V, really draws you in and makes you care about the characters and what happens.

Many games use their environments to tell stories, and Cyberpunk 2077 does that exceptionally well. However, it’s rare to find a game with such consistently strong, impactful writing and a story that truly stays with you, leaving a lasting emotional impression. You’ll find yourself deeply invested in the characters, fighting to protect them and find happiness, but the game ultimately teaches you that Night City is an unstoppable force.

Half-Life

A Science Experiment Gone Wrong

Gordon Freeman’s journey is one of the most famous in gaming, and it would have been a huge mistake to leave it out. Half-Life excels at immersive storytelling – it doesn’t rely on lengthy explanations or lists of tasks. Instead, the story unfolds naturally through the game itself.

The plot is fairly straightforward – a science experiment gone wrong causes an alien invasion and brings in the military – but it’s executed so well that familiar elements feel fresh and engaging. Similar to BioShock, each location in Half-Life has a unique atmosphere that subtly communicates the story, rather than explicitly stating it. This masterful use of visual storytelling is a key reason why it’s considered a classic.

2026-02-18 12:35