Drama-Heavy Video Games To Play Before Kicking The Bucket

It’s common to find lists telling us what books we should read or places we should see. While these lists can be helpful and offer good suggestions, they sometimes include choices that feel a bit snobby, and it’s unrealistic to expect everyone to agree with them.

Just like with books and movies, there are certain video games that truly stand out as classics. These games aren’t just fun to play—they’ve significantly shaped their genres and feature compelling, dramatic stories. If you haven’t experienced them, you’re missing out on something special.

10. The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time

A Timeless Classic

1998 was a great year for games, but The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is often considered the best. While Breath of the Wild now offers a larger and more open world, Ocarina of Time‘s Hyrule Field was groundbreaking for its time. It was a big risk bringing a popular 2D series into 3D, but Ocarina of Time didn’t just succeed – it was a huge success.

Even just getting a functioning camera on the system was impressive at the time, but the story is what truly shines in Ocarina of Zelda. It immediately draws you in with Navi urgently searching for Link, a dramatic speech from the Great Deku Tree, and quick looks at the villain, Ganondorf. This sets the stage for Link’s epic journey. Back then, it felt like a huge adventure, filled with massive dungeons—including the infamous Water Temple—and memorable moments like Epona’s daring escape and Zelda’s desperate attempt to give Link the Ocarina as Ganondorf flees. The ability to travel through time added a lot of depth and scale to the world. Everyone ranks the Zelda games differently, but this one is almost always near the very top.

9. Life Is Strange

A Story Well Worth Telling

I think every gamer can relate to those ‘what if?’ moments, right? Like, you make a choice in a game and then wonder how things would’ve turned out if you’d done something else. That’s what’s so awesome about Life Is Strange. You play as Max, and she can actually rewind time! It’s almost like a cheat code, which is kinda funny considering the whole game is about making choices and dealing with the results. But it works so well. I found myself constantly replaying moments, wondering if changing things would actually make things better… or even worse. It really messes with your head in the best way.

Life Is Strange takes place in the troubled town of Arcadia Bay and features a memorable cast of characters you’ll quickly become invested in. The game is challenging because even small choices in conversations can have unexpected and negative consequences for those around you. The original game, released in 2015, was so well-received that it launched a successful series, proving its compelling story and unique appeal. Be ready to face some difficult decisions.

8. That Dragon, Cancer

An Emotional And Heart-Wrenching Story

Released in 2016 by Numinous Games, That Dragon, Cancer tackles deeply emotional and heartbreaking themes, much like the game Life Is Strange. This game focuses on a family’s journey after their young son, Joel, receives a cancer diagnosis. It’s structured as a series of episodes, each representing a cherished memory shared with Joel. Each episode has a unique visual style and gameplay experience – one might involve something simple, like blowing bubbles at a picnic.

This title stands out from others because it doesn’t rely on action or big battles. Instead, it focuses on deeply personal and emotional drama, making it incredibly moving. Knowing it’s based on the creators’ real experiences with their son adds even more weight to the story. It’s filled with emotion, balancing sadness with joyful celebration of the life of Joel, remembering and honoring him throughout.

7. Final Fantasy 7

A True Classic For A Reason

When discussing essential games, it’s often worth revisiting older titles. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a true classic that everyone should play in its original form, even with its age. The same goes for Final Fantasy 7. This game immediately grabs your attention with an explosive opening – you literally jump off a train and begin a mission to destroy a Mako reactor.

The game maintains a fast pace throughout, with the characters constantly chasing Sephiroth across the world. While long RPGs sometimes struggle with pacing, Final Fantasy 7 does a great job of keeping you engaged and moving forward. It’s challenging to keep this momentum as the game world opens up, but memorable moments – like a shocking death, the battles against the Weapons, the confrontation with Hojo, and the discoveries within the Lifestream – make it captivating from beginning to end. Despite its age, it’s still a lot of fun to play.

6. Hades 2

Drama Above And Below The Surface

Supergiant Games’ acclaimed game, Hades, centers on Zagreus, caught between his father and the Olympian gods. While a reconciliation eventually happens, allowing his mother, Persephone, to return home, Hades remains sharp-tongued and difficult throughout – even after the fact. In the upcoming sequel, players will experience even more family conflict through the character of Melinoe, who faces double the drama.

Melinoe’s main goal is to go down into the House of Hades and defeat Chronos, the Titan of Time, who has taken her family captive. However, players can also find a path upwards from The Crossroads, where the Olympian gods are fighting their own battles. This creates different ways to approach each run, and is actually necessary to gather resources found both above and below. Like the first game, this roguelike is special because it focuses heavily on story, which is a big reason why so many people enjoy it.

5. Disco Elysium

You Never Quite Know What’ll Happen Next

Few games are as full of unexpected twists as the RPG Disco Elysium. You play as a detective investigating a murder in a peculiar town, but beyond that basic premise, the story is entirely shaped by your choices. A simple trip to a store for supplies could lead to a completely new side quest involving a strange creature and a hidden passage. Even something as small as your necktie might urge you into a confrontation. Or, you could find yourself on your partner, Lieutenant Kim Kitsuragi’s, bad side by impulsively sharing a crazy idea within earshot.

Disco Elysium lets players create their own chaotic stories, often through questionable decisions. The game’s excellent writing feels responsive to everything you do, and it frequently presents choices that are so strange or absurd you’re tempted to pick them just to see the outcome. Even failing a simple task can lead to unexpectedly funny or serious results. This makes Disco Elysium a truly unique and unpredictable experience, pushing the boundaries of how stories are told in games.

4. NieR: Automata

A Deeper And More Affecting Tale Than Some May Have Thought

PlatinumGames, the studio behind popular action games like Bayonetta and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, is famous for fast-paced, over-the-top gameplay. Their games emphasize skill-based combat, requiring players to learn enemy moves, perfect their timing, and replay levels to improve their scores. They offer a lot of hidden depth. Nier: Automata features a challenging battle between androids and machines. Its combat is elegantly designed, allowing players to customize attack combinations with support from their Pod and various Plug-In Chips.

What truly stands out in the fast-paced world of Nier: Automata is its story. Each time you play, you uncover new layers to the characters’ motivations and a deeper understanding of the war they’re fighting. The game consistently introduces fresh gameplay elements and makes you genuinely care about its central characters as they grapple with what it means to be human.

3. Metal Gear Solid

An Intriguing Tale Well Ahead Of Its Time

Since its debut in 1998 with Metal Gear Solid, the Metal Gear series has consistently surprised players, but the original remains a standout achievement. It was a remarkably mature and engaging game for its time on the PlayStation, and many consider it the best game on the system. Players are put in the role of Solid Snake as he infiltrates the Shadow Moses facility, facing creative and difficult boss battles – like the unforgettable fight against Psycho Mantis – all while unraveling a complex and twisting storyline. Be prepared for a lot of lengthy explanations, though, as the game features extensive in-game briefings!

Honestly, what really makes this game special isn’t just the story, it’s how the story unfolds. The last hour? It’s non-stop! You’re thrown into this massive boss battle, then BOOM, a huge plot twist hits you in a cutscene. Then you’re right back to fighting that boss, only things get even crazier when you realize the person you rescued is actually a ticking time bomb! After that, it’s a brutal fistfight, a frantic chase through a tunnel, a crash, and finally taking down the bad guy. But it doesn’t end there – the credits roll and then there’s another scene that really makes you think about heavy stuff, like nuclear weapons and whether we even have free will. I’ve played a lot of games, and nothing else quite hits you like this one does.

2. Bayonetta

Another PlatinumGames Masterpiece

Bayonetta is a confident and flamboyant character. This Umbra Witch awakens after centuries of sleep with no memory of her past, but quickly discovers the angels of Paradiso are her enemies. Luckily, she’s incredibly agile, powerful, and skilled in magic, allowing her to defeat any opponent, whether angel or demon. The original Bayonetta game, released in 2009 and known for PlatinumGames’ signature style and fast-paced combat, leans into fantasy with a story centered around the enigmatic Eyes of the World and their hidden importance. It’s a more fantastical experience than Nier: Automata.

Bayonetta’s first game is full of mind-bending moments, like when she meets a younger version of herself. The story features dramatic conflicts between powerful beings, including a former goddess who consumes Bayonetta’s father – the very man who initially brought her back. The game is known for its constant, over-the-top action, but it also includes humor to keep things interesting and create a unique atmosphere. While later games expanded Bayonetta’s abilities and her battles with demons, the original from 2009 was truly groundbreaking.

1. Resident Evil 4

An Unpredictable Thrill Ride

The overall story of the Resident Evil series has become quite complex and confusing, though it’s not alone in that regard. However, when looking at each game individually, Resident Evil 4 from 2005 stands out as particularly over-the-top, throwing Leon Kennedy into a series of bizarre and unexpected scenarios.

Okay, so this game is seriously packed with over-the-top action and ridiculously awesome one-liners – I mean, who forgets “Saddler, you’re small time”? The whole thing is structured like a classic three-part movie: you start in a village, then move to a creepy castle, and finally end up on this crazy island. It’s just one big, dramatic setpiece after another, like that fight with Chief Mendez or the insane chase with the drawbridge, and of course, the obligatory mine cart section. What really made this game special was how it changed up the controls and leaned more into action. It’s become a total fan favorite for a reason – it’s totally unpredictable and keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. Seriously, did anyone see the Ashley-driving-a-bulldozer part coming? It was wild!

2026-01-05 15:18