
Many video games, including some top titles, are divided into chapters or episodes. This approach can be tricky – it can either improve or disrupt the game’s flow, depending on the story and how much content is in each section.
Many games are well-made, but only the truly exceptional ones maintain consistent quality throughout, meaning they don’t have any weak or unnecessary sections. This is a hallmark of some of the most beloved and famous video games, and we’ve highlighted eight prime examples below.
Resident Evil 4/Resident Evil 4 Remake
The Perfect Blend Of Survival Horror And Third-Person Action
Despite sometimes being seen as a difficult or intimidating genre, Resident Evil 4 is frequently ranked among the greatest video games of all time. A key reason for its success is Capcom’s innovative combat system, presented from an over-the-shoulder perspective, which feels fantastic to play and has inspired countless other action and horror games.
Leon Kennedy’s terrifying journey across rural Europe is consistently thrilling. Each chapter delivers either heart-pounding horror or explosive action – often both. While some players dislike the sections where you control the vulnerable Ashley Graham (Chapters 3-4), this actually heightened the tension and fear. These chapters were even improved in the Resident Evil 4 Remake, a game that comes incredibly close to perfection.
Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening
One Of The Best Hack-And-Slash Video Games Ever Made
Every game in the Devil May Cry series usually has at least one frustrating level, but Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening stands out as the exception. This makes sense, though, because many fans credit this game with rescuing and reinventing the entire series.
This prequel is packed with exciting, non-stop action, challenging enemies, and formidable bosses. While you only play as Dante in DMC3 – unlike some later games – he has so many different weapons and skills that the gameplay stays fresh and engaging. The only part of the game some players find difficult is “Mission 18: Invading Hell,” which throws a series of bosses at you. However, these fights are so well-designed that they’re actually enjoyable to replay, and you only need to beat three bosses to continue – the rest are optional challenges.
Half-Life 2
An FPS So Perfect That Fans Are Still Begging For A Sequel (Or A Third Episode)
The original Half-Life, released in 1998, was a game-changer for the industry, setting a new standard for first-person shooters, particularly on PCs. Valve followed up with Half-Life 2 in 2004, and it instantly became a hit. While the game starts slowly, this allows players to gradually understand the dramatic changes to the world since the first game. It then transforms into a thrilling adventure packed with action, suspense, and scary moments.
Many gamers know that Half-Life 2 had two expansions, and that’s why fans are still hoping Valve will release another episode or a full sequel. It’s easy to forget, though, that both the original game and its expansions are broken up into chapters, which is a great example of how well-paced the game is. However, most Half-Life 2 players agree that the chapter “We Don’t Go To Ravenholm…” is the best one in the entire game.
The Walking Dead
The Point-And-Click Title That Popularized Episodic Narrative Releases
I remember when The Walking Dead game was first announced back in the early 2010s – honestly, I was worried! A point-and-click adventure game based on that universe just didn’t seem like it would work. But Telltale Games totally blew everyone away! Not only did The Walking Dead get amazing reviews, but it really brought graphic adventures and those ‘episode’ releases back into the spotlight. It was a huge deal!
Lee and Clementine’s story is deeply moving and unforgettable, with impactful choices and realistic conversations. The way The Walking Dead was released, one episode at a time, was brilliant – it built a real sense of community as players eagerly discussed and predicted what would happen next, which felt incredibly exciting when the game first came out in 2012.
The Last Of Us
A Perfectly-Paced Emotional Survival Horror Adventure
This list includes two outstanding video games, The Walking Dead and The Last of Us, both released between 2012 and 2013. They share a similar premise – an adult man and a young girl journeying across a ruined America – and both are consistently excellent from beginning to end, truly deserving of recognition.
The chapters in The Last of Us are structured around the locations Joel and Ellie travel to, which is a smart way to control the story’s flow and makes each place feel really distinct. The game also uses the four seasons – summer, autumn, winter, and spring – like episodes in a TV show, adding to the impact of each chapter. Many consider The Last of Us to have one of the greatest stories in gaming, and that reputation is built on a consistently high quality throughout the entire experience.
Bayonetta 2
A Beautiful And Stylish Hack-And-Slash Game With Non-Stop Action
As a gamer, I’ve always noticed how much the Bayonetta games owe to Devil May Cry – especially the way they break things up into chapters. The first Bayonetta was amazing, but it definitely had a couple of weak spots. I’m talking about those chapters with frustrating quick-time events, or that one where you control Bayonetta on a motorcycle – they weren’t the most fun. Thankfully, the sequel from 2014 really cleaned things up and got rid of most of those issues, making it a much more consistently great experience.
From the very beginning of Bayonetta 2, it’s clear this isn’t your typical action game. Each chapter is filled with incredible moments, rewarding combat, stunning visuals, and truly epic boss fights – some of the best ever made. If you enjoy fast-paced action games, this is a must-play title.
Deltarune
Toby Fox’s Ambitious RPG May Not Be Finished Yet, But It’s Already A Masterpiece
When Toby Fox, creator of Undertale, started releasing his new game, Deltarune, in episodes, some fans feared it would disrupt the story’s flow. However, those worries proved unfounded. This approach gave him and his team the time needed to carefully craft each part of the expansive RPG, and they packed a lot of detail and content into every chapter.
Each chapter of Deltarune feels like a complete game with its own unique style, rather than just a piece of a larger whole. The story is also compelling and endearing, and releasing it in episodes has sparked tons of online discussion and fan theories. Even though only four chapters are currently available (with more planned for 2026), Deltarune is already widely considered one of the greatest indie RPGs of all time.
Dispatch
The Episodic Superhero Game That Took The World By Storm
Telltale Games closed in 2018, but its influence can still be seen in today’s games, especially those that use an episodic format and point-and-click style. A great example is Dispatch, created by developers who previously worked at Telltale.
Dispatch is a genuinely enjoyable superhero story with characters you’ll quickly fall in love with and incredibly well-written conversations. Like many games, it built a huge following because fans eagerly awaited each new episode, speculating about what would happen next. It’s no surprise that Dispatch became a hit in 2025 – every episode felt meaningful and moved the story forward, without any wasted content.
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2025-12-04 15:12