Upcoming Games Made By Great Storytellers

Summary

Big-name storytellers are shaping upcoming games, promising stronger, cinematic narratives.
Expect diverse narrative styles: director-driven, dialogue-free, branching timelines, and sequels.
Veteran teams and indie auteurs (Levine, Hennig, Supergiant, Obsidian) boost confidence in game stories.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve dived into countless virtual worlds, each unique in their own way. Some are all about the thrill of non-stop action, while others are more like interactive movies where you’re just choosing dialogue options every now and then. Truth be told, there’s no absolute formula for creating a game, and sometimes a game can be a smashing success, impactful, and adored by players, even without a captivating narrative. But having a compelling story definitely adds to the experience.

In the past three console generations, many of the top-rated games have showcased compelling, sometimes deeply emotional stories due to the evolution of storytelling within game development. This trend is being continued with upcoming games. From titles set for release in a matter of weeks to those still in the distant future, each of these upcoming games boasts at least one skilled storyteller (or multiple) on their development team, which suggests promising narrative experiences await players in the coming months.

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando

The Iconic Horror Director Makes His Gaming Debut

In simpler terms, the game titled “John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando” is expected to have involvement from the renowned director, John Carpenter, who played a significant role in the initial concept and world-building of the game. However, it should be noted that he will not be writing the game’s script. John Carpenter is well-known for directing popular 80s horror films such as “The Thing, They Live, and Halloween“, although his filmography includes many other acclaimed titles.

Besides being noteworthy, “Toxic Commando” is penned by Michael Moreci, a distinguished author who has left his mark in both novels and comic books. He rose to fame with the Roche Limit trilogy, acclaimed by Paste Magazine as one of the greatest sci-fi comics ever created. His writing prowess extends to “Star Wars,” “Battlestar Galactica,” “Stranger Things,” and various DC Universe projects, among them “The Lost Carnival: A Dick Grayson Story.” As for the role of the narrative in “Toxic Commando,” given these talented individuals are involved, it’s likely to be quite gripping.

Judas

The Long-Dormant Ken Levine Rises Again

Ken Levine is primarily recognized for his contributions to BioShock and BioShock Infinite, but his name is also associated with some of the most acclaimed narratives in the gaming world. His debut role in gaming was constructing the lore and design for Thief: The Dark Project. Following this, he established his own studio and served as the lead writer on System Shock 2, a game still regarded as one of the best immersive sims ever made and boasting one of gaming’s most iconic villains, SHODAN.

Given his impressive resume, the upcoming game titled “Judas,” developed by Ghost Story Games, is generating enthusiasm among fans of compelling narratives. As a seasoned game designer, Levine’s talent for creating immersive single-player first-person shooters is evident. However, his exceptional writing skills, showcased in games like BioShock, BioShock Infinite, and System Shock 2, elevate him to an elite group of video game storytellers. Though the release of Judas has been slightly delayed, it’s due to high anticipation for the unique experience that Levine and his team are preparing for gamers.

Hades 2

Will Supergiant Games Ever Miss?

Supergiant Games stands out among indie studios in the gaming industry; their track record is exceptional, boasting four critically acclaimed major games without being acquired by a triple-A publisher. This rarity is something they wear proudly as an emblem of their independent status. Their portfolio ranges from a game about a girl whose boyfriend was transformed into a sword to a tale of misfit prisoners playing fantasy basketball, and Supergiant Games has yet to disappoint. Next up is the studio’s first sequel, Hades 2, slated for release in the near future.

Leading the storylines for Supergiant Games is Greg Kasavin. When Supergiant Games was founded, they recruited him from his previous role as site director and executive editor at GameSpot. Since then, Kasavin has been the primary narrative designer for every game they’ve produced, including Bastion and the upcoming Hades 2. It is unlikely that their reputation for compelling storytelling will wane with their next game, and while Hades set a high standard, the team of 26 developers at Supergiant Games seems more than capable to meet it.

The Outer Worlds 2

Obsidian’s Claim To Fame Has Consistently Been Their Writing

2025 saw a significant increase in productivity at Obsidian Entertainment. Kicking off the year was the studio’s February release of Avowed. This was followed by the July introduction of Grounded 2 into Early Access. On the horizon for October is the much-anticipated sequel to their 2019 sci-fi first-person shooter RPG, The Outer Worlds 2. While the original game had its missteps, its storytelling was not one of them. A large part of the original team has returned for the sequel’s development.

An exception to this rule is Tim Cain, one of the original creators of Fallout, who was a co-director on The Outer Worlds alongside Leonard Boyarsky, another Fallout creator. However, Cain has moved on from Obsidian and claims he’s retired, but remains available for consultation about The Outer Worlds 2. Instead, it is Boyarsky who now serves as the game’s sole creative director, a role he’s familiar with given his work on Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines in 2004. It’s worth noting that among games scheduled for release in 2025, The Outer Worlds 2 is almost certain to deliver an exceptional narrative experience. This is a field where Obsidian has earned its reputation, and few other studios can match their consistent level of storytelling skill.

The Blood Of Dawnwalker

Some Key Players From The Witcher 3 Team Strike Out On Their Own

It can sometimes feel misleading when a game is advertised as being created by developers who previously worked at a specific studio. However, for The Blood of Dawnwalker and its development team, Rebel Wolves, this statement holds true. The game’s lead writer, Jakub Szamalek, was part of the writing team behind CD Projekt Red’s critically acclaimed game, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Similarly, Konrad Tomaszkiewicz served as one of the three directors who brought The Witcher 3 to life. These aren’t just former entry-level employees; they were key team members at a highly respected game studio and played significant roles in creating one of the best RPGs ever made.

In “The Blood of Dawnwalker,” the captivating title is backed by an innovative narrative structure. The developers at Rebel Wolves have announced that there will be no separation between primary and secondary missions in the game. Instead, players are bound by a 22-day timeline, with their chosen priorities influencing how the story unfolds. This unique method of game design shares some similarities with “The Witcher 3,” especially in its renowned side quests. Pushing this concept forward by eliminating the division between main and side quests could be seen as a logical progression, one that requires a creative team like Rebel Wolves to successfully execute.

Reanimal

Dialogue-Free Narratives Require Serious Storytelling Chops

The Little Nightmares series isn’t typically praised for its storytelling prowess, but it deserves to be. Despite the fact that it lacks any form of dialogue-whether written or spoken-the series has spun a compelling, interconnected tale across its initial two games. The sequel, Little Nightmares 2, stands out particularly for its inclusion of unexpected plot twists, shocking betrayals, and well-developed characters, all accomplished without a single word. Achieving this is no small feat, and Tarsier Studios should receive more recognition for pulling it off effectively.

Due to an unusual IP issue arising from Embracer’s acquisition of Tarsier Studios, the developer is no longer in possession of the rights to the Little Nightmares franchise. As a result, while Supermassive Games (known for Until Dawn and Dark Pictures Anthology) develop Little Nightmares 3, Tarsier has shifted focus to a new project called Reanimal. Although details about the game are still scarce, the trailers suggest a distinctive style that combines Tarsier’s chilling mix of body horror, existential dread, and 2.5D platforming. Given that David Mervik, the writer behind Little Nightmares 1 & 2, is also working on Reanimal, it can be inferred that the game’s narrative promises to be captivating. It’s worth mentioning that Tarsier has been consistently impressive with their previous works like LittleBigPlanet 3, Tearaway Unfolded, and Rag Doll Kung Fu – all of which showcase their talents that have been honed over a decade. There’s no indication they plan on slowing down anytime soon.

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet

Naughty Dog’s Narratives Have Transcended The Gaming Medium

Naughty Dog is a prominent player in the game development industry, particularly recognized for their exceptional work in single-player games. They’re responsible for creating popular franchises like Crash Bandicoot, Jak & Daxter, Uncharted, and The Last of Us. Their most recent stumble, if you could even call it that, was Jak X: Combat Racing back in 2006. Since then, they’ve been consistently delivering timeless classics, some of which are considered among the greatest video games ever made. Given their track record, the anticipation for their new game Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is quite justified.

Written by studio head Neil Druckmann, in collaboration with newcomer Claire Carre, details about the upcoming project, titled “Intergalactic,” are scarce. However, given Druckmann’s reputation for creating compelling and deeply emotional characters, as demonstrated in games like “The Last of Us” and “Uncharted,” as well as his work on HBO’s adaptation of “The Last of Us,” it’s safe to say that the story will be exceptionally well-written. At this moment, Druckmann is likely brainstorming innovative ways to tug at players’ heartstrings with “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

Marvel 1943: Rise Of Hydra

The Answer To “What Is Amy Hennig Working On?”

Few contemporary video game writers hold as much acclaim as Amy Hennig does, having left an impressive mark on the industry with her work, from the Legacy of Kain series to collaborating with Neil Druckmann on the original Uncharted trilogy. Since departing from Naughty Dog, she’s moved to Visceral Games (where they were developing a Star Wars game called “Project Ragtag” before it was canceled), then Electronic Arts, Square Enix, and eventually Skydance Media, where she founded Skydance New Media in 2019. In 2021, it became known that her division at Skydance was working on a new Marvel Entertainment game, and three years later, we learned that the title is Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra.

Since 2021, Marvel’s film division has experienced its share of highs and lows, but the gaming sector has been thriving. Games such as Marvel’s Spider-Man, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel’s Midnight Suns, and Marvel Rivals have garnered great acclaim from both critics and players, even when they combined unusual genres or teamed up unconventional Marvel characters. Now, renowned game storyteller Amy Hennig is set to contribute her talents with a new project: Marvel 1943. With strong support from the studio, creative freedom, and an intriguing concept, Marvel 1943 appears poised to be another successful addition to Hennig’s career.

Mass Effect 5

Return Of The Kings

Let me clarify: Please listen carefully. It’s undeniable that BioWare’s recent releases have been met with mixed reactions. For instance, Mass Effect: Andromeda wasn’t groundbreaking, Anthem faced significant issues, while Dragon Age: The Veilguard stirred up a lot of debate among gamers. However, the upcoming Mass Effect 5 might be a pivotal point for BioWare to reestablish their reputation, given the high expectations and the backlash they’ve experienced in the last ten years. Yet, there’s a significant factor that warrants attention – the talented team working on its development.

The return of key members from the original Mass Effect trilogy aims to disprove the notion that BioWare has significantly changed. Executives who worked on the initial series, such as Mike Gamble, are back in their former roles. Derek Watts, an art director, and Parrish Ley, a cinematic director (now creative director for Mass Effect 5), are also rejoining the team. Preston Watamaniuk, lead designer of the original trilogy, is taking up the role as game director. Dusty Everman, previously the lead technical designer on Mass Effect 1 and responsible for creating all on-ship crew interactions in Mass Effect 3, will be handling narrative design for Mass Effect 5. Additionally, Mary DeMarle, known for her writing credits on Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, is joining as a senior narrative designer. Though many lament the departure of Casey Hudson, original series director, this team of Mass Effect veterans in critical positions for Mass Effect 5 development suggests that BioWare could once again produce high-quality narrative RPGs similar to those from the early 2000s and 2010s.

2025-08-28 19:07