Summary
While the modern generation of gaming has had this medium of entertainment reach new heights unlike anything ever seen before, one thing that should definitely be criticized is the fact that most modern AAA developers have simply shied away from making new IPs that add some variety to the mix, preferring instead to stick to pre-established IPs in a bid to ensure sales.
This is what makes the achievement ofHorizon Zero Dawnall the more impressive. Guerrilla Games did a brilliant job of crafting a new IP that allowed gamers to experience a new and diverse world that is full to the brim withintriguing lore, an excellent story, andsome of the best heart-pounding combatever seen in a video game.
Thestory ofHorizon Zero Dawnis incredibly fresh, to the point where most people might feel the presence of a void in their lives after finishing this brilliant title. Thankfully, there are many story-heavy games that will surely scratch the itch that this superb title left behind.
Updated on June 16th, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra:The Horizon games are a blast to play, with both Zero Dawn and Forbidden West letting players explore a massive open world full to the brim with mechanical dinosaurs and other such creatures that have become the dominant force in this ecosystem. The games feature amazing combat and fun exploration, and another huge draw of these titles, which one would expect from any Sony first-party product, is the focus on telling a riveting story that will keep players invested throughout. Players who want to check out more story-heavy titles like these two games in the Horizon series will find a wealth of other titles right up their alley, which can help them bide their time until LEGO Horizon Adventures is released. A few more such games have been added to this list in its latest update.
After the deeply personal tale in the firstGod of Warreboot game, fans were more than interested to see how the stakes would be upped in the sequel. This was done deftly with the advent of Ragnarök, all while Odin was trying everything in his power to ensure that this cataclysmic event didn’t come to pass. A relatable motive to be sure, but everything meanseverything, including brainwashing Atreus.
Much like theHorizongames, players will explore a wealth of colorful biomes and deal with larger-than-life enemies, engaging in some amazing combat sequences where they employ all their skills to emerge victorious. The game’s narrative is its beating heart, and watching both Kratos and Atreus mature during this quest makes for a moving conclusion.
For a game that’s attached to such a major IP, it’s a shame that the advertising forFrontiers of Pandorawas so lacking. Some people weren’t even aware that this game was released in December 2023, which is unfortunate since this game’s world is breathtaking and somethingHorizonfans would appreciate.
In terms of the narrative, fans who love the story-heavy focus of theFar Crygames will find the formula in theAvatargame recognizable. This lack of innovation on Ubisoft’s may not sit right with some fans, but there’s no denying that the graphical performance present inFrontiers of Pandorasteals the show every chance it gets.
BioShock Infiniteis one of the greatest first-person shooters ever made. The gameplay is pretty pulse-pounding as is, but it’s the story that deserves some credit of its own for being so exciting and memorable.
BioShock Infinitetoyed with the concept of alternate dimensions anddelivered a brilliant storywith an absolutely gut-punch of an ending. It’s a fitting recommendation for fans of story-heavy games likeHorizon Zero Dawn.
14The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Organic Monster Hunting In A Game Where Geralt Tries Desperately To Find Ciri Before The Wild Hunt Do
The Witcher 3: Wild Huntis still considered by many gamers and critics to be the greatest open-world game of all time, which is pretty high praise indeed. The game is truly incredible and a masterclass in video game design.
It’s a shame that CD Projekt Red ruined its reputation with the release ofCyberpunk 2077, but the third game inThe Witcherseries is still absolutely brilliant. There aren’t many games out there with a better plot than this one.
Red Dead Redemption 2is one of the best games that Rockstar has ever developed. The sheer level of polish and detail in this game is simply incredible, with its gameplay feeling quite serviceable if a tad bit uninspired.
However, it’s the narrative ofRed Dead Redemption 2that sets itself in a class of its own.It’s easily the best story of any Rockstar titleand features powerful moments that most people won’t find in other AAA games.
Mass Effect 2is a sci-fi RPG that continues Commander Shepard’s galactic adventure following the events of the first game. However, he finds himself in a sticky situation after the Normandy crashes and he almost loses his life.
However, after Cerberus resurrects and reconstructs him, Shepard embarks on an adventure to defeat the Collectors and figure out what the end goal of the Reapers is. It’s an amazing title and arguably the best one of the lot in the entire series.
Knights of the Old Republicis another sci-fi RPG released byBioWare. The game was successful from the get-go and established BioWare’s reputation as one of the best Western RPG developers around.
Theincredible plot twist in this gamealone makes it well worth the price of admission for any gamer, regardless of whether they’re aStar Warsfan or not. It’s easy to see why so many fans are elated at the prospect of a remake of this amazing game.
There was a time when the story ofGod of Wargames served as nothing more than a contrived excuse to slash up as many baddies as possible. However, as gaming has evolved, so has this esteemed series, and one need only look at 2018’sGod of Warreboot towitness the extent of this evolution firsthand.
It goes without saying thatGod of Waris easily one of the greatest video games of the modern generation, and any gamer worth their salt should definitely check out a game with a surprisingly engrossing and personal tale that really hits where it hurts.
Of course, it would be downright impossible to talk about games exclusive to the PlayStation without mentioning Naughty Dog and their vast swath of offerings, each of which has become legendary in their own right.
No other game personifies this best thanThe Last of Us, a title that focuses on the tale of Joel and Ellie in the middle of a zombie outbreak as they fight for their lives and humanity’s survival… or so it might seem. It’s an excellent game, with a tone that serves as a stark contrast to another Naughty Dog IP.
TheUnchartedseries is considered by many to be the definitive exclusive for the PS3, and Naughty Dog decided to take things a notch higher withUncharted 4: A Thief’s End, which served as the perfect way tocap off Nate’s journeyand end a brilliant franchise on a high.
Naughty Dog is truly one of the greatest developers on the PlayStation series of consoles, and one need only play this incredible title to understand why this is the case.
