Video games are well beyond the point of questioning the validity of the medium’s storytelling capabilities. Technological advancements in tandem with more ambitious game development has led to video games providing some incredible narrative works. 2020 was no different, as numerous highly-anticipated and surprising hits showed how far video games have come as a vehicle for narrative expression. Note: Some games may require mild story spoilers to discuss the merits of its storytelling. If players want to go into any of these games completely fresh, please consider returning to the article after completion of the game.
Narrative adventures throughout 2020 saw very diverse critical and commercial reception, ranging from universal praise to extremely divisive. Regardless, all of these games pushed the medium’s capabilities forward in terms of writing and narrative design. Some of these games took risks, innovated and iterated on video game storytelling methods to create something previously unseen. Others honed, refined, and expanded on existing stories in unexpected ways. 2020 was an impressive mix of the usual triple-A suspects and impressive independent efforts as well. Presented in no specific order, here are the best stories and narratives to come from games in 2020.
11 Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Of all the most-requested settings for an Assassin’s Creed game, the Viking Age was certainly high up on the list. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla delivers on that Viking Age promise, but also brings with it one of the best Assassin’s Creed narratives to date. For all of the main quests, as well as the detours throughout England and beyond, the game’s narrative momentum never really loses its steam over time. Valhalla once again refines the RPG-style Assassin’s Creed game with narrative choices that feel far more impactful on Eivor’s personality and story, compared to Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
The difference between Viking culture, Dark Age England’s society, and how moralities clash between kings and clans, is surprisingly complex for an Assassin’s Creed game. There’s never an inherently right or wrong answer, and players will need to decide what’s right for them often. This is the kind of choice and consequence that Assassin’s Creed Odyssey nudged at, but Assassin’s Creed Valhalla fully delivers.
10 Cyberpunk 2077
Controversy and performance issues aside, CD Projekt Red’s biggest strength has always been its storytelling. Cyberpunk 2077‘s many bugs and performance issues, unfortunately, emphasize that notion, but to be fair, V’s escapades in Night City are compelling and varied. The main quest line basically introduces the hesitant companion in Johnny Silverhand, whose chaotic commentary acts as the rebellious digital manifestation of the “devil on your shoulder” adage. Players are given the freedom to make their own choices, but Silverhand’s surprising amount of screen time has an indelible impact on players and can shape their morals around his ideas.
Of course, being the sprawling RPG that it is, the variety of side quests and secondary stories throughout Cyberpunk 2077 are just as compelling in different ways. Cyberpunk 2077 does inundate players with quests both large and small, but it’s the longform story-driven side quests that shine the most. Whether it’s avenging the death of a loved one, or rescuing self-driving cabs from becoming sentient, Cyberpunk 2077‘s side quests hold a variety of strange subject matter worth seeing. Tackling issues of depression, addiction, personality disorders, these side quests feature interesting stories that emphasize the world’s vulnerable humanity, in spite of its neo-futurism.
9 Final Fantasy 7 Remake
Taking a genre and generation-defining JRPG and rebuilding it from the ground up was certainly unexpected. And yet, fans seemed to wish Final Fantasy 7 Remake into reality after years of asking for it. While the game’s visual and systemic overhaul has made it one of the most beautiful games from 2020, Final Fantasy 7 Remake also expands the game’s narrative far beyond the original game’s constraints. Even if the game’s story isn’t even close to being finished, Final Fantasy 7 Remake‘s storytelling is an interesting dichotomy between being a love-letter to the original and reimagining the original’s narrative.
Somehow, Final Fantasy 7 Remake masterfully remains wholly faithful to its source material, whilst also sliding in piecemeal changes throughout the game’s story. Even as the narrative follows all the similar story beats from the original game, it’s clear not everything is the same as before. Final Fantasy 7 Remake walks a fine line between celebrating and alienating fans of the original game, but for now, the game balances its desire to tell a new story with celebrating the original masterfully.
8 Ghost of Tsushima
Western game studios have rarely tackled feudal Japanese narratives at all, much less with a level of respect and attention that Ghost of Tsushima shows. This alternate-reality telling of the Mongol invasion of Japan in the 13th century provides an interesting twist on the Samurai’s tale. While many Samurai stories are filled with moral lessons and ethical codes to live by, Jin’s journey in Ghost of Tsushima is all about opposing the Samurai’s code out of necessity.
Fighting with honor and respect is paramount to a Samurai’s reputation, but Jin quickly realizes that stealth and deception will be the only way to truly defeat the Mongols. His consistent struggle with the ethics of battle give his revenge story an interesting perspective, one that’s unique to Samurai media and games as well.
7 Hades
Roguelike games aren’t known for their compelling stories, but Hades was able to meld that gameplay style with compelling character work to make a story worth paying attention to. Even as Zagreus and the player are frustrated from constantly failing and trying again in the Underworld, the many deities that come to support the player make all the effort worthwhile. Dying is not a fail-state in Hades, it’s a vehicle for character development, relationships, and narrative progress. The contemporary adaptation of Greek mythology grounds these iconic characters from folklore into characters players can grow attached to, regardless of how many times they die.
6 Immortals Fenyx Rising
While Ubisoft Quebec is most known for adapting Greek mythology into Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, the studio also took a more satirical approach with Immortals Fenyx Rising. Previously known as Gods and Monsters, Immortals‘ storytelling parodies Greek mythology in a way that celebrates the folklore without taking itself too seriously. This game isn’t a history lesson, at least, not a serious one. Prometheus and Zeus’ playful banter throughout the narrative emphasizes the game’s light-hearted take on the often-disturbing tones of Greek myth, as seen in Hades. Even if the gameplay is heavily reminiscent of a certain Nintendo open world game, the game’s comical take on Greek folklore is a fun romp that doesn’t overstay its welcome.
5 The Last of Us 2
Addressing The Last of Us 2‘s narrative means discussing its divisiveness, there’s simply no avoiding that fact. However, in a way that’s part of the beauty of its storytelling, depending on the player’s perspective. The Last of Us 2‘s narrative is deliberately designed to be frustrating, with irregular pacing and a perspective change that’s supposed to be unfair, instilling an emotional confusion that likely caused much of the game’s backlash from fans. Revenge in The Last of Us 2 is depicted as a fruitless endeavor regardless of the effort or justification, and it’s Ellie’s stubborn realization of this that carries The Last of Us 2‘s narrative throughout each playthrough.
Without diving into specific spoilers, there are several contentious character developments and narrative choices throughout The Last of Us 2 that have been the subject of debate since the game’s release. Mileage certainly varies for everyone that played through The Last of Us 2, but that’s part of its brilliance.
4 Spiritfarer
Dubbed the “cozy management sim about dying,” Spiritfarer‘s journey is rarely somber in spite of its subject material. Stella’s adventures across the sea of Styx has her mingling with the spirits she’s shepherding to the afterlife often. Players get to know these anthropomorphic caricatures and their real-life equivalents over time as the Spiritfarer boat sails along to these spirits’ final resting places. Stella learns of their life experiences, valuable lessons they can impart on to the player, and ultimately say goodbye to these characters players grow to love over the journey. Rarely do video games tackle the emotional strain of death, but Spiritfarer handles it beautifully.
3 Tell Me Why
Transgender character narratives in media are a rare breed altogether, but that’s especially true for video games. Homosexuality and transgender characters have often been the butt of jokes in games, but Tell Me Why endeavored to tell a transgender narrative unabashedly. While the focus of Tell Me Why‘s tale is dealing with early childhood trauma between two siblings, Tyler’s narrative is the clear standout from the adventure.
Characters from Tyler’s hometown witness his transition and react in different ways, though never in a way that’s stereotypically tackling transphobia. There’s discrimination, but there’s also acceptance, throughout Tyler’s journey, all handled with surprising tact and respect for transgender identity.
2 Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a storytelling feat for the long-running Japanese crime drama series. For one thing, to replace the protagonist of a franchise that’s been around for over a decade with someone new, that’s a daunting task. But to make Ichiban Kasuga’s story just as memorable and surprisingly nuanced as Kazuma Kiryu’s story, that’s an even more impressive feat. Like a Dragon‘s story definitely hit all the melodramatic narrative beats of previous Yakuza games. However, the game also spotlighted the darker portions of Japanese culture and society with incredible tact and respect, aspects that were previously glossed over in previous entries.
Throughout Yakuza: Like a Dragon‘s not-so-typical Hero’s Journey are sub-textual narratives that tackle the various darker shades of Japanese society: Ichiban and Nanba live through the struggles of metropolitan homelessness in Japan, Adachi is a victim of law enforcement corruption by the Yakuza, Saeko’s family is torn apart by her sister’s sex work and her father’s condition. Like a Dragon tackles political issues just as often as it places Ichiban and the party in preposterous scenarios to introduce some narrative levity. It’s an interesting balance of emotions that probably shouldn’t work, but it’s also a balance that Yakuza has honed and refined for the last decade.
1 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is an exercise in complex, non-linear storytelling that can be very rewarding for those who stick with it. Melding all sorts of sci-fi thematic components like time travel, alternate realities, in tandem with giant mechanized battle robots and “kaiju,” the game’s narrative is a puzzling affair. Piecing together the many contextual clues throughout the game’s dialogue moments leaves players oftentimes confused, but those who dig deeper will make some interesting revelations. 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim‘s various character perspectives and non-linear storytelling will provide sci-fi fans with plenty of intrigue and curiosity throughout.
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