The technological advancements in gaming over the years have made storytelling easier. Now, developers can create long cutscenes featuring detailed facial expressions and body language to help tell their tale. That is partly why most of the best story games ever have been released over the past few generations.
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Yet, that isn’t to say they weren’t great stories being told in games before that. In fact, there were several retro games that included compelling tales long before that became a priority for the industry. For example, here are several retro games that have good narratives.
8
Planescape: Torment
- Released
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December 12, 1999
- Developer(s)
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Black Isle Studios
- Publisher(s)
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Interplay
- ESRB
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t
In Planescape: Torment, you play as a very interesting character who’s known as The Nameless One. The guy is immortal. Technically, he can be killed, but he just comes back alive, albeit with some memory loss. His goal is to figure out his past.
It’s a very character-driven storyline, so it’s good the game has a strong main character. Unlike many video game protagonists from the ’90s, he isn’t a do-gooder. He’s a complex character that you can help shape. Yet, whatever version of the character you turn him into, his story will always be somewhat tragic. While it may make you emotional, his journey may also make you reflect on things, as this is a very thought-provoking game.
7
Vagrant Story
Vagrant Story
- Released
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May 15, 2000
- Developer(s)
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Square
- Publisher(s)
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Square
- ESRB
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T For Teen due to Animated Violence
Things start quickly in Vagrant Story as within the first five minutes, the manor of a Parliament member is on fire as a religious cult is attacking it. You play as a talented agent named Alex, who is tasked with bringing them to a halt. The leader of the cult is named Sydney Losstarot. Stopping her is your main objective during the game.
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However, this narrative gets far more complex as things go on. In fact, it can be a little confusing, as the game doesn’t always spell things out for you. That said, if you can keep up with what’s going on, there is an exceptional story here containing deep and flawed characters.
6
Grim Fandango
- Released
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October 30, 1998
- ESRB
-
t
Upon release, Grim Fandango wasn’t the most successful game, but these days, it’s often regarded as one of the most underrated titles of its generation. It’s set in the Land of the Dead, which is a place souls travel to before reaching their final destination. You play as Manny, who helps these souls on their way. One client, in particular, called Meche, is an interesting case, and the game revolves around helping her get to where she needs to go.
This game’s whole premise and setting are unique and help it stand out among other titles. Plus, the writing is fantastic, as it’s both compelling and humorous. It helps you to get sucked into the game’s world easily and appreciate the characters within it.
5
Deus Ex
- Released
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June 23, 2000
- Developer(s)
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Ion Storm
- Publisher(s)
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Eidos Interactive
- ESRB
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M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Violence
The original Deus Ex game stars JC Denton, an agent for the United Nations Anti-Terrorist Coalition. So, his job is to stop threats to the country. Early in the game, though, he discovers that the biggest threat might be close to home as he begins to unravel a conspiracy.
The story feels like a well-told political espionage plot. Yes, the dialogue and voice acting aren’t always great in this title, but that doesn’t distract from the intriguing and ambitious narrative. Later entries in the Deus Ex series didn’t deliver a story this captivating, even with flashy cinematics and better dialogue.
4
System Shock 2
- Released
-
August 11, 1999
- ESRB
-
m
System Shock 2 begins with you waking up in a cryo-tube on the deck of the impressive ship known as the Von Braun. That said, it doesn’t look very impressive anymore, as most of the crew has been turned into monsters. Your character has amnesia, so they have no clue of what happened. All they know is that they have to attempt to get to safety. There is an artificial intelligence on board that may help with that.
Something that stands out about System Shock 2’s story is how it’s told. You learn about the narrative and what happened to everyone primarily through audio logs left by your former comrades. This does a great job of putting you in the shoes of the protagonist as you learn about what happened in the same way they would if the situation were real. It also means the game doesn’t need many living characters, which helps create a feeling of isolation and the need to rely on the AI.
3
Final Fantasy 7
- Released
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January 31, 1997
- ESRB
-
T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
Final Fantasy 7 follows the adventure of a mercenary named Cloud Strife, who joins an eco-terrorist group. Their goal is to stop the evil corporation known as Shinra from destroying the planet. However, they also have the superhuman being known as Sephiroth to deal with.
The story takes unexpected twists and turns throughout the game, leading to some mind-blowing moments. It’s all carried by a fantastic cast of main characters who are among the best in Final Fantasy history.
2
Chrono Trigger
- Released
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March 11, 1995
- ESRB
-
T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
Early in Chrono Trigger, your party uses a teleporter to transport themselves to different periods of time. This includes the future. Unfortunately, though, that future is very bleak as they learn that an all-powerful creature has ruined the world. So, they intend to stop this future from coming to pass, which is what this story revolves around.
Time travel tales don’t always work great, but the one in Chrono Trigger is continually engaging and doesn’t get overly confusing. What helps keep your attention is the well-written and deep characters, as the game does a great job of making all of your party members feel like worthwhile additions to the cast.
- Released
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October 20, 1998
- Developer(s)
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Konami Computer Entertainment Japan
- ESRB
-
M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Violence
The core premise of Metal Gear Solid is that you’re a soldier named Solid Snake who has to infiltrate a nuclear weapons facility that terrorists have taken over. Yet, things are far more complex than that.
People that Snake meets keep dying from sudden heart attacks, and what the terrorists really want is a bit of a mystery. Plus, the leader of the terrorists looks a lot like Snake. So, there is a lot to uncover as you make your way through this captivating narrative. It’s made all the more interesting due to the excellent voice acting and writing that’s on display.
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