Best Game Storylines of All Time Ranked
A single video game story can leave you staring at the credits for ten minutes. That feeling is why fans argue endlessly about the best game storylines of all time. This ranking picks five games that earned their spot through writing, pacing, and unforgettable characters. For each one, you will get the setup, the strengths, the drawbacks, and the type of player it suits. Because one line can spoil a plot, the details stay light.
Spoiler warning: a few story moments appear below in broad terms. If you have not finished a game, skip that entry for now, and come back after the credits.
1. The Last of Us
Naughty Dog built this story around one small bond between two people. The game is set twenty years after a fungus outbreak wrecks society. Joel, a hardened smuggler, agrees to take a teenager named Ellie across the United States. At first, he clearly does not want the job. Because of that, every small kindness between them feels earned.
The biggest strength is character work. Quiet scenes hit as hard as the big action moments. On the other hand, the combat loop can feel repetitive on a second run. It is also a grim story, so it is not for everyone. Still, it suits players who care more about people than plot machinery, and the ending is the reason it sits at number one.
The setting adds to the mood. Overgrown cities, empty schools, and quiet roads show how the world carries on without people. Because the game lets you explore at a calm pace, those details sink in. Naughty Dog first released it on the PlayStation 3 in 2013. Later versions arrived on newer consoles and PC, so it is easy to find today.
| Detail | Info |
| Release date | June 14, 2013 (PS3); remake on PS5 September 2, 2022 and PC March 28, 2023 |
| Price | Varies by store and region |
| Platforms | PS3, PS4, PS5, PC |
| Genre | Action-adventure, single player |
| Minimum RAM or GPU | See the official store page for verified specs |
2. Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar Games closed the Wild West with a slow and sad goodbye. The story follows Arthur Morgan, an outlaw in the Van der Linde gang, during the year 1899. Money runs short, lawmen close in, and the leader, Dutch, starts making bad calls. Because of that slide, loyalty becomes the real theme. Even small camp chores feel like they matter.
Arthur grows more interesting the longer you play him. His quiet choices, such as helping strangers, shape the final chapters. Even so, the pace is slow, and the controls feel heavy at first. Some players will bounce off the early hours. Still, it suits patient players who like living inside a world, and Arthur’s arc is the reason this story lands.
The world itself carries a lot of the tale. Towns, camps, and trails feel lived in, and small talk between gang members adds depth. As a result, the late tragedies feel personal. The game came out on consoles first, in 2018, and reached PC the next year. Because of its length, plan on a long trip.
| Detail | Info |
| Release date | October 26, 2018 (PS4, Xbox One); PC on November 5, 2019 |
| Price | Varies by store and region |
| Platforms | PS4, Xbox One, PC |
| Genre | Open world action-adventure |
| Minimum RAM or GPU | See the official store page for verified specs |
3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CD Projekt Red turned a monster-hunting job into a search for a lost family member. The game follows Geralt as he looks for Ciri, a young woman chased by a force called the Wild Hunt. Along the way, he stumbles into wars, family feuds, and cursed villages. Since each region has its own tone, the trip rarely feels repetitive. If you also enjoy memorable video game villains, the Wild Hunt will fit right in.
Even small side quests carry full stories with hard choices. One early quest, the Bloody Baron, is often named the best in the game. However, the menus feel clunky, and combat is stiff at the start. As a result, new players may need a few hours to settle in. It suits anyone who loves long fantasy tales, and the side quests are the secret weapon here.
The world is huge, but it never feels empty. Villages hold local rumors, and monster contracts often hide small mysteries. Meanwhile, the main plot keeps pushing toward a final showdown. CD Projekt Red later added two big expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, which many fans praise. The game is long, so give yourself time.
| Detail | Info |
| Release date | May 19, 2015 (PC, PS4, Xbox One); Switch in October 2019 |
| Price | Varies by store and region |
| Platforms | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch |
| Genre | Open world action RPG (a role-playing game) |
| Minimum RAM or GPU | See the official store page for verified specs |
4. God of War (2018)
Santa Monica Studio shrank a god’s rage into a quiet road trip. Kratos and his son, Atreus, travel to scatter the ashes of Faye, the boy’s mother. The setting is Norse myth, and every stop adds a little more to the past. Meanwhile, Kratos tries to hide the man he used to be. The whole game plays as one long camera shot with no hard cuts, which keeps the focus on the pair.
The father and son relationship is the best part, because they learn to trust each other step by step. Some puzzles repeat, and the scale feels smaller than earlier games. That said, the smaller scale is the point. It suits players who want feeling with their combat, and the father and son bond makes the journey worth finishing.
The cold, forested world feels fresh after the older games. Two dwarf brothers, a witch, and a talking head add humor to a heavy tale. Because the humor is warm, the sad moments land harder. Santa Monica Studio also reworked the combat around a heavy axe. Even so, the story is the real star.
| Detail | Info |
| Release date | April 20, 2018 (PS4); PC on January 14, 2022 |
| Price | Varies by store and region |
| Platforms | PS4, PS5 (playable), PC |
| Genre | Action-adventure, single player |
| Minimum RAM or GPU | See the official store page for verified specs |
5. Mass Effect 2
BioWare made a heist movie out of a space opera. Commander Shepard builds a team to stop the Collectors, who abduct human colonists. Each recruit has a loyalty mission, and those missions shape the final fight. Before long, you care about every squad mate. The finale, called the suicide mission, can end with anyone surviving or dying based on earlier choices.
The planet scanning mini-game is tedious, and the middle of the main plot feels thin. Still, the team moments make up for it. To see how choices like these change outcomes, check the guide to games with multiple endings. It suits players who like squad stories and choices with real cost, and the suicide mission is the highlight.
The squad moments are the heart of it. Quick talks on the ship let you learn who each person is. Because each crew member has a personal problem, helping them feels like a real favor. BioWare also lets saves from the first game carry over, so older choices still count. That detail still excites fans.
| Detail | Info |
| Release date | January 26, 2010 (PC, Xbox 360); PS3 in January 2011 |
| Price | Varies by store and region |
| Platforms | PC, PS3, Xbox 360, plus the 2021 Legendary Edition |
| Genre | Action RPG, single player |
| Minimum RAM or GPU | See the official store page for verified specs |
Key Takeaways From the Best Game Storylines
- Best overall: The Last of Us
- Best for patient players: Red Dead Redemption 2
- Best side quests: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Best father and son story: God of War (2018)
- Best for choices: Mass Effect 2
- Spoiler tip: if a twist matters to you, see the biggest plot twists players never saw coming after you finish
Frequently Asked Questions
Which game has the best story of all time?
No single answer exists, but The Last of Us is the top pick on this list.
Are these games good for beginners?
Yes, each game has easier difficulty settings, so new players can focus on the story.
Do I need to play earlier games first?
Mass Effect 2 is best after the first game, but the other four work fine alone.
Which game has the longest story?
The Witcher 3 is usually the longest here, though the hours depend on how many side quests you finish.
Are these games very violent?
Yes, all five contain violence, so check the age ratings before you buy.
Conclusion
The best game storylines of all time share one thing: they make you care before they ask you to feel. The Last of Us earns the top spot for its ending and its two leads. Red Dead Redemption 2, The Witcher 3, God of War, and Mass Effect 2 all offer different flavors of the same strength. Pick the one that matches your mood, and keep a few tissues nearby.
