Which game has the best story, in your opinion?

[Kremiso]

a couple i liked a lot
Dragon Age Origins
Xenogears
Baiten Kaitos Gamecube
the first Legacy of Kain PS1
Darkness Xbox360
Star Ocean Last Hope Xbox360

 

[Ikagura]

The issue is that even the best stories are objectively mid-tier if they were books or movie plots.

Maybe some can make a good movie but I think this is why video game as a medium shines the best when it's well narrated and that the gameplay is good, not with the story.

If Metal Gear Solid was a movie it would be seen as a lesser version of Escape from New York (and some events like Psycho Mantis' mind scan and the backtrack to get the sniper wouldn't have worked on the screen).

If I had to choose a story I like in video games I'd choose Portal 2 because it's rather simple yet good and I'd rather take something simple than a game losing itself in its own story and lore.

 

[jankusanagi jankusanagi]

Complicated question, but I'd probably have to go with Xenogears, followed by Chrono Cross.

 

[CG4R12I4N]

Simple, direct story with lovable worldbuilding and cast, also have strong plot twist that's quite predictable for those who're familiar with JRPGs up to this point but still impactful to the whole setting.
I'd put Nier: Replicant, Rogue Galaxy and Lost Odyssey close as well.

 

[KamakoKamako's icon]

For biggest impact, Metal Gear Solid (PSX)

In terms of overall gaming narratives that I've played, either Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty or Disco Elysium.

No wonder why I'm so pretentious!

 

[Tsukishima]

"My body is dust on the wind, man. That's why I can't stop wandering. I swim helpless between reality and dreams now and forever. If I told you I lacked lingering attachments to the transient world ... I'd be a liar."
-Florence

That honour has to go to Moon (1997) for me. What a genuinely special and dreamlike experience. The importance of personal relationships, a new perspective on gathering patience despite having ADHD. And most importantly, the journey of discovering Love.

It's proved to me I still have lingering thoughts to this world we're on. I still have reasons to live, answers to find. The story and characters will live with me forever.

Special shoutouts go to the stories of Celeste and OneShot though.

 

[Fietto!]

 

[Kovlak]

The issue is that even the best stories are objectively mid-tier if they were books or movie plots.

I know it's an exception, but Planescape Torment works so well as a novel, that have been a few adapting the story of the game.

Here is one that is pretty good and free:

Planescape: Torment - Novelization

 

[Clown Car Cats]

Night in the Woods
The writing might be like cringe or whatever in retrospect. But I played the game when I was 16. The story came into my life at a very pivotal time. It felt like it rewrote my brain’s code when I played it the first time.
It’s my favorite game of all time and the one that’s had the biggest impact on me as a person.

 

[LiberoVulpesLiberoVulpes's icon]

Reverse Collapse: Code Name Bakery.
Library of Ruina.
Utawarerumono.
Xenogears.
Homeworld 1.