Video games aren’t mindless mediums of pure entertainment. They contain different universes, soulful characters, unique narrations, and alternate perspectives; it contains a different experience entirely.
These games possess a remarkable power that can transcend the boundary of your screen, connecting to you and becoming a core memory in both heart and mind—hence the feeling of nostalgia sometimes. Through compelling storytelling, video games offer a unique form of engagement, which allow us to actively participate in how the plot unfolds. As more and more stories unravel before us in the games we see today, we have to place appreciation and salute the games that have already made an impact. Read through our list of games that have made an impact on us.
—
Writer’s Note: Please be aware that this article aims to minimize spoilers related to the video game's storyline. However, it may include certain snippets of the story due to the nature of the content discussed in this article.
Red Dead Redemption 2
It felt like it was just yesterday, riding through the open lands of untamed America on your trusted steed, with nothing but the clothes on your back and a confident piece of dangerous metal holstered to your side for protection.
Red Dead Redemption 2 was a masterpiece filled with laughs, friendships, and heartaches. What made the storyline exceptional was its meticulous attention to detail and masterfully crafted character development, as seen through Arthur Morgan’s eyes. You thought it was all fun and freedom in a world filled with gunslinging bandits, but it is much deeper than expected. I found myself enjoying the combination of joy and tearful pain; yeah, thank you, rockstar!
Life is Strange
Let’s take a moment to step back and breathe. The previous two swayed towards the more action-type games, but Dontnod Entertainment’s Life is Strange is a relatable and emotional rollercoaster graphic adventure game. Thanks to its time-jumping mechanic, the game presented a world filled with complex friendships, identity loss, and consequences of choice.
Through the protagonist Max Caulfield, the game presented its ability to tackle sensitive subjects, such as bullying, depression, and the pressures of adolescence, with sensitivity and authenticity, all-powerful and relatable topics, especially during its release around 2015, a scary year for me personally as a first-year college student.
God of War
Boy!
That word has embedded itself to the point of being a meme for Kartos in the gaming community. Despite its title and previous iterations, this rendition of God of War has settled in a more “mature” and “emotionally fulfilling” theme. As it was not evident enough, the story revolves around the complex father-son relationship between Kratos and Atreus as they embark on a perilous journey through the breathing realms of Norse mythology.
What made its storyline impactful was its ability to fuse smashing action with intimate character development as it dives into themes of loss, redemption, and results caused by past actions, with a man as strong as Kratos coming with bloodthirsty enemies right behind.
The Last of Us
You can’t have this list without having Naughty Dog’s Last of Us. With its first release dating back to 2013 and its revamped version released a few months ago, this video game still has one of the most iconic and impactful storylines out there. Thanks to an outstanding cast, the post-apocalyptic setting really hooked its players as they invested their time and hearts as they played Joel.
The relationship between Joel and Ellie, as they traverse a desolate and dangerous world, is the heart of the narrative, illustrating that despite the awfulness around the world, human beings are capable of enjoying the little things and are willing to sacrifice anything to keep it that way.
If you haven’t played the game but are curious about what happens, you can catch the tale of The Last of Us on HBO GO with PLDT Home!