A story can make or break a video game. It is one of the most important features any video game should offer to the players. But just like in books and movies, some games are so well-written; they can hit you deep in your heart and stir your feelings. Here are some of them:
Night in the Woods
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u17kM8oSz3k]
Night in the Woods talks about the story of Mae Borowski, a college dropout who returns to her hometown Possum Springs. There she aims to resume her aimless former life and connect with the friends she left behind. However, things aren’t the same anymore. Everything has changed, and strange things are happening in the woods.
Despite its appealing visuals, the Night in the Woods hides a deeper story that tackles with depression, mental illness, and the stagnancy of the middle and lower classes.
Brothers – A Tale of Two Sons
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTu1J2pFhbA]
Brothers – A Tale of Two Sons is an emotional gem from the Swedish film director Josef Fares and Starbreeze Studios. It introduces the story of Naia and Naiee as they go on a journey to collect the waters from the Tree of Life to save their dying father. In the way, they will face adversaries and must complete several challenges, and rely on one another to survive.
In the end, they will know that in life, there are some sacrifices you have to make to save the ones you love.
Ori and the Blind Forest
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cklw-Yu3moE]
Ori and the Blind Forest centers on the story of a young orphan named Ori who fell from a tree during the Great Storm and was adopted by a creature named Naru. Little do she know that Ori is destined to become a hero. Before that, though, he must go on a journey to find his courage and confront a dark nemesis to save the forest of Nibel, his home.
The story explores a deeply emotional story that talks about love and sacrifice. It lets you realize that hope exists in all of us.
To The Moon
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqkJuSV-23U]
To The Moon is an adventure RPG video game about two doctors named Dr. Rosalene and Dr. Watts and their peculiar jobs which allow them to traverse through the memories of their dying patients. In this particular story, they attempt to fulfill the dream of an old man named Johnny. With each step back in time, they begin to discover and learn more about Johnny’s past. As the two doctors learn more about Johnny, they start to realize the reason why the old man’s dying wish is to go to the Moon.
The game is developed for Microsoft Windows PCs and gaming laptops by the same creators of A Bird Story and Finding Paradise, Freebird Games.
CLANNAD
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjZwBuAoi8U]
CLANNAD is the world-renowned visual novel game from Key Studio. It tells the story of a delinquent student named Tomoya Okazaki who struggles with the abusive relationship he has with his alcoholic father. As the story progresses, he meets some friends and a mystifying girl named Nagisa, who will change the course of his life.
One of the heart-wrenching stories in the game is Nagisa’s After Story where you have to go through traumatic experiences and go through challenges to save the dying Ushio.