Players can master different weapons and magic attacks and learn other useful in-game mechanics such as stealth as they battle against a variety of enemies ranging in difficulty. From heart-wrenching personal tales to sprawling epic narratives, the evolution of console video game development agencies continues to push storytelling in video games to new heights. Each of these games exemplifies what’s possible when gameplay and narrative are perfectly combined, reminding us why single-player adventures are more relevant than ever. So I’m a huge fan of video games but I play single player games more because it’s something I prefer. I’m currently on the ps5 and would like to know some suggestions you guys would possibly have. For those who prioritize storylines and character development, single-player console games are like interactive novels—each with its own unique universe and a gripping tale to tell.
Check out our Zenless Zone Zero tier list for a look at some of the characters in the game, and our ZZZ codes list if you want a few freebies. When crafting our list of the best story games, we wanted to offer as diverse a list as possible, showing off the breadth of narrative techniques available across the video game landscape. It was also important to us that older titles be considered, given the strong influence of timeless classics like Deus Ex and Mass Effect 2 on modern game writing. However, the answer to this question is very much dependent on a player’s individual tastes. Any of the games on our best story games list could qualify depending on your taste in genre and storytelling style. If you’re a fan of more realistic tales, you’re more likely to get a kick out of Red Dead Redemption 2 than the more fanciful Baldur’s Gate 3.
This game also features some of the best voice-acting work for characters I’ve seen in an RPG, which is a huge bonus for any dialogue-intensive, story-driven game, just like it. Larian Studios put every single AAA gaming development company on notice with the release of Baldur’s Gate 3, shattering records for single-player games and setting a new standard on how a good RPG should be. It sold a staggering 2.5 million copies in just its early access phase alone, and deservedly so. Nate is one of the more recognizable PlayStation mascots after the Uncharted franchise reached new heights. The core gameplay mechanics are familiar to the original trilogy but with graphical improvements.
Open-World Exploration Games (For Players Who Love Freedom)
Jumping between dual protagonists, game quiz Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ story is truly epic, backed up by some excellent side missions and quests. Known for its dialogue-heavy gameplay, Disco Elysium is one of the best detective video games to come out in recent years. It takes place in the far future in a seaside district of a large city that’s still reeling from years of conflict. Players wake up as a hungover detective who’s tasked with investigating a recent murder.
The Guardians are shining examples of how we can improve as human beings with the right people to support us. While the story starts slow, it gradually builds to epic confrontations and classic cowboy shootouts. Arcade Night is a relatively new story game and is updated regularly with new choices and narrative options when it hits a certain number of likes. Poppy Playtime Chapter 3 [Story] is a fan game that actually contains a Roblox version of Poppy Playtime chapters 1 to 3. You have the option to single-player the game or join up to three of your friends before picking the chapter that you want to play through.
Not only as this event left you and the dragon with a permanent scar, you’re now doomed to defeat this dragon to fulfill your destiny. Launching 12 years after the first game, Dragon’s Dogma 2 largely refines the gameplay of the original. The developers stuck to its guns regarding several controversial gameplay decisions, including limiting fast travel, and making certain items difficult to acquire, but these choices make Dragon’s Dogma 2 what it is. Of course, that didn’t stop the PC fan base from creating their own Dragon’s Dogma 2 mods to address some of the criticisms addressed in the reviews.
Looking for a deeply immersive storyline, with loads (seriously, there are so many) of different characters, plus the power to shape those their fates? Although medieval murder-mystery Pentiment doesn’t feature any combat, it’s an amazing single-player game for those who like choice-based adventures. As the cherry on top, the late-medieval and early print-inspired 2D art style is absolutely gorgeous. There’s nothing quite like a solo adventure that lets you explore, interact, and fight to your heart’s content, with no one there to interrupt the immersion. Let’s face it, you really don’t need to get a squad together to have tons of fun, and these games prove it. These are the best single player games on PC that you can play right now, from story-driven RPGs to tense survival games and indie gems.
What Remains of Edith Finch is a tragic journey through the eyes of Edith and her need to relive her haunted past to move on and strive for a new future. Is it possible to have a story games list without the wonder that is Mass Effect 2? As the standout entry in the Mass Effect series, it brings sci-fi drama to the extreme.
Many simulation games have online mod communities where you can share your creations and download new content. This is the team who has made some of the best RPGs ever, and the crew is working hard to make Avowed the next legendary game in their beloved lineup. Oh, but things get a lot more interesting when these pirate adventures stretch beyond the boundaries you’d think they stay in! In Mark of the Deep, you’ll play a “Rookie” pirate whose ship crash lands on an ancient island. Passengers come from all walks of life and have unique strengths and weaknesses that tie in smoothly to their role aboard your ship.
Because of its versatile, flexible story progression options, players can complete a pacifist run on Cyberpunk 2077, using non-lethal attacks to subdue all opponents aside from robots without killing them. There is both close combat and range, with modifications available for range weapons to help change how they work, adding ricocheting bullets, the ability to penetrate walls, and more. While some opponents may be easier than others, Elden Ring has several hostile enemies that can be difficult to defeat, even later in the game. This provides a scaling challenge for players, helping the game stay fresh and engaging for longer.
A Solo Magical Adventure: Hogwarts Legacy
This is, of course, a familiar Spider-Man tale, but there’s some clever twists and turns along the way here to keep things fresh and interesting. Namely, in the involvement of Harry Osbourne, and of course a second Spider-Man in Miles Morales. Miles’ story in particular, is a heartfelt one about how revenge always comes at a cost, with excellent performances all around. Additionally, it offers a cyberpunk story that wrestles with difficult questions about globalization, transhumanism, and political ideology. God of War Ragnarok takes what made its predecessor so epic, and dials it up to eleven. The combat has been refined, adding in shield-focused abilities and skills, and traversal has been improved thanks to a bunch of genuinely fun new tools.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Yes, many of the best open-world indie games featured here are packed with dozens—sometimes hundreds—of hours of content. Valheim, for example, has kept players engaged for thousands of hours thanks to its base-building, exploration, and survival mechanics. Wandering Sword offers a deep RPG experience with multiple endings and over 75 locations to explore. Alan Wake 2 scared and thrilled us in equal measure, setting a new bar for modern survival horror titles.