13 Video Game Stories That Were Wayyy Ahead Of Their Time

The Last of Us isn't on here, that would be too obvious!

Hi, I'm Luca, and I love video games! We all know games have come pretty far, but a lot of them still struggle to tell a good story IMO.

NBC

So it's good news whenever a game goes the extra mile to tell a story that really amazes the players! Here are 13 games that do just that:

1. Metal Gear Solid 2 (2001)

Konami

Genre: Stealth, Action/Adventure.

What's the story? Let's be honest, we were all anticipating a sequel to the first game. In this follow-up, you control Jack – codenamed Raiden – as he infiltrates an environmental clean-up facility situated in the ocean. The leader of a terrorist group – who goes by the codename of the previous game's protagonist, "Snake" – is holding the president hostage there.  

Why it stands out: I adored the first game when I was younger for its amazing voice acting and over-the-top anime level of presentation, as well as the bizarre fourth-wall-breaking moments. However, none of us were prepared for a postmodern nightmare in the sequel!

I think many of us have really grown to love Metal Gear Solid 2's commentary on the digital age. It has a reputation for being eerily prophetic, and honestly, it went wayyy over my head as a kid, but it still scared me all the same.

2. Silent Hill 2 (2001)

Konami

Genre: Survival Horror. 

What's the story? James Sunderland has received a letter from his wife telling him to meet her at the town of Silent Hill. This is where the game begins, with James about to take a long walk into town through the forest. The thing is, none of this makes any sense because James's wife is dead! Silent Hill 2 isn't a follow-up to the first game's story per se, but it does use the same town of Silent Hill, and employs similar elements like the otherworld nightmare version of the town.

Why it stands out: Who else preferred this series to Resident Evil? The more realistic horror of Silent Hill just hits harder than zombies and jump-scares. There is some stilted voice acting in the early parts, but that honestly gives me major David Lynch vibes more than anything, which adds to the dream-like atmosphere of the whole game!

3. Half-Life 2 / Episode 1 & 2 (2004)

Valve

Genre: First Person Shooter, Action/Adventure.

What's the story? Prepare to see sequels feature A LOT on this list. This follow-up takes place years after the first game, in a time where an alien race known as The Combine have taken control of Earth's surviving population. Placed under a brutal totalitarian regime that suppresses humanity's ability to re-populate the planet, humans must live out their last days as The Combine deplete all of Earth's natural resources. You once again take control of a mute Gordon Freeman, as he sets about beginning a revolution.

Why it stands out: There's a reason no one shuts up about this masterpiece! It keeps up the unbroken linear structure set by the first game, but what always impresses me about Half-Life 2 is the two most immersive aspects of this FPS – the realistic physics and human emotion. Pair this with its brilliant world-building capabilities, and it's no wonder loads of us missed a ton of sleep playing this!

4. System Shock 2 (1999)

Night Dive Studios

Genre: First Person Shooter, Survival Horror, Role-Play.

What's the story? When you first wake up on board the spaceship, everything has gone wrong. You've been physiologically enhanced by a doctor who is now giving you orders to make your way through the ship, which is populated with your crew, except they have been transformed into nightmarish hybrids of man and machine.

Why it stands out: I really dig its environmental storytelling, and its unique mix of aesthetics (think Star Trek meets The Thing). If you get into this game, it'll probably remind you somewhat of Bioshock. Bioshock swaps the outer space setting for the underwater city of Rapture, and essentially replicates all the narrative techniques of System Shock 2. I personally prefer the space setting. The thing is, System Shock 2 sold so poorly, it's not like anyone noticed the similarities anyway!

5. Shadow of the Colossus (2005)

Sony

Genre: Third-Person, Action/Adventure.

What's the story? Your partner has been cursed, and you've fled your village (with her body) to an ancient land in hopes of reviving her. The old god of this land offers you the chance to bring her back, but only if you kill twelve ancient giants that reside there.

Why it stands out: The best part was spoiled for me – the ending! (Did anyone else have it ruined for them?) Regardless, this game was totally unprecedented at the time! With its brilliant art style and detailed combat system, Shadow of the Colossus was perhaps TOO ahead of its time. The game hardly runs on a PS2, which is neither here nor there since it had a gorgeous remake on the PS4, but if you're a SOTC purist, then respect.

6. Final Fantasy VII (1997)

Square Enix

Genre: Role-Play.

What's the story? Final Fantasy VII throws you right into the action as the mercenary Cloud Strife, sporting his iconic (and ridiculously) oversized sword. It starts with you helping an eco-terrorist group to destroy a giant energy plant in the city of Midgar, but eventually evolves into something more complex and heartbreaking.

Why it stands out: I've seen arguments that the previous game is better, but I'm sorry, that's wrong! This was the first 3D game in the series, and even though I'm obsessed with the remake, the original still reigns supreme. Sure, the pre-rendered cut-scenes are a little dated, but they do show off the amazingly diverse world and some really cool characters and locations.

7. Metroid Prime (2002)

Nintendo

Genre: First Person Shooter, Adventure.

What's the story? In this 3D reboot of the series, you take control of Samus, a bounty hunter in space. Tracking some space pirates to their home world, Samus spends the game investigating the pirates' experiments with the Metroids, and attempts to stop what it is they are planning to create.

Why it stands out: I love being nosey and poking around places, so of course I love the Metroid series! The focus is on exploration, but this game added my favourite feature – the scanner. Information about the world can be read by scanning certain artefacts, enemies, items, and logs. The fact it's completely optional just makes it MORE appealing to me. Take note other games – incentive always beats forcing someone to sit through something. Although it's a little embarrassing to admit, this is the game I've gotten the most lost in.

8. Mass Effect 2 (2010)

EA

Genre: Third Person Shooter, Role-Play.

What's the story? This game almost wiped the slate of the first clean, with your character – Commander Shepard – being killed. You are revived in the opening, but years have passed, and a new threat is out there abducting humans across the Milky Way. You set out to recruit a team capable of dealing with this newfound threat. 

Why it stands out: Confession – I much prefer the first game! However, this sequel excels with its cast of characters and a massive upgrade in visuals. If you're a Mass Effect fan you probably started with this game, and its focus on characters within the galaxy allowed us to explore cultures and scenarios on a very intimate level. Mass effect 2 hinted at a future in which RPGs had the visuals to match the writing, and I can't remember a game that had people more hyped up when it was released.

9. Morrowind (2002)

Bethesda

Genre: Role-Play. 

What's the story? You start as a prisoner with no record until you're granted release by the Emperor because you fit the description of a prophecy. You might be the incarnation of an ancient god, but only time will tell!

Why it stands out: Most people love the fifth game in the series, Skyrim. My friends have to endure this rant once a year (I’m sorry Joe and Charlie), but Skyrim has a bad story. What sets Morrowind apart is how the story and lore were intertwined. The quests – like delivering a letter to someone in another city – were pretty dull, but what they do is introduce you to the world in an organic way. When I put the game down (after HOURS), I felt like I had actually learnt about the island of Vvardenfell. But yes, it is a CRUSTY looking game.

10. Fallout New Vegas (2010)

Bethesda

Genre: Role-Play.

What's the story? You're a courier who has been shot in the head during a delivery to a post-apocalyptic Nevada, but you survive. Obviously, your next move is to find answers and maybe even revenge! The game culminates in you actively changing the power structure of New Vegas and the lives of those who live there, for better or for worse. 

Why it stands out: Many reviews billed this as a re-hash of Fallout 3, which upset many people, including myself. If there’s one game on this list that my friends are sick of me gushing about, it's this one. It's hard to find a modern game with so much room for player expression. The sheer number of ways you can complete quests is staggering, and no two people will have the same experience – especially because any character can be killed... ANY!

11. Mother 3 (2006)

Nintendo

Genre: Role-Play.

What's the story? Set in the Nowhere Islands, you play as Lucas and others as you attempt to save the Islands from a hostile takeover. The pig mask army (yes, people in pig masks) have been steadily replacing the Island's technology and infrastructure, so fighting them is less straightforward than the people might think.

Why it stands out: Saving your progress by talking to frogs, and boxes that fart when you open them – that's the vibe of Mother 3. The Japanese ad features actor Kō Shibasaki talking about how emotional the story is, but the game has never been released outside of Japan. Why? Well, it's simply too controversial.

Mother 3 contains hallucinogenic scenes and mystical characters called The Magypsies who many fans believe are representative of the transgender community. Previously, Mother 2 was censored in the US for depicting characters drinking alcohol, so my guess is that Nintendo isn't willing to localise Mother 3 in case it offends people, which sucks.

12. Star Wars Knight of the Old Republic 2 (2004)

Lucasfilm Games

Genre: Role-Play.

What's the story? Set 4,000 years before any of the Star Wars films, you begin as someone who was kicked out of the Jedi Order a long time ago. During this period, the Jedi themselves have been virtually wiped out. After forming an uneasy alliance with a new group of characters, you must stop the genocide against the Jedi from progressing any further, lest you be killed yourself!

Why it stands out: A lot of people find this game to be the most mature piece of Star Wars fiction ever due to its supremely compelling villain. In my opinion, the publisher released it too early, as important content had to be cut, but it's still a favourite of mine.

13. What Remains of Edith Finch (2017)

Annapurna Interactive

Genre: First Person, Walking Simulator.

What's the story? You play as Edith Finch who returns to the strange house she grew up in. Each room belongs to a member of the Finch family, and has been perfectly preserved. Through beautiful narration by Edith, you learn about the family's history and play out mini-vignettes in each of the rooms, which tell you a little bit about the person's life and the supposed curse that hangs over them all. 

Why it stands out: "Walking simulators" is a label I find super reductive, but it's a legitimate genre now. Be that as it may, in this game, each room of the house has its own quirky gameplay mechanic that ranges from cute and ironic, to super emotional (my friend cried a lot, so brace yourself). What always shines through is how this game tackles heavy topics, conveying stories and experiences without being tasteless.

I know I've probably missed someone's favourite, so let me know what it is in the comments!