Uncharted 4… and Other Games with Great Stories

This week, Naughty Dog studios launched the 4th and final chapter of the Uncharted video game series.  To those who aren’t familiar with Uncharted, you play as Nathan Drake, famed archaeologist/adventurer/thief extraordinaire who travels around the world in search of lost treasures in exotic locals.  While the games are full of stunning visuals, fun game play and awesome action set pieces, what truly elevates the Uncharted series to next level is the compelling narrative presented through the game.

Many who aren’t familiar with video games in general, may not realize that video games have become a medium by which to convey compelling stories.  Video games have their roots in the old pen and paper role-playing games that were in many ways just shared story telling.  So with that in mind, let me share with you (in no particular order) some of my favorite stories told by video games.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

Naughty Dog, 2016

PS4

Let’s get this one out of the way first.  The final chapter in Nathan drake’s story, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is full of what you’d expected from an Uncharted game.  Plenty of fun puzzles, stunning visuals, and exciting action can be found in this game, but more than that,  Uncharted 4 tells a personal story, that is deeply satisfying.  While the basic plot outline shares many of the same points as the previous games (ie a race to find the mcguffin in a lost city before the evil boss and henchmen do…) it is the personal interactions and character arcs in which Uncharted’s story telling truly excels.

When we first meet Nathan Drake in the first game, he was a typical Indian Jones-like action star.  Over the course of Uncharted 1-3 however, Drake becomes a more complex character as you discover how a young orphan boy who found a purpose in the old stories of treasure and history became the man you see in the games.  The 4th chapter builds upon these developments as well as those seen in other supporting characters, namely Elena (Drake’s primary love interest) and Sully (Drake’s oldest friend and father figure).  The game also remarkably makes you care about Sam, Nate’s lost brother, who is introduced for the first time in this game.  Sam interrupts Nate’s attempt at living a “normal” life and suddenly their off on yet another adventure.  To truly appreciate the fourth game the first 3 need to be played, but the story you get from the entire arc is one of the most beloved in video gaming.

Award for the Most Beautiful Game on This List:  The Madagascar environment especially

Most Amazing Sendoff to a Video Game Character: That epilogue…the feels…

 

 

Mass Effect 2

Bioware, 2010

X360, PS3, PC

Bioware’s Mass Effect trilogy stands as one of the greatest space opera’s not just in video games, but in all media formats.  You are commander Shepherd, a human soldier and humanity’s last hope against an ancient menace.  In the second chapter specifically, you are returned from an apparent death by a shadowy organization that tasks you with a seemingly suicidal mission.  You are given a group of unlikely allies that are each unique and fascinating in their own right.  Coupled with much tighter controls and game play than Mass Effect 1, and unsullied by the controversial ending of Mass Effect 3 (yeah, I wasn’t a fan of that too) Mass Effect 2 often heralded as the best of a very excellent trilogy.

The story is rich in both characters and but also in world building.  The galaxy feels like a lived in place, with a history and a myriad of cultural identities.  I often found myself reading through the massive amount of lore provided in the game.  Furthermore, the game truly allows you agency in the story.  Your various choices will affect the endgame often dictating who among your companions survive.  You owe it to yourself to experience this trilogy.

Award for the Game That Kills You Right off the Bat: Goodbye Normandy SR1

Most Musical Alien: Mordin

 

 

Bioshock

2K Games, 2007

X360, PS3, PC

Bioshock starts off with a mystery.  Your plane crashes in the middle of the Atlantic with the only source of refuge being a mysterious lighthouse rising out the ocean.  From there you are lead into the fascinatingly dark yet beautiful underwater city.  So begins Bioshock, a first person shooter where you delve into the failed utopia of Rapture, as the citizens which tried to become gods have instead become monsters.

Between heavily modified guns and genetic superpowers, you have plenty of ways to defend yourself as you delve into Rapture’s secrets, though the game makes ammo and adam (the source of your powers) relatively scarce, especially early on.  You are constantly on edge as you feel your survival is on the brink throughout the game.  Furthermore, the story sets itself apart by the choice it gives you, directly affecting the game’s endings.  Not only that but there is an incredible plot twist will leave you reeling… Would you kindly play this game.

Award for One of the Most Iconic Video Game Settings: Rapture

Most Thrilling Boss Fight: Taking down your first “Big-Daddy”

 

 

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Bioware, 2003

Xbox, PC, iOs, Android

It’s crazy to me that this game is now old enough to run on your smartphone. but as it stands, this is the game that gives me fond memories of owning the original Xbox. Though the game play is only a few steps removed from a pen and paper RPG (with combat turns and heavy stats), the story is engrossing and you quickly forget about all the mechanics that now feel outdated.

The game takes place thousands of years before the Star Wars movies, where everything is familiar but different.  As a nameless soldier of the Republic, you are quickly caught up in a conflict between the Republic and a Sith Empire lead by the greatest champions of the Jedi that have turned to the dark side.  You will explore worlds both familiar and new, while learning shocking secrets that will make your head turn.  I would go out on a limb and say the twist in the story is one of the single greatest twists in all video games.  If only this story was made into a movie instead of the films we got in the early 2000’s.  If you call yourself a Star Wars fan and still haven’t played this game, you owe it to yourself to download it and play.

Award for the Game with the Most Hilarious Droid: Silly Meatbags

Most Mind Bending Twist: *Spoiler* No, its not about your father…