Games with a rich singleplayer and storyline

I'm currently looking for games with a strong and solid singleplayer but most importantly a really good storyline behind it.

I don't care about online gameplay at all so never mind about multiplayer.

The Half-Life games. Many people dismiss the story, but it's more subtle than a lot of games and the storytelling itself is excellent.
There are also RPGs and the like, but I'll let the other users suggest them as I'm not big on them myself.

I've played half life myself. Besides I'm not a fan of RPG's myself but thanks anyway.

I need to admit that I thought Crackdown and Rainbow 6 Vegas 1&2 had very well written storyline, and they were definitely worth replaying a few times. Plus the online is great and still very active.

Deus Ex.

I don't mind RPG elemts, I myself have enjoyed the .hack series.

Chronicles of Rddick: Dark Athena & Butcher Bay, Vampire the Masquerade:Bloodlines, Mass Effect.

To name a few. :)

*Says in disturbing deep voice*, Resident Evil 5.

If you want good story try RPG or adventure games.

I'm currently looking for games with a strong and solid singleplayer but most importantly a really good storyline behind it.

I don't care about online gameplay at all so never mind about multiplayer.

CyberAltair5

Go for anything Bioware. Jade Empire, KOTOR, Baldur's gate, Mass Effect, and if you wan't non Bioware go for fallout 3, The Witcher, Half-Life, half-Life 2, F.E.A.R., Bioshock.

The Half-Life games. Many people dismiss the story, but it's more subtle than a lot of games and the storytelling itself is excellent.
There are also RPGs and the like, but I'll let the other users suggest them as I'm not big on them myself.

Doom_HellKnight

The Half-Life games are far from subtle. Sure, there is an undercurrent, but they sort of ruin it by making it the sole focus.

The story is in-your-face and there aren't any hooks, twists or plot changes for the WHOLE GAME.

I mean I expected they would at least leave me curious about something other than where the next level would be, but they failed miserably.

I would personally go for Bioshock as the best, but I assume you already have that.

Some people like Mass Effect, it's not up my alley though...

To be honest, GTA IV is a pretty spectacular single player experience, although the story is somewhat lacking.

I'll try Mass Effect, seems good.

I've always wanted to play Bioshock as well just never got around to get it =P

best storyline=kotor

then witcher, bioshock, mass effect, and nwn2 in that order

Not a fan of Star Wars, doubt it will satisfy me =\

Not a fan of Star Wars, doubt it will satisfy me =\

CyberAltair5

The only thing I know about Star Wars is that it's really famous, Skywalker is like a god damn god to fans and there are lightsabers.

The only thing I know about Star Wars is that it's really famous, Skywalker is like a god damn god to fans and there are lightsabers.

CyberAltair5

I didn't like KoTOR either at first playthrough. Actually I didn't even played much at first instalation, uninstalled it. Later, i gave it another chance...and beleive it or not that game got me into RPG gaming. It's story is brilliantly written, one of the best there is, and you can get used to its gameplay too cause it isn't that complicated. I say give it a try even if you're not into the Star Wars universe, cause you shouldn't miss one of the best stories in a game.

I really like Bioshocks storyline. It's very original.

• Starcraft
• Warcraft 3 Battlechest
• Homeworld
• Homeworld: Cataclysm
• Homeworld 2
• The Longest Journey
• Grim Fandango
• Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers
• The Beast Within: A Gabriel Knight Mystery

Thanks, I'll go through those games.

And no I'm not an american.

And no I'm not an american.

CyberAltair5

Was just curious. Every American knows Star Wars like the back of their hand.

im american and i hate starwars. but still kotor is pretty awesome.

vampire the masquerade redemptation

I really like Bioshocks storyline. It's very original.

waitaseck

please do yourself a favor and try kotor

even if you are not a starwars fan

as everyone here can confirm, kotor is one the best games ever with a fantastic storyline

there are few games like kotor, and playing kotor is a must

that said, other games like witcher mass effect and bioshock have good storylines, but overall kotor still comes out on top

Cryostasis

I'm playing Betrayal At Krondor and so far it has a pretty good storyline. Not to mention wonderful music btw :)

I second Deus Ex. Great story line and ease of use. You can make it as difficult you want gameplay-wise. But easy to get hooked on the cyberpunk theme.

Depends what you like.

Mafia is a great game, the Half-Life series (I'll include Portal here) and Crysis.

STALKER is sort of hit and miss. It can be quite confusing, almost ambiguous, but if you manage to figure it out I think STALKER is a strong contender.

Even though I haven't finished either of them: Mass Effect and Bioshock.

You might also get a rise out of FEAR and FEAR 2 (you have to invest yourself here and seek out the answers).

Freelancer. An oldy but a goody in my book. Here you have to invest yourself into your character and roleplay in your head, but I liked the story. A bit ... cheesy, sort of, but when I finally got all the answers (finished the campaign) I appreciated the work put into it.

The only thing I know about Star Wars is that it's really famous, Skywalker is like a god damn god to fans and there are lightsabers.

CyberAltair5

KOTOR doesn't have any relation to the movies except for very general stuff (lightsabers, starships, jedi vs sith, and that's about it). KOTOR is a game that doesn't rely on its license to be a good game since very little of the game relies on anything established by the movies, other games, or books. Even if you don't like Star Wars you'll probably still like KOTOR.

Aside from KOTOR these would be my suggestions for games to pick up if you want a good story:

- Indigo Prophecy/Fahrenheit (they're the same game, just a different title depending on which country you live in)
- Grim Fandango (if you haven't played it, GET IT)
- Final Fantasy X (you said you don't like RPGs, but the presentation in this game is simply amazing)
- Ico (it doesn't have a long/deep story, but it's loaded with symbolism if you're into that sort of thing)
- Mass Effect (or any Bioware game really)

[QUOTE="CyberAltair5"]

And no I'm not an american.

GodLovesDead

Was just curious. Every American knows Star Wars like the back of their hand.

That's a stereotype. I have a lot of friends that don't know jack about Star Wars, and they're American. BTT: I would suggest Bioshock, Ranbow Six Vegas 1+2, Prey, Brothers in Arms series, Assassin's Creed, and Fallout 3(although it is an FPSRPG).

Divine Divinity, Arx Fatalis, Baldurs Gate, KOTOR,Deus Ex, The Witcher, Zork series and Half Life series.

If you like adventure games, The Longest Journey and Dreamfall have excellent stories...two of the better games I've ever played in terms of storytelling.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R is a superb game for story and atmosphere.V4LENT1NE

Yup, everyone always forgets about Stalker.

Hugely atmospheric game. Somebody said to me that Stalker would scare the daylights out of me... and I said: nah, a computer game could never frighten me... yeah well try playing Stalker at home alone at night, and go down into one of the underground sewers or maintenance tunnels. Get back to me. Damn game scared the living daylights out of me.

Bioshock is also a game that all gamers should at least take a look at once - hugely imaginative. Bioshock really is something completely different in terms of storyline and atmosphere. I might even finish it one day.

I finished Portal quite back, wonderful game.

Anyway looks like i'll be trying KOTOR and Mass Effect for now. Stalker is a kinda for me right now. I played the Witcher's demo, didn't like it really. Freelancer was cool but I didn't really like the story =\

Thanks a lot for the reccomendations guys, really appreciated.

[QUOTE="GodLovesDead"]

[QUOTE="CyberAltair5"]

And no I'm not an american.

Phoenix534

Was just curious. Every American knows Star Wars like the back of their hand.

That's a stereotype. I have a lot of friends that don't know jack about Star Wars, and they're American. BTT: I would suggest Bioshock, Ranbow Six Vegas 1+2, Prey, Brothers in Arms series, Assassin's Creed, and Fallout 3(although it is an FPSRPG).

Deus Ex is undoubtedly the BEST game I have ever played. I have never ever played such an enthralling game and can barely fault it in any way, to this day (although obviously it is completely out-dated with regards to graphics). It is immersive and thoroughly story-driven, and fairly non-linear - there are at least 3 different ways in which to complete every main objective and there are always plenty of secondary goals to keep you occupied and exploring the very interactive world. This game is guaranteed to thoroughly engulf you all the way through. You must try this game.

Half Life (the entire series) should not be a series that you miss out on. As someone has already said, the storyline is fairly subtle but the game will keep your brain in gear and if you look out for clues towards the storyline (I still wanna know who the G-Man really is, dammit!) you will want to continue playing until you complete every single game in the series. Despite Half Life 1's shocking graphics compared to today's standards, it is still phenomenally playable and brilliant fun. Gotta love the crowbar.

Star Wars KotOR 1 & 2 are fantastic games story-wise, although imo the gameplay is a little lacking as it is fairly stop-start.

Bioshock is also a great game with a good story, but not the best. It's creepy as hell, fairly disturbing and a lot of fun to play in the dark.

F.E.A.R. is one of the creepiest games I've played and if you can stomach the eeriness you will be come utterly engrossed in it from start to finish.

Portal is a great little game too and very entertaining. Anyone for cake?

Just to add to what others have recommended:

Warcraft III

Mafia

The Longest Journey

All these games have great narrative and superb characterization

after you play kotor and mass effect i urge you to give another go to the witcher

the beginning in the castle is indeed boring, but around chapter 2 it really becomes epic lol

good luck with kotor

while suggesting it to you i decided i want to play it again and just started playing it for the 5th time

and its still equally fun!

lol