Hey everyone! I’m searching for games with really powerful stories that hit you right in the feelings. You know those games that leave you staring at the screen after the credits roll, feeling completely empty but in a good way? I want something that makes me immediately start googling for sequels because I can’t handle how it ended. I’ve already been through some amazing ones like the Ori series, Garden Story, and Red Dead Redemption 2. Those games absolutely destroyed me emotionally and I loved every minute of it. Now I’m craving more of those heart-wrenching, beautifully sad narratives that stick with you for weeks. What are your top picks for story-driven games that will make me question my life choices while simultaneously being incredible experiences?
Outer Wilds messed me up more than I expected. It’s this space exploration thing that seems chill at first but the ending made me sit in silence for like an hour.
Firewatch got me pretty good. The whole thing builds up this relationship through radio conversations and then reality just hits you hard at the end.
Spiritfarer hits different when you start saying goodbye to characters you’ve grown attached to.
Life is Strange destroyed me emotionally. The whole time travel thing might seem gimmicky but it builds to this impossible choice that had me staring at my controller for like 20 minutes. Also check out GRIS - it’s basically grief turned into a gorgeous platformer. No dialogue but somehow tells this incredible story about loss and healing that left me crying.
What Remains of Edith Finch completely broke me. It’s short but every single story in that family house will mess you up. Also try A Plague Tale if you want something longer - the bond between the siblings is incredible and the ending had me sobbing. NieR Automata is another one that seems like a weird robot action game at first but turns into this existential nightmare that I’m still thinking about years later.
The Last of Us Part II wrecked me for days. Even if you didn’t love the story choices, the emotional weight is insane.
To the Moon will absolutely wreck you, trust me on this one.