Top Story-Driven Games for Teen Gamers

Story-driven games have become increasingly popular over the years. These games are perfect for teens who love to immerse themselves in a world, unravel mysteries, and engage in captivating narratives. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to find the perfect game.

In this article, we will share the best story-driven games for teens that will keep them entertained for hours.

Best Story-Driven Games for Teens

Discover the best story-driven games for teens who love to immerse themselves in a world. From adventure to RPG, find your next gaming adventure here.

Best story-driven action games

Spec Ops: The Line
God of War
Portal 2
Red Dead Redemption 2
A Plague Tale Requiem (Included with PC Game Pass)

Best story driven RPG games

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic and Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic II
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition (Included with PC Game Pass)
Disco Elysium
Hogwarts Legacy

Best story driven interactive games

Life Is Strange and Life Is Strange: Before the Storm
Detroit: Become Human
The Walking Dead: Season 1 (Included with PC Game Pass)
The Wolf Among Us
The Quarry

Best story driven indie games

Yes, Your Grace
Kentucky Route Zero (Included with PC Game Pass)
Her Story (Included with PC Game Pass)
Firewatch
Immortality (Included with PC Game Pass)

The Last of Us

The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic action-adventure game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. The game was first released in 2013 and has since become one of the most critically acclaimed video games of all time. Set in the United States after a fungal pandemic has decimated humanity, the game follows the story of Joel, a smuggler tasked with escorting a teenage girl named Ellie across the country to a group of resistance fighters.

The Last of Us Review

The Last of Us is a masterclass in storytelling, character development, and gameplay. The game’s world-building is superb, with detailed environments that are both beautiful and haunting. The game’s soundtrack, composed by Gustavo Santaolalla, perfectly complements the game’s tone, creating an eerie and immersive atmosphere.

The gameplay is a perfect balance of stealth, exploration, and combat. Players can choose to approach each encounter in a variety of ways, whether through stealth takedowns, gunfights, or using environmental hazards to their advantage. The game’s crafting system also adds depth to the gameplay, allowing players to craft weapons, health kits, and other items using scavenged materials.

The game’s characters are the heart of the story, with Joel and Ellie being two of the most memorable and well-developed characters in gaming. The relationship between the two characters is the driving force of the game’s narrative, with the player becoming emotionally invested in their journey.

The Last of Us also has an impressive multiplayer mode, which adds replayability to the game. The mode allows players to choose between two factions, the Hunters or the Fireflies, and engage in team-based combat to survive and control territories.

While The Last of Us is a nearly perfect game, it’s not without its flaws. Some players may find the game’s difficulty to be frustrating at times, especially during some of the more challenging encounters. The game’s linearity may also be a turn-off for some players who prefer open-world games.

Overall, The Last of Us is an absolute must-play for fans of story-driven games. The game’s stunning visuals, immersive atmosphere, and well-developed characters make it one of the best games ever made. Its flaws are minor in comparison to the overall quality of the game, and it’s definitely worth experiencing.

Also read : The 6 Best Online RPGs To Play Right Now

Life is Strange

Life is Strange is a critically acclaimed story-driven game developed by Dontnod Entertainment and published by Square Enix. The game was first released in 2015 and has since gained a massive following of dedicated fans. Set in the fictional town of Arcadia Bay, Life is Strange follows the story of a high school student named Maxine “Max” Caulfield, who discovers she has the ability to rewind time.

Also read : Is Life is Strange an LGBT Game?

Life Is Strange Review

The game is divided into five episodes, each taking around two hours to complete. Life is Strange is primarily a narrative-driven adventure game with a strong emphasis on character development and decision-making. The game’s storyline deals with themes of bullying, suicide, and teen angst, making it a relatable experience for many players.

One of the most compelling aspects of Life is Strange is the game’s unique mechanic of rewinding time. As Max, players can rewind time and change the course of events in the game, leading to multiple branching paths and endings. These choices can have significant consequences, which the player has to deal with as they progress through the game.

Another highlight of Life is Strange is its beautifully crafted setting and atmosphere. Arcadia Bay is a picturesque town that feels both familiar and foreign at the same time. The game’s soundtrack, composed by Jonathan Morali, is also a standout feature, with indie folk and acoustic music setting the mood for each episode.

The game’s voice acting is superb, with convincing performances from the voice actors bringing the characters to life. The character development is also impressive, with each character feeling distinct and nuanced.

However, the game is not without its flaws. The gameplay can feel slow-paced at times, with long stretches of walking and talking between decisions. Some players may also find the dialogue and writing to be cringe-worthy or overly melodramatic.

Overall, Life is Strange is an excellent choice for teens who love story-driven games. The game’s unique mechanic of rewinding time, relatable themes, and well-crafted setting make it a captivating experience. Its flaws are minor compared to the overall quality of the game, and it’s definitely worth a playthrough.

The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead is an episodic adventure game developed and published by Telltale Games. The game was released in 2012 and is based on the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman. The game follows the story of Lee Everett, a convicted criminal who must survive in a world overrun by zombies while protecting a young girl named Clementine.

The Walking Dead Review

The Walking Dead is a critically acclaimed game that is praised for its storytelling and player choice mechanics. The game’s narrative is gripping and emotional, with players becoming invested in the fates of the game’s characters. The game’s writing is top-notch, with well-written dialogue and believable characters that players can relate to.

One of the standout features of The Walking Dead is its player choice mechanics. The game’s choices have real consequences, with players’ decisions affecting the story and the relationships between characters. The game’s choices also lead to multiple branching paths, giving the game a high degree of replayability.

The game’s graphics and sound design are also impressive. The game’s art style is reminiscent of the comic book series, with cel-shaded graphics that give the game a unique look. The game’s sound design is equally impressive, with haunting music and realistic sound effects that add to the game’s immersion.

The game’s puzzles and action sequences are well-designed, with players needing to use their wits and reflexes to survive in the game’s world. The game’s combat is challenging, with players needing to conserve ammunition and resources to survive.

Overall, The Walking Dead is a must-play game for fans of adventure games and the zombie genre. Its gripping storytelling, player choice mechanics, and well-designed gameplay make it one of the best games of its kind. The game’s emotional impact and memorable characters make it a game that players will remember long after they finish playing.

Horizon Zero Dawn

Horizon Zero Dawn is an action role-playing game developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The game was released in 2017 for PlayStation 4 and later for PC in 2020. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans are no longer the dominant species and instead, robotic creatures roam the earth. Players take on the role of Aloy, a skilled hunter and archer, as she sets out on a journey to uncover the truth about her past and the world around her.

Horizon Zero Dawn Review

Horizon Zero Dawn is a visually stunning game with an expansive open world to explore. The game’s graphics are breathtaking, with a beautiful art style that captures the post-apocalyptic world and the robotic creatures that inhabit it. The game’s soundtrack, composed by Joris de Man, is equally impressive, immersing players in the game’s world with its haunting melodies and tribal rhythms.

The gameplay in Horizon Zero Dawn is a perfect blend of action, exploration, and RPG mechanics. As Aloy, players can use a variety of weapons and tactics to take down the game’s robotic enemies. The game’s combat is satisfying and challenging, with players needing to learn the weaknesses of each enemy to defeat them. Players can also upgrade Aloy’s skills and equipment, giving them more options in combat and exploration.

The game’s story is compelling, with a well-written and likable protagonist in Aloy. The game’s narrative is engaging, with players uncovering the mysteries of the world alongside Aloy. The game’s side quests are equally interesting, with many of them adding depth to the game’s world and characters.

One of the standout features of Horizon Zero Dawn is its world-building. The game’s post-apocalyptic world is rich with lore and history, with players able to discover and explore ruins of the old world. The game’s robotic creatures are also a fascinating element of the game’s world, with each creature having its own unique design and behavior.

Overall, Horizon Zero Dawn is an outstanding game that is a must-play for fans of action RPGs. The game’s stunning visuals, engaging combat, and well-written story make it a standout in the genre. Its expansive world and rich lore make it a game that players will want to explore and discover everything it has to offer.

Firewatch

Firewatch is a first-person adventure game developed by Campo Santo and published by Panic Inc. The game was released in 2016 for Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Set in the late 1980s in Wyoming, the game follows the story of Henry, a fire lookout who is stationed in the Shoshone National Forest to keep watch for forest fires. As Henry, players must explore the wilderness, investigate mysterious occurrences, and communicate with their supervisor, Delilah, via radio.

Firewatch Review

Firewatch is a stunning and emotional journey that takes players on a rollercoaster of feelings. The game’s visuals are breathtaking, with a stunning art style that captures the beauty of the Wyoming wilderness. The game’s soundtrack, composed by Chris Remo, perfectly complements the game’s tone, creating a melancholic and introspective atmosphere.

The gameplay is a perfect balance of exploration, puzzle-solving, and narrative-driven gameplay. Players must navigate the wilderness, uncovering clues and making choices that affect the outcome of the story. The game’s mechanics are simple but effective, with players using a map and compass to navigate the environment, and a camera to document their findings.

The heart of Firewatch is the relationship between Henry and Delilah. The two characters communicate via radio throughout the game, and their conversations form the backbone of the game’s narrative. The dialogue between the two characters is natural and believable, and players will find themselves becoming emotionally invested in their relationship.

While Firewatch is a relatively short game, with a playtime of around 4-6 hours, it’s a memorable and impactful experience. The game’s ending is divisive, with some players finding it unsatisfying, while others find it to be a fitting conclusion to the story.

Overall, Firewatch is a beautiful and emotional game that is a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games. The game’s stunning visuals, haunting soundtrack, and well-written characters make it a standout in the genre. Its short playtime may be a turn-off for some players, but for those who are looking for a game that will leave a lasting impression, Firewatch is a must-play.

Conclusion

Story-driven games are an excellent way for teens to immerse themselves in a world and engage in captivating narratives. Whether it’s solving puzzles, making tough choices, or uncovering mysteries, these games have something for everyone. The games listed above are just a few of the many options available for teens who love a good story.

FAQ:

Are these games appropriate for all ages?

No, these games are rated for teens and up.

Do these games have multiplayer options?

Some of these games have multiplayer options, but they are primarily single-player story-driven games.

Are these games available on all platforms?

No, some of these games are exclusive to certain platforms. Check the game’s availability before purchasing.