The best written games of the last 10 years

Gameplay, visuals, music and story. These are the ingredients needed to create the perfect video game. Being able to beat all four of these categories is a miracle and almost impossible, but I'd say mastering the gameplay or the narrative is already a great start for a video game that wants to make history.

However, here we will only focus on the narrative. Writing a video game is the sum of a good plot, great dialogue, lore, and how all those things are delivered. Countless games have proven their storytelling prowess since the dawn of video games, but today we're only going to focus on titles that have been released in the last ten years, starting in 2016, and how they've impressed with their writing. The only exception will be Kentucky Route Zero, which released its last act in 2020. We're going to rank them roughly by overall quality, but honestly, that's a very loose criteria because all of these titles are pure masterpieces.

Kentucky Route Zero

A master class in storytelling, presented in several acts

If there's one title that pushed the boundaries of the kinds of stories that can be told in a video game format, this is it Kentucky Road Zero. The magic of the game lies not only in the mysterious narrative of finding the legendary Road Zero, which leads underground in Kentucky, but also in its art style.

It's by no means an obvious story, with little bits of lore that leave many confused even after serious play. As a visual novel, it demands your attention and invites you to try to figure out what it's all about, to try to find some big meaning in it all. There are many smaller ones in the big story as you adopt several different protagonists and definitely experience all the feelings in this surreal yet beautiful gaming experience.

Alan Wake 2

So absurd it's actually good

Alan Wake the writing has always been odd to say the least. Some love it, others absolutely despise it, but I think about how perfectly it works in the service of a surreal absurdist plot a la David Lynch and Twin Peaksinstead of trying to appeal to the masses in an effort to please and fit in.

Alan Wake 2 The story takes place in two different “worlds” and perspectives of the characters, Alan and Saga, with Alan's horror lyrics directly influencing the events of the game. Expect all the funny clichés and outlandish moments you can imagine in something inspired by David Lynch's disturbing work, combined with Remedy Entertainment's classic storytelling. As a result, it won the Best Story Award during the 2023 GOTY Awards.

What's Left of Edith Finch

The most heartbreaking walking simulator

A book in video game format, What's Left of Edith Finch is an indie title that puts story above all else. So it's no surprise that it does an excellent job of delivering a narrative that will stick with you for a very long time. As the titular Edith, the last of her family line, you set out to uncover what happened to the rest of your family and explore the stories of individual family members. The game isn't very long, but it keeps you in a tight, bittersweet, emotional grip the whole way through.

The atmosphere, music and visuals all work to deliver these haunting stories coherently, and as such, it's easy to see why it's been nominated for seven different storytelling and storytelling awards and won 2017's GOTY Best Narrative. An experience game for anyone who appreciates rock-solid storytelling and isn't afraid to get a little teary-eyed.

Silent Hill f

Ryukishi07's layered story will haunt you

A game designed to be played three times to fully appreciate the depth of its story, Silent Hill f showcases the best Ryukishi07 has to offer. It's an incredibly necessary commentary on societal expectations for women in Showa-era Japan, peppered with heavy doses of all things supernatural, cults (actually Silent Hill style) and Japanese folklore centered on the kitsune. There's a lot of strange symbolism to delve into as the writing blends with the game's gorgeous and terrifying visuals.

And because it is a Silent Hill game, nothing is ever as it seems. what is real What not? It's psychological horror at its best and is a perfect example of an unreliable narrator and perspective being used as a trick for the eye. With each layer of the story peeled away in the next two playthroughs, Hinako's story and the true depth of what's really going on in Ebisugao and what each character's role really is will make you look at your first moments in her shoes with completely different eyes. It's an art form right there Silent Hill f perfectly binding.

Hades

Hugo Award winner, and for good reason

Hades is one of those games that didn't have to push itself that hard to do anything good, but still did. Its action gameplay alone made it a roguelike hit for Supergiant Games, but it also hit players with a story and dialogues that feel detailed, quirky and unique at every turn. Each person has their own voice and it's clear that a lot of love went into the world building.

The game is also packed with fantastic writing from the bits of lore to the interactions with the game's various characters, and when combined with the amazing dubbing, it's an experience worthy of the Hugo Literary Award it received in 2021. It was almost universally praised for its witty story and earned its place among some of the best video games of all time.

Cyberpunk 2077

A story that hits you right in the feels

Few video game worlds and characters feel as real as this Cyberpunk 2077. The dialogues, the main campaign and its brilliant DLC, as well as countless memorable side quests that dig deep into your heart with their commentary on mega-corporations and hyper-capitalism, all wrapped up in a sickeningly beautiful package.

From the moments Johnny and V share during their hopeless journey together to the chats we have with characters like Panam, Songbird and Judy, this is one game that will leave you feeling heavy and uneasy as the credits roll. The city is packed with lore that TTRPG fans will already be familiar with, from catchy jingles to datashards that shed light on what's gone wrong with the world. It's lush, it's depressing, and it'll make you think about how close we are to reaching the world of 2077.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar takes no hostages with his writing

A game that is characterized by depth and realism in all aspects, Red Dead Redemption 2 everyone really felt like they were in the shoes of Arthur Morgan on the fictional western frontier. Aside from the overarching main plot, which is a master class in storytelling in itself, the world is also brilliantly fleshed out through your interactions with NPCs and camp companions. This is a game that doesn't just want you to believe that you actually exist in this world; he also wants you to care for everyone in him.

It's another game where the love and attention to detail extends into every nook and cranny, not just the surface you scratch when you first enter. The side quests and random characters have something to say and are designed to make you feel like you're skin-to-skin through it all. No wonder it's considered one of the most impressive open-world games of all time. While it lost God of War (2018) still won Best Story during the 2018 GOTY Awards and received several nominations and minor awards in the same category.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Writing is just one of the many things he nailed

At a time when many felt that AAA games were starting to disappoint, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 it blew everyone away as one of the most balanced video game experiences. In all categories, from music to gameplay, it somehow managed to deliver the same quality, and it is no different in its narration. The story, lore and characters are clearly the result of careful curation and a labor of love, a testament to the sheer talent and passion behind the project.

The dialogue was particularly praised for feeling realistic and engaging, which makes sense considering an interview with head writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen reveals that there was talk of trying to reach the level of storytelling quality and character depth of the HBO series. The story is full of heartbreak and people still argue about the game's endings, which is a testament to its enduring quality and probably explains why it won so many awards at the 2025 GOTY show, including Best Story.

Baldur's Gate 3

Signature Dark Whimsy At It Best by Larian Studios

If you've been playing Larian Studios games for a while, you'll know exactly what I mean when I say two words: darkly moody. There's a funny quirkiness to it Divinity games that make them both incredibly brutal and inspire childlike awesomeness. Baldur's Gate 3 follows in the same vein, delivering immensely deep moments with your companions that you develop friendships with and more, as well as countless quests that are all equally well thought out.

The fact that you have so much space and freedom as a player with dialogue options depending on your build and choices shows that a staggering amount of lines have been written for the game, and they all respect Larian's signature style. The main story has many downright horrible and tragic twists, but also times of great hope and lighthearted comedy (try leaving Astarion in the monastery after he's been blown up and you'll experience cinema). It's almost a miracle how the screenwriters managed to walk the fine line between different themes and emotions so masterfully.

Disco Elysium

Dark, funny and politically profound

It's not every day you find great prose in a video game, but Disco Elysium it delivers exactly that. When it was first released in 2019, it stunned the gaming world with its depressing yet charming style and interesting premise. As a police officer with amnesia, the game delves not only into the investigation of crimes, but also into the depths of philosophy and politics in a way that is incredibly concise and to the point.

The dialogue feels real because the characters aren't in the game just to provide the next step in your quest, but rather because they're part of the world itself. And that also feels very real, fully thought out and delivered through the many interactions you have throughout the investigation. Couple all of this with how story-driven the game is with all of its branching paths based on your decisions, and it's clear that a lot of love has gone into it. Disco Elysium in a way that you'll be hard-pressed to find in many other games released in the last ten years.