If we had to name one person as the greatest and most respected writer in history, William Shakespeare would certainly be among the best. More than 400 years after his death in 1616, the British bard's famous works, from Settlement on Romeo and Juliet and Othellothey continue to be a staple of the class. He had a way of developing characters, mixing comedy and tragedy, and writing stories that twisted and turned in the most surprising ways. We may often need to translate one of the more archaic languages, but the sheer confidence of a writer who simply made up his own words when none seemed to fit is unmatched.
The 8 best-written PlayStation games, ranked
Made for PlayStation, these games provide players with incredibly rich stories, thanks in part to the amazing writing behind every scene and dialogue.
There are also video game stories that have become legends. It's an often underrated aspect of the medium, but a well-written story can captivate players with a play, just as an Elizabethan English audience would read Shakespeare's plays (as some modern audiences still do). Yes, we're tongue firmly in cheek here with the Shakespeare comparison, but it's always nice to celebrate the work of great writers.
6
Hades
An ever-evolving story
The very best entries in the genre satisfy its existing fans and even attract new ones. A common criticism of roguelites and roguelikes is that there's usually only a basic loop that keeps players coming back, and no real story to speak of. Hades This all changed when Supergiant Games developed the adaptive narrative and compelling stories of their earlier titles such as Bastion into something even more engaging.
The interactions between Zagreus and the other residents of the House of Hades start off pretty simple, but as his bond with each one develops, some incredible depth is revealed. There are many different romantic partners involved in the protracted relationships that define many of Shakespeare's plays. Even the Olympians from whom Zagreus receives his blessings never miss a chance to make a grand display, and watching the actual ending reveals the extent of the family drama surrounding Zagreus, Hades and Persephone. Best of all, the dialogue again reflects your actions in the game, such as bosses commenting on a certain item in your inventory. It's smart, multifaceted writing.
5
Pentiment
A 16th century murder mystery
The thing about a murder mystery is that it has more impact the more depth the characters have and the more information you have. There should be subtle differences in the stories, small but significant incriminating details, and different stories for a fascinating cast of characters. 2022 Pentiment he is recognized for the quality of his plot, but he also makes an unusual decision: in the end, it is not confirmed who the killer is. As the young artist Andreas Maler, you progress through an idyllic Bavarian town, with every plot of the game punctuated by harrowing crimes and disturbing events that Maler (and later Magdalena) must piece together.
Pentiment: All the animals you can pet
By petting as many cats and dogs as possible in Pentiment, players can earn the A Regular Saint Francis achievement. Here's how to pet all the animals.
Pentiment is instantly engaging with its painterly designs, and the way the scenes transition as if to the next page of the manuscript only reinforces the concept. As well as the fact that there are tons of books to consult and a huge amount of dialogue to have with the locals. This could have made the game a bit of a chore, especially for those not interested in the history of the period, but RPG veterans Obsidian Entertainment really show off their writing skills here. The first act in particular introduces and fleshes out the motives of many of the NPCs and the relationships the protagonist shares with them, to the point where the player must draw their own conclusions, just as Andreas himself does. Everyone you talk to has their own account of events and their own potential motives and stories to tell. This makes for some of the most engaging NPCs in the business and also gives the game a very strong sense of Shakespearean intrigue.
4
Disco Elysium
A rambling RPG wonder
The RPG genre often relies heavily on action, resulting in colorful, dynamic combat, but a real lack of emphasis on story. The relatively modest cutscenes and conversations between characters on the way to the next plot make for heavy storytelling. Disco Elysiumhowever, it is not a game for fans of such experiences. You are tasked with bringing the perpetrators of the murder to justice, and your investigation throughout the city of Revachol will prove enlightening in every possible way. In another parallel with Pentimentthe game is incredibly dialogue-heavy, and only in very specific circumstances will you find yourself in something like a conventional RPG battle. That's why it's essential that the dialogue is strong enough to pretty much carry the game by itself.
Fortunately, it absolutely is. From Final cut release of the game, every word is voiced, and brilliantly so. Its biggest strengths are the fact that each character you talk to offers some new interesting insight, and the degree to which you can tailor your conversations to the personality you've developed for Harry DuBois. He can be aggressive and confrontational, more reserved, or even converse with a supernatural entity that no one else can see. Especially in the early games, players are encouraged not to explore too much, but to ride the wave, engaging in side quests and simply absorbing the story.
3
What's Left of Edith Finch
Researching family heritage
What's Left of Edith Finch may seem a bit trivial. After all, according to How Long To Beat, it takes around three hours to complete. What is important, however, is what was crammed into those three hours, and not a single moment is wasted here. Room by room we explore the Finch family home, seeing the family members who lived there through Edith's eyes and pondering the much-deluded family curse.
What's Left of Edith Finch: How to Eat a Rabbit
What Remains of Edith Finch players learned about the Finch family, including eating rabbits as part of the ongoing story.
Many of William Shakespeare's best works revolve around the concept of broken families and the troubled relationships they share, and this title explores that fantastically as well. We play “as” Edith through the words presented in her diary, which is now in the hands of her son. Memories and stories of events from the lives of the Finch ancestors take on a fantastical element, embellished with different art styles and storytelling techniques. In one case, we experience memories of a weekend hunting trip through the lens of the camera, told by those who were there, and then we return to the Finch home with Edith, discussing moments from the lives of her ancestors as she walks through their rooms in the house. The writing is not an elaborate prose overall, but a real, natural dialogue, which is all the more powerful.
2
Final Fantasy 9
A deeply Shakespearean epic
Final Fantasy 9 was the last entry for the original PlayStation, and Square seemed particularly nostalgic at the time. It was a moodier, more classic take on the series, and one that would be heavy on theatrics. After all, it opens with the Tantalus troupe playing a stage show and Vivi, elsewhere in Alexandria and unknown to the crew at the time, trying to get in to see the show. It was just a cover for Tantalus' real plan, of course, but what with all the “prithee” talk and dramatic swordfight scenes, not to mention references to the legendary playwright, there are connections to Shakespeare's world. Although the game is set after his time and (significantly enough) on a different planet.
But it's not just about ruffled collars. The play tempers its lighter moments with its most dramatic and tragic, and vice versa, as so many of Shakespeare's plays do so well. His villains, Queen Brahne, Kuja and Garland (each in their own way as the narrative unfolds) are commanding presences that steal the show as if they were center stage. But what is most important are the dialogues themselves and the growth of the characters throughout. Each of the three mentioned could be considered antagonists, but they all have their vulnerable moments, their reasons for doing what they do, some limited redemption. We also get to see the development of Zidane and the rest of our party (albeit just a bit from Amaranth), plus the impact of warfare on ordinary citizens and their resistance to rebuilding. It is a deep and multifaceted story, quite creative and unpredictable, overflowing with the most difficult themes, such as the nature of life itself. The four-disc PS1 masterpiece.
1
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Getting to know Geralt and co
In a truly masterful RPG, detail is key. On an individual level, we want to learn more about our protagonist, party members, and companions. We want them to interest us, to bond over time, to really care about them and root for them. The feeling that they've actually been through a big, exhausting adventure and that it's changed them. When we zoom in, we want the same care and attention to be put into world lore as well, to be refined and have a history and a sense of place. These are the things that keep us invested in 100+ hour experiences, and CD Projekt Red got them right The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
Geralt may seem like a taciturn and rather one-dimensional warrior, but there is much more to him. The hardships he faces in his unique position as a Witcher and his developing relationship with these pivotal figures in his life means we really empathize with him throughout the adventure. It's brilliantly acted and brilliantly written, which is key. Even more than that (and what really brings life to the world) is the fact that the NPCs are too. This world is populated by such a wide variety of interesting characters, from Dandelion's shenanigans to the Blood Baron's woes.
The best games to play if you like The Witcher 3
Players who have completed The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt can try these similar games if they want to go through another action experience.
