What makes a great game? Gameplay? Graphics? Music? Story? In my personal opinion its the tale it tells through characters and worlds that makes the game unforgettable. I have enjoyed games with excellent gameplay and great sound design but when a game has a good story to tell, it takes you to a journey that I will always remember even when I have stopped playing the game. Here are some of the games I believe have the best stories to tell, it is after all my very own opinion. The list is not in any order (FYI) 1.) Metal Gear Solid Series: Say all you want about the bizarre story Kojima has created and many fans are still scratching their heads after finishing Metal Gear games multiple times, it really does give you the best in story telling. One that can even compete against Hollywood writing. One of the best character developments in history of video games, that gives you a reason why you do things and why a certain character is in such pain and anger, Metal Gear has given an another meaning to “Journey” cause it takes you places no other game can, ever. From Solid Snake to Psycho Mantis, Meryl to Hal Emmerich, it is an emotional roller coaster ride that I never waned to end. I waited 3 years for each Metal Gear to come out and for the last one 7 years and good lord what an amazing journey it has been. 2.) The Last Of Us: Naughty Dog has always been great at story telling but they out did themselves with this post apocalyptic drama that puts you in a zombie survival game. From the first 15 minutes of the game till the last sentence before the credit roles, you are just thinking about how these characters have come to this decision and how are they living through this hell. I have never been so touched and satisfied by an ending of a game than The Last Of Us. The game play is great but its the characters that pull you through emotions and gives you closure in the end. 3.) Spec Ops: The Line: Most of you probably haven’t even heard of this game but that shouldn’t be the case anymore. The sleeper hit of 2012 is one of those games that gives you the chills in the midst of fighting and shooting in the desserts of Dubai. Yes, this game takes place in the city where I was born but that is not the reason why I was amazed by its sheer depth of story but because it shows what soldiers go through war and why they act and do things the way no one can understand. This game is a must buy if you like shooters like Gears of War but want more emotions out of your game. Trust me when I say this, it’ll twist your mind than anything else. 4.) Gears of War Series: Many people do no agree with me when I tell them that I love the story of Marcus in Gears. Yes the dialogue is very cave-men type but what do you expect from a man who has lost everything and his best friend who loses everything in front of his own eyes. Men of few words take this story to new heights. The locusts and rest of the enemies are just metaphors how we chose our enemies from within. I have always enjoyed Gears of War stories and I cannot wait what Coalition has in store for us when Marcus’s son James takes over. I am sure our very own JROCK will agree with me on this. 5.) Ori and the Blind Forest: If you have been following me on Twitter (@MakgSnake) you must have read multiple tweets by me about this game. How a 2D platformer has made me cry within seconds. This is one of those games that tells a tale through its art and music. The game has some audio and some voice overs but its the music that takes you to the journey that is so unforgettable that till this day I compare every other game to it. Ori brings joy to your life when it ends, but the struggle is real when you are trying to help the blind forest. This game has one of the best stories ever and it was Moon Studio’s first attempt at making a full video game. I can’t even imagine what they will do next. 6.) Alan Wake: The game that took more than 5 years to make, was totally worth every second. A complex story about a writer having a writer’s block goes on vacation with his wife but then his book starts to come to life. That is all you need to know, and I am sure you already want to know what happens next. Alan Wake really pushes the boundaries of script in a video game. It also helps that the game offers one of the best voice overs ever done in a video game. I was hooked on this game till I finished it and now I am playing it again as it is now Backwards Compatible with Xbox One. Alan Wake really wakes you up and gives many novels a run for its money, it is that well written. 7.) Silent Hill Series: Silent Hill is known as one of the best survival horror games of all time and Silent Hill 2 is THE best horror game of all time. Now just add a story that will fuck your mind up and will make you giggle and shit your pants at the same time. This game has such insane character development that people around the internet is still figuring out what happened and why it all happened. If you love horror and love good stories, Silent Hill 1 and 2 will keep you at the edge of your sofa for hours. 8.) Halo Series: Yes, it is a shooter and know for its multiplayer but my god Bungie did an amazing job at telling a story of a very quite soldier who basically falls for his AI while saving the universe. I know it is not a love story we wanted but it is what we got and I am not complaining. Halo has a different feel when compared to other Sci-Fi shooters or games, it also tells a tale through its amazing soundtrack composed by Martin O’Donnell. A perfect blend of action and harmony lies between this halo ring. 9.) Uncharted Series: Another Naughty Dog game, they really know how to tell a story. One of the best voice overs as well in a video throughout the series. Each and every game kept me at the edge of the seat with what is going to happen. Yes the game is more game play than story but when there is story to unfolds, it does so beautifully that you even forget you are playing a game. Specially the last Uncharted game, part 4 that came out few months back, has one of the best stories ever to grace in a video game with once again the most satisfying ending ever. I was absolutely blown away how it ended the series. It is so well done that fans are requesting Naughty Dog to never make an Uncharted game. The farewell was just perfect. 10.) Half-Life Series: The game that changed how we play FPS. The game that added story elements in a first person shooter, how can we forget this classic. All Half-Life games start slow and then as you go down the rabbit hole, the story thickens and you learn things you never really wanted to, with amazing characters helping you and villains that you can love to hate forever, Half-Life really does have the best stories in this digital world we live in. 11.) ICO: One of the best games ever made has one of the best stories to tell. Metaphorically this game speaks volume, and many games like Uncharted and Resident Evil 4, even Gears take notes from this classic PS2 game. It is available on PS3, so if you want to get lost in an amazing journey of a young boy and a princess, no other game comes close. It’ll keep your heart warm and your mind healthy. 12.) Shadow of the Colossus: Another game from the same team that brought us ICO. Shadow doesn’t even have a single sentence from a protagonist but it gives us one of the best love stories of our time in a video game. Another example how something can written so beautifully without even lifting a pen (Its an expression). This is one of those games that will make you wonder why we don’t get stories like these in a video game. Honorable Mentions – Games that I have heard have amazing stories and that I am trying to finish and experience them as soon as possible. Mass Effect Series: Many of my friends have told me that if I love Metal Gear, I am going to love Mass Effect. It has very deep character developments and all stories are linked together from one game to another. I need to finish the trilogy before the new one comes out. Maybe NXL’s Ric can help me with the game’s complex story. Red Dead Redemption: One of the best games ever made. Yes, I know it is, and I am on my way to finally finishing this masterpiece. It is now available on Xbox One and I can’t wait to embark on this western journey.   The Walking Dead: The show is amazing and I am only at Season 3 but the game is supposedly just as good when it comes to story and characters. I have both Season 1 and Season 2 of the game but haven’t started it. The game has won countless awards for its story telling and all thanks to Telltale Games. I will starting this dead journey very soon to experience the best in gaming. Final Fantasy VII: One of the best RPGs of our time, it is also getting a remake, so I will be waiting for that one to come out and can finally experience this amazing tale of love and sacrifice. Although I already know what happens in the game but would still rather experience it first hand than third. Final Fantasy games have always had great stories and character but VII is on top of everybody’s list. That is why I need to try it when it comes out. Dues Ex: The original FPS RPG from good old PC gaming days. I have played the Dues Ex: Revolution and it is amazing but apparently original knocks all RPGs out of the park. When decision making wasn’t a thing in video games, Dues Ex gave us choices before anyone else. I might buy this game on Steam and give it a go to experience the best of the best. And here are some games I am looking forward to that I have a feeling will blow us away with their story elements. Fingers are crossed. The Last Guardian: From the maker of ICO and Shadow of the Colossus, comes another game that I just know will blow us away with its story and characters. Have a feeling that I will running to get more tissues around me as I have a feeling the weird bird mouse creature just might die in the end. I hope it doesn’t, lets find out in Sept. God Of War: The game is changing its style and game play and seems like the story is going to be more grounded. A tale about father and son is always something that brings out the emotions. Santa Monica is going the Uncharted route with giving us a character throughout the game we don’t control and that helps with the story and character development like no other. Taking notes from The Last of Us and I have zero complaints. Days Gone: Another PS4 exclusive, another game that is taking notes from The Last Of Us. Days Gone is a mixture of Sons of Anarchy and The Walking Dead with a hint of Uncharted and Last of Us. That alone is a perfect recipe of great story with deep characters. I just have a feeling this game will be another huge hit when it comes to stories and tales. I am not very well known for finishing games but I am glad I have finished the ones I have and I look forward to finishing more games so I can have more memories of these great games cause we really do delve ourselves in the best medium out there.  Please let me know what your favorite game is when it comes to story telling and character development. I would love to hear it from every body what they think should have been on this list. Please Like, Share, Subscribe and Comment below. Would love to hear your thoughts about this discussion. Thank you so much for reading my top tales in video games.