Great video game stories aren't tied to a certain genre. Fantastic storylines can appear in any type of game, from RPGs to puzzlers. The third-person shooter genre, for instance, isn't known for continually delivering compelling narratives. But there are many TPS titles that do tell engaging tales, and there's no reason they shouldn't be able to.
After all, if developers are going to have players shooting countless enemies throughout their games, they may as well give them a good reason to do it. And if done right, it doesn't need to impact the quality of gameplay. Here are the best examples of story-driven third-person shooters. Please note that titles that include third-person gunplay but fit better into other genres - like Metal Gear Solid and Red Dead Redemption - don't count.
7 Gears 5
Gears Of War's storytelling has long been underrated. Over the years, the series has provided a litany of well-told tales, with their best coming in Gears 5. This one sees Kate Diaz play a significant role as she can't get the Locust out of her mind. So, to understand what's going on, she 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:dives more into the creatures' past.
Along the way, there are several heartbreaking moments, which are well-written and excellently voice acted. It's not just about the big moments, though, as there's is surprising subtlety in the narrative.
6 Alan Wake
The titular character in this game is a best-selling novelist who goes on a vacation with his wife to a town called Bright Falls. Shortly after getting there, things get weird. His wife disappears, and the events depicted in his latest book come to life. However, he doesn't remember writing said book.
Evenꩲ though Alan Wake is a novelist, the game resembles more of a television series than a book. The whole adventure is split into a series of episodes, whic😼h helps with the pacing of the tale. And as you get deeper into the story, the more surreal everything gets.
5 💫 Max Payne 3
The third instalment of the Max Payne series continues the tradition of providing hard-hitting narratives. Yet, this time, the presentation and voice acting can live up to the tale. The voice acting, in particular, is outstanding as James McCaffrey gives one of 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:gaming's best-ever performances in the titular role.
In this one, Max Payne is older and even more brooding than befor𝕴e. He is no longer an NYPD detective. Instead, he is a private security contractor, and he accepts a job in South America. While there, he needs to manage his alcoholism and painkiller addiction long enough to save the day.
4 Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
Nathan Drake goes on many adventures during the 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Uncharted series, but the best story is in A Thief's End. Drake begins the tale working for a salvage company after retiring from treasure hunting. Of course, it doesn't take long for him to be dragged back into his old life.
This time, it's his brother Sam who does the dragging, as he's in desperate need of help. So, the two siblings hunt for Henry Avery's long-lost treasure. While the premise doesn't sound too dissimilar to the previous instalments, the tone is different. This tale has more depth than the other entries. It also arguably has the most 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:compelling set of characters.
3 🃏 The Last Of Us
It's debatable whether The Last Of Us is more of a third-person shooter or stealth game. But you can't deny that it tells a compelling story.
The title is set in a world infested with mutated fungus monsters. You control Joel, whose mission is to escort a young girl named Ellie to a group called the Fireflies, which are situated outside the quarantine zone. Along the way, the two face all sorts of obstacles. The game has everything you'd want from a narrative experience. It boasts excellent character development, brilliant writing, and stellar voice acting.
2 Tomb Ra🥂ider (2013) 🌱
Storytelling wasn't a significant part of the early entries in the 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Tomb Raider series. But the narrative is very important in the 2013 reboot. In this game, Lara Croft isn't yet the 168澳洲幸ꩲ运5开奖网:incredible heroꦺine she eventually becomes.
She's a young and inexperienced adventurer going on her first expedition. However, a vicious storm sinks her ship and separates her crew. So, the woman has to use all her instincts to survive on a dangerous island, find her friends, and get out of there. It's a very character-driven narrative as it focuses on Lara's development, from bright-eyed explorer to battle-hardened survivor.
1 Spec Ops: The Line ﷽
When released, Spec Ops The Line was a bit of a hidden gem. On the surface, it looks like a pa✱int-by-numbers third-person shooter. Over time, though, the game has garnered plenty of praise, mainly due to its incredible narrative.
It's about a soldier named Captain Walker who leads his team on a recon mission to Dubai. The goal is to see if anyone survived the recent dangerous sandstorm and the chaos that broke out in the aftermath. Yet, when they get there, they face their own horrors, which significantly messes with Walker's head. The game subverts usual shooter conventions by focusing more on the dark side of war and how it can impact people mentally. It makes for a compelling and thought-provoking tale.