The Xbox One was definitely a great console, although it faces some hurdles upon launch. Microsoft’s poor anti-consumer practices for this console led to the platform being absolutely smashed by the PlayStation 4 when the consoles launched, even with the company rolling back many quizzical practices like the limitations on game-sharing and the console needing to be online all the time.
Before we begin, let’s go through a couple of notes for this list. First of all, these are not exclusive Xbox One games because, well, the system hasn’t really had that many. On top of that, the exclusives they have aren’t really emotional plot-driven experiences next to its direct counterpart: the PS4.
15 Oxenfree
Oxenfree is a great indie game with its fair share of puzzles and brain twisters. However, the highlight of this game is undoubtedly the story, which is definitely in a class of its own.
Dealing with the concept of time loops is not an easy topic to breach in the slightest, so props should be given to Oxenfree for sporting a great narrative featuring this concept. The decisions players make in the game feel genuinely impactful and do a great job of personalizing the story for many players.
14 Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Mass Effect Legendary Edition serves as a great way for players to get into this amazing sci-fi trilogy and witness one of the most epic and awe-inspiring stories ever told in gaming. Commander Shepard is a legendary protagonist for all the right reasons, with this updated release adding to his legacy even more.
Even the ending of Mass Effect 3 feels more natural and less rage-inducing, which is a huge achievement in and of itself. The trilogy is a ton of fun to enjoy and proves why these games continue to receive so much praise to this day.
13 Titanfall 2
The first Titanfall game had great mobility systems and fast-paced gameplay, but the lack of a single-player component hurt the experience quite a bit. This wasn’t the case in the sequel, which added one of the greatest single-player campaigns in an FPS title to date.
The fact thatTitanfall 2 didn’t sell well still hurts many fans of this amazing game. The story is genuinely incredible, with most players getting their money’s worth after going through this highly engaging narrative.
12 Disco Elysium
It’s amazing to see just how far Disco Elysium has come since its launch. While the game had made waves with its previews and marketing, the title absolutely exploded in popularity with word-of-mouth, once players got to experience this narrative masterpiece for themselves.
Disco Elysium’s themes are complex yet understandable, with its story taking many twists and turns as players uncover the identity of the main character. It’s an excellent title, and fans can’t wait to see if a sequel will ever appear for this remarkable game.
11 Kentucky Route Zero
Episodic narrative adventures became quite commonplace after Telltale’s The Walking Dead turned into a smash hit. More and more studios started releasing their games in batches of episodes over a period of time to churn out games faster while also giving a steady stream of content in the process.
However, in terms of episodic adventures, there’s no other game that did a better job of portraying an intriguing story than Kentucky Route Zero. With the availability of this game on Xbox Game Pass, more people can experience the magic of this title for themselves!
10 Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 was an emotional roller coaster. When it was announced it was awesome because that series deserved a sequel. Then it was announced as a prequel, which seemed silly. None of the trailers leading up to release were never wow-inducing.
It turns out that one had to play the game in order to truly get it. Arthur Morgan’s arc is one of the best-written storylines in video game history and the characters he meets along the way feel like a real family. It’s a beautiful, rocky road.
9 Life Is Strange
Games released in increments over the span of a year can be both good and bad. When companies don’t detail their plans for a release schedule, well, waiting between episodes can be difficult especially when it came to Life is Strange.
In terms of gameplay and graphics, the game was pretty low-tier. Even the dialogue was a bit goofy. However, that goofiness played into the story as it was about awkward teens. Oh right, and time travel too. We dare you not to get emotionally attached.
8 NieR: Automata
The first Nier was good and had its fans, but it was definitely one of those flawed masterpieces. After being dormant for almost a decade no one in their right mind thought a sequel was ever coming and that it would win Game of the Year rewards.
Simply put, NieR: Automata defied expectations. It is complex and the sort of story that needs to be analyzed and re-analyzed in order to fully appreciate it. That’s kind of the fun of it though just like a great mystery.
7 The Witcher 3
For many gamers, this was their first Witcher game. The previous two had some bumpy launch windows, but thankfully this game ironed out those kinks to make one heck of an impression.
Many open-world RPGs try to build worlds with ever-evolving landscapes and plot lines, but they usually fall short of expectations. Somehow CD Projekt Red was able to turn the tables and make every quest count not to mention the two expansions added more to an otherwise harrowing tale filled with love, loss, and bloody monsters.
6 Tales From The Borderlands
Borderlands can be praised for many things, but the story is not one of them. The writing can be funny at times, and there are some memorable moments, but again, it’s not an engaging plot.
So like NieR: Automata, nobody could have possibly thought Telltale could do anything memorable with the franchise. Well, needless to say since it is on this list they did. It is easily one of the funniest games of all time and absolutely Telltale’s best game. Too bad the company folded.
5 Valiant Hearts: The Great War
Valiant Hearts is a smaller game than even Life is Strange. Ubisoft used its UbiArt engine, the same one used for the Rayman reboot, in order to tell a tale during World War I that mattered.
Most storytellers try and stick to the heroic period of World War II as it is somewhat easier, but Ubisoft wanted a challenge. Thankfully they succeeded in weaving an epic tale that challenged one’s perspective on good and evil and ended up writing one of the most heartwarming and yet saddest video game endings on this list.
4 Dragon Age: Inquisition
The Dragon Age series has been steeped in controversy and setbacks. The first game was in development heck forever and the sequel was criticized for its limitations in scope. Thankfully BioWare was able to bounce back with Dragon Age: Inquisition.
Like many of these entries, it is the best in the series. What truly shines amidst a cliché plot of ultimate destruction are the companions one gathers along the way. From actual party members to the banner men at the castle. They are all special. It is sadly the last great BioWare game.
3 Celeste
It is pretty safe to say that everyone deals with depression or some sort of anxiety at one point in their life. Creating a video game about coping with that mechanism may not sound fun, but the team at Matt Makes Games somehow achieved this Herculean task.
On its sleeve it can easily be brushed off as one of those challenging types of puzzle platformers, which it assuredly is. However, deep within is what we already described: a beautiful story dealing with life.
2 Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
These last two entries are admittedly some personal favorites of ours and are both great examples of chronicles coming to an end. First we have Metal Gear Solid 5, which was the long end to over thirty years of storytelling.
Due to Hideo Kojima and Konami having a falling out, it didn’t end the way Kojima envisioned. There is still a lot left to answer, but what was there was just as imaginative and crazy as the rest of the series. It also has one of the coolest openings to any game ever.
1 Kingdom Hearts 3
And last, but not least, there is Kingdom Hearts 3, which put to rest a story that has been going on for almost two decades. Is it actually the end? This is another cash cow for Square Enix like Final Fantasy, so it will never truly end.
However, it did bring the story of Xehanort to a close. Like Metal Gear, it still has a lot of questions that still need answers. Is it a convoluted mess that only fans that have been with it from day one will understand? Absolutely, but that doesn’t make the story any less important.
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