Top 10 Lists: The Top 10 Story Lines In Video Games Post-Y2K

Nothing can keep me more addicted to a game than a beautiful, unique storyline. This is the exact reason why I was so addicted to RPG's such as Final Fantasy VI-IX, Xenogears, Suikoden II, and Legend of Dragoon when I was progressing through my early teenage years. Then came along Metal Gear Solid, which opened my eyes to show me how action games could blend together adrenaline pumping action with an innovative storyline for an amazing experience. Now, almost twenty, I have seen how storylines have evolved through the years as developers come up with new ideas to Wow! us time and time again. So now I give you my top 10 list of modern story lines in video games made after the year 2000.

Jak II, with Jack III added to it, has probably the one of the best, if not the best storyline for a platformer game, with one or two exceptions. I spent a lot of time thinking about whether I should put Beyond Good and Evil (referred to as BGaE) in its place, but when it boiled down to it, Jak II and III were written more smoothly and had more rewarding twists throughout their entirety, not just near the end; each of the last two Jak games both have amazing endings that wrap everything up perfectly. This is something that BGaE did not include, seeing as it ended in a cliffhanger that will probably never be resolved. In my opinion, Jak III's story might be a tad better than II's, but since II is the one that started the story with such finesse, I give the nod to Jak II as #10.

Very few RPGs nowadays are able to break away from the cliche, overused plot devices, such as amnesia, a "chosen boy" destined to save the world, etc.; what I liked so much about this game (and the first) was that it was able to create an extremely unique and cool storyline while staying interestnig. There have been better stories in RPGs, but this is definitely one of the best of the newest ones out there.

This was one of the games I was thinking of when I wrote the list. Released in the year 2000, it barely made the list. I know that thousands upon thousands of fans think that Chrono Trigger was the better game in the series, and that Cross was a disappointment, but I can not even fathom why they say so. Chrono Cross has an extremely unique storyline, (Maybe Spoilers) revolving around duel worlds where the protagonist was alive in one and dead in the other (end spoilers). The story seemed perfectly woven and it linked to Chrono Trigger's plot perfectly. Finally, unlike games such as Tales of Symphonia, each plot twist hits the player like a ton of bricks, completely (and I mean completely) changing the game. In my mind, this is the best Chrono Trigger sequel anybody could have asked for, and I believe it surpasses the original.

In my opinion, Silent Hill 2 has the best storyline for a survival-horror game. I remember playing it back in eighth grade and being scared senseless. The story, like the one of the Silent Hill movie, was very confusing, but ultimately rewarding; each October, I revisit Silent Hill with my favorite horror story, making Halloween ever so sweet.

Remember way back when you read the tidbit I wrote for Jak II? Well I mentioned a few exceptions to the best platformer story, and Psychonauts is one of them. While it may not have as many twists as Chrono Cross, or the Jak series, it makes up in uniqueness. Any game that revolves around entering the minds of people to solve mysteries gets a thumbs up from me. The storyline is hilarious and all the characters are perfect. Furthermore, the ending is also very cool, yet it is a shame that this game did not sell well at all. It is of the utmost quality and I hope Tim Schaffer continues to make amazing games for years to come.

I never really cared for adventure games, but holy cow, this game is like playing a 12 hour movie that never lets up. Without such an amazing storyline, the game could not have held me in from start to finish, but since it is so cinematic and epic, Indigo Prophecy is one of my favorite games ever. You feel like you are right in there with the character, trying to solve the mystery to declare your innocence. Trust me on this one, you'll love it if you give it a chance.

While it is the oldest game on the list, I can't really say anything without spoiling the story, but if you are a fan of unique RPG's and are not discouraged by failure or weapon upgrading, then you will absolutely love this game. Clocking in at around 20 hours, I still do now know how Squaresoft was able to make such an amazing story fit into the length of the game, being as perfectly paced as it is. If you are a fan of Final Fantasy XII, Vagrant Story's spiritual sequel, then you will fall in love with this game.

When people ask me to describe the story of MGS 3, I always tell them that it has a pretty dull story for 3/4 of the game (compared to the other two at least), but the ending twist and turns the plot so many ways that it will make you look at the game in a totally different way (Sort of like how the ending of Fight Club made you look at the film differently), (fight club spoilers) but there's no schizophrenia in MGS 3 =P. (end spoilers) After completing the game on New Years Eve a couple years back, I knew that it was one of the best story lines of the decade, and some of you might think it is even better than the next two games....

I'm sure a bunch of people will be offended by this, but I feel that Killer7 has the best story ever written since 2000. So why is it in the number two spot? It is because it is so confusing that the majority of the gaming audience will not be able to fully comprehend how absolutely awesome and unique the game actually is. It is uncanny how a game can wrap up so many questions that I had while playing it in such a way that I would never have guessed possible, yet create so many mind bending side stories from those very explanations. Finally, Killer7 has one of the coolest gunfights ever. It is very, very hit or miss with the gaming world, but I do not regret one bit spending $10 for the best story ever written since Xenogears (a lot of people wont agree, sadly).... AND ON TO NUMBER ONE!

What? This game didn't have a story?! Well maybe you didn't beat it. The ending is just amazing and amplifies the hero's struggle throughout the game. It shows the struggle of human life, how someone would go through so much for so little in return, and the decency and corruptibility of man. Shadow of the Colossus has the most beautiful storyline written in these past seven years if you really sit down and think about it. Go play it and complete the game, and I hope you realize what I am talking about. Think about it for a while; it'll grow on you. Sorry Halo and FFX fans, I know you were hoping for a mention in here, and that you are probably angry for me including Killer 7 in the entry and giving SoTC the top spot. These are my favorite storylines since Y2K came around, and I hope this list has given you a few recommendations for new games to explore. Enjoy, and have a happy gaming experience!

Sorry Halo and FFX fans, I know you were hoping for a mention in here, and that you are probably angry for me including Killer 7 in the entry and giving SoTC the top spot. These are my favorite storylines since Y2K came around, and I hope this list has given you a few recommendations for new games to explore. Enjoy, and have a happy gaming experience!

List by CatalystGuitar18 (06/06/2007)