Best Story Games for PS5 & PS4

The Last of Us Part I, Red Dead Redemption 2 and God of War Ragnarök lead the best story games on PS5 and PS4, a hand-picked list of fifteen narrative-first titles ranked by player and critic scores. It spans cinematic action-adventures, narrative RPGs like The Witcher 3 and Disco Elysium, branching interactive dramas such as Detroit: Become Human, and short, focused walking simulators. Every pick earns its place on the strength of its story, not its mechanics.

By Ugur Saritepe · Updated Jun 25, 2026

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15 games found

1The Last of Us™ Part I
Best overall

The Last of Us™ Part I

4.9(129,748)2022
PS+ ExtraPS Plus ExtraESRB Mature 17+post-apocalyptic
GreatReview analysis

Players overwhelmingly praise the engaging storyline and the seamless integration of gameplay. Many highlight the remarkable experience provided, especially on newer hardware, although some express a desire for a more immersive environment.

Why it's here: The benchmark every narrative game is measured against, rebuilt from the ground up: a smuggler escorting an immune teenager across an infected America, where the bond between them carries more weight than any set piece. The remake layers modern visuals and deep accessibility options over a linear, deliberately short journey. Whether that polish justifies replaying a story this familiar is the question.

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2Red Dead Redemption 2
Best open-world story

Red Dead Redemption 2

4.8(443,735)2018
PS+ ExtraPS Plus ExtraESRB Mature 17+western
GreatReview analysis

Overall player feedback for Red Dead Redemption 2 is overwhelmingly positive, with many praising its immersive storytelling, stunning visuals, and rich gameplay. However, some players express frustrations with certain gameplay mechanics and the lack of updates for online content.

Why it's here: The most lived-in open world a story has ever hung on: Arthur Morgan, an outlaw watching his gang come apart in a dying West, told through slow rituals most games would cut for pace. It asks for long rides and patience before the payoff arrives. Whether that deliberate tempo reads as total immersion or as drag is the divide every player meets.

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3God of War Ragnarök

God of War Ragnarök

4.8(196,025)2022
PS+ ExtraPS Plus ExtraESRB Mature 17+fantasy
MixedReview analysis

Overall player feedback on *God of War Ragnarök* reflects a strong appreciation for its storytelling, character development, and visual presentation, with many describing it as a worthy continuation of the series. However, some players express dissatisfaction with pacing issues, the linearity of missions, and gameplay elements such as puzzles and side quests. While a majority of reviews indicate a positive experience, there are notable criticisms that suggest a mixed reception for specific aspects of the game.

Why it's here: A blockbuster built on a father and son rather than its combat: Kratos and a maturing Atreus crossing a Norse apocalypse toward a prophesied end, carried by two central performances. The spectacle is enormous; the friction reviews raise is pacing, long cutscenes and stretches that turn linear. Whether the emotional throughline survives those lulls is the read.

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4The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Best RPG story

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

4.8(280,508)2022
ESRB Maturefantasy
GoodReview analysis

Overall, player feedback on 'The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt' is overwhelmingly positive, with many praising its deep story, immersive world, and memorable characters. However, some players reported dissatisfaction with the combat mechanics and recent updates that changed system requirements, impacting their ability to play. Despite critiques, the game's quality remains widely recognized, with many considering it a masterpiece.

Why it's here: The strongest case ever made for the side quest as the main event: Geralt hunting for his adopted daughter through a war-torn North where the optional stories outwrite most games' central ones. A decade on it still sets the narrative-RPG bar. The standing caveat is combat that lands as merely serviceable beside the writing, and whether that imbalance bothers a player at all.

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5FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE

4.7(139,347)2021
PS+ ExtraPS Plus ExtraESRB Teenfantasy
MixedReview analysis

Overall, players have expressed a divided sentiment towards FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, with many praising its stunning graphics, engaging combat, and emotional storytelling, while significant criticism centers around the game's pacing issues, excessive filler content, and the deviation from the original narrative. While newer players find it an incredible entry point into the franchise, long-time fans of the original often feel disappointed or frustrated by the remake's pacing and changes. The reviews reflect a strong divide between those who embrace the remake's fresh take and those who view it as a flawed adaptation of a classic.

Why it's here: A 1997 landmark reimagined as a full modern game: the opening Midgar chapter alone, rebuilt with real-time action combat and a celebrated score, and rated Teen for the most approachable big story here. The tension is structural, padded detours that divide longtime fans and a tale left deliberately unfinished across sequels. Whether the spectacle outweighs the wait is the call.

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6Detroit: Become Human™
Best choice-driven

Detroit: Become Human™

4.7(172,174)2018
PS+ ExtraPS Plus ExtraESRB Maturesci-fi
GoodReview analysis

Overall, player feedback for 'Detroit: Become Human' is highly positive, with many praising its engaging storytelling, stunning graphics, and the depth of choices that significantly affect the game experience. However, some players criticized the controls and gameplay mechanics, especially in terms of quick-time events and immersion.

Why it's here: A story authored rather than watched: three androids in a near-future Detroit whose fates genuinely branch, characters dying and endings reshaping around each decision, which is precisely why it gets replayed. The trade is traditional play, far more choosing and walking than doing. Whether authored consequence outweighs thin moment-to-moment gameplay is the question it puts to every player.

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7Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077

4.5(207,997)2020
PS+ ExtraPS Plus ExtraESRB Maturesci-fi
GreatReview analysis

Overall, player feedback for Cyberpunk 2077 is overwhelmingly positive, particularly following significant updates and the release of the Phantom Liberty expansion. Many players praise the game's immersive world, engaging storytelling, and improved gameplay mechanics, while a few express disappointment with certain aspects of the narrative and lingering bugs. Players recommend it for both new and returning fans, highlighting its transformation from a troubled launch to a critically acclaimed experience.

Why it's here: A redemption arc that mostly lands now: V, a mercenary sharing their skull with a dead rockstar's ghost in Night City, set loose in a world rebuilt across years of patches and the Phantom Liberty expansion. The long shadow is its 2020 launch, and a few bugs still linger. Whether it earns a clean verdict judged purely as it stands today is the open question.

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8NieR:Automata
Best multiple endings

NieR:Automata

4.8(47,447)2017
ESRB Maturesci-fi
GreatReview analysis

Overall, player feedback for NieR: Automata is overwhelmingly positive, with many players praising its deep storytelling, emotional impact, stunning visuals, and exceptional soundtrack. While there are occasional criticisms regarding gameplay repetition and pacing, the majority of players regard it as a masterpiece that has profoundly touched them. Many recommend experiencing the game multiple times to fully appreciate its narrative depth.

Why it's here: A story that only resolves on the second and third time through: an android soldier in a proxy war against machines, where repeated playthroughs recontextualise everything toward an ending many call genuinely profound, set to one of gaming's finest scores. The honest friction is that those replays can feel repetitive before the payoff. Whether the structure is daring or a grind depends on patience.

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9Disco Elysium - The Final Cut
Best narrative RPG

Disco Elysium - The Final Cut

4.7(12,000)2021
ESRB Mature 17+modern
MixedReview analysis

Overall, players highly praise Disco Elysium - The Final Cut for its exceptional writing, character depth, and unique gameplay mechanics, noting its emotional impact. However, concerns about the integrity of the game's original creators and the actions of the publisher ZA/UM lead to a substantial number of negative reviews advocating against purchasing the game. Many players recommend experiencing the game through other means to support the original developers instead.

Why it's here: An RPG with no combat whatsoever: a wrecked, amnesiac detective reconstructing a murder while arguing with the warring voices inside his own skull, every beat a line of dialogue or a skill check. The writing is the entire game, and the entire commitment, vast and pointedly slow to start. Whether all-text deduction grips or loses a reader is the whole call here.

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10DEATH STRANDING™

DEATH STRANDING™

4.6(90,519)2021
ESRB Mature 17+post-apocalyptic
MixedReview analysis

Player feedback on DEATH STRANDING is sharply divided, with a notable split between enthusiastic praise from a majority of Steam users and overwhelming criticism from PlayStation reviewers. While some players appreciate the unique mechanics and storytelling, others find the gameplay tedious and unenjoyable.

Why it's here: The most divisive premise on the list, by design: a courier from Hideo Kojima reconnecting a fractured America on foot, hauling cargo across haunting terrain wrapped in dense, star-cast sci-fi. Players split hard between hypnotic and tedious on the very same traversal loop. Whether the rhythm of the walk turns meditative or maddening is the entire experiment.

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11Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition
Best sci-fi epic

Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition

4.8(31,749)2021
PS+ PlusESRB Mature 17+sci-fi
GoodReview analysis

Overall, players highly praise the Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition for its captivating story, memorable characters, and engaging gameplay, highlighting the trilogy's ability to create emotional connections through choices that carry over across the narrative. However, there are notable criticisms regarding the EA launcher and mixed feelings about the third game's ending, with some players expressing disappointment in specific mechanics and bugs.

Why it's here: Three games of accumulated consequence folded into one: Commander Shepard leading a galaxy against extinction, where choices and relationships carry across the whole trilogy so the finale lands with the weight of everything before it. The remaster smooths the rough first entry, though launcher friction and a famously contested ending remain. Whether the journey redeems that ending is the long debate.

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12Ghost of Tsushima

Ghost of Tsushima

4.6(314,294)2020
ESRB Mature 17+medieval
GreatReview analysis

Overall, player feedback for 'Ghost of Tsushima' is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting its stunning visuals, engaging story, and satisfying combat mechanics. Despite some minor criticisms regarding cutscene usability and technical issues for a few players, the majority regard it as a top-tier gaming experience.

Why it's here: A samurai torn between his code and the dishonour victory demands: Jin Sakai defending feudal Japan from a Mongol invasion, set in one of the most composed open worlds on PlayStation. The central conflict carries real dramatic weight, the criticisms minor, the odd technical hitch and an unskippable scene. Whether that beauty deepens the story or merely decorates it is the read.

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13Horizon Zero Dawn™

Horizon Zero Dawn™

4.8(210,423)2017
PS+ ExtraPS Plus ExtraESRB Teenfantasy
GoodReview analysis

Overall, player feedback on Horizon Zero Dawn™ is largely positive, highlighting its stunning visuals, engaging combat, and well-written story. While some reviews point to repetitive gameplay elements and minor technical issues, the majority of players express a strong appreciation for the game's world-building and character development.

Why it's here: A buried mystery worth the dig: Aloy, an outcast hunter in a far future where tribes live among robotic beasts, uncovering how that world fell through some of the sharpest lore here, and rated Teen for younger players. The tactical machine hunts shine; the open-world busywork and stiff human combat less so. Whether the central question pulls a player past the filler is the test.

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14Life Is Strange™
Best free pick

Life Is Strange™

4.7(121,663)2015
FreeESRB Maturemysterious
GreatReview analysis

Overall, players overwhelmingly praise Life Is Strange for its captivating story, well-developed characters, and stunning visuals, with many describing it as a masterpiece of emotional storytelling. While some criticisms are pointed out regarding gameplay repetitiveness and texture glitches, the positive feedback far outweighs the negatives, indicating a strong emotional impact on players.

Why it's here: The lowest-cost way into story games, and a quietly devastating one: Max, a teenager who can rewind time, replaying it through friendship, grief and a small-town mystery where choices stick. Free to start, it trades action for walking, talking and deciding. Whether an episodic narrative adventure counts as enough game depends entirely on what a player wants from one.

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15What Remains of Edith Finch
Best short story

What Remains of Edith Finch

4.5(28,305)2017
ESRB Teenmysterious
GreatReview analysis

Overall, players are overwhelmingly positive about 'What Remains of Edith Finch,' praising its emotional storytelling, beautiful visuals, and unique gameplay mechanics. Many express that the game is a profound experience that explores themes of mortality and family, leaving a lasting impact. However, there are some criticisms regarding its short length and the nature of its gameplay, with a minority feeling dissatisfied or questioning the depth of the narrative.

Why it's here: Environmental storytelling at its most concentrated: a single abandoned family home where each room replays how a relative died, every vignette built in a wholly different style, the whole thing finishable in one evening. The caveat is the length itself, two or three hours with almost no traditional play. Whether that brevity makes it perfect or slight is the only real question.

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About PlayStation Story Games

Story games put narrative first: character, emotion and plot lead, and the gameplay serves the story. This list is hand-curated for the best story-driven experiences on PS5 and PS4, spanning cinematic action-adventures, deep narrative RPGs, branching interactive dramas, and short, focused walking simulators. Each pick is chosen for the strength of its story and ranked using player ratings and critic scores, so the highest-quality PlayStation story games are easy to find.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best story-driven game on PS5?
The Last of Us Part I is the best story-driven game on PS5, a devastating, character-led journey across a post-apocalyptic America and the highest-rated game on this list. Red Dead Redemption 2 is the pick for the most ambitious open-world story, and The Witcher 3 for the best narrative RPG.
What are the best story games on PS5 and PS4?
Beyond The Last of Us and Red Dead Redemption 2, the strongest story games here include God of War Ragnarök, Cyberpunk 2077, Detroit: Become Human, Mass Effect Legendary Edition, NieR:Automata, and Ghost of Tsushima, spanning cinematic action, sci-fi RPGs, and interactive drama.
What are the best PS4 story games?
The best PS4 story games include The Last of Us, Red Dead Redemption 2, God of War, The Witcher 3, Detroit: Become Human and Horizon Zero Dawn, all playable on PS4 and enhanced on PS5. Every pick on this list is ranked by combined player ratings and critic scores.
What is the best story mode game on PlayStation?
For a pure single-player story mode, The Last of Us Part I and Red Dead Redemption 2 lead the list, with Disco Elysium and What Remains of Edith Finch as shorter, all-narrative alternatives. These are story-first campaigns rather than multiplayer or live-service games.
Are story-driven games good for beginners?
Yes. Most story games prioritise narrative over difficulty and include forgiving options, which makes them an ideal entry point. Final Fantasy VII Remake and Horizon Zero Dawn are rated Teen and very accessible, and Life Is Strange is a gentle, choice-led place to start.
What is the difference between story-driven games and RPGs?
Story games prioritise narrative, character, and cinematic presentation, with the mechanics serving the story. RPGs add deep character progression, stat systems, and player-defined builds. Many games on this list, like The Witcher 3, Mass Effect, and Disco Elysium, blend both, but the focus is always the narrative experience.
Are the best story games on PS5 available on PS Plus?
Several are included in the PS Plus Extra catalog, including The Last of Us Part I, Red Dead Redemption 2, God of War Ragnarök, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Detroit: Become Human, Cyberpunk 2077, and Horizon Zero Dawn. Check our PS Plus Extra games page for the current lineup.
What is the best short story game?
What Remains of Edith Finch is the best short story game here, a moving two-to-three-hour walking simulator you can finish in a single sitting. Life Is Strange is another good pick for an emotional story in shorter episodic chunks.