10 Best Story-Driven Games on PS Plus

Video games are an incredible vessel for storytelling, as you’re not just watching; you’re part of it! Games typically last longer than a movie, too, so there’s plenty of time to build the world and characters.

There’s always a place for the next new hot multiplayer game. But if you want to be immersed and invested in a single-player story, here are our picks for the best games on PS Plus to do it with.

10 The Witcher 3

Toss A Coin

The Witcher 3 is an incredible single-player adventure with a charismatic cast, beautiful locales, and a badass protagonist.

You share in Geralt’s adventures in Witcher 3 as he travels the world searching for his adopted daughter, Ciri. The game is quite combat-centric, but learning the ways of the Witcher is just one of many fascinating elements of the title.

The denizens of the Continent all have engaging, if bleak, stories to share. The quality bar is so high that you won’t want to miss any of them, and the main quest ferries you from grand cities to small settlements in the marshlands.

There’s never a dull moment in The Witcher 3, and while it’s the last game in the trilogy, you can enjoy it without playing the prequels.

If you fall in love with The Witcher lore, you’re in luck, as The Witcher 4 is in the works.

9 Crisis Core – Final Fantasy VII – Reunion

Activating Combat Mode

Most of the Final Fantasy games could have made this list, but Crisis Core tells a fantastic tale set before the events of Final Fantasy VII.

Many characters you know and love from Final Fantasy VII make an appearance, and seeing them here is a treat.

While many RPGs focus on the plight of a group, it’s clear from the get-go that this is Zack’s story. It makes the stakes feel higher and the events more personal.

Crisis Core is notably shorter than the mainline Final Fantasy games, so if you struggle with time commitments, that won’t be a problem here.

8 Red Dead Redemption II

The Wild West Is An Unforgiving Place

Red Dead Redemption II isn’t just a story-driven masterpiece; many regard it as one of the best games ever made.

Considering its lineage, you’d be forgiven for thinking Red Dead Redemption II is simply GTA in the Wild West, but you’d be very wrong.

You play as Arthur Morgan, an outlaw, and follow his journey after a failed heist. The character designs and voice acting are phenomenal, and it’s easy to spend countless hours existing in the world.

There’s plenty to distract you from the main quest, but the story is gripping, and you won’t want to stop playing until you reach the end.

Graphics don’t make a story, but they add to the immersion, and the visuals in RDR2 are nothing short of mind-blowing.

If you fall in love with Arthur, his voice actor even narrated a Red Dead History audio book.

7 South Park: The Stick Of Truth

That’s No Ordinary Stick

South Park games are a mixed bag, but Stick of Truth is arguably the best. This time, we have a turn-based RPG with a graphics style that makes it look like you’re playing an episode of the show.

The story of Stick of Truth plays like a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. There are magic and fantasy tropes galore and plenty of South Park’s trademark jokes.

The gameplay is surprisingly polished, with a solid RPG holding everything together. Everything you expect from the genre is here, including class-specific skills, and strategy.

Admittedly, South Park toilet humor is an acquired taste, but if you enjoy the show, you’ll love the game.

6 Resident Evil 2

Now THIS Is How You Do A Remake

Resident Evil 2 is a remake of the original PlayStation title of the same name.

The story may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Resident Evil, but there’s well-established lore and unforgettable characters. You play Leon Kennedy, a rookie cop, as the inhabitants of Racoon City fall victim to the T-Virus.

There’s never a dull moment as you try to escape the city, and a grand conspiracy unfolds concerning the outbreak’s origins and the fate of those infected.

Resident Evil 2 is easily the scariest and most intense game on this list, but the story is too good to pass up. The execution of this title is so good, it’s up there with the best remakes on the market.

5 The Last Of Us

An Epic Struggle For Survival

No story-driven games list would be complete without Naughty Dog’s epic, The Last Of Us.

TLOU is set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a pandemic that turns its victims into horrific, aggressive creatures. The story closely follows Joel as he fights to protect his daughter on their journey across the United States.

Storytelling is at the forefront of the title, but the gameplay is decent too. Combat is fun, and there are plenty of tense situations where stealth is the way to go.

I can’t say much more without spoilers, but the voice acting is incredible, as are the graphics and dramatic set pieces.

If you enjoy The Last Of Us, the sequel, TLOU2, picks up where the original left off.

4 Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX

Disney Meets Square Enix

The Kingdom Hearts story is so intricate that we could dedicate an entire article to it and still fall short.

At its most basic, you follow the adventures of Sora as he explores multiple worlds, all based on well-known Disney movies.

Donald and Goofy accompany you on the journey, and if it’s your first time, you never know where you’ll end up next.

Even Kingdom Hearts savants will admit the story is complex and convoluted. You’ll love every second if you’re after a mountain of lore to climb.

3 Until Dawn

Their Lives Are In Your Hands

Until Dawn is a stellar horror game where your actions have major consequences.

The story follows a group of teens spending time in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. It’s a recipe for disaster, and events don’t take long to spiral out of control.

You play more of an overseeing role in Until Dawn, and your choices often determine who lives and dies.

Your decisions dramatically alter the story, and the game is replayable as you can try to correct your past mistakes.

If you ever wanted to direct your own slasher movie, you won’t get much closer than this.

2 Judgment

Become A Real Detective

The Yakuza games are known for their intricate storytelling, memorable side quests, and unforgettable characters.

Judgment is a spin-off set in the same world, starring Yagami, a fearless detective.

Yagami is on the trail of a criminal known as “The Mole” and must scrape the underbelly of the criminal underworld to find his mark.

Judgment is markedly more gritty than your typical Yakuza game. There’s no sunshine and roses here, but the strong narrative ensures there’s never a dull moment.

Spin-offs to such beloved IPs are often met with resistance, but Judgment does such a great job; it even got a sequel of its own. Lost Judgment is just adored as the original, and a must-play for fans.

1 God of War

Kratos Is All Grown Up Now

God of War saw a massive tonal shift when the franchise moved to the PS4.

Kratos is older and more mature and now has a son, Atreus, to look after. The relationship between Kratos and Atreus is fascinating, and the strong narrative pulls the story along at a satisfying pace.

Like the original trilogy, combat flows perfectly and is as visceral as ever.

God Of War loosely follows Mythology, and it’s a real treat to see a unique interpretation in a high-budget AAA title.